Best Supporting Acts

I've done a fair few posts on handbag resources, mainly on where to buy bags, where to research them and where to get them authenticated. I haven't really done a post yet on where to buy items for your bags though - so here a few that either I or my friends have used and are happy to recommend.

 

Liners

Great to give your bag structure and protect the lining 

Samorga

A long list of models (I just counted 232!), great choice of colours and potential to customise existing designs, for example by adding a keyring or zip closure or removing bottle pockets, make these felt liners a good choice. Quality is great. Beware though that these ship from from South Korea. Shipping times for Europe are advised to be 2 weeks, USA 2-3 weeks, Australia 3 weeks. I have received liners after about 7 days but also had to wait about 4 weeks before. Communication can also be patchy.

Love Lolo

At the helm of this fairly recent startup are Louise and Jon, who produce all of their liners in the UK. They offer a smaller range of liners but if you're looking for one for your Mulberry you're bound to find the style you want and they are constantly expanding their offer. In fact, I have just been told that two new styles are due to be added very soon. Production time can take up to the advertised 10 days when they are busy but as they ship from the UK you will have them in less than two weeks. As they are such a small new business you currently have to wait for them to open their store and be quick to place your order. I believe they are planning on increasing their capacity, so I expect this will improve soon. You can also buy a wide selection of Collonil products as well as a few other bits for your bag, such as little pillows that mean you no longer have to stuff your bag with oodles of tissue paper. And last but not least you will find both of them hugely knowledgeable in re to all things leather care and Collonil.

Pereia

The liners I had from here were all soft ones, so if you're looking for something that will give your bag structure, you might be better off looking at Love Lolo or Samorga. However, Pereia's liners are great if you want to just protect the inside of your bag or like the convenience of being able to move your contents from one bag to another. Shipping from the UK, I always received my order within just a few days.

 

Repairs

If a seam becomes undone your most economical bet might be a good local cobbler. More complicated damage can be tricky to put right though so you want to make sure your bag will be in safe hands.

Lincs Repair

When it comes to repairs I keep going back to Alan at Lincs Repair.  Alan does not only repair bags but is an absolute leather expert. He has a real passion for his work and strikes a perfect balance between liking a challenge and thinking outside the box to find a way of resurrecting that heirloom worthy bag and being realistic, advising you on what can and can't be done. 

Handbag Spa

Nevermind repairs. You might just want to send your handbag on a little holiday, after which she will emerge beautiful and refreshed. From repairs to rejuvenating treatments, they aren't cheap but apparently well worth it.

Handbag Clinic

A spin off from the Furniture Clinic, they know a thing or two about leather and offer not only their own range of care products but also restored handbags.   

 

Straps

Whether you lose a strap or want to add one to a bag that never had one the following three are my first ports of call.

Mautto

At Mautto you can either pick from one of their many ready made straps or you can chose the leather and hardware and have a strap made to your specification. You can even order leather samples to get as good a match to your bag's leather as possible.

Bonecalinda

This little Etsy shop offers guitar style straps in various patterns and they look great, especially with some vintage styles. Designs change, so if you can't find a style you like, check back later.

Mulberry

If you misplaced a strap for your Mulberry bag, you can probably order one directly from them. Sometimes this requires you sending in your bag to ensure that the leather can be matched, though sometimes you just have to show your bag at the store. A strap for an Alexa will set you back £108 - not cheap but you will have a brand new strap with Mulberry hardware. Unfortunately you cannot order a strap for a bag that was never intended to have one.

Do you have a favourite place to buy goodies for your bag? Would love to hear!

Thanks to Independent Fashion Bloggers for selecting this post for your Links à la Mode! Please do check out some of the other brilliant posts below.

• A Blonde’s Moment: Rainy Daze
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: What’s in my Ipsy September 2016 Glam Bag!
• Concreteislandista: The Fashion Minded Pop Up Shop
• Elements of Ellis: Grid Print Top
• Fashion Footprint: Blacky Black
• Finite1: How to Mix and Match Fall Colors: Jewel Tone Colors
• Jazmin Racquel: Suede Mini Skirt for Fall
• Lady Diana’s Pearls: Cozy Plaid Scarf
• Living After Midnite: Makeup Monday: Metallic Berry Fall Makeup
• Middle of Somewhere: The Weekly Style Edit Link Up: Fringe
• Milk White Moon: Denim and Pink
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• Musings of a Shopaholic Mama: Fall Floral: How to Wear 3 Ways
• My Golden Beauty: The Perfect Peplum Blouse for Fall
• One Awesome Momma: From Work to Weekend
• Petite Silver Vixen: How to Wear Black and White without Looking Boring
• Style with Nihan: Radical Stripes
• The Chic Machine: Product Review: Glossier’s Super Serums
• The Classy Junk: 7 Easy to Thrift Pieces to Enhance Your Autumn Wardrobe
• Wish and Wear: Best Supporting Acts

Two Print Skirts

I've somewhat fallen off the wagon and really need to get back into the outfit posting groove again. Just two outfit posts from last week and, surprise, they both feature print skirts and statement necklaces...

When you turn up at work and somebody else is wearing the same skirt - and she was in heels too. Made sure I didn't stand anywhere near her...

Top: Hallhuber

Skirt: Boden

Shoes: Zara

Necklace: Warehouse

A bit thrown together as I was running late and the boots were a last minute adjustment after I saw rain was predicted.

Top: Sainsbury's

Skirt: Boden

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Royal Mulberry

I had never seen this style of Mulberry before: a Henley. Granted, you look at it now and might think 'it looks a bit dated' - but does it really? Imagine if that style had been picked instead of the Bayswater to be re-born every season in new leathers and new finishes. The practicality should have ensured longevity. But instead it kind of disappeared into obscurity. Which is a real shame as it is a lovely and truly usable bag!

And talking about useable - let's have a look what we can fit in!

Office Girl or Hippie

If you follow me on Facebook you might have noticed that I was on holiday last week. Sometimes that means I have more time to blog. Sometimes that means I forget that I have a blog - apart from posting random holiday snaps via Instagram. So the below is the whole all of the outfit shots I did over the past two weeks. And there is even one that shows a truly 'holiday' outfit!

Never would have thought about putting these two prints together - until I saw that the mustardy yellow is pretty much the same shade in both. Not sure about the shoes though...
Top: H&M
Skirt: Boden
Shoes: Zara

I wasn't sure about this one when I put it on in the morning. That below-the-knee length is so tricky if you're wearing flats. But I had about three people comment on it - favourably - so it must look ok. :)

Top: Warehouse

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Necklace: Aarikka

Do you buy clothes when you're on holiday? I don't mean, pop into a H&M and buy an extra t-shirt. Or find a local shop that stocks your favourite designer.
I mean the kind of stuff that you pick up when on a summer holiday: t-shirts with weird prints, tops that scream hippie - and trousers like these ones.
I bought them quite a few years ago in Piran/Slovenia because it was so hot and they looked like fun. Since then I've not worn them though because they just were a bit too... weird? "Sod it!" I thought last week when I was in Germany and it was hot. And they did make me smile! :)
Top: H&M
Trousers: little hippie shop in Piran

Classic Mini Tote

Possibly my last review of a vintage Mulberry. At least for now. Well, I think I'm pretty much up to date as far as my current collection is concerned - but you might know that it does change from time to time...

This Mulberry Hellier ticks many boxes for me: robust printed leather, easy access via zip - and the option to carry it with a long strap!

...and how much can you fit in?

Top tips for keeping your bag look fab

Maybe you've read my extended interview with Shian, owner of the legendary Naughtipidgin's Nest. Maybe you've read her guide on how to prep your bag for sale. Fact is: Shian knows a thing or two on how to keep designer bags beautiful, so here some more useful hints and tips! (And a couple of my favourite bag shots - just... because...)

Oh, and don't forget that the Nest has just re-opened after the looong summer break!

Exquisite, luxury handbags—the product of painstaking, sublime craftsmanship—deserve to be treated with the utmost care. Expensive handbags are an investment worth taking care of, and with the right care and maintenance they will stay immaculate for years to come.

It’s incredibly important to remember that if your luxury handbag is made from leather, it’s essentially an organic material and need to be treated as such.

Understand Your Bag’s Finish

• Most leather bags are vegetable tanned with tannin. Leather that is tanned this way can be susceptible to discolouration and may also be cosmetically damaged by water. 
• Chrome tanned skins are more water resistant and are referred to as being ‘wet blue’ due to their steely grey tinge. 
• Full grain is premium-grade hide that has not been buffed in order to showcase the skin’s natural texture and grain.
• Top-grain leather is thinner and has had its natural grain augmented by sanding. 
• Coveted exotics from non-cattle skin, such as alligator, crocodile, stingray, ostrich, snake, lizard and patent leather, achieve their high gloss finishes from oils and resin.

Care and Protect

• When not in use, store your bag in its dust cover (or a pillowcase) as this will protect it from fading, dusts and even moths. 
• Stuff lightly with tissue paper in order to retain its shape and prevent wrinkles, indents or creases. 
• To prevent mildew, store your bag in a dry, cool environment. 
• You may wish to invest in silica gel sachets to keep in your stored bags, in order to protect them from damp. 
• When you’re out and about, use a portable handbag hook so you don’t have to put your handbag on the dirty floor. They are carefully weighted and designed to hang from the edge of a desk or table and you can find some beautiful styles in lots of designs. 
• Lightly wipe your handbag after every use, with a soft, microfibre towel in order to get rid of any dampness, dirt or dust. 
• Leather may need a wax dressing and a suitable rain protector, such as Colonil, to keep it stain and watermark free. Wet leather should be wiped down carefully; however, this is not always practical, in which case the leather should be left to dry naturally away from any sources of heat. 
• Never use household cleaners or chemicals to clean leather.  Use cleaners that are designed especially for leather materials.  Purchase a high-quality leather cleaner and follow the directions exactly. 
• Remember to test any topical products on an inconspicuous area of the bag before applying it properly.  This way, you can be sure that it will not harm the material. 
• Use a zipped make-up bag to prevent cosmetics from spilling onto the lining of your luxury bag. 
• Be wary of carrying pens in your handbag, as they can break and cause ink to stain your expensive bag’s lining. Use retractable point pencils if you need a writing implement.

It’s important to look after your bag in order to ensure that it will look beautiful for years to

come, however, you mustn’t be afraid to enjoy using your bag. After all, luxurious handbags are made to be worn and shown off!

 
So there you go: protect it and use that beautiful bags you have stashed away in your wardrobe because you're worried that it might get wet! 

Thanks again for Independent Fashion Bloggers for selecting one of my posts for their Links a la Mode - for last week it was this one! Do check out some of the brilliant posts below!

• Attire Club: What Are the Different Types of Prints on Clothes
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: CHINA GLAZE GROUPIES 6-PIECE MINI SET SWATCHES + REVIEW
• Couture Crush: Couture Crushin: JumpFromPaper 2D Handbags
• Cover Mum: Back to School
• Distinguished Diva: A day in Rome: Sightseeing and Vintage shopping.
• Dressing with Class: meeting sara!
• Five Foot Nothing Shopping: 3 Tips for Wearing a White Tee and Jeans in Fall
• Glitter For Breakfast: Stilettos are back!
• Happy Pretty Sweet: Multimasking with L’Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Masks
• I’m a Norbyah: Working Mumma Blues
• Modavracha: 7 Ways To Wear A Choker Necklace
• Ms. FABulous: #NYFW: Nicholas K. Spring 2017 and a Bill Cunningham Tribute
• One Awesome Momma: Fall Must-Haves
• Proceed with style: Baseball Cap Fashion
• Smile is It: Kyboe! NYFW SS17 Watch Fashion Show
• So Versailles: EVERYONE HATES KANYE: YEEZY SEASON 4 REVIEW
• The Curious Portafoglio: L’OFFICIEL PARIS: BLACK BEAUTY MATTERS
• The Fashionista Momma: THE WEEKLY STYLE EDIT: ANKLE BOOTS
• We Are Ready Made: WANGSQUAD
• Wish and Wear: Top Tips for Keeping Your Bag Looking Fab

SPONSOR: Shopbop, KENDALL + KYLIE, Loeffler Randal Booties, Elizabeth and James Jewelry, The Laundress, Hilfiger Collection, Quartz Co., Black Jumpsuits, Winter Boots, Gold Earrings, Men's Velva Sheen

September Prints

I am definitely relying heavily on Boden and Zara. I don't think I've done a week yet without either one of them. Maybe I should do a challenge week: No Boden or Zara..?

I'm still in love with this skirt. I especially like that it can give me a waist when paired with a loose top.

Top & necklace: Warehouse

Skirt: Boden

Shoes: Zara

For those mornings when you can't figure out accessories: a dress that doesn't need any accessories and some Converse.

Dress: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Channeling some sort of sporty style - faking it! What would I do without grey marl? I love how you can put it with everything...

Dress: Zara

Cardigan: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Accessorice

One of my favourite summer dresses. Might have been its last wear this year...

Dress and shoes: Zara

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Ledbury Revisited

Can you believe that it's well over a year ago when I converted my Ledbury and shared the video on my blog?! 

Well, chances are you either haven't been following me for that long or you actually have a life and you're thinking "so what?" right now.

Just in case you do think "blimey!" and "I was wondering how she was getting on with that bag" - here an update!

And as promised in the video, here a couple of shots showing the wear in detail.

Where the clamp has shifted a bit over the time:

Here you can see where the clamp rubs against the inking...

 ...and here you see how the inking has worn:

Have you converted or customised any of your bags? Would love to see what you've done!