Corner and Leather Wear on your BEs?

[hipnycmom]

Hi ladies,

I have been thinking about this for some time and would appreciate your input/knowledge. Since discovering BE on this forum I have bought several and am very happy with them. I started out with pewter, followed by brown and black pebbled glossy, briefly owned a matte tan (kidnapped by my sister), then wine pebbled and now a couple of glossy/sheen leathers.
I did notice that while all the leathers are luscious, they do behave differently. I would like at least one more BE and keep wavering on color/leather type since I don't know how quickly certain leathers show wear.

In all my bag-loving life, I have never managed to wear a bag down so I know I don't abuse them terribly. And even if I do change my mind about bags often enough, longevity is very important to me. Also, I do get PMs asking me these same things about bags I already own.

So, I am wondering if you kind ladies will share your knowledge regarding:
1) Types of leather you own, how soon they show wear, what kind of wear is visible and if this progresses rather quickly or stays the same?
2) Bag styles you own, which has shown wear more quickly and where?

I'll start:
Pewter Love Me Mini - broken in nicely after a week of use, have had for about 6 weeks and no evidence of wear.

Pewter MMS Midi - owned for 6 months, used regularly in rotation with other bags. Light scuffing (pinpoint) in 1 corner only to show black underlayer

Chocolate Sheen WTM Midi - used only handful of times, beautiful leather, no wear noted, not yet broken in

Tan Matte WTM Midi - suffered color transfer after my sister carried it for a day; top edge with darkening. However, also a large transformation in leather noted from quite dry to smooshy as color deepened. Corners are ok after 1 month of daily use (my sister is not gentle at all)

Plum Crash Love Me Midi - began showing wear on corners and edges pretty quickly (within 2 weeks of light use) - they are showing a silvery underlayer. Not immediately noticeable but noticeable. Leather has deepened from a bright metallic to a deep shimmery purple (beautiful!) but leather remains quite structured. This is my most structure BE thus far.

Black Pebbled Glossy LM Midi - have had for over 6 months and used regularly, body of bag has softened greatly with use, corners are perfect. Some wear noted on braiding of handle (don't know how to describe this)

Wine Pebbled Charm Me - have had for 6 weeks. Has broken in nicely after a couple of uses. Corners intact and pristine, handles great. Seems like a very hardy leather.

Milk Chocolate Pebbled Hug Me - have had for several months and used often. Initially stiff but now very very soft and puddly. I also believe the color has deepened uniformly with use (it is a beautiful shade of brown now). no peeling or scuffing and seams actually look better (not that there was anything wrong to begin with). My silkiest bag so far.

Taupe Glossy TME Midi - my favorite bag to date. Leather soft from the start but softer now, and slouchy. Used often. Corners clean, intact, no wear.

In general my bags have performed well and look even better than when they first arrived. The plum crash has undergone the most drastic change though and I love the color it has now taken on. I am not sure I would have purchased it though had I known the corners would turn to silver.

[elizat]

Nice thread and helpful! I don't "baby" bags, so I look for leather that can withstand use, age well and not show visible signs of wear.

Wine glossy (not the pebbled): I had this in a SMM and although it was second hand, the prior user only used it a handful of times. The corners turned black, which seemed to be the underlayer color of the leather maybe.

Here are some photos- I think that helps when considering. I'm not delicate on bags, so being able to handle some abuse is necessary for me.





Mottled gold SMM- never carried, bought new from another seller. It seemed that the finish was really thick and durable though.

Glossy grey MMS Midi- some corner wear, it shows up as crackling w/ white underneath.

[SereneRun]

I have 3 BE bags

1) Black crash TME
It was used daily for 3 months straight. I would have to look very hard to see slight wears on corners.

2) Dark Grey Matte LM
Used on and off for a couple months. No signs of wears.

3) Tan Matte TMA
Used a handful of times. No real sign of wears on corners but it was used very sparingly. I did notice that it seems to be more delicate compare to dark grey matte. There were a couple times I wasn't careful with my bag and got some some scuffs on the front of the bag. I just re-moisturized it and it seemed OK.

[tlloveshim]

1) Aubergine sheen: wears easily but covers easily with conditioner
2) chocolate matte: didn't notice signs of wear, dries out but conditions well
3) tan matte: scuffs a little, not much, conditions out (favorite matte leather!)
4) choco pebbled luxe: slight signs of wear, haven't tried conditioning yet though
(this leather is my favorite by far!)
5) mottled silver: not used long but didn't notice any signs of wear, nice leather when broken in

[Susan Lee]

1. Pewter LMmidi-no wear, use almost daily for a month now, gets softer and squishier by the say. LOVE this bag! No conditioner or treatment on this one.

2. Petrol Sheen Regular Size Hug Me-second owner, shows surface wrinkling and creases with age, gets softer with each use and the handles have stretched (I love it!) No wear at all whatsoever on any of the corner areas or bottom. I have conditioned her and treated her with LMB pro treatment.

[Jenova]

1. Mottled Gold I'm Yours - an ex sample - severe loss of surface finish along inner side of base and front back corner after approx 4-5 uses - very disfiguring.
2. Apple Glossy Stroke Me - an ex sample - severe loss of glossy surface leaving paler effect on centre back 'point' on second wear - bare leather now picks up dye and dirt at drop of a hat - ugly but at least only I see it.
3. Dark Grey Matte TMA - bespoke Dec 08 - clear rub lines along inside of hard base after about 10-15 uses and some corner rub - not disfiguring but a bit worrying as the leather is quite fine. Could it wear through after a bit? Must be because the rigid base rubs against my body a lot when I walk with the bag over my shoulder. Disturbing as I want to use this bag a lot and for it to last for ages.
4. Cobalt Sheen TMA - SS09 - corners a bit rubbed and pale looking from early on but not very upset about this as the blue colour is so eye catching that nobody is likely to notice minor flaws.
5. Plum Crash Love Me - silver showing through on corners after about 5 uses - surprised and cross.
6. Wine Glossy Love Me - ex sample - some corner rub and wear on drawstring after use for approx 3-4 weeks - not disfiguring and seems strong.
7. Chocolate Matte TME Midi - slight corner rub after about 10 uses - not very disfiguring and seems strong - no real problem.
8. Petrol Glossy Make Me Smile - got a funny little rub mark on the back after about a week - strange!
9. Turquoise Sheen AP - horrid and undisguisable scuffs after approx 2 weeks in bag - cross.
10. Plum Crash Hug Me - lots of use and no signs damage
11. Pewter Crash Hug Me - used about 10 times - no damage
12. Black Crash Love Me - used frequently - no damage
13. Pearlized Mustard Be Mine - used about 8 times - no damage.
14. Pearlized Lilac LM Midi - used about 5 times - no damage.
15. Chocolate Matte AP - constant use in bag since approx March 09 - slight corner rub but doing well.
16. Dark Purple Glossy PM - constant use in bag since for months - no signs damage.
17. Pewter Crash KM - only used twice and is fine.

[mich206]

Love this thread please keep it coming... this is great for us newbies to see what each leather wears like, and which styles best suit different leathers

[Cornflower Blue]

1. Dark Grey Matte LM Midi - used frequently. No scuffing, no visible corner wear. At the slightest hint of corner wear, I rub the palm of my hand into it and it disappears. Perfect.

2. Chocolate matte LM Midi - used frequently. As above, but at the slightest hint of any corner wear, I rub handbag cream into it. Perfect.

3. Chocolate matte Take Me Away Mini (Overnighter) - used infrequently, only for hols and short trips. Has been stuffed under an aeroplane seat. A few superficial scuffs on body, nothing on corners. I'm going to give it a conditioning.

4. Petrol (glossy, now called sheen) I'm Yours Tote - worn about 40 times. Has reinforced corners as standard. No corner wear. A few slight scuffs on body of bag and minor rubbing/fading on beading around exterior pocket. Nothing that bothers me too much.

5. Fiamma red Be Mine Mini - a recent acquisition, too early to tell.

6. Mottled Silver Flirt With Me - used about 20 times. Perfect.

7. Black Crash Clutch Me - used infrequently (I need to get out more!). Perfect.

8. Pewter Crash Hold Me - used about 40 times. A tiny bit of wear under one corner, a small blackish mark of 3 x 1 mm.

9. Turquoise Angel Purse - in my bag for the past 2 months but has not been handled much. No corner wear. Slight faded veining on body, seems to be the nature of the leather rather than wear.

10. Pewter Crash Angel Purse - used to death and handled frequently. Corner wear evident on all corners - 2 dark and 2 whitish. Appeared all of a sudden last year after my hols (I have my suspicions about sun cream affecting it, but might have happened anyway...). Has not got any worse.

11. Mottled Gold MMS Midi - used about 20 times. Wear evident under all 4 corners, sort of an orangey rust colour. Not noticable when carrying the bag, but noticable if you pick it up an look at it.

[hipnycmom]

Thanks ladies for sharing! I hope to hear more.
I am very curious about the sheen/glossy leathers because much as I adore the pebbled leathers (Which to me also seem to be the hardiest), I am really drawn to the lightness and beauty of the sheens.

As I've mentioned in prior threads I've been very curious about the petrol and aubergine, but have also wondered about cobalt.

I also know that everyone raves about the matte leathers - dark grey and choco and tan. But as a general rule I try not to treat my bags with anything and let them age naturally- they seem to last longer for me this way so I instinctively avoid anything that requires treatment.

[elizat]

^ Another good questions is what products people use. I have not treated any BE bags, but in general, I use the Wilson's TLC spray. I wonder if anyone has used this v. LMB products v. Apple products ect. and to what results?

[Lexie2000]

I always use Wilson's for protection....on all of my bags (BE or not). I do have all the LMB products for cleaning and conditioning. Never had a problem with adverse effects.

Wonder if I gave BE bags super duper extra spray on the corners if it would stave off wear.

[hipnycmom]

Originally Posted by elizat

^ Another good questions is what products people use. I have not treated any BE bags, but in general, I use the Wilson's TLC spray. I wonder if anyone has used this v. LMB products v. Apple products ect. and to what results?

Great question, elizat!
If my bags do need cleaning, I use Apple leather cleaner. None of them (other than tan matte) have required any moisturizing. I did treat the tan matte with the apple care lotion but was not happy with results (could not see any difference). I think the only bag I've had to spot clean was the black glossy - it got a few drops of milk on the surface.

[kicksarefortwids]

what's the reason for the propensity to corner wear? i still don't have a BE but have owned many many many bags (including lambskin and white bags) from many different designers and a wide range of price point and have never had a problem with corner wear. in fact, the oldest bag in my collection is 10 years old, has traveled around the world and been handled quite indelicately, and just now the edges are showing a tiny bit of wear. and it's lambskin and has never been treated!

[Jenova]

Originally Posted by hipnycmom

Thanks ladies for sharing! I hope to hear more. I am very curious about the sheen/glossy leathers because much as I adore the pebbled leathers (Which to me also seem to be the hardiest), I am really drawn to the lightness and beauty of the sheens. As I've mentioned in prior threads I've been very curious about the petrol and aubergine, but have also wondered about cobalt.

I think, and I may be wrong, that the Glossy leathers are doomed to suffer wear because their shine and colour density relates to a surface coating rather than being due to a physical surface treatment. Once the coating is gone, you cannot quite get the same effect back by moisturizing and polishing the leather.

How bad this looks is likely to depend on the difference between the colour saturation of the leather when it is coated and when it is bare. My Wine Glossy LM looks fine (in fact rather nice) with some scuffs but my Turquoise Sheen AP looks (to me) rather ugly.

[hipnycmom]

Originally Posted by kicksarefortwids

what's the reason for the propensity to corner wear? i still don't have a BE but have owned many many many bags (including lambskin and white bags) from many different designers and a wide range of price point and have never had a problem with corner wear. in fact, the oldest bag in my collection is 10 years old, has traveled around the world and been handled quite indelicately, and just now the edges are showing a tiny bit of wear. and it's lambskin and has never been treated!

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.