The first impression

The new colleague was introduced with a tour of the office. Of course, he had a winning smile on his lips, seemed open, friendly and, according to his flawless CV, appeared to be promisingly competent. Just as we had experienced many times before.

But one detail immediately caught his eye: the leather bag he was carrying. Large enough to fit a small laptop and a few papers inside.

Recognizably, she had already seen quite a bit. The leather showed signs of use, but looked well cared for. The bag had style and character, it may have been an heirloom or acquired as a vintage piece.

With a glance at the bag, everything was said in a fraction of a second and everyone was curious to work with the new colleague, who obviously understood style and appreciated values.

The five most important tips on how to keep leather bags in top shape

1. in use

Patina is a bonus with a nice leather bag. Strong, prolonged exposure to the sun will prematurely age your beautiful piece of leather (just like your skin). Heavy rain and dirt, if the bag did end up on the ground, better not happen too often.

If possible, do not overload – even the best bag will not last long. Frequently, if not daily, clear out everything and reduce the contents to what really needs to be there and not everything that you feel good about having with you.

Always store fountain pens in a separate case, as ink stains are among the most difficult stains to remove.

2. in the evening

In the evening, remove the dirt that has accumulated almost imperceptibly on the leather bag during the day with a soft brush and cloth.

Light, superficial scratches on most types of leather can be polished out with a soft cotton cloth or a micro-fiber cloth. If the scratches are so deep that the entire color surface of the leather is destroyed, a specialist with the appropriate colors, tools and knowledge should be called in.

Small smudges can usually be carefully removed from the most common leather colors with a clean, reddish eraser. Never use vinegar-based cleaners or other harsh detergents.

Pocket experts recommend trying very carefully with clear rubbing alcohol. However, a test should be carried out in a place where any unsuccessful experiment is not visible. Leather products are treated too differently during the manufacturing process.

3. once a week

Once a week you should treat the bag to a special non-greasy leather conditioner. These agents are neutral in color and not very greasy. Sometimes you are lucky and can buy a suitable product right when you buy the leather bag.

From time to time, the leather also benefits from treatment with carnauba wax, which is usually imported from Brazil. The leather literally blossoms after treatment with this natural wax and is more resistant to moisture and dirt in daily use. With a tin of colorless carnauba wax, you are well equipped for most types of leather, with the exception of patent leather, which requires a special patent cleaning agent to preserve the patent shine.

Before waxing, clean the leather bag well again, apply the wax with a cotton cloth and massage it in following the structure of the leather. Better too little than too much. Then leave the wax on for at least ten minutes or overnight and then brush off the excess wax. Connoisseurs then use a cashmere goat hair brush to polish the leather and give it an extra shine.

Colored leather loses its original color over time and compared to shoes, which can be treated with appropriately colored shoe polishes, color treatment is not recommended for bags. The danger of dyeing the clothes with it is too great.

Careful care of the leather gives it a character that looks great even when the base color fades. Most leather dyes are relatively long-lasting. Just remember that even an old-school English gentleman will wear in new shoes in private before showing the first signs of wear on them in public.

4. storage

When purchased, the bag is usually filled with paper and provided with a protective bag. Please be sure to keep both. As soon as you change the bag or return home from a nice weekend trip, have cleaned and polished the bag, you should stuff the bag with the paper again and store it in the protective bag.

If the paper or protective bag is no longer available, it can be replaced with neutral tissue paper. Please do not use old newspapers for this; the printing ink will leave its mark over time.

If the protective bag is no longer available, an old white pillow performs equally well. A plastic cover that prevents the bag from breathing is not a good idea.

Leather bags do not like it too warm and therefore should not be stored right next to a heater.

See Also

THE TRAVEL SOUVENIR THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD CHOICE: A STRAW HAT

5. it used to be called bagger, today it is called pocket clinic or return to sender.

If you know of another bag maker, consider yourself lucky and please let us have the address. Unfortunately, the specialists in bag making and repair are hard to find today. Plastic bags and a throwaway mentality have made this profession almost completely disappear. Those who still know how to practice this apprenticeship today work mainly for the manufacturers of fine leather accessories.

Bag makers know how to repair zippers and locks, professionally remove stains, re-sew dissolved decorative seams, replace the lining and use their skills to ensure that the bags retain their charm. Some cobblers have taken on this work and in some cities you can find a so-called bag clinic to which you can entrust your good pieces.

High-quality bag manufacturers usually offer a repair service. As bag makers are rare here too, you sometimes have to allow months for a repair or general refurbishment. It is always worth waiting for good leather bags.

The alternative backpack

Definitely useful in the mountains and on a bike. And, of course, when you leave the official residence of Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a cardboard box, personal items from your desk and a rucksack on your back, like Dominic Cummings, the former chief adviser in No. 10 Downing Street.

At that moment, everyone feels sorry for the man who, according to media reports, has never felt sorry for anyone else.

Unlike fine wines, which are best left alone when stored in an ideal environment, leather bags do not forgive simply being ignored for a long time. Good leather bags also need to get fresh air and be used from time to time, just like all of us.

The time of travel will come again and a charming Weekender always makes a good figure. And when face-to-face meetings become less frequent, every impression counts and the next first impression counts all the more. You don’t want HRH The Prince of Wales to pass you by as a trendsetter, do you?

Here, by the way, you can see a good-humored British king, then still Prince Charles, in an interview with the editor-in-chief of British VOGUE in an engaging interview on the subject of sustainable fashion and his reluctance to throw away clothes and accessories that can still be repaired. (HRH The Prince of Walks Talks Sustainable Fashion & His Timelss Style). His motto: “Buy once, buy well”.

Naturally, the interview is also a charming example of the finest British English and the perfect combination of tie and pocket square in contrasting styles. Read more about this in our article on Pocket Square. You would almost think HRH, Prince Charles had read it.