My monogram Speedy B is a little over a year old now, but as you can see, it still looks pretty new. Honestly, I wish I can say that I haven't baby-ed the bag, but I can't. The truth is, I'm completely scared of and feel absolutely intimidated by raw vachetta. Since getting this bag, I've only reached for it not more than a handful of times. Mostly, I gravitate to my hardier, more weather-resistant pieces. This fear has reached a point where I feel I can't even touch the handles of my bag with my bare hands unless I'm 100% certain they're completely free from lotions, natural oils and sweat
Yeah, it's utterly exhausting feeling like you simply can't enjoy your bag. In fact, my friends and family think I'm nuts for allowing a bag to have such power over me.
I believe my 'disorder' stems from being exposed to bags with perfect honey-colored patina and feeling that anything less than 'that look' isn't ideal nor desirable. I know I will just be devastated and end up selling my bag if the vachetta turns out uneven or worse still, covered in water spots and stains. That's why I try so hard to achieve that 'ideal' look, even if it means going to the extreme by not using the bag! Doesn't make any sense, does it?
Lol. But I am working through this. Hopefully, it won't be long before I can stop thinking about how I can preserve the look and just enjoy the bag for what it is, flaws and all.
In the end, I feel unless you're fully confident and have had experience handling vachetta OR you don't mind the potential 'imperfections' that may well come with raw vachetta, I'd recommend that you stick with the more carefree alternative with treated leather: the Speedy B in Damier Ebene.