Cleaning Suede Handbags

[Tallison]

Because suede bags have been a major trend in 2025 that will be carrying into the fall, I wanted to refresh my suede bags, but I have absolutely no experience in cleaning suede!

I was inspired by this post I remembered reading on the PurseBlog about cleaning a used suede bag: https://www.purseblog.com/guides/how-to-clean-and-restore-a-suede-purse/

I decided before I tested this out on my current handbag collection, I would buy a relatively inexpensive used/vintage suede bag to work on.

 

[Tallison]

For the used suede bag, I wanted to get a high quality bag that looked like it needed care, so not in pristine condition.

I wanted something relatively inexpensive but also made of high quality suede material. I didn’t want a bag that looked completely trashed, but I did want at least something to fix up!

Last but not least, I wanted a suede bag that I would use again if I got it mostly clean, but something I wouldn’t be heartbroken if the project didn’t work out.

I decided to look at bags on The RealReal, at the brand Tod’s. Tod’s had a serious moment in the late 90s/early 00s, and in my mind I associate the brand with luxury materials. I’ve bought a Tod’s bag from The RealReal in the past few years, so I knew they had lots of options of bags from that 90s/00s era that were listed for a lower price point than what I thought the materials were worth. Basically, I KNEW I’d find what I needed for this project.

 

[Tallison]

These are screenshots of the bag I purchased for under $150. The description listed the condition as “Very good, minor discoloration throughout”

If you’ve shopped on TRR before, I’d say that the “very good” category is pretty broad and encompasses a very wide range of conditions of bags. I’ve received some items listed as VG that I thought were Excellent, and some that were pretty rough.

I don’t remember what these bags cost in the 00s, so if anyone knows the pricing, or name of the bag style or color, I be happy to know!!

I vaguely recall this hardware and shape from 00s advertising, if I had to guess I’d say this bag is from around 2004/2005. It’s an East-West shape and a warm camel tone that I won’t mind wear wearing this fall!!

 

[Tallison]

When I received the bag, I felt it was in even better condition than the pictures on TRR indicated. Thank the purse gods, there was no musty odor. Minor tarnish on the hardware.

Checking out this bag right from the box, I knew this would be a pretty straightforward rehab. Much of the “discoloration” was literally dust.

The biggest issue was that the bag really wanted to be folded flat. I bet it was stored that way for many, many years. Extra bonus, it came with a Tod’s dust bag!!