Help! My new Bottega Veneta Intreccio Natte

[sara0123]

Hi!
I just bought a Bottega Veneta Increccio Natte tote (this bag in black: http://cgi.ebay.com/Bottega-Veneta-L...item563693f9b3) and I LOVE it!! However, it's my first BV and I'm a little nervous about hurting it. Because of the size, it rubs against my side and I'm nervous that rivets from jeans will pull on the weave - am I crazy? What can I do to protect it? And is it OK to go in the rain? Or should I get it waterproofed or something first.
Thanks!

[boxermom]

BV Nappa is surprisingly sturdy despite its softness. Unless the rivets have rough edges the bag won't wear faster than other leather bags. I have some old, old woven bags that still have nice, even weave. Unless a strip really gets caught, they don't easily pull.

Some people use a protectant, but others don't. I never have. If it's pouring, I'll use another bag, but a little rain won't hurt it. My woven Nappa zip wallet got soaked once to my horror, and it dried so well that no one would know it happened.

I'm sure some will share how they protect their bags if you want to treat yours with something extra.

Congrats on getting such a gorgeous bag!

[doreenjoy]

I've caught a strip of intrecciato on a doorhandle and pulled it out about an inch, but it went right back in and now I can't even find the spot.

[sara0123]

Great, thanks so much for your reassurance - I'm so excited for my bag!

[ssc0619]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

I've caught a strip of intrecciato on a doorhandle and pulled it out about an inch, but it went right back in and now I can't even find the spot.

I've always worried about something like that happening. If something can be caught on a doorhandle I will do it.

It is nice to know that it went right back in!

[doreenjoy]

Just came back to add, I don't use protectant on my BV bags. I keep the napa bags inside when it's really pouring, but the cervo sees the worst of the weather and holds up fine.

I also keep an extra large Longchamp Le Pliage folded up inside my BVs in super rainy weather...if I get caught in a downpour I take out the trusty Le Pliage and put my BV inside the Longchamp.

I should add that I'm usually walking or taking the subway...if I was just dashing out the door to a car, I wouldn't worry about a few drops of rain.

My Ball bag got soaked with water about a week after I got it...a friend's DD knocked over a full 10 ounce glass, right over and into my BV! I tried not to panic but my friend teased me about not having child-safe bags. I'm happy to say the bag was none the worse for the experience.

[Bichon Lover]

And why should you have child safe bags????

[sara0123]

I live in New York and walk a lot as well - no running in and out of cars so that's helpful. I can picture the DD experience being horrifying - trying not to panic but in your head I am sure there was panic :). I think my bag is a little too big to be put inside something, but I don't really like getting wet myself so I usually carry an umbrella which should help out with that. Any advice on keeping the BV closed btw? Mine has this magnet that's hidden inside the insanely thick leather so it really doesn't stay closed. At all.
Thanks!

[Baggiana]

sara0123 - lovely bag!!! - and congratulations and enjoy your new obsession!!!

Just as a matter of course, I do spray both the exterior and the interior with 3 light coats of applegard for water and soil resistance. I swear by this procedure - but then I do the same for my shoes. Nothing is altered on the leather - not for nappa, cervo, goat, ostrich, python, karung, lizard or ayers snake. I do not know if it is truly necessary, but I feel better that I do it.

Oh, and I do carry a very portable dry bag to slip my BV's into when the sudden downpours materialize and I am out... very light weight, very compact, very portable, and has saved my bags numerous times... I know - it is ugly... but my bags are protected.

[sara0123]

I have some appleguard that came with my couch - I'll have a look and see if any of it is useful :). I keep an umbrella in my bag at all times - worst comes to worse I'll hold it over the bag and let me get wet :).

Anyone have suggestions on making the fold stay closed? It has this magnet that's burried deep in the leather that never actually stays closed unless the bag is almost empty. I can mostly tuck it under my arm and make it stay closed somewhat - but I don't love the idea of a completely open bag when I'm on the subway...

[BgaHolic]

sara0123, I am not from this forum but have been researching this forum for ideas and the people here are what I would refer as "southern hospitality"! They seem to be the nicest friendliest informative people. I would trust what they say that the bags are made to be worn and can take the friction.

Myself frequently visiting the city, I would recommend wearing the bag on your shoulder in front of you when entering and exiting the subways! A top zip would have been more secure, however, as long as you have it held in front of you, I believe you will be safe and the bag will stay problem free as well. - Nice purchase btw! I can't wait until this coming weekend. I am going to look at all the BV wallets. I need one very badly! - I'm almost afraid to go 'cause of all this talk about the Cervo bag. I had tried it on and it is the softest, lightest leather. What stopped me from buying it was I had decided to buy a Gucci Pelham at that time and got totally confused and didn't end up with either. Hence, I am returning to make a decision this weekend.

[sara0123]

I've lived here for a while and am pretty observant when it comes to people nosing in my bag - but i would love if it would just... stay closed. crazy concept I know.

In terms of wallets - I actually was just in the BV store this week. I have to say my favorite wallets are by far the ones that are mostly solid leather with just a little bit of weave here and there. Unfortunately right now they don't have too many of those and the ones that they do are gold with these diseased looking dots on them. (I'm not joking - it looks like they either have hives or had acid spilled on them). It made me sad.

[Jane*Bond]

I have this bag! But in a tan-ish color (I am not sure what the name of the color is).

I LOVE this bag. It is very roomy, holds a ton (including some very heavy binders and files) and holds up very well. I have been using it a lot since I bought it last year, and have been using it non-stop for a couple of weeks now. No weaves have pulled and aside from some slight wear on the corners (I really should stop leaving it on the floor of my office, but I love just looking at it!), it looks fantastic!

On protecting the bag, I did not do anything to this bag. I have been caught in rain while carrying it (not any major storm, but just regular rain), and nothing happened. If my lighter-color bag looks almost exactly as it did when I bought it a year ago, yours in black should be fine.

On the closure, I did not even realize it had a closure! I will say that the bag softens with use, which makes the sides fold into each other very nicely - I feel it is pretty secure that way. I think it will be hard for someone to get an arm in there without you noticing (and as deep as the bag is, a whole arm, not a hand needs to get in there to get anything out). Also, the inside zip pocket is pretty roomy, so I put my wallet, keys and phone in there.

I hope you enjoy your bag as much as I do mine!

[sara0123]

I love it too! And i totally agree about the roominess. I love that I can put not a lot of stuff in it and it looks great, or if I go to a bar and don't feel like checking a light coat, it fits on top of the bag too.

I love your arm description because you are totally right. I've been putting all my valuables at the bottom of the bag and then on top I put my makeup bag and random other stuff so they really would have to mush around to find anything of any value. Maybe I'll switch to that zip pocket.

Good to know that it softens with age - I can tell it's started to get a little softer but it's only been a week.

And I've been staring at my bag too all day at work. You are not alone.

[doreenjoy]

Originally Posted by sara0123

I live in New York and walk a lot as well - no running in and out of cars so that's helpful. I can picture the DD experience being horrifying - trying not to panic but in your head I am sure there was panic :). I think my bag is a little too big to be put inside something, but I don't really like getting wet myself so I usually carry an umbrella which should help out with that. Any advice on keeping the BV closed btw? Mine has this magnet that's hidden inside the insanely thick leather so it really doesn't stay closed. At all. Thanks!

The Longchamp Le Pliage bags come in various sizes. The Extra Large holds a maxi Veneta and a cervo hobo with room to spare. With the storms we have out here there's no way an umbrella would help...it's too windy.

I got the idea over on the H forum, where many foiks carry a folded Le Pliage inside their Birkins.