I have a reade in red and I do not think too much about it. It has soften up a bit and has some marks, but it really looks good. I usually take it to lift up a dull day and I never get so many compliments about a bag as when I am carrying that bag. I also have the matching agenda and wallet (all items inherited by my late mum who used them a lot) and they are holding up very well!
I use my bronze and indigo Houstons on a daily basis, but as others have mentioned they are the dark colors and don't show as much wear as the lighter ones. And as Lisabags pointed out, the bags get softer with use.