Michael Kors Sagging of the saffiano Hamiltons / fix tip for the brave

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M

Monterra

O.G.
Apr 8, 2012
77
0
#1
Many here including me have wanted to see pics of a broken in saffiano Hamilton... I saw that tPF-mite NLVOEWITHLV has a bad experience with hers sagging, and so have I.

I got the saffiano Hamilton about under a year ago , and it has been my workhorse bag. It gets daily use (small laptop, lunch, odds&ends), so not exactly babying but not throwing it around either. When I got it there was already one small crease in the front, which got worse with wear... and then the left corner started to cave in.

This was not OK for me, so I made a quick and dirty fix... I cut out from a small plastic lunch box a nicely curved piece of plastic, sanded it down and wrapped it in a small piece of cotton fabric with spray glue. Now this piece I glued into the inside of the Hamilton, via opening bottom stitching from the lining and pulling it out. (Spray glue to the corner of the bag inside+to the plastic piece, you know contact glue kind.) I am a DIY-kind of girl so I wasn't afraid of screwing up the bag, it was already screwed up for me when I started!

This I did to the left front corner and the other back corner which was showing signs of creasing. This fix did it and the bag looked fine for a while, but after a while the bag started to sag from the other side... sigh. Now months after the fix, it looks already quite mushed up.
(note, the first pic shows the caved in corner; I don't have a photo of the time directly after the fix; the last pic taken this week shows that the same corner is not caved in anymore but now the right side has completely collapsed!) I might do the fix for that crease as well at some point but it is time-consuming and annoying to do...

I think (this) Hamilton has thinner saffiano, the kind in the Selma feels way stiffer. I like the bag but it irks me that it looks nasty and saggy.. Exactly what I was trying to avoid when getting the saffiano.
 

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#2
Wow, what an ingenious fix! I can only imagine how time consuming this was! Did you try using a purse organizer, by any chance? I'm just wondering if this would keep the bottom square.
 
#3
What a cool fix!
I love the Hamilton too. I have returned 3 for that very reason. I think it's because the handles and hardware on the top half weigh so much more than the leather on the bottom. Just the weight of the top half seems to "smoosh" the bottom half.
Wish it wasn't so. Such a beautiful bag otherwise.
 
#4
Great job with repairs! I guess mine are good so far because I dont carry very much in them, I cannot handle too much weight on my shoulder or arms because I have fibromyalgia.
 
#5
Is anyone having this issue with the EW style? So far mine are good but I imagine they are not quite as top heavy since the weight is distributed a bit more.
 
#7
Looks just like mine did. I returned it mine wasn't even 3 months old yet, and I do kinda sorta baby my bags so I know I didn't cause the damage!!!
 
#8
I actually live in Houston too and have 2 saffiano hamiltons. I haven't worn them yet so I don't know how they will behave yet but I'm terrified of them breaking down. I purchased saffiano leather because I was horrified by the sagging of the regular leather. I was considering purchasing a new color but not if they are going break like in the pictures :nogood:

I've called stores in my area to ask about return policies but they all said that once worn you can not return the bag. Just vurious NLVOEWITHLV, how did you manage to return your bag?


Is the only solution to carry the bare minimum? Kinda seems pointless to get the large bag huh?


-Kat
 
#9
I think what I did, meaning keeping it in upright position (when things inside) also has contributed to the sagging. Maybe when not in use, you should keep it laying flat so there's no weight of the lock and handles pulling the bag down. (Too bad coz it's nice to look at!)
 
#10
Saffiano leather is beautiful and durable and under normal circumstances, it will last forever. The Hamilton, because of the hardware at the top (The lock) is not balanced. Over time and with use, the leather will wear down (beautifully in my opinion) and begin to slouch. I own 3 saffiano Hamiltons (Cadet, the new Olive and pomergrante). I keep them stuffed for shape when not in use and laid flat for storage so that the lock will not cause sagging. I also own the turquoise ostrich and the new gray croc studded which is beginning to soften and sag but I like it. It is starting to look like a genuine croc (well worn, loved and sexy!!) This is my first post on the blog and I hope that my sharing these experiences with my bags will help someone. With care, your bags will mature brilliantly and last a beautiful lifetime:heart::heart:
 
#12
katlongoria said:
I actually live in Houston too and have 2 saffiano hamiltons. I haven't worn them yet so I don't know how they will behave yet but I'm terrified of them breaking down. I purchased saffiano leather because I was horrified by the sagging of the regular leather. I was considering purchasing a new color but not if they are going break like in the pictures :nogood:

I've called stores in my area to ask about return policies but they all said that once worn you can not return the bag. Just vurious NLVOEWITHLV, how did you manage to return your bag?


Is the only solution to carry the bare minimum? Kinda seems pointless to get the large bag huh?


-Kat
Click to expand...

I'm strictly business when I go in the store and I don't ask if I can return an item I tell them why I'm returning it. If I have to l speak with a manager. At the end of the day if its a defect they should always allow a return... Hth!!!
 
#13
Divine Dre said:
Saffiano leather is beautiful and durable and under normal circumstances, it will last forever. The Hamilton, because of the hardware at the top (The lock) is not balanced. Over time and with use, the leather will wear down (beautifully in my opinion) and begin to slouch. I own 3 saffiano Hamiltons (Cadet, the new Olive and pomergrante). I keep them stuffed for shape when not in use and laid flat for storage so that the lock will not cause sagging. I also own the turquoise ostrich and the new gray croc studded which is beginning to soften and sag but I like it. It is starting to look like a genuine croc (well worn, loved and sexy!!) This is my first post on the blog and I hope that my sharing these experiences with my bags will help someone. With care, your bags will mature brilliantly and last a beautiful lifetime:heart::heart:
Click to expand...
^^^ITA. Great post!!!
 
#14
Divine Dre said:
Saffiano leather is beautiful and durable and under normal circumstances, it will last forever. The Hamilton, because of the hardware at the top (The lock) is not balanced. Over time and with use, the leather will wear down (beautifully in my opinion) and begin to slouch. I own 3 saffiano Hamiltons (Cadet, the new Olive and pomergrante). I keep them stuffed for shape when not in use and laid flat for storage so that the lock will not cause sagging. I also own the turquoise ostrich and the new gray croc studded which is beginning to soften and sag but I like it. It is starting to look like a genuine croc (well worn, loved and sexy!!) This is my first post on the blog and I hope that my sharing these experiences with my bags will help someone. With care, your bags will mature brilliantly and last a beautiful lifetime:heart::heart:
Click to expand...


I'll be getting my first Hamilton E/W in a few weeks (it's on order). I've been worrying about the "sagging" problem, which is why I joined PurseForum!
Thank you for the suggestion about storing the Hamilton flat instead of upright. That makes so much sense! I can visualize how the weight of that gorgeous lock would pull down the top of the bag, even when it's empty. Also, even though I don't usually bother to stuff my stored bags, I think I'll take the extra few minutes and stuff the Hamilton.
I've heard that bubble wrap is the best product to use when storing a bag. Is that what you use?
 
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