Is There a Right or Wrong Way?
You saved forever to buy your first Louis Vuitton designer bag. Unlike the purchase of a sports car, there were no lines of credit that would help you finance your new bag. You just had to save, and save you did.
My hands actually shook when you went online and purchased a 2022 Capucines MM crocodilian leather bag. Named after the Parisian street where Louis Vuitton first opened a store in 1854, the Capucines bag has sleek lines that bridge tradition and modernity, savoir-faire, and chic classicism. You smiled when you thought that the handbag cost more than the car in your garage.
When you bought your new car, you made sure there was room for it in the garage. You made sure there was nothing that would hit it or scratch it. Proactively you signed up for a car wash account, so you could have it cleaned and detailed on a regular bases.
Now that you had your prize possession, the Capucines, how would you store it? You could only assume that leather handbags need special care. It isn’t suede, so that was good. You didn’t want to put it back in its original box and packaging. Your handbag is not only something you have wanted for a long time, but it is an investment.
You knew you didn’t want your Capucines to be a closet ornament, but you also want to make sure it is treated with respect and taken care of to maintain their value.
Storage Etiquette
There are a few options when selecting a storage space for your bag. Make sure there is enough room in your closet to provide space between your bag and other things in your closet.
Stuff Designer Purses
A concern when you store designer bags is they will become smushed, saggy, scrunched, or misshapen. Stuffing your bags is necessary for prolonged use and the life of your purse.
Stuffing your handbags before they are stored provides support, so it doesn’t slump or soften while in storage. Stuffing also prevents creasing and allows the handbag’s material to remain smooth and in its original shape.
Know your handbags. Designer purses have their own needs, and no two bags are the same. It’s like they have their own personality. Foldable, packable bags may need stuffing to prevent creasing across the length of the bag. For bags with straps, tuck those straps in. The straps tend to leave imprints on the leather. Tissue paper around the straps would be ideal.
Totes, hobos, soft cloth bags, and leather bags won’t’ stand up on their own without stuffing. You can purchase customer purse pillows to help them maintain their shape while in storage because these bags are most at risk of getting creases or collapsing at the sides.
Structured bags keep their shape; however, the base of each of these bags isn’t the sturdiest. If they aren’t stuffed, the bottoms may begin to give and fold out or down. Firmly stuffing the bags without overstuffing will put less strain and weight on the base of the bags and prevent “bottoming out.”
Rigid bags don’t need to be stuffed. After years of storage, these bags may become misshapen because the leather and interfacing layer softens. As prevention, it will not hurt anything if you stuff rigid bags.
Stuffing Material
You can prevent changes to the shape of your luxury bags by using a filler in your bag when storing them. Some options you could use for stuffing are ink-free newspaper, acid-free tissue paper, bubble wrap, non-perfumed white tissue paper, old white non-printed t-shirts, white towels, or a bag insert.
Designer Handbags Come with Dustbags
Your handbag came with its own dust bag when you purchased it. The dust bag is ideal for keeping dust, mold, and moisture away from your bag. If you can’t find the dust bag your luxury handbag came with, you can substitute a clean white or cream cotton pillow case to prevent color transfer. As an added safeguard, make sure the cotton pillow case doesn’t have a heavy laundry conditioner or scents, so there isn’t a chance of your handbag getting damaged by the laundry perfumes.
Choosing a particular shelf with shelf dividers would work wonderfully.
You can put your designer bag back in its box and put it on the shelf upright. Make sure that shelf you are putting it on has a wide enough space so as not to squeeze the handles. This could misshapen them.
You could decide to hang up the handbags from hooks in your closet. Make sure that you hand the bags from the drawstring on the dust bag the handbag came in. DO NOT use the purse’s strap, or the handbag could get stretched out of shape.
Store clutches lying flat so they don’t get misshapen.
Ensure the handbag is not exposed to dust, mold, or water. Water stains!
If you have multiple bags, try labeling the dust bags or the original boxes with a picture of each bag or at least the name of each bag to find which one you want when you are ready to wear it.
Give your handbags an outing
Your handbags may be in their own unique handbag storage space for a very long time. You did the work to make sure they were tucked away in their safe place with the original boxes or dust bags, but the bags need to breathe and air out often. This is a great way to prevent mold.
Pick a day of the week when you want to get out your bags, admire them, do a quick check over, and air them out for 24 hours. This will help ensure your collection is in top shape while in storage.
Maintenance Tips For Your Designer Handbags
It isn’t a bad idea to wipe down your designer handbag with a damp or dry cloth after wearing it out. You can also use a dry paper towel.
You can empty your bag to get any loose dirt or dust.
A lint roller is a great way of getting in stubborn dust out of the inside of your purse.
Suppose your designer bag is canvas. You want to use a conditioner specifically formulated for canvas. Don’t store your bag if it is damp; let it air dry overnight.
Try to keep your designer bags out of direct sunlight or harsh artificial lighting.
Purchasing Your First Luxury Handbag
I purchased my first luxury handbag new, and I am fortunate or maybe just impatient. Do you want a way to get a luxury handbag without spending thousands of dollars and having some time to look?
They are located in San Jose, CA, and have been in business for years. They buy, sell, and loan luxury handbags. Their selection is incredible. The team at the shop can find large bags, totes, clutches, and pre-owned Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci bags, and they sell them at an affordable price. They make sure the bags are authentic and that they have been stored appropriately, so they look like new. Luxury handbags are an investment. The team at the store will help you decide which handbag to add to your handbag collection.