Corner and Leather Wear on your BEs?

[Lexie2000]

I think my problem is a little bit of OCD where my bags are concerned. When a bag gets scratched or marred in any way I find it imperfect and it really bugs me. Corner wear on BE's are so prevelent and I can't help think it is the type of leather they use. I own so many designer bags; tons of RMs, Koobas, Jimmy Choos, Pradas and almost none have corner wear and some have been used extensively.

My first BE bag was a Love me In Wine. It was used but I was appalled by the amount of corner/edges wear because I knew the bag was relatively new. Then I began to peruse Ebay and saw it was so pervasive. Some even said it was "Patina". I know Patina and corner wear is not Patina. I was very happy with my 2 Old Tan BE's. The corners were still good and since that day they never get sat down and only hung. That is why they are used so seldom because of the amount of babying I have to do to maintain the nice corners.

I will say that My Prada Cervo Luxes have corner/edge wear. It was a well known fault in these bags and it looks so unsightly. It is the glaze or "Lux" treatment used that makes the bags sparkle. It will have corner wear starting just when you look at it. The bag style is awesome but this problem is very annoying. Since BE seems to have a trend towards glossy or finished bags possibly this is the root of the problem.

So....I guess my bottom line is when you pay 750.00 you should have a bag that wears like iron for many many many years without showing wear (unless you abuse it). My Old Koobas were amazing in that aspect. So I am giving it one more try with the Enchant Me in Tan. If I find this bag wears on corners or in general with normal use, it will be the last BE bag I invest in. I will have tried 9 times by then. I keep hoping that I start seeing thick (really thick) leathers that will hold up but for the most part the leathers are on the thin side for me (750+ should not be thin). I'll admit I haven't tried a Pebbled one, but that is mainly because I only tend towards a few styles and I don't want a bunch of duplicates.

[*suzi*]

I think it must depend on the leather because my black crash TME and my dark grey LM Midi look brand new and have been used a lot. However, I remember the first BE that I ever purchased several years ago and there was wear right out of the box. I think that's when BE changed their packaging. Both of my Hold Me's have discoloration on the corners, but I love that style and will never stop purchasing it. I agree, that it could possibly be the strong base. The pebbled WTM never had any wear, but I think that leather is an absolute workhorse. I have never owned any sheen or metallic leathers just yet. My understanding is that the pewter wears quite well. However, I'm fairly sure that the metallics in general don't wear well from any company. The Prada lady came right out and told me that theirs flakes off and I am positive Jimmy Choos do as well because I owned one. That being said, I am lusting after a metallic bag and will probably get the BE pewter regardless.

[hipnycmom]

Originally Posted by *suzi*

I think it must depend on the leather because my black crash TME and my dark grey LM Midi look brand new and have been used a lot. However, I remember the first BE that I ever purchased several years ago and there was wear right out of the box. I think that's when BE changed their packaging. Both of my Hold Me's have discoloration on the corners, but I love that style and will never stop purchasing it. I agree, that it could possibly be the strong base. The pebbled WTM never had any wear, but I think that leather is an absolute workhorse. I have never owned any sheen or metallic leathers just yet. My understanding is that the pewter wears quite well. However, I'm fairly sure that the metallics in general don't wear well from any company. The Prada lady came right out and told me that theirs flakes off and I am positive Jimmy Choos do as well because I owned one. That being said, I am lusting after a metallic bag and will probably get the BE pewter regardless.

You make a great point Suzi - BE metallics are surprisingly sturdy. Chanel came out with some beautiful metallics but even the SAs mentioned that they tended to peel and flake. yikes for bags that were almost/sometimes over 3k. I am hoping my pewter LM Mini lasts forever.

[tenKrat]

1. Taupe grey matte Whisper To Me Midi - I wore this bag everyday for two weeks, and there was slight corner wear. I applied Lovin My Bags (LMB) Silk Serum Treatment cream, and the leather looks fine now. The label on the bottom of the silk serum jar says to use it every month and that it is good for dry or damaged leather. It worked for me. I am quite satisfied with the LMB products.

2. Mottled gold Stroke Me Midi - I've been wearing this bag everyday for the last two weeks, and there is no noticeable wear. The leather is thicker than the matte and seems sturdier. I like this leather so much that I am considering getting a bag in the mottled silver sometime next year. (ScubaHound's mottled silver TMA is beautiful, but I would get a smaller bag since I am petite. I used to be afraid of metallics, but when I decided to go for the gold, I was a goner.)

[Bali_Girl]

I've got quite a few BE bags - one thing I find about BE bags is that I treat them more like work horse bags than the pampered designer bags I've also carried.

I've had no real problems with the corners however I do think that the structured bottoms that BE use exposes the corners a bit more than is the case with some other brands. I like the structured bottoms - especially the ones on the LM style so while I don't baby the LM's I try to be bit more conscience about the corners.

I'm much less careful with the WTM's and Hug Me. The TME seems to have a bit less structured bottom -- Once I load the bag up the corners aren't as pointy.

I wonder if there's merit to having the decorative corners on the LM in an attempt to protect them more....maybe so.Might have to do this on my next LM order!

[hipnycmom]

Originally Posted by Bali_Girl

I've got quite a few BE bags - one thing I find about BE bags is that I treat them more like work horse bags than the pampered designer bags I've also carried.

Bali I have noticed this too. I don't like to baby my bags too much and really never have but when most of my bags were Bal I noticed that while I loved the leather, they were quite prone to threads coming out, handles getting really dark etc. Mine were all in decent condition but the worrying stressed me out My Chanel bags have been good to me, but when I started noticing corner wear on 1 of them early on, I realized it wasn't worth it for me to keep spending that much on bags that will eventually wear out (and they all do anyway, right?). The BEs are just pleasurable for me to use. I don't find myself sticking them under my shirt in the event of a sudden downpour I love going out and not having to worry whether my things will withstand the rigors of my normal day

[melissatrv]

Anyone have a chocolate crash? Curious as to how this wears as others have been positive about the black crash wearing well. Also I think someone had a point about the bag styles.....I am noticing those with Hug Me's do not seem to have this issue.

[lovebags2]

Hi Ladies,

I thought I"d chime in on how a couple of my favorite BE's wear.

My cervo leather's look exactly the same as when they first arrived. This leather is absolutely indescructible IMO. So for those that are really concerned with BE wear then I highly suggest trying this type.

My next durable leather of choice are the crash choices. I have a pewter and choco crash wtm on the way and I"m sure I'll report back here with my experience. However, in the past I never had an issue when I was using my black crash, choco or plum. Then again, I rotated my crash leathers often so I probably wouldn't have noticed if wear did occur.

As for the mattes. Well, these are more vulnerable. Yes, they are lovely and I do enjoy them very much BUT they don't have the same qualities of durablity as I find the above mentioned. I "baby" these bags more. Would I feel comfortable going in a rain or snow storm wearing a matte BE - No way! But, that's just me. I"m extremely gentle with my BE's especially the matte.

Do I have markings and wear on them? Of course I do! It just doesn't bother me that much because my philosophy is IF I find a style to enjoy that I love then I don't worry about. I look at a bag as a possible 5 year investment. If I can reach that milestone then I"m thrilled!

That said, I can certainly understand and appreciate everyone's interest in BE wear. I think when spending these type of dollars it's very important to realize what your getting into before the purchase. This is a great thread and will hopefully help many.

[Moonfancy]

I think rotating your bags is just the thing. I really hated putting Goldie to sleep for a while, but I took her to Michigan and up into Canada last week and basically just dragged her everywhere. I have not seen any wear on her yet, even though I haven't been too gentle with her. She ended being a fantastic traveling bag. I literally STUFFED her with all my necessaties, and she looked very pregnant. All the stuff I needed for that trip were nestled sweetly within her pretty pink lining. I love having big bags when I travel. I am carrying my new pewter LM now, but he's so new that he still looks the same as the day he arrived. My Choco Crash MMS midi is the bag I've used most often, as it was my first Echandia bag for several months. I just took her out to examine her, and only one corner shows sign of wear. But it's just a tiny rub and still looks bronzy on that one spot. If any of my bags were going to show wear and tear, it would be my Choco MMS because I really did carry her for 3 solid months.

[elizat]

Originally Posted by tenKrat

1. Taupe grey matte Whisper To Me Midi - I wore this bag everyday for two weeks, and there was slight corner wear. I applied Lovin My Bags (LMB) Silk Serum Treatment cream, and the leather looks fine now. The label on the bottom of the silk serum jar says to use it every month and that it is good for dry or damaged leather. It worked for me. I am quite satisfied with the LMB products. 2. Mottled gold Stroke Me Midi - I've been wearing this bag everyday for the last two weeks, and there is no noticeable wear. The leather is thicker than the matte and seems sturdier. I like this leather so much that I am considering getting a bag in the mottled silver sometime next year. (ScubaHound's mottled silver TMA is beautiful, but I would get a smaller bag since I am petite. I used to be afraid of metallics, but when I decided to go for the gold, I was a goner.)

I am so happy you are pleased with the gold! It just was not me and it sat in the closet after I purchased it, never carried, like the red headed step child saying... glad it went somewhere it could see the light of day! Oh- I am really not a stalker or anything- I just put two and two together when I saw you post that you had purchased the SMM recently and where you are from.

[kicksarefortwids]

Originally Posted by hipnycmom

I have a similar experience in that I've owned almost every brand except BV (accessories only, no bags) and Hermes. I find that corners are where my bags tend to show wear in general, even though I am not too hard on them. This is the case for my Chanel bags (and the pre-owned Chanels I see for sale seem to have the same problem) and for other brands. I don't think this is surprising since the corners are the part of the bag that tend to rub the most in my opinion. Though with Balenciaga most everyone had issues with handles. In general, I find BEs to be quite sturdy. Certainly I love the attention to detail and feel that I get my money's worth in terms of material and workmanship. I just personally try to avoid styles/leathers that require too much care. I LOVE my handbags, but don't want to spend too much time having to worry about them.

i have had issues with chanels but not with corner wear. i have had many bals (including a calcaire) and despite never having treated them or babied them they look fine and no corner wear. i never even had an issue with the lv vachetta on hard edges like the large noe. so i am a bit mystified by the issues with be corners.

[Jenova]

Originally Posted by Bali_Girl

I've had no real problems with the corners however I do think that the structured bottoms that BE use exposes the corners a bit more than is the case with some other brands. I like the structured bottoms - especially the ones on the LM style so while I don't baby the LM's I try to be bit more conscience about the corners.

I really think that a lot of my abrasion damage is related to the structured bottoms, particularly that on my Dark Grey Matte TMA and Mottled Gold I'm Yours. You can see that the leather is being rubbed between my body and the hard edge of the base. I don't have a car and walk absolutely everywhere so if anything is going to rub, it will show up soon for me.

I am waiting for the first Enchant Me to turn up with one of you because I suspect, from the photos, that it could have a base stiffener. I am steering clear of it at the moment for that reason.

[Contessa]

I find that if I obsess about wear and tear on my bags, I might as well use a plastic garbage bag and call it a day. A mark here....a scuff there.........really, if it really irked me, then I would never ever wear a leather bag. I'm glad normal wear and tear doesn't phase me......mind you, my CC would probably thank me.

I remember when I got my 1st LV years ago and became terrified of a scotch mist of rain. I'm not the same person anymore. And my LV's??? Well.....let's just say, they're "seasoned" and look amazing.

Today, I wear my bags with pleasure and if it rains, snows, hails, who cares.....it's just a bag.

And something else I've noticed.......I have a Bal and Prada Gauffre.......there is some minimal wear on the corners and although it bothers me NONE, I will say, if any of my bags were to get a "hole", it would be those 2.....NOT my BE's.

And like my good friend says........wear something if you enjoy it.......wear the hell out of it and once it's had it's day, get a new one.

[Lexie2000]

I have to say that the BE I doubt will ever show wear for me is the Black Crash Hug Me. I used this bag alot and never babied it. The texture and crackling make it impossible to see wear. I love that bag but the leather is a little thin for me and the stiffer texture isn't something I want in more than one bag.

[Contessa]

Lexie.....are you saying that the "thicker and more stiff" the better????

I agree that thin and stiff isn't a good combo.........