Ode to Barenia - please show your bags and accessories :o)

[papertiger]

I know it's confusing having two leathers of a similar colour, but if you are posting on Barenia Faubourg please post here: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/everything-barenia-faubourg.982271/unread

This thread is for original original (smooth) Barenia only

 

[xiaoxiao]

Thanks for the reply! Sadia exchange is definitely a reputable selling, have gotten a wonderful bearn wallet from her before. Just that I never though barenia would have the foiled stamping [emoji16]

Oh wow good detective work!!! If you ever ask her please come back and share. I always thought barenia has blind stamp only too.... so interesting!

 

[QuelleFromage]

Hello fellow Barenia lovers! I'm having a mild panic attack over my recent Barenia Birkin purchase. It's one of the most gorgeous H bags I have ever seen (I don't see an "ugly duckling" phase - it's already a lovely golden color). I just wonder if I can handle Barenia ownership. Patina in the sense of getting darker I am good with, scratches I can live with if I must (I own lots of box calf, although admittedly I am careful with it) - but just how stained and spotted is this sucker going to get?
I am not my DH, who carries his Barenia wallet in his jeans and it's now practically black on the outside - and he loves the look.
Is buying Barenia new just a silly move on my part?

 

[ODEDIHAIMS]

That is such a tough call and a very personal one. For me, I was very happy to buy my K32 preloved for three reasons
1- no need to wait for a unicorn
2-saved thousands of dollars
3-have no fear of using her since she is already broken in
I know this probably doesn't really help but good luck with your decision. You have an AMAZING beauty there!!!

 

[ouija board]

Water drops will dry without leaving a stain, so you mostly need to worry about oil based droplets leaving stains and residue. My suggestion would be to rub your bag all over with your hands to get the velvety nap laying flat. To me, the leather feels less fragile and absorbent when it's loses the brand new velvety nap. Plus, you get the patina/darkening started just from contact with your skin.

Even when you get a nice patina, though, oily drops will still leave a stain, and while it's less noticeable on the darker leather, it happens just as easily. I try not to get a major oily splatter on my bag, but otherwise, I use it as I would with any other leather. The dark areas from small droplets and stains sort of give my bag a three dimensional, rugged look rather than a flat solid color as with Togo or Clemence. But you have to like that look to like Barenia. I say use your beautiful new bag, and when it gets too stained for your liking, send it to Hermes for a good cleaning. They will remove most, if not all, of the stains.

 

[Keren16]

Hello fellow Barenia lovers! I'm having a mild panic attack over my recent Barenia Birkin purchase. It's one of the most gorgeous H bags I have ever seen (I don't see an "ugly duckling" phase - it's already a lovely golden color). I just wonder if I can handle Barenia ownership. Patina in the sense of getting darker I am good with, scratches I can live with if I must (I own lots of box calf, although admittedly I am careful with it) - but just how stained and spotted is this sucker going to get?
I am not my DH, who carries his Barenia wallet in his jeans and it's now practically black on the outside - and he loves the look.
Is buying Barenia new just a silly move on my part?

This seems to be an of the moment thing! I recently bought a Barenia Picotin & experienced the same emotion! Read other posts with similar concerns. Scratches & stains don't bother me. Stains ... eeek!!!
I keep looking at the spot waiting for it to fade. My husband thinks it's no big deal.
Still, there is something about Barenia I was attracted to. Weighted in my mind it was not for me.
Decided, I don't care. It's a special kind of leather! The bag & I were meant for each other[emoji7]

 

[Keren16]

That is such a tough call and a very personal one. For me, I was very happy to buy my K32 preloved for three reasons
1- no need to wait for a unicorn
2-saved thousands of dollars
3-have no fear of using her since she is already broken in
I know this probably doesn't really help but good luck with your decision. You have an AMAZING beauty there!!!

I remember reading your story. I felt a lot better [emoji846] after your experience about my Pico!

 

[Keren16]

Water drops will dry without leaving a stain, so you mostly need to worry about oil based droplets leaving stains and residue. My suggestion would be to rub your bag all over with your hands to get the velvety nap laying flat. To me, the leather feels less fragile and absorbent when it's loses the brand new velvety nap. Plus, you get the patina/darkening started just from contact with your skin.

Even when you get a nice patina, though, oily drops will still leave a stain, and while it's less noticeable on the darker leather, it happens just as easily. I try not to get a major oily splatter on my bag, but otherwise, I use it as I would with any other leather. The dark areas from small droplets and stains sort of give my bag a three dimensional, rugged look rather than a flat solid color as with Togo or Clemence. But you have to like that look to like Barenia. I say use your beautiful new bag, and when it gets too stained for your liking, send it to Hermes for a good cleaning. They will remove most, if not all, of the stains.

Thank you for the knowledge. It's comforting to me as a novice to Barenia

 

[QuelleFromage]

That is such a tough call and a very personal one. For me, I was very happy to buy my K32 preloved for three reasons
1- no need to wait for a unicorn
2-saved thousands of dollars
3-have no fear of using her since she is already broken in
I know this probably doesn't really help but good luck with your decision. You have an AMAZING beauty there!!!

Water drops will dry without leaving a stain, so you mostly need to worry about oil based droplets leaving stains and residue. My suggestion would be to rub your bag all over with your hands to get the velvety nap laying flat. To me, the leather feels less fragile and absorbent when it's loses the brand new velvety nap. Plus, you get the patina/darkening started just from contact with your skin.

Even when you get a nice patina, though, oily drops will still leave a stain, and while it's less noticeable on the darker leather, it happens just as easily. I try not to get a major oily splatter on my bag, but otherwise, I use it as I would with any other leather. The dark areas from small droplets and stains sort of give my bag a three dimensional, rugged look rather than a flat solid color as with Togo or Clemence. But you have to like that look to like Barenia. I say use your beautiful new bag, and when it gets too stained for your liking, send it to Hermes for a good cleaning. They will remove most, if not all, of the stains.

This seems to be an of the moment thing! I recently bought a Barenia Picotin & experienced the same emotion! Read other posts with similar concerns. Scratches & stains don't bother me. Stains ... eeek!!!
I keep looking at the spot waiting for it to fade. My husband thinks it's no big deal.
Still, there is something about Barenia I was attracted to. Weighted in my mind it was not for me.
Decided, I don't care. It's a special kind of leather! The bag & I were meant for each other[emoji7]

I am sure some of it is of the moment and some is that Barenia is even more expensive than other non-exotic leathers . I always have some agita after buying an expensive bag, and here is one that by its nature is going to get marked up. I think I would have loved to buy a lovingly used, amazing condition Barenia B, but they rarely turn up as the owners don't let them go!
I am refining my H collection, getting to the best versions of the "essential" bags, and to me this is the ultimate everyday Birkin in the neutral/brown/naturals family. I just need to get comfortable with it

 

[Keren16]

This seems to be an of the moment thing! I recently bought a Barenia Picotin & experienced the same emotion! Read other posts with similar concerns. Scratches & stains don't bother me. Stains ... eeek!!!
I keep looking at the spot waiting for it to fade. My husband thinks it's no big deal.
Still, there is something about Barenia I was attracted to. Weighted in my mind it was not for me.
Decided, I don't care. It's a special kind of leather! The bag & I were meant for each other[emoji7]

Meant spots initially (sorry)

 

[Keren16]

I am sure some of it is of the moment and some is that Barenia is even more expensive than other non-exotic leathers . I always have some agita after buying an expensive bag, and here is one that by its nature is going to get marked up. I think I would have loved to buy a lovingly used, amazing condition Barenia B, but they rarely turn up as the owners don't let them go!
I am refining my H collection, getting to the best versions of the "essential" bags, and to me this is the ultimate everyday Birkin in the neutral/brown/naturals family. I just need to get comfortable with it

I'm not good at letting go. I want to be happy with my collection & why I chose it
I'm considering another Barenia even though I had an anxiety attack about my first acquisition
A Birkin is a lot more expensive than a Picotin
I think it might be a beauty about the leather that is appealing
Try to understand why you are attracted to your bag & bought it

 

[Serva1]

I am refining my H collection, getting to the best versions of the "essential" bags, and to me this is the ultimate everyday Birkin in the neutral/brown/naturals family. I just need to get comfortable with it

This says it all. Don't be afraid to use your barenia beauty. I've been fortunate to be able to buy 2 barenia bags from my favourite store in the world and I'm looking forward aging gracefully with them, sharing my life and seeing the patina develop. I don't like dark handles but a scratch will blend in and a spa treatment gives the bag a facelift [emoji3]

 

[luzdetaiwan]

I just realize my kelly watch is in barenia leather. ( I'm a new bee in H world.)
These are the pics I took when I bought it in Oct.,2015.

I dont wear it daily. I wear it when I go travling or hanging out with friends.
After using for more than a year, I noticed if water dropped on the strap, I used my cloth or a tissue paper to dry that spot. It would leave no stain on it. Maybe beacause it is just a strap, so it is easy to protect it from the harm of scratches. Until today, I could say it still looks perfect. I think it looks a bit darker now?

(This was taken last November.)
I'm so glad I can have something to share here.

 

[LailaT]

I just realize my kelly watch is in barenia leather. ( I'm a new bee in H world.)
These are the pics I took when I bought it in Oct.,2015.
View attachment 3564750 View attachment 3564751 View attachment 3564752 View attachment 3564753
I dont wear it daily. I wear it when I go travling or hanging out with friends.
After using for more than a year, I noticed if water dropped on the strap, I used my cloth or a tissue paper to dry that spot. It would leave no stain on it. Maybe beacause it is just a strap, so it is easy to protect it from the harm of scratches. Until today, I could say it still looks perfect. I think it looks a bit darker now?
View attachment 3564758
(This was taken last November.)
I'm so glad I can have something to share here.

Such a pretty watch luzdetaiwan!
In case this is news to you, a barenia watchstrap will darken significantly more in natural (fauve) than a handbag in natural (fauve)

 

[doloresmia]

Hello fellow Barenia lovers! I'm having a mild panic attack over my recent Barenia Birkin purchase. It's one of the most gorgeous H bags I have ever seen (I don't see an "ugly duckling" phase - it's already a lovely golden color). I just wonder if I can handle Barenia ownership. Patina in the sense of getting darker I am good with, scratches I can live with if I must (I own lots of box calf, although admittedly I am careful with it) - but just how stained and spotted is this sucker going to get?
I am not my DH, who carries his Barenia wallet in his jeans and it's now practically black on the outside - and he loves the look.
Is buying Barenia new just a silly move on my part?

QF, please don't get rid of that gorgeous thing!

you can always do what i did - get caught with my brand spanking new birkin out in a rain storm and a couple weeks later, accidentally get a gob of curry on the back. The soaking had no harm (i posted on both events a few pages back) and I sent the post Indian food debacle to H. The craftsperson accelerated the patina beautifully. I love this because the new barenia felt pale next to my other barenia which has the rich reddish tone. When I use my bag, i examine for light scuffing which happens no matter how careful one is... rubbing the area with a damp finger generally does the trick on the scuffs. A craftswoman once told me for barenia usually they just use water for cleaning, so there you go.

Hope this helps...

 

[marbella8]

Hello fellow Barenia lovers! I'm having a mild panic attack over my recent Barenia Birkin purchase. It's one of the most gorgeous H bags I have ever seen (I don't see an "ugly duckling" phase - it's already a lovely golden color). I just wonder if I can handle Barenia ownership. Patina in the sense of getting darker I am good with, scratches I can live with if I must (I own lots of box calf, although admittedly I am careful with it) - but just how stained and spotted is this sucker going to get?
I am not my DH, who carries his Barenia wallet in his jeans and it's now practically black on the outside - and he loves the look.
Is buying Barenia new just a silly move on my part?

That bag is gorgeous and looks great the more used it looks.

I have a question though since you have both a Clemence and Barenia 35, could you possibly weigh both and tell us how much each weighs? I love Barenia but remember picking up a HAC 32 and it was so heavy. Thanks and enjoy the bag!