I realize this isn't exactly the right thread for this question, but I have no doubt that someone (or many someones) will have a definitive answer, and Doc Ride's fabulous leather thread is so humongous at the moment that I despair of finding what I want. I always thought (being the dull blade that I am) that Barenia doesn't like rain and will end up with permanent water spots if it gets wet. Then I learned (I think) that as a well-oiled leather, Barenia is okay with water; it's Vache Naturel that will water spot. THEN, someone posting about the new grained Barenia Faubourg said her SA had warned her to avoid water at all costs. So, for once and for all, what is the deal with Barenia and water?!?! Bueller?
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I honestly don't know either. Maybe because the grained barenia is a full grain aniline leather, while the smooth barenia is semi-aniline leather. Where is @hermesgroupie when you need her?!
Slightly related: VN will make a comeback for SS18. Not only that but VN will come in both smooth (only for Kelly Sellier 32 and Birkin 35) and grained (only for Evelyne Sellier 33). A friend told me
I honestly don't know either. Maybe because the grained barenia is a full grain aniline leather, while the smooth barenia is semi-aniline leather. Where is @hermesgroupie when you need her?!
Slightly related: VN will make a comeback for SS18. Not only that but VN will come in both smooth (only for Kelly Sellier 32 and Birkin 35) and grained (only for Evelyne Sellier 33). A friend told me
[emoji33] I thought I was done with bags once my SO arrives but my SA told me last time that I really need to add something in a natural leather like vache natural or barenia. There goes next year's budget. [emoji23]
Ah thanks! I buy in Paris so essentially all of my bags are chance offers depending on what they have.
I'm reading on the threads that people are starting to receive their SOs placed in November. I'm so excited. I have a cutoff date in mind. If it arrives before then I'll make a special trip to fetch it. If not I'll wait for my birthday trip. I'm checking my email and spam folder constantly [emoji23]
I'm reading on the threads that people are starting to receive their SOs placed in November. I'm so excited. I have a cutoff date in mind. If it arrives before then I'll make a special trip to fetch it. If not I'll wait for my birthday trip. I'm checking my email and spam folder constantly [emoji23]
I think they are gorgeous Genie, but PBP has a point. Shoes like these are real statement makers plus they are expensive. I love them but would only buy them if I could easily incorporate them into many looks or if I had a very healthy shoe budget. They are super flattering!
I find this confusing as well, Mindi. I have an old barenia trim ( purchased new, we are both old now, lol) and I have taken really good care if it. The oils from use and those inherent in the leather are like a protective barrier. I've worn it in the light accidental rain and it was fine, but I wouldn't aim to use it as a rainy day bag. I have a new piece of barenia and I'm terrified to use it at all, never mind the rain. But I'm sure it will happen eventually. Someone just posted their new wet barenia bag in the barenia thread and said it dried perfectly. I think it was Serva? My SM, in a recent conversation said to avoid the rain and said she has seen a barenia bag ruined by rain. So there's that.
I hear vache gets spots but I'll bet Doc has a way to help it resist water marks in one of her kits.
I know nothin' bout barenia faubourg but could see that it may be different. I've been no help, I'm sure.
@Genie27 @Cordeliere and @allanrvj , thank you for the travel opinions! I agree with all of you, I guess that's the problem. Europe seems easier mentally. I can handle any language barriers, the food, the culture, and know what cities and museums we would like, plus an 8 hr flight is not so bad. You have great suggestions for Portugal and Spain.
But Japan is sooo different. I've only been to Asia once, Bali and Jakarta, and it was amazing. It's so completely different, the smells, the air, the alphabet, lol.....it's an exciting idea to do this with her. I would be fine not visiting but since we have the chance to do this together I feel like we should try. Her list includes a lot; Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, onsen, owl cafe, temples, all stuff we would never see anywhere else. It sounds fantastic but I wonder if it's a trip she should take with friends one day. Cordie, 18 hrs in a plane is my idea of hell, that's why I mention it. 10 additional hours of anxiety
even if it's business or first I worry that I would not sleep.
But Japan is sooo different. I've only been to Asia once, Bali and Jakarta, and it was amazing. It's so completely different, the smells, the air, the alphabet, lol.....it's an exciting idea to do this with her. I would be fine not visiting but since we have the chance to do this together I feel like we should try. Her list includes a lot; Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, onsen, owl cafe, temples, all stuff we would never see anywhere else. It sounds fantastic but I wonder if it's a trip she should take with friends one day. Cordie, 18 hrs in a plane is my idea of hell, that's why I mention it. 10 additional hours of anxiety
even if it's business or first I worry that I would not sleep.
I honestly don't know either. Maybe because the grained barenia is a full grain aniline leather, while the smooth barenia is semi-aniline leather. Where is @hermesgroupie when you need her?!
Slightly related: VN will make a comeback for SS18. Not only that but VN will come in both smooth (only for Kelly Sellier 32 and Birkin 35) and grained (only for Evelyne Sellier 33). A friend told me
I find this confusing as well, Mindi. I have an old barenia trim ( purchased new, we are both old now, lol) and I have taken really good care if it. The oils from use and those inherent in the leather are like a protective barrier. I've worn it in the light accidental rain and it was fine, but I wouldn't aim to use it as a rainy day bag. I have a new piece of barenia and I'm terrified to use it at all, never mind the rain. But I'm sure it will happen eventually. Someone just posted their new wet barenia bag in the barenia thread and said it dried perfectly. I think it was Serva? My SM, in a recent conversation said to avoid the rain and said she has seen a barenia bag ruined by rain. So there's that.
I hear vache gets spots but I'll bet Doc has a way to help it resist water marks in one of her kits.
I know nothin' bout barenia faubourg but could see that it may be different. I've been no help, I'm sure.
I've wondered about this, too! But I only have barenia watch bands, so haven't concerned myself with it too much. I would love a barenia bag at some point though, as I love its casually elegant feel. Some of you likely remember the original Coach leather of the 70s and 80s? I remember it being very similar to barenia, as it was a gorgeous, thick, oiled leather, and it slowly developed a similar patina. I didn't wear my Coach bag from that era in the soaking rain, but didn't really baby it either. I never treated it with anything, and it aged beautifully. I do think oiled leather is inherently somewhat protected. ETA Haven't heard much about the new grained barenia faubourg, also wondering why it would behave differently than regular barenia.
For those interested, I'm posting a link here to hermesgroupie's excellent reference thread on the various types of leather. She notes that rain drops evaporate on barenia, leaving it unharmed.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/reference-hermes-groupie-s-leather-book.49095/
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@Genie27 @Cordeliere and @allanrvj , thank you for the travel opinions! I agree with all of you, I guess that's the problem. Europe seems easier mentally. I can handle any language barriers, the food, the culture, and know what cities and museums we would like, plus an 8 hr flight is not so bad. You have great suggestions for Portugal and Spain.
But Japan is sooo different. I've only been to Asia once, Bali and Jakarta, and it was amazing. It's so completely different, the smells, the air, the alphabet, lol.....it's an exciting idea to do this with her. I would be fine not visiting but since we have the chance to do this together I feel like we should try. Her list includes a lot; Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, onsen, owl cafe, temples, all stuff we would never see anywhere else. It sounds fantastic but I wonder if it's a trip she should take with friends one day. Cordie, 18 hrs in a plane is my idea of hell, that's why I mention it. 10 additional hours of anxiety
Love all the travel talk!
I have a very hard time with long flights, and I don't sleep well on planes, so I sympathize! Would dividing the trip be possible...maybe a layover of several days somewhere interesting along the way?Thank you all for the info and the shared confusion about Barenia! If I find out anything dispositive I will let you all know!
My 2 cents on barenia/vache natural.
On a new to me toile/barenia kelly which I had balmed, it was caught in a sudden shower in Paris and was absolutely soaking
. It dried beautifully and no signs of water damage.
On new barenia which I have not treated, I haven't dared take it out in inclement weather and the only thing I've noticed is oils rising to the surface - the leather looks a bit hazy. I had taken the bag to get looked at and the craftpeople did polish it away but it has returned. I was told to use it more.
On another barenia, I had a soup droplet from pho (!) on it (again in Paris - need to not take bags there!) and there was a mark but it too has dried pretty well (with tissues) and the mark is very minimal.
I saw a vache natural bag in a reseller store and it was very spotty
It was rather sad so when I was offered a bag in it, I said no.
On a new to me toile/barenia kelly which I had balmed, it was caught in a sudden shower in Paris and was absolutely soaking
. It dried beautifully and no signs of water damage.On new barenia which I have not treated, I haven't dared take it out in inclement weather and the only thing I've noticed is oils rising to the surface - the leather looks a bit hazy. I had taken the bag to get looked at and the craftpeople did polish it away but it has returned. I was told to use it more.
On another barenia, I had a soup droplet from pho (!) on it (again in Paris - need to not take bags there!) and there was a mark but it too has dried pretty well (with tissues) and the mark is very minimal.I saw a vache natural bag in a reseller store and it was very spotty
It was rather sad so when I was offered a bag in it, I said no.