I have rehabbed lots of vintage
Coach bags but none as old as the Small Shopper and none with the Mexican Striped Cotten lining. I didn't want to give her a bath because I was afraid that the colors would bleed and ruin the bag.
I considered trying to surface clean the bag inside and out, but I didn't really think that would do the job. I looked at her and said "Honey, you are dirty, dusty, smelly, and out-of-shape! You really need the full spa treatment!"
So I decided to trust Bonnie and Coach, together they made high-quality products! I filled the sink with warm water and ivory dish soap, then I closed my eyes and dumped her into the water! I opened one eye to peak, afraid that I would see that the water had turned muddy brown because the colors had all run out of the lining. But she was sitting there quietly enjoying the suds, and she was already beginning to look cleaner and brighter!
Below are photos taken during the rehab, when I realized that the Cashin bag would be fine in the bath, I tossed in a Michaels Kors wallet that I had picked up for $10 to clean that up too. I also washed the Saks Fifth Avenue tag. I am going to leave it inside the pocket because it is an important part of the bag's history.
She was a very simple rehab; I just gave her a bath, stuffed her with towels to reshape during the drying process, conditioned the leather, and shined up the hardware. It was really easy!
So that is the whole saga of finding and rehabbing my first (and so far only) Bonnie Cashin Coach bag! Doesn't she look good for an "Old Bag at the age of 50?!"