Zebra stripes at Versace, black beaver at Vera Wang, and those Fendi Monster bags (complete with ubiquitous charms) are everywhere this fall, ushering in what seems to be another new era of “more is more” in the handbag world. But these specialty bags can be difficult to maintain. In an industry where what's hot and what's not can change with as little as the wind blowing through your fur, are these costly confections worth the maintenance that goes into them? Now you can decide for yourself with a few helpful tips on maintaining your fur bags and accessories.
Chill Out
According to the FICA (the Fur Information Council of America), when you are done using your fur bags for the season, for longevity's sake, they are best kept in cold storage. This is generally achieved at a temperature, humidity, and light-controlled storage center that can cost you upwards of $100 for your initial visit, depending on how long you want to store the bag.
Keep it Clean
The key to the longevity of a fur handbag is keeping it really, really clean. A fur bag should only be cleaned by a fur specialist, never an ordinary dry cleaner, as unnecessary or inappropriate exposure to harsh chemicals can rob the fur of its natural moisture and leave it feeling less than soft. Additionally, you should never hang or store your fur in bags of any kind (including a lot of cloth dust bags that actually come with the bags), as the individual hairs can break down over time where they come into contact with the bag. Mothballs, cedar, perfume, hairspray, and other common things that a handbag might come into contact with can dry the leather and the hairs of the fur by wicking moisture out of it.
