I'm thinking of buying a white leather handbag...

[AprillaCourt]

Am I insane?!

I wear a lot of white in spring/summer - dresses with a white base, white ballet flats, white pearls etc - and I'm thinking a white handbag would be useful.

I'm Autistic (diagnosed) and really struggle to mix colours up, so for instance I couldn't wear a pink and white dress with white shoes and then carry a black bag. It's at the stage where if, for example, I see a nice green and white dress that I really like, I don't buy it because I wouldn't have a bag to match. I don't want to have loads and loads of bags, I like only having a few quality bags (the one I'm looking at is Launer.) And in any case if I got a green bag it wouldn't be the exact same shade of green as any clothing I bought and I'd struggle with that too. I know this probably sounds silly to NT people but it's a real issue for me. I can see super subtle shades within colours and to my eyes they just clash and jar.

How easy is it to keep a white leather bag white?! I gather there are products you can buy these days which might help, but would it get grubby no matter what I did? It probably wouldn't get tons of use - perhaps a total of 4-6 weeks each year - which might make it a more realistic proposition.

Any advice greatly appreciated 🙂

I think if it's something you desire and will make you happy then you should get it

You can buy special wipes to keep white leather trainers clean from places like Footasylum for instance so it should work equally well on a Handbag

Toothpaste sorts out leather trainers so might help with keeping bag white. White leather bags look good. Tan bag and sandals is what I am thinking for this summer… as a suggestion - goes with everything

@HappiDaze Ah I hadn't thought of using white leather trainer products - that's such a good idea! Thank you 🙂

Thanks also for saying go for it if it's something I'll love - you're absolutely right. I've been focusing on how it might be a disastrous spend but I should remember the joy I'll get from it. Thanks again 🙂

@PeonyRose80 Ah toothpaste - yes!

Actually you're right, tan is a neutral colour that goes with many things. I'll bear that in mind, thank you 🙂

White is the colour of most of my bags and shoes, I think it punctuates an outfit in a way that black does not. My bags are a mixture of leather and/or canvas, and some are ones only used in the summer, but I have had them for years, so don't worry that you might only use it a dozen times a year - just be sure to buy a style that is classic and timeless.

As for care - wet wipes or similar to wipe bag after use. Do not wear with dark denim or anything that might transfer colour. Scotch guard can be used if it's formulated for use on leather and/or fabric. Store bag a dust bag when not in use.

My sister has a white shoulder bag that comes out in the summer for our day trips and the white looks great in summer. Im not that keen on the design but she absolutely loves it and it gives her so much pleasure and that's all that matters. It's amazing how these small things give us so much happiness. Buy and enjoy.

Thanks @highfidelity it's good to know someone who has multiple white bags that have survived!

Good point about the transfer of darker colours. I'd definitely store it well - I'm rather obsessive about carefully storing my Chanel 2.55 which is my only other beloved bag. Thank you 🙂

Thank you @MarshaMelrose you're absolutely right. I nearly fainted when I bought my Chanel 2.55 (they were £6k then, I think they're nearer to £8k now 😮) but it's given me so much joy that it's been worth it. It's the only one I'll ever have, I take good care of it & it brings me happiness every time I use it 🙂

Pale bags for summer are a bit susceptible to UV damage (patchy yellowing) if exposed to a lot of sun. I learned this the hard way! Maybe not such a risk for UK weather but if it's for sunny vacations, something to consider. Tan is nice, wicker can look lovely too. I would only buy another pale leather one if it was cheap enough I'd be ok to retire it after a year or so (but I would enjoy it whilst it lasted).

Aha, you have good bags! Just treat your white bags in exactly the same way you treat your 2.55 and all will be fine. I must admit that if I ever find a vintage 80s or 90s white (with gold hardware) Chanel bag, that will probably be my next purchase. That said, there's a Mulberry Lily in off-white high shine leather that I have been seriously contemplating, the finish of the leather means it will be hardwearing.

My most enduring white bag is an Anya Hindmarch Neeson shopper, it still looks as good as new even though it's a decade old. I strongly suspect it's because it's woven leather. Given you don't seem to mind spending on bags, I would probably stick to a grained, caviar or saffiano leather rather than lambskin. Happy shopping - do report back should you buy anything.

Thanks @Snowite I won't be travelling overseas so that's not a concern 🙂

@highfidelity Yes I adore my 2.55. It was a big purchase but one I've never regretted. I had a thread on here (under a previous name I think) & people kept me company during the whole process from daring to contemplate it to unboxing it at home 😀

I have one vintage Chanel, a small black single flap with gold hardware & the interlocked CC, but I don't use it. I keep thinking I should sell it on, but the way prices are rising it's possibly a better investment to keep hold of it 🤔

This is the one I fancy, in pure white: launer.com/p/2875-02/

Buy second hand if you can OP as there will be less financial outlay and given how short summers are in the UK (assuming you are UK based) then you’d not be spending a lot of money on something that you’d be getting a lot of use out of but can bring out time and time again each summer.

That's good advice but I'm terrible with second hand bags! Which is odd as I like vintage clothes 🤔

I think it's because I know my clothes wear out & my body shape might change (my style - such as it is - never does!) but because I buy quality handbags I expect to keep them for life & want them to be mine from the start, IYSWIM.

Aside from my own peculiar feelings though, you are absolutely right - practically, ethically & financially!

Its fine op. I got white leather handbag. But i dont buy very expensive luxury handbag in lighter colour. My white leather handbag usually cost around £100-£500. If its reached thousands then I prefer bought darker colour

Yes, I don't think I'd punch up to a Chanel price on a white one! I'm pleased so many people have white bags & seem to keep them shiny though, it's given me more confidence to order 🙂

As mentioned, as long as you don't wear it with denim or other materials that would transfer then it'll be fine. I have a white leather crossbody that I've had for several years and usually take it to sunny destinations and it's good as new. Holds up much better than my light canvas bags!

Ah that's great to know @NightOwlNotEarlyBird thank you 🙂

Just to add, if you do get an expensive white one and it gets stained / yellowed it's often possible to dye the damage away. There are companies that will do this or a v long thread on purseforum I used myself to renovate a stained Chanel tan bag myself (inc the chain strap and even replating the hardware!). It took me absolutely ages and was really nerve-racking but honestly looks better than the original and is now my most used bag! I also have a 2.55 btw (black, also no regrets except fear of getting mugged for it these days 😁), buy from new and tend to treat my bags like beloved family members I expect a lifetime of service from haha. Probably why I'm still bitter about the pale LV I had that yellowed within a year and the shitty customer service response from them saying it was my own fault for exposing it to the sun. Ridiculous. Never bought anything LV since!

Whatever you get I'm sure it will be gorgeous and bring you joy. Can you post a link to the Launer I'd love to see it.

If you want a white bag then get one. But it's likely it will look scruffy quite quickly if you use it every day.

As I said in my OP, it'll be used around 4-6 weeks each year, so everyday use won't be an issue 🙂

Ah that's useful to know, thanks @Snowite Awful service from LV 😒

Part of the reason I bought a 2.55 rather than a Classic was the lower risk of theft, as they're not so recognisable with the lack of interlocked CC. Lagerfeld only added 'Chanel' in tiny letters to the Mademoiselle clasp so you only know it's a Chanel if you really know Chanel. The re-sale isn't that good either - usually less than half the initial outlay - as it's the (typically gold) interlocked CC on the Classic that people tend to want, so it would be less of a target. I bought mine as I wanted the original & definitive Gabrielle Chanel design, rather than Lagerfeld's interpretation. I wouldn't say no to a Classic too though! I'd like one in navy...

The Launer I like is this one: launer.com/p/2875-02/

I meant to say @Snowite - which are the best UK forums for handbag chat? I'm not on any & it might be nice to find likeminded people.

I might start a thread on Launer too if I can't find one already on here!

I love a white bag in the summer. But I buy at a modest price point, and ditch it in the autumn. New one next year!

This is the tension for me @paintingmakesamess as I can see the absolute sense in this but I really don't want to do it - I want to invest in a really quality bag that I'll love & keep it for years. I'm hoping the advice here will keep it shiny enough!