There is not fool proof way to make your canvas bag water-proof unless you wrap it up in several layers of ziplock bags.  =P

However, we do know of an excellent and cost effective way to make your canvas material bags repel water which will come in extremely useful when you are caught in the rain.

Visit your home department store and look for water repellant spray, it is normally located at the shoes or car care section.

Just spray a light mist every few days and it will provide a water protective layer that will repel damaging rain water.

Do try the spray on an inconspicuous area of your bag to test for adverse reaction first.

If you don't want the hassle, you could always leave your fabric bags with our professionals for a re-coating of waterproofing wax.

1. Touch the bag. Feel the leather up and down and see if you can differentiate more then one type of substance. Real leather will feel like it came from one single source and will not feel as though it's a blend of multiple synthetic fibers.

2. Smell the bag. Leather has a very distinct smell and you should be able to pick up the scent in an instant. If you are not sure, go to a leather store and reintroduce yourself to the aroma. 

3. Look closely at the bag. Real leather normally have natural markings such as pores, wrinkles, scars and color differentiation. If the material seems like its printed, it maybe 'treated' leather or synthetic leather.

4. Look for its cut edges. Real leather edges are normally rough and flurry, whereas synthetic leather maybe sealed with wax coatings or smooth edged. Do note that these tips are not sure ways to differentiate genuine leather. Even industry professionals have issues identifying genuine leather just by sight due to the advancement of polymer technology.

As we cram more activities into our days, we tend to cram even more stuffs into our bags.  This eventually leads to what we call the handbag syndrome.

The neck has a natural curve to it and it evenly distributes force along the spine.  When we carry a heavy bag on one side over a period of time, that natural curve starts to straighten which will lead to chronic neck and back pains.

• DON'T carry more than 10 percent of your body weight. Any more can throw off your posture.   i.e. A 45 kg lady should not carry more than 4.5 kgs load which is almost equivalent to a small pack of grain rice.

• DO consider a backpack. It distributes the weight between both shoulders.

• DO look for a shoulder bag with short, wide straps. Slender straps tend to dig into your shoulder or fall off. Also, try to alternate the shoulder you carry it on.

• Avoid long-strapped bags and chain handles. The former swings around as you walk, while the chain handle digs into your skin.

• When carrying shoulder bags, make sure the longest your bag sits is around your waist or bellybutton area.

The longevity of your bag depends on many factors such as

1.  Material of the bag.

• - Select materials such as genuine leather, tight knitted canvas or nylon for they are one of the few materials that are very durable with proper care.
• - Tearing of the inner lining of the bag is one of the most common problems, do check if the cloth lining is relatively thick to minimize the risk of tearing.
• - Metal bag clips are less prone to breaking so try knocking them against each other.  If a dull tone is heard, it may be plastic instead.
• Faux/ fake/pleather/ synthetic leather can mimic the look of genuine leather but never can it be as durable.

2.  Workmanship of the bag.

• - Thicker stitching  with bigger knots at the end may indicate tougher and more durable stitches.

3.  Intended use of the bag.

• Never use a bag for a use not intended for it. 

  • If its a small document bag, do not try to squeeze your heavy laptop in just because you do not have a laptop bag at that moment.   Never overload it!

  • If you need a bag for rugged use such as going to the beach or rock climbing, nylon or genuine leather would be a better material to begin with.

  • If you need something light, water resistant or perhaps easier to match your evening gown, it maybe better to consider synthetic leather as they are relatively lighter and they do come in a vast variety of colors and textures.

4.  Maintenance of the bag.

• Materials such a genuine leather require polishing and conditioning to improve its luster and strength.
• Never leave a wet bag in the closet, regardless of the material.  Dampness increases the probability of mould growing which will destroy the bag's visual asthetics and physical attributes.  Decay may also set in, causing damages to cloth stitching and linings.

Many unfinished leather products such as suede are richly colored and, while providing a distinctive flair, may transfer onto other fabrics.  Similarly, pigment from other fabrics may also transfer color onto your suede product.   However, a little common sense will prevent most potential color bleed issues. 

For instance, avoiding skin oils transfer and avoiding moisture (i.e., wearing your accessory on excessively humid days or in the rain) help prevent or reduce this problem.  Also, try to avoid carrying your suede duffle with your lighter colored fabrics.   Likewise, avoid carrying your pristine light colored suede bag with your new blue denim jeans.

• - Darker coloured unfinished leathers suede normally will have excess dyes in them that required several conditioning sessions to minimize color transfer.
• - The use of spray type of suede protector will normally minimize the probablity of such issues from occuring. 
• - Avoid moisture like rain, sweat which will hasten colour transfer.

This common mishap is known as Crocking; it is defined as the rub off of color from 1 item to another.

Most clothing do contain dyes that requires several washes to get that excess dyes out.  That's one of the reasons, you see your favorite pair of jeans fading after numerous washes.

It is always good to read the care label on your leather cleaner and test it on an inconspicuous area before apply it on the whole bag.

Different leather cleaners contain varying amount of cleaning agents.  These cleaning agents are unable to differentiate between dirt stains and color dyes.

Therefore, they may strip off the dirt stain ALONG with color dyes.

It is the same logic as washing your laundry.  Laundry bleach will strip off dirt stains on a white shirt but what if you wash that bright red dress you bought using bleach?

Your bright red dress will turn a dull pink because the cleaning bleach is unable to differentiate between dirt stains and cloth dyes.

The key is to test on an inconspicuous area. =)

You might also want to try our self-formulated leather tonic which is a neutral pH and for it gentle cleansing properties.

We source all over asia to get the best value for $$$ leather in the market.

• Cow leather
• Sheep leather
• Goat leather
• Exotic leather (Ocassionally i.e.  snake - python) 

We believe that there is no BEST material in the world.

We believe that the BEST material would be the one that meets the needs of our clientele.

Therefore, we use a wide variety of leathers to meet the requests of our customers.

• Full Grain
• Top Grain
• Split Leather
• Chrome Tan
• Vegetable Tan

If your item is genuine leather, it maybe the color coating that is peeling off instead of the leather.

Genuine leather doesn't just peel off,  it gets scratches, abrasions and cuts but never just peels.

Just like how ladies makeup "coat" the skin to make it look flawless, some leathers are treated the same way too.

There are many reasons why the "coating" does not stick to leather firmly.

1.  Improper care and maintenance.

2. Improper preparation and coating of the leather.

3. Quality of the "coat".

How do I remedy it then?

There are many bag restoration specialists in the market that would "re-coat" the leather for you.

Pretty much like re-spraying your car after an fender bender, we would say.  Be warned that these services don't come cheap so its better to spruce up on your leather maintenance.

1.  Pay dry the bag with a dry cotton towel.  Tissues would also work fine.

2. Remove all contents in bag and air dry.  (Never use a heated hair dryer on leather)

3. Use a suitable leather cleaner and conditioner to clean the leather and replenish the oil in the leather to minimize cracking.