How Much Do You Expect Out Of Your Handbag?

[As You Like It]

I was thinking about this on account of the "Handbag Rental" thread. How much performance do you expect out of a bag? Do you use them hard, like I do, or do you baby them along, like Leyla?

In my case, I treat a bag largely like I treat a pair of shoes. I'll buy a sturdy, plain, classic, mid-priced leather bag ($30-$70 range) and carry it until it pretty much falls apart. If it is repairable, I will get it repaired, and I'll often cobble it back together myself if I am broke or feeling too lazy to go shopping. I seem to regularly get 2-4 years use out of one of my semi-cheap bags before it punks out on me. I'll touch it up with shoepolish as long as it is practical, but when the entire bag is getting terribly shabby, I stop bothering.

I tend to carry a lot with me...pens, mints, small first aid kit, small makeup bag, library book, tape measure, packet of safety-pins, snacks, hair-ties, pocket-knife, etcetera. I often pick up things along the way...put small shopping purchases in my purse or if I see a really interesting small rock or flowering weed. I often inadvertantly turn my purse into a portable dumpster, sticking candy-wrappers and used kleenex in one pocket (theoretically until I can find a trash-can, but in practice until the next time I clean out my purse).

So, curious minds want to know...how long do your bags hold up for you and what kinds of use and abuse do you put them through?

 

[mikeijames]

i tend to abuse everything...i know that about myself and most of my friends. it doesn't matter how much we may have spent on any bauble or appurtanence, once we're out on the town, care goes out the window.

believe me i have endured many" "how do i get this stickiness out of my fendi bag?"-type questions.

and i don't think there is anything more decadent than a beat-up birkin...

 

[oanadobre]

The image of the "beat-up birkin" brought me to tears...

 

[Sephora_Socialite]

Well when I get a purse I ALWAYS treat it special since its my new precious baby. It doesn't last long though.The only purse that doesn't get fair use are my special ocassion bags.

Once it starts to get used often it goes through wear and tear no matter how expensive it is. I may really use my bag Cept I'm not careless with my bag....yesterday I nearly fainted when I realized my baby nephew grabbed my bag and he was dragging my LV in the pavement and grass.

...Still I never get people who treat their bags like precious jewels. It's like why even use the damn bag if you have to watch every move you make? My friend wipes down every freaking thing she sets it on, but she took it too far when she does that at home too..its lame.

I usually keep most bags a few years until they either break or I lose liking in them

 

[catchfatima]

I tend to be pretty rough with my things as well. I always carry the sames things though: my Betty Boop wallet, kets, cigarettes, lip gloss, gum and another paiur of shoes. Sounds silly but whenever I go out dancing, I wear my impossible heels (4-5 inches). Later, when it's time to chill out at a friends house, I need the comfy pair. So I usually thrown in a pair of slip-ons. The straps are the first things to go and usually my bags get pretty dirty. It sounds nasty but I often find bits of weed, tabacco, sand, gum wrappers etc...The other thing is that I choose really bright colors so, after some time, my orange bad tends to look a little...ummm...tan or "desert-colored." Hee heee...Cest tout!

 

[pradaromance]

I baby my bags

Its because I love them so much If a bag is too small then i bring a cheap Gap black nylon tote with me & then leave it at the office for the day. Most of my bags do fit everything though. I get my bags repaired if they need it. I dont make a big deal about a scratch or two.

In fact, I think some bags look better when they are a little beat-up

 

[Spidergirl]

I don't use bags too often. Sometimes when I decide to take one out I'll put my wallet inside and maybe my cellphone but nothing else.
Still, I like larger denim bags, sporty type. I used to have a crush on the fluffy ones so one day a mate told me they're ridiculous and he imprinted that thought in my mind. I can't wear them now, they are far too girly for my preference.

 

[banana]

I normally have two categories of bags: the ones that I don't mind if they get beaten up and then my nicer ones. I have a canvas hobo bag from the gap that I use for everyday stuff because I don't mind so much if it gets dirty since I could just put it in the washing machine. I'm a bit more careful with my leather bags. I never put anything dirty in my bags though without wrapping it in a plastic baggie first. I don't want to reach into my purse and feel something sticky.

 

[chocsta]

I would say that I don't use my handbags as hard as you do, As You Like It, but neither do I baby them... I'm sort of in the middle. I don't take particular care of my bags, but then again I would never put rocks or sticky candy wrappers in them either. I use my bags often (especially my favorites - I agree with Sephora, why use it or get it in the first place if it takes too much trouble caring for it), and I expect them to hold up pretty much for life... I've never had a bag break down on me, except for my vintage Gucci bag which I just took to the repair shop to have the lining replaced

Like Pradaromance, I like the look of a slightly beat up bag. It gives it a little history, character and charm

 

[Plumour]

I take great care of my bags, same as the way I treat my shoes, clothes, jewels, etc.

 

[Ms. Diorella]

I treat my bags with great love, so much so its almost sad, but i love them.

I think if your going to spend good money on a bag you gotta look after it, If i have too much stuff with me i'll just take my trusty cheap topshop bag, i don't mind that one getting a lil messy its my back up bag hehe, its in pretty good condition though really.

I treat my bags like spoilt children hehe.

 

[MJCouture]

I'm kind of in the middle. I'm not manik about not letting my bags touch anything, but then again I hate the thought of one my fav bags getting ruined. I disagree with people who say that if you spend a lot of money on something you should baby it, in my oppinion it should be the complete opposite. If I spend $1000 on something I don't want to be worried that I am going to ruin it by putting too much stuff in it, or putting it on the floor. My bags never seem to need much repair, because most of them are pretty high quality, but I have had a few instances where I needed to have bags steemed clean after a season.

 

[tott]

Originally posted by Pradaromance12@Jun 29th, 2004 - 8:35 pm
In fact, I think some bags look better when they are a little beat-up

I agree. Not falling apart, but with a slight patina and maybe a couple of small scratches. It shows they're being put to good use.

I do take good care of my bags, but some small scratches won't kill me... I use my bags for years, and it's simply not realistic to try to keep them in pristine condition!

 

[nuiko]

Originally posted by tott+Jul 5th, 2004 - 1:24 am--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (tott @ Jul 5th, 2004 - 1:24 am)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Pradaromance12@Jun 29th, 2004 - 8:35 pm
In fact, I think some bags look better when they are a little beat-up

I agree. Not falling apart, but with a slight patina and maybe a couple of small scratches. It shows they're being put to good use.

I do take good care of my bags, but some small scratches won't kill me... I use my bags for years, and it's simply not realistic to try to keep them in pristine condition! [/b][/quote]
agreed!

 

[catchfatima]

Originally posted by tott@Jul 5th, 2004 - 1:24 am

... with a slight patina and maybe a couple of small scratches.

Ahhhh yessss! I love PATINA! Any look of slight aging or antique quality is so gorgeous!

 

[Luna]

I expect my bags to live forever!!!!!


..... but they never do.

 

[LadyIllusion]

I think i'm somewhere in the middle too, because although i do spend quite a bit of money investing in my bags, i value and want them to last a very long time. I am careful where i put them down and dont mind a few scuffs and scratches. I do take good care of them, by putting them back in their dustbags, and stuffing the ones that need stuffing. They have a special place in the bottom of my wardrobe, as does my shoes which i keep in their boxes. I tend to take care of my things anyway, so its only natural for me to be meticulous with my bags.

 

[meowmix]

i think i start off reaaaaally babying my bags, some more than others depending on the material and details, but i find that after awhile, i'm less cautious with them...admittedly sometimes even rather harsh or careless. with even the bags that have become a little beat up, they've held up pretty well as i tend to invest more in bags in general...although i think its an unsuccessful attempt at convincing myself if i spend more on "just one more bag", i won't buy as many

 

[labeladdict]

The most abused bag I have is my Fendi camera bag, I bought in like, 1988...I thought it was the cutest thing. I bought it for $178.00 and the sales lady said "it'll last forever...." well the strap (lambskin) started peeling in like 1992. I shoved it on the shelf. I have it sitting on the shelf with my other bags. I recently pulled it down and pulled the strap out (threw it out quickly!) I tie silk ribbons through it and use it as a make up bag for my traveler. The bag itself looks like new, but that darn strap just shed all over everthing.

Oh well, no body or anything is perfect. Not even Fendi.

 

[POTC_ROXS]

For me it depends on how much i spendt on the bag, i would treat my LV totally differently from one of my Guess bags. I usually take care of my bags pretty well though