Can you imagine my shock to find this the other day? I have been pretty good about bag care and storage but totally forgotten to insert acid free paper inside the pocket. With time and a little humidity, lining surface became sticky and came off when I pried them apart. Darn! I don't know if this is just a Louis Vuitton and Gucci issue because my other bags are fine. Yes, another Gucci bag lining came apart like this too!!!We spend so much money "investing" in bags but often I see my friends neglect their bags which makes SG cringe every time I see bags just toss on the floor carelessly when not in use. I am like the bag storage police among my friends. To be fair, they don't mean to mistreat their precious bags. So I will go into this 5 minute "talk" with them about bag care and storage.
1. Condition leather with leather care every 6 month or as necessary---Since SG rotates bags, I usually try to condition each before putting it away. This way, bags will look like new for years.
2. If there is a chain strap, store the chain inside the bag to prevent the chain from putting accidental indentation on the leather outside. Wrap the chain with tissue to protect the leather on the inside as well
3. If there is a removable strap, roll it up and store inside the bag wrap with tissue when not in use to prevent strap from disappearing and warping
4. Place an insert between the flap and body to further protect the leather
5. Stuff tissues inside to keep the shape when not in use
---I usually save tissues from shopping trips to stuff bags.
6. Place bag in its own sleeper and box if available
---I will use clean old pillow case (modify to fit the bag size) if sleeper is not available. This method protects bags from elements such as bugs and dust.
7. Keeping the shape of the bag in top condition by curbing the urge to stuff everything into the bag
So how do you care for your handbags so they are in top condition?
Great post+ Oh yeah!
ReplyDeleteThanks Savvy!
xoxo: Janet
This is a very helpful post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletexoxo
I store my bags in old pillow cases too! Hahaha yes I hate it when my bags spoils :(
ReplyDeletethanks for the tips! and Happy New Year, dear!
ReplyDeleteHi savvy-these are great tips, sorry to see what happened to your bag:-(
ReplyDeletesuper helpful post! very useful dear.
ReplyDeletethanks,
Marian
Poor purse. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips SG? I'm curious, my Hermes pouchette has the acid free tissue inside the orange box but inside the bag itself there was one of those air pocket cushions (to keep the shape?) + cloths. I've kept it as I received it, but now I'm wondering. Would you recommend that I replace it with acid free tissue instead? TIA
Great tips, I need to get a good leather conditioner...
ReplyDeletethanks, how cool is that little fact? I love McQueen! didn't know about their sequin leggings ohhh! X
ReplyDeleteAwwe, poor bag - I'm sorry that happened!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your tips on bag care... I usually would just wrap my bags in the sleeper, but now thanks to your wonderful tips, I'll be able to keep my bags looking like new! Thank you :)
xo
that's really fantastic! i never thought about those kind of things before, i have to admit i do batter my handbags (but they are second hand anyway!) i will keep these tips in mind! x
ReplyDeletewow you are intense the bag protection! i wish i was like that.. unfortunately im probably like one of your friends who throws it on the ground.. i need to start taking care of things!
ReplyDeletethanks for the post!
This is excellent - perfect timing because I just got a vintage CD handbag that I want to preserve as best as possible. x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. Urs is always great :D
ReplyDeleteShomore: I just store my Hermes Bags as per packaging inside the orange box. Most of the gals I know with Kellys and Birkins store their bags exactly as they receive it and so far I have not heard of any issue. So far I only have issues with Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags with the leather coming apart like this. I think it's the dye process.
ReplyDeleteBut, if you really want to be extra cautious, acid free paper doesn't hurt.
omg thanks for these tips! i sadly admit i am like one of your friends that does not take very good care of her bags..
ReplyDeletewow that's definitely helpful! thank you!
ReplyDeletexxo
happy new year!
ReplyDeletei have had issues with gucci and lv only a well! I feel like I am always back in LV with a complaint!
ReplyDeleteGood tips, I'll have to start taking better care of my bags so you don't hunt me down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on wewearthings! Happy new year to you too!
ReplyDeletewhat a great post! thank you so much. i admit, i'm guilty of neglecting my bags. probably because i'm clueless as to how to care for them. but now i know what to do!
ReplyDeletethank you so much for these tips. I don't have any majorly expensive bags (yet) but ought to start taking care of them anyway I suppose!
ReplyDeleteSweet Nothings: I don't know about you, but LV is never really helpful. I figure they think they can sell bags no matter what so.... They can reline the inside for a cost and usually the cost to fix it is almost as much as a new bag so why bother. Hmm.... maybe that is the plan so we will just buy new bags. : )
ReplyDeleteShomore: I called my sister and friends to double check, all their hermes bags all have acid free tissue on the inside too. I noticed in the store some bags has air cushion inside, maybe it's a new thing.
ReplyDeleteWow - thanks for looking into this for me. I bought my H bag in late 2007. I wonder if they forgot to replace the air cushion with the acid free tissue. I'm definitely switching out the cushion for the tissue now. I also realized that hte blue ink on the air cushions might rub off on the bag.
ReplyDeleteWhile we are on the topic of handbag storage, I've got a little confession. In addition to the sleeper and original box, I often triple wrap my favorite shoes and bags in trash bags (after they are aired out). I do it just in case the fire sprinklers go off. My hope is that the trash bags will repel the water and give me time to save them from total damage. Is that totally insane/paranoid or what?
Shomore: wow... you really love your bags and shoes.
ReplyDeleteI love handbags too, love them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your tips, they're great!
I loved the pink heart in the last post :)
I was thinking of buying a vintage Chanel, but the lining in the inner pocket is in terrible condition (probably from the humidity). How much do you think it would cost to reline it? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHas the leather come apart. I know you can sent it back to Chanel to have it relined but I am pretty sure it will cost hundreds at Chanel for sure. What kind of bag, flap or tote? To have it relined, I think they need to take the bag apart. I asked about a LV petite Noe once and the cost to fix the bottom leather and replace the strap cost about 60% of a new bag.
ReplyDeleteIf the price is really good and you don't mind the lining and it's only bad in the inside small zip pocket then maybe you can ignore it. Or ask a cobbler if he can fix it by adding a lining to the inside pocket.
Thanks for your advice. It's a Chanel flap and the leather is coming apart, but only in the inside pockets. I think you are right, it will be too costly to get it done at Chanel (probably will cost more than the price of the bag!). I'll see what a cobbler can do, thanks again!
ReplyDelete