When do you retire your purses?

[remainsilly]

I wish I only bought leather bags, because I can't imagine leather bags ever needing to be retired. Leather can always be revived! Signature canvas/fabric bags, on the other hand, are another story. Too bad I think some bags just look better with a little bit of a pattern breaking up the monotone.

I've chucked some leather ones.
Because seams fell apart or color faded. Or hardware began gummy creeeeeeeeaking.
I blame manufacturers for those.

Chucked evening bag last year--noticed mysterious white paint spots on leather.
Happily, when insane hibachi chef tossed around fried egg pieces, replacement bag didn't grease stain (thank you, collonil).
I blame my mad lifestyle. And wicked fate.

 

[misskris03]

I've chucked some leather ones.
Because seams fell apart or color faded. Or hardware began gummy creeeeeeeeaking.
I blame manufacturers for those.

Chucked evening bag last year--noticed mysterious white paint spots on leather.
Happily, when insane hibachi chef tossed around fried egg pieces, replacement bag didn't grease stain (thank you, collonil).
I blame my mad lifestyle. And wicked fate.

I hate it when the inking(?) on the seams of the straps begins to crack and separate. My cobbler won't fix it

 

[Sparkletastic]

I wish I only bought leather bags, because I can't imagine leather bags ever needing to be retired. Leather can always be revived!

If it was nice grade of leather with good original finishing I would think so. But cheap leather, bad tanning / protection or lots of abuse could lead to inevitable bag death.

Also, I've heard mixed results about dying bags. So that may not be a great option.

I hate it when inking(?) on the seams of the straps begins to crack and separate. My cobbler won't fix it

There is a DIY product called Edge Kote that fixes this. I haven't tried it but I've read good things.

http://warfieldfamily.com/2013/02/how-to-fix-a-leather-purse-strap/

 

[remainsilly]

I hate it when the inking(?) on the seams of the straps begins to crack and separate. My cobbler won't fix it

Noticed bit of cracking on diesel tote handles.
A wall-eyed fit began, but Ludmilla calmed me down.
She said something brilliant. Which, I'll pass on--when not having blank brain moment, forgetting utterly.

Still, your bags have such nice leather, doubt many would notice few edge rumples. Whole effect remains gorgeous.

 

[bernz84]

Sell or donate to my mom. Funny, I was actually trying to sell my Coach tote on craigslist a while back for a measly $20. I was the original owner and I used that thing to death (it was all-leather, too). However, had it for 8 years and time/use really took its toll on the poor bag. Basically it was falling apart. I gave it to my mom because she didn't want me to donate it. I thought it was pretty worthless, truthfully (there was a hole in the corner and all the interior pocket seams were undone), but she wouldn't have any of it.

 

[misskris03]

If it was nice grade of leather with good original finishing I would think so. But cheap leather, bad tanning / protection or lots of abuse could lead to inevitable bag death.

Also, I've heard mixed results about dying bags. So that may not be a great option.



There is a DIY product called Edge Kote that fixes this. I haven't tried it but I've read good things.

http://warfieldfamily.com/2013/02/how-to-fix-a-leather-purse-strap/

Thank you! This looks so easy in the pix but I'm terrified of making the bag look 10X worse. I have successfully dyed a suede jacket, though, so anything's possible.

 

[misskris03]

Noticed bit of cracking on diesel tote handles.
A wall-eyed fit began, but Ludmilla calmed me down.
She said something brilliant. Which, I'll pass on--when not having blank brain moment, forgetting utterly.

Still, your bags have such nice leather, doubt many would notice few edge rumples. Whole effect remains gorgeous.

You are too kind! It's one of my faves (a Belen Echandia, my first "nice" bag besides coach, Dooney & Bourke), so I was having a bit of a sad about it. But it *is* such supple leather. Thanks for putting things into perspective.