Box Calf / Veau Box through the years #boxcalfnerds
- Thread starter QuelleFromage
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@makeitorange @duna The Kelly Two-Way* was introduced in early 1980s (around 1982/1983 IIRC), so that’s when the straps would’ve started being available.Paging @r luvs h
*I believe I have an old 1980s Hermès advert in my files somewhere announcing the Kelly Two-Way. I’ll look for it.
Good to know, thanks!@makeitorange @duna The Kelly Two-Way* was introduced in early 1980s (around 1982/1983 IIRC), so that’s when the straps would’ve started being available.
*I believe I have an old 1980s Hermès advert in my files somewhere announcing the Kelly Two-Way. I’ll look for it.
Amazing! This answers all of my questions and give me hope of finding a 90s bag with a strap! 😊
That is incredible knowledge of the brand! Thank you 😊@makeitorange @duna The Kelly Two-Way* was introduced in early 1980s (around 1982/1983 IIRC), so that’s when the straps would’ve started being available.
*I believe I have an old 1980s Hermès advert in my files somewhere announcing the Kelly Two-Way. I’ll look for it.
To give you hope: I have found 2 1990 (mid to late 1990s) box calf bags with strap / clochette/ lock/ keys that I adore. You might have to search a bit, maybe, and be a bit lucky, too, to just get what you want in terms of colour, hardware, condition - and the „full“ set in a (really) good condition may have its price. Even if they are „old“ ie 25 years +.
For me, having the strap to each bag was very important. I do not really wear crossbody but I love to be able to switch between hand held and hanging the bag in my shouldercto be hands-free, if needed.
My favourite h bags are strangely all from the 1990s, so I might be a bit biased though… I think they were so good at doing „simple“, sleek super-quality leathers in fantastic workmanship and silhouettes at this time. Don’t know how to better explain this in English, though.
With regard to vintage box bags,
having a shoulder strap that is contemporary with the bag is worth considering.
But when searching, although it's good to find locks, clochettes and keys for a sense of completeness, if they are not included, it can reduce the asking price significantly
and mine all seem to stay in their dust bags.
having a shoulder strap that is contemporary with the bag is worth considering.
But when searching, although it's good to find locks, clochettes and keys for a sense of completeness, if they are not included, it can reduce the asking price significantly
and mine all seem to stay in their dust bags.
That‘s very true - I think it is really worth while to take into consideration if you use esp. the strap or not. And, if you might even prefer the look of a contemporary strap or prefer a wider strap or canvas strap than the original slim leather ones. (Lock and key replacements are not that expensive if you care about those).
For me personally, the slim leather strap is essential to my frequent use of the Kelly and I love perfectly coordinated items, so I am wiling to pay a premium for this (with tears in my eyes…). Clochette and lock/keys on the other hand is less important for me, sometimes I do take them out, sometimes not. But never ever without my strap 😂.
I think I’m going to be paying a premium as the strap, clochetter lock and keys are a must for me. My store is a very small one so I think it would be a long wait to source any of these.
Out of interest, as I feel I have some very knowledgeable box leather owners on this thread, what sites or stores do you use to source your bags?
I just have one box bag…..it’s a verrou. During Covid, my SA was texting me with things she thought I might want, and then shipping them to me overnight, mostly china and SLG’s. Then, while we were on the phone one day, she texted me a photo of this bag. I grabbed it. It was the first bag I’d purchased from her. The only other box items I have are SLG’s. To be honest, I’m a bit fearful of the leather. It seems fragile to me…..
Hey my friend, that bag is amaaaaazing.
Box is really hardier than people think. I think the hysteria around it arises from 1) its issues with water (and personally I haven't had a bag blister, but longtime Box lovers here absolutely have 2) the obsession some folks have with keeping bags utterly pristine, nary a scratch or blemish - this is hard with Box.
Again loving that bag!
It's a lovely bag; beautiful leather.
Use it; the more you use, the more relaxed you will be with it; the more quickly keeping your finger-nails away from the surface will become habit;
as a consequence you will be less like to catch it;
as an even greater consequence - the more you will enjoy it.
And what is the point of having it, if you don't do that!
What a stunning bag!
I totally get your concerns about box but I find it useful to remember that many of the vintage bags I see on tpf are box and they're beautiful despite decades of use! I have a '99 K32 in rouge H box and it's gorgeous because of, not despite, it's patina. I suppose buying a vintage box bag is a bit like buying a used car...you're less worried about that first ding/scratch as it already has a few
Congratulations on the new bag! Please enjoy the bag, box is definitely hardier than people say it is as @QuelleFromage says. I use my box bag quite often, used mine as a concert bag and it pouring rain, it was ok since I wiped the water off right away. As long as it doesn't soak up the water/don't leave the leather to soak up the water or spill I think it's fine.
Love that bag. I have my box leather treated by @docride, but I find vintagebox to be
pretty sturdy. I don’t take it out in terrible weather, but I have wiped off droplets with no issue.
It’s been awhile since I came by this forum, seeing the posts above, oh myyy….is box back 
?How is the new box vs the box from older years?
?How is the new box vs the box from older years?