Handbags

[151949]

We have a new neighbor who is retired from being a handbag buyer for a large department store. We had them for dinner last night and she was telling me some interesting stuff about leather and dyes. If a leather item is made in the USA , be it a pair of shoes , a purse, a jacket or a piece of furniture, you need to be aware that in the USA , because of environmental laws , they are required to use water based dyes. For that reason the dye does not last well. She was saying we could expect the dyes on our brand new , made in Indiana, furniture to last about 10 years, if we're lucky.She recommended we get some of those covers you put over furniture to keep pets off it, and maybe that would help extend it's life. She said you used to be able to buy purses etc made in other countries that still used chemical dyes but now our environmental laws restrict importing those so anything made to come into the US has to meet our environmental laws.And the oils in you skin , especially lotions and sunscreens get on your furniture and your apparel and just disslove those water based dyes.

[StylishLady]

Never heard that and I have a lot of leather clothing. I only had one problem years ago when a pair of black leather pants caused a discoloration on a pair of white leather pants I had hanging next to them. Since then, I've kept them separated and so far have not had any dye issues with any colors.

[suzyQ3]

Good for us/US!

[151949]

@StylishLady  You may have older items that are from before these fairly recent laws. Beware what you buy new.

[meallen616]

@151949.

Interesting! Thanks for posting,

[BirkiLady]

@151949Just watched a video of Shawn showing a bag from The American Leather Co. The guest specifically states their leathers are all from the US and drum died using oil based dies. They appeared very fluid and soft; colors were saturated. These are reasonably priced IMO. Have never had a die fade, flake or wear off any leather furniture or leathergoods. You get what you pay for.

Same goes for Dooney & Bourke bags; especially their Viccetta leathers, which are drum died with fruits and veggies in Italy (no oils). Those bags are not going anywhere! Again, not unreasonable in price for pebble leathers or Viccetta leathers. Wouldn't buy any of the others, but that's my choice.

Was in Omaha recently and purchased another bag from a favorite place which has a store in Phoenix as well. Their handbags are exquisitely made with the best leathers available and often from Portugal or Italy. The robust scent is intoxicating! Classic elegance at its finest. I prefer the leather of my purses tanned, like a good Eastern saddle; rather than died. I'm able to find such bags in Omaha. They do carry a western line, too . . . not my style, but equally well made.  

Not sure your neighbor was talking high-end quality leathers (certainly not water-based died leather goods), which are available in upscale department stores. Try vonMaur or Saks or NM. The thought of footwear made of inferior leathers is unacceptable to most American's, let alone bags, jackets or luggage. Why do you think so many of us prefer German footwear? 

Perhaps she was trying to tell you something about your recent purchases and you misunderstood? 

[151949]

How often did we used to read about Makowsky bags that the dyes would rub off on people's clothing, car seats etc.

[BirkiLady]

Perfect example! Inexpensive leather goods and cheap, quick dieing process. You get what you pay for. Don't you understand that concept?

[151949]

Can't you understand that no matter how high end a product is - the law is the law and everyone should be following it. Are some getting away with not? Who knows. But just paying a lot is not going to insure longevity.

[BirkiLady]

@151949Give me proof. I don't believe it.