How to take care of designer handbags

Whether you’re a passionate collector of designer handbags or you’ve just splurged on your first leather purse, it’s important to know how to take care of your precious arm candy – especially since they aren’t exactly cheap!

Content creator PAMELA BASU, who runs a lifestyle and fashion blog Fashion Reflection, gives us some tips on how to look after designer handbags.

Tips for looking after designer handbags

#1 Always store your bag in a cloth bag

You can use the dust bag that normally comes with your purchase. If you don’t have one, there are other alternatives. One option would be to store them in clean, 100 percent cotton pillow cases. This allows your handbags to breathe nicely! Never use a plastic bag for storing, as plastic doesn’t allow fabric to breathe. This means that moisture can develop and build up over time, and you’ll end up with a ruined bag.

#2 Maintain the shape of your bag

When storing, never pile your bags on top of one another. Stuff your bag with scarves, clothes or acid-free tissue paper to maintain its original shape. Alternatively, use the paper rolls or stuffing that typically comes together with your bag when you first bought it.

#3 Keep your bag away from direct sunlight

This tip is mandatory for coloured leather bags as sunlight can fade the colour of the bag and heat can ruin the fabric. Always store your designer handbags in a dark, dry place where there is minimal moisture and no direct sunlight.

#4 Compartmentalise with reusable bags

I love to compartmentalise everything I carry in my bag or luggage. First, it saves you a lot of time from digging inside your bag and searching for a specific item. It also prevents the interiors of the bag from possible stains. For example, if there is any spillage of liquid or makeup products, it won’t have any direct effect on the interior of the bag. One tip is to categorise and store your items in resealable storage bags or reusable pouches.

#5 Clean your bags frequently

It’s extremely important to clean and maintain your designer handbags on a regular basis! Moisture can sit inside bags when they’re in storage, causing them to lose their shine and texture. So, clean them more often, but don’t overdo it as chemical cleaning products can damage the materials they’re made from.

For more of Pamela’s content, check out fashion-reflection.com.

Five minutes with Pamela

Tell us about yourself!

I moved to Singapore from London after my husband got a job offer to relocate here. We thought it would be a great opportunity to live, work and travel around this part of the world. Singapore is such an inclusive city – looking back, it was definitely a good decision; we felt so much at home after moving here. No place where we’ve lived has had the same sense of security that we feel whenever we go out in this city.

My fashion and lifestyle blog, Fashion Reflection, was started out of my passion for writing about the things I love to photograph. It’s like my little space on the internet! Apart from writing, I keep myself busy with my daughter Aanayra. I also love to cook, which is why you’ll find the occasional recipe on the blog!

What advice can you give to someone who wants to start a blog?

Do what you love to do. If you love to blog, go for it; but don’t start just because others are doing it. If you’re not having fun while you’re blogging, then you’re not enjoying the process. Don’t take it as a work pressure. Write and enjoy your own writing. Remember that you’re doing it because it makes you happy. Don’t worry about how many followers or readers you have, especially when you’re just starting out, because it’s not a race. Have patience as your following grows gradually.

This article first appeared in the April 2020 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!