Michael Kors Jet Set leather tote strap maintenance - Advice needed!

[Amortentia]

Hello Ladies,

I just purchased a new Jet Set leather tote because my old one's straps have severely weathered despite me owning the bag for just under one year. The body of the bag is in an excellent condition but the straps prevent me from being able to use it. I would like some advice on how to maintain the straps so that they do not darken so quickly and as a result begin to wear away.

Straps on my new tote:


Straps on my old tote:

 

[PugHeaven]

Wow! This is so unfortunate. I have a grey croc Hamilton satchel that lost it's color at the top of the handles, leaving them a whitish color. I took some water-based acrylic craft paint in the same color grey and wiped it lightly on the bare spots, using a white cloth. The leather absorbed the color and it looked very good (surprisingly!), so I then sealed the handles again with a water-repellent spray. So far, so good! I couldn't return or exchange the bag, so I figured I had nothing to lose!

 

[Monterra]

You could try using some type of protectant/sealing spray, and of course avoid groping at the straps with dirty hands.

Since the straps of the old bag look so bad, you might as well try cleaning them with a Magic eraser?
http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do

It's amazing what those things do! After "erasing" the stains it will need some kind of care product/sealant, as the eraser very gently buffs off the dirt -> I would assume it might get dirty very easily after that again.