Need some reasurrance and your experience on this.

[fsadeli]

Hi I'm debating to write this down, please no shaming words here and hope to get some kind symphatic words and support. I always have anxiety and had seen my therapist when my second was born. I have since had a new fixation on handbags getting warmed under the sun that I can't shake off. It was first started when this year Summertime we experienced heatwave. I never ever second guessing bringing my bags outside, but in where I live, we get a lot of sun and not so much shaded areas, also not a lot of trees.
My bags obviously was under the sun a lot and the leather got warmed to touch. I had since having mini panic attacks thinking is it wise to bring my higher end bags out in the sun for too long, will it damage the leather or resulting in any chemical breakdown?
And how long is prolonged exposure? Since all bags are being told not to have prolonged exposure but the terms are so vague, like how long is long? Is it couple hours or an hour or half n hour? How about bringing your bags to amusement parks, hiking, or any other outdoor spaces, will it be long enough to damage the bag? I'm not looking to get any sarcasstic words like "well you shouldnt have designer in the first place if you can't handle it etc", believe it or not I used to live in tropical country with sun 12 months straight for the past 34 years of my life and I never come down to this stage before. Just looking to get some assurance that people are experiencing the same thing being outside and nothing happened to your bags. Thank you everyone for the support and so sorry for the long rambling paranoia thoughts. I can get comforted greatly by hearing all of your kind words ❤️

 

[charlottawill]

I'm sure we all worry at times about things we know others would find silly, but your anxiety is real and if it's affecting your daily life you should discuss this with your therapist. I wouldn't be surprised if this is indirectly related to the pandemic. We're all feeling more anxiety about everything these days and this just may be how it is manifesting itself in you, or perhaps related to a feeling of not being in control of things.

 

[muchstuff]

Hi I'm debating to write this down, please no shaming words here and hope to get some kind symphatic words and support. I always have anxiety and had seen my therapist when my second was born. I have since had a new fixation on handbags getting warmed under the sun that I can't shake off. It was first started when this year Summertime we experienced heatwave. I never ever second guessing bringing my bags outside, but in where I live, we get a lot of sun and not so much shaded areas, also not a lot of trees.
My bags obviously was under the sun a lot and the leather got warmed to touch. I had since having mini panic attacks thinking is it wise to bring my higher end bags out in the sun for too long, will it damage the leather or resulting in any chemical breakdown?
And how long is prolonged exposure? Since all bags are being told not to have prolonged exposure but the terms are so vague, like how long is long? Is it couple hours or an hour or half n hour? How about bringing your bags to amusement parks, hiking, or any other outdoor spaces, will it be long enough to damage the bag? I'm not looking to get any sarcasstic words like "well you shouldnt have designer in the first place if you can't handle it etc", believe it or not I used to live in tropical country with sun 12 months straight for the past 34 years of my life and I never come down to this stage before. Just looking to get some assurance that people are experiencing the same thing being outside and nothing happened to your bags. Thank you everyone for the support and so sorry for the long rambling paranoia thoughts. I can get comforted greatly by hearing all of your kind words ❤

I would guess that no matter what bag you have it shouldn't be greatly affected by a couple hours outdoors in the sun. I'm guessing the advice is against prolonged sun exposure, like a day at the beach or having your bags stored where the sun can shine on them.
Being the mom of two daughters with anxiety disorder I sympathize, and agree with @charlottawill that you should discuss this with your therapist. The pandemic has done a number on a lot of people, from anxiety to brain fog to panic attacks. Take good care of yourself.

 

[lilpikachu]

I think bringing your bags out and getting the usual amount of sun that generally happens on a day to day basis is fine. I wouldn’t leave a leather bag in a hot car to bake - more out of concern that the leather would dry up but chemicals wise, it should be okay.

Are you more concerned about chemical exposure or damaging the leather?

 

[A bottle of Red]

So sorry it must be super tough to have this anxiety
& yes please tell your therapist that you have so many anxious thoughts.
I agree a hot car or in a closet with a big window is not good for bags.
A few hours outside should be ok .

 

[fsadeli]

Thank you all for your kind words, I wasn't expecting all your responses to be so understanding at all. I posted some posts for assurance here before and I sometime ended up feeling attacked or mocked, but you all has responded really nicely, therefore I'm so grateful ❤️. I agree, if this keeps going on then my anxiety needs to be handled properly. Probably covid also take part as we aren't as active as we used to be, so I sweat over little things that I never even take great deal of in the first place. I live in Calgary so I'm used to cold days even during Summer nights for years until the heatwave comes, I think that what happens with anxiety or ocd people, if something out of the ordinary or their normal norm happen then they'll freak out. I probably never noticed the heatwave before, but this year I took it greatly and I become so anxious bringing my stuffs outside under the hot sun, which sounds so silly for probably most people since places like Vegas definitely experience way hotter weather and they just carry on with their lives.

I decided to write this thread because I'm really seeking people opinion on bringing their bags out and about since I don't want to bottle up my anxiety in myself, so by responding you guys are actually helping me overcome my fear too by sharing your experience, it's honestly feels like a good little therapy. Love this community when people can be vurnerable as well, so thank you all. ❤️

 

[fsadeli]

I think bringing your bags out and getting the usual amount of sun that generally happens on a day to day basis is fine. I wouldn’t leave a leather bag in a hot car to bake - more out of concern that the leather would dry up but chemicals wise, it should be okay.

Are you more concerned about chemical exposure or damaging the leather?

Thanks for the reply! I'm concerned with both actually and I think both are related since chemical breakdown of the bag means it will eventually damage the leather too if you know what I mean?

 

[muchstuff]

Thank you all for your kind words, I wasn't expecting all your responses to be so understanding at all. I posted some posts for assurance here before and I sometime ended up feeling attacked or mocked, but you all has responded really nicely, therefore I'm so grateful ❤. I agree, if this keeps going on then my anxiety needs to be handled properly. Probably covid also take part as we aren't as active as we used to be, so I sweat over little things that I never even take great deal of in the first place. I live in Calgary so I'm used to cold days even during Summer nights for years until the heatwave comes, I think that what happens with anxiety or ocd people, if something out of the ordinary or their normal norm happen then they'll freak out. I probably never noticed the heatwave before, but this year I took it greatly and I become so anxious bringing my stuffs outside under the hot sun, which sounds so silly for probably most people since places like Vegas definitely experience way hotter weather and they just carry on with their lives.

I decided to write this thread because I'm really seeking people opinion on bringing their bags out and about since I don't want to bottle up my anxiety in myself, so by responding you guys are actually helping me overcome my fear too by sharing your experience, it's honestly feels like a good little therapy. Love this community when people can be vurnerable as well, so thank you all. ❤

Sorry you’ve had negative responses in the past. Unfortunately there are always a few who ruin it for everyone. Thankfully the majority here are pretty good people!

 

[lilpikachu]

Thanks for the reply! I'm concerned with both actually and I think both are related since chemical breakdown of the bag means it will eventually damage the leather too if you know what I mean?

I honestly think you and your handbags will be okay.

If your anxiety is getting to you, perhaps you can switch to using alternative bags that aren’t made of leather (just until the heatwave passes). Longchamp make pretty decent nylon bags (eg. Le Pliage) that can withstand anything and are fairly affordable. Some might see this as an avoidance technique but something as simple as carrying your handbag shouldn’t cause so much stress.

Bags are designed to be used and enjoyed - a bit of sun exposure won’t ruin them. You got this!

 

[fsadeli]

I honestly think you and your handbags will be okay.

If your anxiety is getting to you, perhaps you can switch to using alternative bags that aren’t made of leather (just until the heatwave passes). Longchamp make pretty decent nylon bags (eg. Le Pliage) that can withstand anything and are fairly affordable. Some might see this as an avoidance technique but something as simple as carrying your handbag shouldn’t cause so much stress.

Bags are designed to be used and enjoyed - a bit of sun exposure won’t ruin them. You got this!

So true! Thank you for your suggestion as well, looking into getting Longchamp for 'those days'!

 

[brnicutie]

I live in Hawaii and it's sunny here year round. I'm always rocking my bags and they're fine. I don't leave them in my car and just have them on me. Sending you my best.

 

[sabine3w]

I live in a warm climate and was also worried about my bags being exposed to sun for large amounts of time so I started spraying them with a Collonil UV spray if they feel a bit dry I condition them too applying the uv spray helps me feel better, I can be at ease about having them outside in the heat and so far no issues with cracking, fading or damage

 

[leechiyong]

I live in a desert with high temperatures and a lot of sun, so heat and UV rays are of concern for my bags. Heat can generally be mitigated as long as you aren't going from 100F to a walk-in freezer; just be sure to pay attention to the texture of the leather, read the care card, and condition if necessary. Leather shouldn't be allowed to get too dry.

I've found UV rays to be more adversely impactful, but more to its aesthetics. Patent leather's coating will yellow with UV exposure and there's no turning back from it. It can cause yellowing of other leathers or fading. I use Chamberlain's Leather Milk No. 4. It's specified for auto interiors, but I use it on my bags where I don't want them to yellow, particularly my blue and pink bags. Just be sure to test it (or any other conditioner) on a hidden spot first.

All this said, I've collected bags for the past two decades and for the most part, haven't had issues when I wasn't putting the level of care into them I am now. I've reached a point where I truly love the bags in my collection and want every one of them to last, so do what I can to ensure this now.

 

[Amazona]

I carry all my bags all year - from summer's +35C to winter's -25C and all of my leather bags are doing fine. I use good quality leather cleanser and conditioner to keep them in good shape, and if I'm carrying a dark leather bag in a hot environment I usually keep it on that side of my body that's the opposite from the sun. This is just because I don't like how hot the bag feels against my skin.

Bags are meant to be enjoyed! Everyone should carry the bags they like and carry them as they like. My choice is contemporary, just so that I don't have to be anxious about the odd scratch or nick. This is my way of controlling things.

 

[fsadeli]

thank you so much everyone ❤️❤️