A lot of us have our favorite fashion pieces. For some, it’s a pair of black leather pumps. For some, it’s a designer watch. For others, it’s a black leather purse. When these things get lost or suddenly got broken / destroyed, there’s really more to heartbreak than what meets the eye. After all, these are the things that we just like throwing in when we are not sure if our outfit suits us!
So when the straps of our purse gets broken, or the special buttons fall off or if the zipper is irreplaceable, then we really have to buy a new piece. At first, we might find it difficult to replace something we loved so dearly for so long but during times when we feel like “Ohmigod, this outfit could really rock with a great leather purse!” then those are the times when we will seriously consider buying a new one…never mind if it’s an exact replica of our once-favorite.

Durability

Since you HAD to replace an old one that you were able to enjoy for so long, then it’s apparent that one of your preferred attributes in a black leather purse is its durability. It is not enough that something looks good or matches your shoes. Remember that it also has to look good with your outfit for the longest time possible. Also, if something is durable, then you can also save money because you don’t have to buy a new one soon. To make it last even longer here are 5 ways to take care of your black leather purse.

Timeless Style

If you pick a durable black leather purse because you see yourself wearing it often, then it is also important to pick one that has timeless style. By timeless style we mean something that can last the test of fads and the seasonal fading of what’s in. That is why while you’re out scouring for a new black leather handbag, pick one that falls under the category- classic. With classics, you can never go wrong.

Budget

Now, this is quite a tricky part. We all know that quality and style really don’t come cheap. That is why if you are replacing something which you really valued, then the one that you must replace it with must come at a high value also. So with the budget part, try to come up with perhaps a few hundreds (of dollars) if you want to land a great piece that’s both durable and stylish. Any fashion follower would tell you how expensive high quality leather really is.

At the end of the day, when you think you’ve found a purse which scores high in these three categories, don’t be too pressured into getting it. Invest in the canvassing and soon you will land on a great piece that you will cherish forever…or at least half of it.

Ah, the black leather purse for everyday use. It is the Holy Grail of any bag addict. And why not? The black purse is a black purse–it will go well with anything.  Let’s face it.  Women, you probably know this very well.  You may buy bags that strike your fancy but you always go back to that safe and practical black leather bag when you don’t to think about what you’re wearing.

And believe us, these types of bag are important especially when you’re flying out the door because you’re late.  So how to choose the perfect everyday black leather purse? Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Take stock of your everyday needs to determine your everyday bag.

Do you carry a lot of papers and books? Or is the stuff in your bag purely limited to your cellphone, wallet, and basic make-up essentials? Do you need to make room for a laptop? Do you need to carry around a lot of stuff for your newborn child?

Really think about your needs when choosing a black leather purse.  Big? Small? Easy to carry around? Maybe you need to buy one with a lot of side pockets because of all the stuff you put in your bag. You don’t want to be the one who needs to dump the entire contents of her bag in the ladies room because you couldn’t find your lipstick.  Be practical and always think of your convenience.

2. Steer clear of cheap black leather purses and focus on quality.

Need we remind you that you will be using this bag almost everyday? Now is not the time to scrimp on quality? So what if you have to pay a few extra bucks? Remember that you are going after a heavy-duty bag that won’t give up on you while you are carrying your laptop or your bare essentials. You don’t want it to suddenly give way while you’re on your way to an important business meeting.  Or god forbid–a date!

3. Make sure it expresses your style.

Some people may advise you to get a no-nonsense black leather purse because you can use it for just about anything.  We say that you get something expresses who you are. You are supposed to love this black leather purse and treat it as your friend. Besides, she will be accompanying you through most of your week.  Find one that fits your personality. Get one with a splash of color if necessary.

Black leather purses are safe and that’s what they always will be. You can mix them with anything. You can be as loud as you want with your shirts and heels, and your black leather purse will never fail you.

However, there will always be cons. And so, here are the top 3 compelling reasons why you should not buy a black leather purse.

1. Your wardrobe is limited to black, white, and grays.

If your clothes revolve around the wildly understated hues of blacks, grays, and whites, then you may start experimenting with accessories that pop for a change.  So you’re a classic person, no big deal! No one will take it against you if you would rather that your wardrobe resemble a charcoal painting.  But splash some color on! A multi-colored bright accessory might just be what your outfit needs.

2. You only own black leather purses.

What? Are you crazy? There is more to life than black.  Stop being so melodramatic, sister. Open yourself up to more colors for a change! And remember if you’re in the throes of wild indecision, you can try going for more safe colors like white or brown to breathe more life into your bag collection. But if you’re interested in going ALL THE WAY, why don’t you buy a bag that screams rainbow? It’s be bright, cheery, and because it has got so many colors–you won’t have trouble wearing it with all sorts of clothes.

3. It’s just not you.

So why fight it? Having a black leather purse is a wardrobe staple for every woman quite like the quintessential little black dress.  But who are we to cramp your personal style? It’s your life–you can throw all the fashion do’s and don’ts out of the window if you want to.

Trust us, no one will care if you do.

Worried that the black designer leather purse that you’re holding is just a knock-off? And that you’re paying top dollar for something that will subject you to the secret snickering of people who know their designer items?

You are not alone. In fact, here are some tell-a-tale signs that the bag you’re holding is a fake one.

1. Examine the handbag construction.

The problem with fake designer purses is that they can be too good sometimes. They tell you that they just got it from a cheap source. Or that they have a slight defect and that’s why they can give it to you for steal. One way to find out is to check the handbag construction. Designers are famous for their notorious attention to detail and quality. Why else would they be selling it to you at such a high price?

So take a close look at that handbag you’re holding.  Does the stitching look sloppy to you? Is the handbag askew? Is there something about that bag that doesn’t feel right? Examine it very carefully.

2. Check for a fake designer label.

It’s not very hard to spot a misspelled name, you know. Usually fake bags have a fake designer names that go along with it. Some of these bags are very obvious about this while other are more discreet. So pay close attention! You don’t want to be the one left holding the fake bag when you’ve paid for it and brought it home.  You also want to do a thorough research online for how to spot a fake for that particular brand.  For Prada bags, for example, the tags are always metal and not plastic.  Coach leather purses, on the other hand, have authenticity numbers that you can verify.

3. Look for a designer handbag box.

Ask if the bag comes with a dustbag or a designer handbag box.  All designer handbags come with this and for the seller to tell you that it doesn’t come with one should definitely send some alarm bells ringing in your head!  Be a bit more relaxed when it is a secondhand bag though because.. well, sometimes the reseller has lost the dustbag.  Don’t rely solely on the existence of the dustbag as well. A lot of people sell secondhand dustbags online. A quick search through Google and eBay will quickly verify that.

When all is said and done, let the buyer beware! Watch out for fakes especially if you’re buying online. You may never get your money back.

Did you know that if you take care of your black leather purse well.. it can pretty much last forever?  And why shouldn’t you take care of it when you’ve invested an arm and a leg buying that designer bag already!  Here are some tips to ensure your purse survives until the next millennium.

1. Store your bag properly. When not in use, put your purse in the dust bag that it came with or use a natural fiber soft cloth cover. Tempted as you may, don’t make the mistake of storing your purse in a plastic bag. It won’t be able to breathe. Not just that, plastic bags have chemicals that can destroy your leather.

2. Make use of your soft scarves and gloves to give some shape to your leather bag–especially if it’s a soft one. If you run out of accessories to put in your bag, use tissue or soft cloth. You don’t want to be left with cracked or wrinkled designer bags when the time comes you want to use it again. Make sure you don’t overstuff, too!

3. Use bag liners  so you can protect your bag from accidental pen stains or make-up spills. Another alternative is to use pouches.

4. If your bag gets dirty, clean it using a soft, damp cloth.  Don’t throw it in the washer! Water ruins leather bags. So if the weather is a little on the rainy side, try to steer clear of your really expensive pieces. Who knows–you may thank yourself later.

5. Use leather protector sprays to clean your purses. Not only will it prevent leather from cracking, you will also prevent the leather from staining.  As always though, when things get rough and you don’t know what to do, bring your black leather purse to a professional cleaner who does purse and bag restorations. It’s better than making amateur mistakes than will end up doing more harm than good to your costly black purse.

You just inherited the perfect vintage black leather purse from your mother. Excitedly,  you open the bag to see how it would make room for your stuff when.. WHIFF.. Ugh, it’s perfect but geez, it SMELLS. While you may be tempted to take that perfect black leather purse back to storage (or maybe to the garbage can where you believe it belongs), keep it mind that there are quick and easy steps for you to decrease or even outright eliminate odor from your bag.

Here are your options..

• Option 1 – Get a box of baking soda and open it. You can choose to either put it inside your bag–if you can make sure that it won’t spill. Remember that you’re trying to get the smell out and not cause another catastrophic problem of getting baking soda powder out of that black leather purse of yours without ruining it.  Another alternative is turning your bag inside out and placing it inside a garbage bag with the open box of baking (once again, take care that it doesn’t spill).  Leave it for 24 hours. Most of the time, baking soda will absorb the bad odor and leave your bag smelling fresh all over again.

• Option 2 – If baking soda isn’t available, you may also try using newspapers. Crumple it up and put it inside your handbag. Leave it for 24 hours and it can help in neutralizing odors.

• Option 3 – So you’ve gotten your bag wet, did you know that you can use coffee beans to get that wet smell out? Just put it inside the bag–not only will it help reduce moisture and dampness, it will also give your purse a very pleasant aroma.

In the end, however, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  When you spill something on your bag or if you get your bag wet because of foul weather, do something about it immediately. Do not wait for your bag to stench. Smelly bags are a reflection of their owners. Not only does improperly dried wet leather cause a very unpleasant odor, it also causes mold and mildew to fester in your bag.  Trust us, it’s not a very pretty sight.  And when you think of all the things you put inside your black leather purse that you put on your face or in your mouth.. you’ll probably think twice.