Conscious consumption has become fashionable in recent years. Today, it-girls walks through the archive collections of brands with great pleasure, and stylists urge not to buy as many new items as possible, but to create a capsule wardrobe, pay attention to vintages and take better care of things. And this trend cannot but rejoice.
But how to use the bags so that they serve faithfully for years? What should not be done and, on the contrary, what should be considered? We asked Arina Ivanets, founder of the Ex-Bags sales service, to talk about this and more. By the way, the platform and the boutique (opened last week) should be remembered by those who have long dreamed of second-hand bags from Fendi, Hermes, Dior, Chanel, Prada and Gucci.
Arina Ivanets, founder of Ex-Bags sales service
Consider leaving before you buy
The choice of bag depends on your lifestyle. Products made of suede or soft lambskin look great, but they are very delicate. If you move around a lot during the day and take your laptop with you, signs of wear will soon be noticeable and the thing will lose the look it was bought for. It is better to choose bags made of such material immediately, in anticipation of a special occasion or if you are sure of their correctness.
For an active lifestyle, thick leather products are much more suitable. Luxury brands also have these kinds of things designed for long-term use: for example, Chanel has Caviar leather goods (so named because of the caviar-like grainy surface) and Hermes has Epsom leather. Dense, often pressed skin is very resistant to stress, can be wiped off and heals in case of any damage.
Store bags properly
What matters is what’s inside
Most of the damage occurs when collecting dust in the off-season, not even during wear. For example, if the bag has changed shape or has wrinkles on it, it is difficult (sometimes impossible) to fix it. To prevent this from happening, it must be filled: for example, with special pads, as in boutiques. If there is no room for it, you can also put scarves and other things in it. The main thing is not to inflate the bag like a balloon, but to give it the right shape.
Not just sunlight
It is also important to keep the bag out of sunlight, otherwise it will fade quickly. Ideally, of course, leave the bag in the closet on the shelf, but if there is not enough space, you can, for example, store it in a suitcase, which is idle for most of the year.
don’t forget the eraser
It is important that each bag is stored in its own separate bag because they can deteriorate if they are in contact with each other for a long time. For example, a black lacquered bag will leave marks on beige leather, and light-colored lacquer can be easily spoiled by being next to dark-colored leather. It is impossible to wash such traces, and it is difficult to paint them properly, so it is better not to allow this.
Don’t Care Too Much
A bag should be fun above all else – don’t worry too much about it. It can even hurt. For example, regular wiping with a cloth or alcohol wipes will only age the material faster. This applies even to funds designed specifically for bags. It is difficult to find such oily wipes or skin creams correctly. Even if you can use them to treat the bag and hide some scratches, the same cream can tread on jeans when worn and ruin them: You shouldn’t risk one thing for another.
The same applies to the use of the bag. Of course, you do not need to fill it with too many items and suede products should not be worn in the rain. But there are different situations in life, so you shouldn’t get hung up on it. If you still want to somehow secure something, there is a proven life hack. The handles of the bag wear out the fastest, and to avoid this you should use the Hermes idea that releases the twills – long narrow scarves that can be wrapped around the handles of the bag. This not only complements the image in an interesting way, but is also functional (it is much easier to replace a worn scarf than a bag). Of course, using Hermes twill is optional: any scarf you want will do.
Refresh wisely
Restoring bags is a difficult and risky business, so repairs should only be considered as a last resort. A poorly repaired bag is worse than a worn one. But if the wear of the items is already too embarrassing, contact the professionals. And if the result is significant, it is better not to save. In particular, you need to look for a workshop that specializes in working with bags (other dyes and reagents are used for shoes). Also, do not be shy and ask for examples of work, it is better to consider them live, and not from a photo.
Pay attention to how the bag was painted: if it was completely painted, most likely, the masters did not find the right color to repair the damage. This usually indicates poor performance. With full dyeing, the stitched seams often fall out, and the pile in the threads is a pile – so the bag looks sloppy. Other common problems: skin has lost its softness, is burnt, and there are paint stains on the fittings.
Therefore, the repair should be done carefully. Even sellers looking for handbags from a new owner value items with more signs of wear than badly repaired ones. Often, people want to sell a branded bag to sellers at a higher price and go to take it back for it, but in the end the service refuses to take it back (after all, after such a repair, the paint simply falls off, and the seller must give a guarantee to its customers).
The wear and tear of anything is a natural process, so you should not try to hide it in any way possible. It is enough to choose a bag according to your lifestyle and store your belongings according to simple rules. And any scuffs and scratches should be treated as a souvenir and not be ashamed of slight negligence in the image.
Source: People Talk
Richard Stock is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a lifestyle expert who provides readers with the latest news and trends in the world of fashion, beauty, food, and travel. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for writing, Richard offers unique insights and perspectives on the topics he covers.
