Handbag Care and Keeping for 2027

Brush off dust, then work a small amount of leather conditioner into the body with a soft cloth, panel by panel, and buff after it settles. Go lightly on pull up leather like the Frye Melissa: its oils are part of the finish, and light scratches often ease with fingertip warmth and a cloth before any product is needed. Condition a working bag a few times a year, and always test inside a pocket first.

Act quickly and gently. On coated canvas and faux leather, such as the Suite tote and the Hadley, a barely damp cloth lifts most fresh transfer. On light leather and suede, such as the Mushroom Sequoia, use a suede eraser or a leather cleaner made for transfer, never water soaking. Prevent a repeat by keeping a new dark pair of jeans and a light bag apart for the first wears, and by carrying pale bags on the shoulder opposite a new denim jacket.

Store structured satchels and totes upright, lightly stuffed with tissue or a soft cloth to hold the walls, with handles resting rather than bearing the weight. Keep the dust bag on, keep the cupboard dry and away from radiators, and never hang a leather bag by its handles for weeks: the anchor stitching stretches and the slump becomes permanent.

Let suede dry naturally, away from heat, then restore the nap with a suede brush in one direction. Rain spots often even out with brushing and a light, even mist of clean water across the panel before drying again. A suede protector spray before first wear, refreshed seasonally, is the difference between the Sequoia shrugging off a shower and recording it forever.

Check strap hardware monthly on bags you carry daily. Tighten small screws with the correct driver rather than a knife tip, work a sticking zip with a graphite pencil along the teeth, and replace a failing clip before it fails in the street. Detachable straps, like those on the Rachel and the Melissa, can be swapped or repaired without touching the bag body, which is one reason they are worth having.

Empty every pocket, shake the bag out outdoors, and wash nylon bags such as the Kipling, Baggallini and Travelon by hand in cool water with a mild detergent, unless the maker says otherwise. Rinse well, stuff with a towel to hold the shape and air dry fully before storage. Keep RFID organisers and wristlets dry and separate while the bag dries, and never machine dry a bag with coated or bonded parts.