Give your old arm candy a refreshed look

When I got my first designer bag, I would protect it at all costs by cleaning it with leather care products every night. I even took the extra step to check the weather forecast before bringing it out. Though a designer bag is made to last, accidents do happen and your bags can still be subjected to wear and tear - even with the best care.

For instance, frequent use can cause peeling on the handles or scuffing along the edges, and exposure to sunlight can cause overall discolouration. It's easier to think that there’s no cure for such damages and it might even be more convenient to buy a new one. However, if you would’ve already guessed by now, at THE FIFTH COLLECTION, we believe in giving a second life to the old.

A New Colour

Discolouration often happens to bags that are frequently exposed to sunlight or abrasion with jeans. Many of us have that one heavily used Balenciaga Motorcycle City bag which shows significant signs of wear. This can easily be seen through the scuffing along the edges and overall discolouration.

One of my favourite tricks is to re-colour them. As simple as it sounds, this process can be done by professional bag spa services at a low cost. You can have a change of style by choosing a brand new colour that complements the original shade or have it matched closest to the original shade of the bag.

By re-colouring your worn-out bag that might once be your favourite, it is a great way to personalise and give a fresh look without having to break the bank.

Dealing With Suede

I’ve always avoided suede. Recently, I couldn’t resist myself and gave in to the cult-favourite Maje Suede M bag. Getting a pre-loved bag has its pros and cons, especially when it comes to suede. There might be stains left behind by previous owners and can be quite a hassle on rainy days.

One of the most simple and basic ways to remove water stains/spots is to dab the whole bag with a damp paper towel. It definitely sounds counterintuitive, but adding water can help remove the water stains on suede surfaces. You can test it on a small area and leave it to dry before going all out. Blot up any excess water with a dry paper towel then finally, let the bag dry completely.

A home remedy for heavier unknown stains on suede, you can try using a wet cloth with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to rub the area with a circular motion. Once the area is dry, use a brush to fluff and retexture the suede back up.

PS. Don’t forget to test on a small area as the unknown stains may not react well to every DIY remedy.

The Missing Piece

As we all know, we can’t expect a full set when shopping pre-loved. But I guess, the prices do justify the missing pieces. Furthermore, if you’re shopping in the vintage section, there might be missing straps or accessories to the bag.

For the collectors of Louis Vuitton, the Epi Drawstring Bucket Bag is not easy to come by these days. One of the first Epi Drawstring Bucket Bag I’ve come across, it was in pristine condition but missing the drawstring strap. While I didn’t want to miss my chance on this vintage gem, I scoured every accessory I could find to replace the drawstring strap.

While it may not be the right season for scarves, I think this might bring use to that one scarf sitting on your accessories corner. Simply loop and pull the scarf through the holes of the drawstring opening and you can easily switch around with the scarf of your choice.

This is definitely a great way to replace any missing straps (this applies to shoulder straps too!)

Polish & Shine

Since the day I’ve been shopping pre-loved, leather cleaners are my holy grail!

While going about our daily activities, it is common for dirt, grease, and dust to get trapped in the pores of the leather on our bags. Or if you have that one mouldy leather bag sitting at the back of your closet, a leather cleaner is worth the investment for caring for and restoring.

To avoid leather deterioration, a gentle application of the leather conditioner will ensure the leather is preserved and reduces exposure to further friction.

This works for clearing humidity spots too! If you do not have sufficient storage space to properly store your designer bag - Over time, it can react to the surrounding humidity. Hence, even if I’m not using my leather bag anytime soon, I would highly recommend bringing it out to air under room temperature and polishing the exterior with the conditioner to preserve the leather.

PS. Don’t forget to test on a small area as not all leather may react well to leather cleaners!

Tip: Preserving the leather helps with preserving the value!

Stay in Shape!

While this may not be a hack to restore damaged bags, this tip will help you to preserve the shape and prevent the sagging of your favourite Louis Vuitton Speedy!

The iconic Louis Vuitton Speedy bag has a weak overall structure and not many may fancy the slouchy bag look. Here are two simple tips that would cost you below $50:

Bag Base - A bag base is a great way to shape and give structure to your Speedy bags without having the additional weight. This will prevent overall sagging and enhance the corners of the bag.
Bag Organisers - Apart from giving structure, the Speedy or even Alma does not necessarily have many compartments for storing your credit cards and essentials. Having a bag organiser will help organise your belongings while protecting them from spills or staining the original interior of the bag.

It took me years to find the right remedies for restoring my bags but they are definitely worth giving a try if it means saving the trip to bag spas or having to break the bank for a brand new bag.

What are some of your tips and tricks when it comes to restoring your old bags, and giving them a “new life”?Share them with me in the comments!