Dying a leather bag

[AvoidingCallenetics]

I bought a cream Coach leather bag last year, but think I would get far more use out of it if I dyed it brown.
I don't want to do it myself, it cost too much money for me to risk ballsing it up, but I haven't got a clue where to take it.
Any recommendations? Or tips for what to ask about? Can it be done without dying the lining? Also, is it expensive?

Just thought it might be a good way to get some use out of it and save mysrlf the cost of buying a brown leather bag.

Shamelessly bumping

Personally I doubt it can be done successfully.

Cream is not a natural leather colour so it will have been subjected to all kinds if dyes and finishing agents which will limit the ability of the leather to pick up the dye.

Even if some patches do pick up the dye, it's unlikely to be evenly covered or glossy or look as though it was always that colour. Also the stitching is likely to be a polyester mix to give it strength (rather then pure cotton) so it's unlikely to dye and therefore the stitching will stand out and won't match the finished bag.

Plus most dyes are heat-set and require immersing in water.

In short you are 99% likely to end up with a mess that looks nothing like a proper brown leather bag. If someone does say they can do it, you'll be likely required to sign a disclaimer saying if it doesn't work out to your liking its tough basically.

You'd do better to sell your cream coach and use the money to buy a brown one or use the cream as it is. Cream is lovely for summer

Thank you Star. I do love the cream but have found that it just doesn't go with many of my clothes and therefore I temd to hardly use it. Maybe the answer is to buy more clothes
And a new brown bag!

A friend had a beautiful pair of cream leather shoes, took them to a local high street shoe mender (not a chain), who dyed them a fabulous vibrant red. That was months ago and they still look amazing.

I am nervous of it going wrong. Wouldn't want to lose the bag - it is the perfect size and shape for me.

Ivory - shoes tend to be easier as the dye is dabbed on. It's very difficult to cover a whole bag including strap, zip line, pockets etc to look authentic. Plus a bag wears in a different way to bags - bags rub against the body, the strap will fade where they make contact etc.

Not saying someone couldn't give it a go - just that it's highly unlikely to turn out looking as though it's always been brown, and last the course even it it did look ok at first.

*To shoes

Try The Handbag Clinic

www.handbagclinic.co.uk

Thank you. Have sent them an email asking for a quote. If nothing else, I might get it professionally cleaned by handbag clinic. I took it on holiday and it is looking a bit worse for wear.

Had a call from handbag clinic. They can do it but for £300, which is double ehat the bag cost (bought in sale). So am better off waiting for the sales to come around again and getting a new bag.
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions

Wow £300! At least you know it can be done though. I wonder if they give any guarantees for longevity?

I didn't ask because the £300 ruled it out for me. They are based in Harvey Nicks and Harrods, so I would think they are good - they offer loads of colours. But I think they must be for really expensive designer bags

They did say they could do it without damaging the lining. Do you think thry basically take it apart and remake it?

They must do! Good to know the service is there. I know of bag restoration services but I've not heard of successfully dying a bag before so you couldn't tell it wasn't the original colour. I bet they are very good at what they do though.

I'd just sell it and put the proceeds towards a new brown one.