Balenciaga handbags have been featured and mentioned so many times on our website that we decided to dedicate today’s article just on one type of bag, the Balenciaga Motorcycle Work.  First introduced to the public back in 2005, it became an immediate hit with large handles that fit over your shoulder and enough room to store books for school or your laptop for work.  It measures 18.1″ x 11.8″ x 6.3″ with a 5 inch shoulder drop.  The Work does not have a longer shoulder strap like the other sizes, but that’s what we love about it.  There is less to deal with, and the double handles are roomy enough to fit snugly over the shoulder.  The current retail is now $1495 at the Balenciaga website for the regular hardware, though there are newer designs with the giant hardware that retails for $1725.

What we love most about the Work is how lightweight it is.  The leather is super durable, distressed and super soft, and it only gets better with age.  People yearn for the worn in look that comes with good use of their Balenciagas.  It doesn’t have any loud logos like other “It” bags, but it’s an understated and practical bag that can get pretty addicting, as each season brings in new delicious colors and leathers.  It’s hard to just have one color, so be strong and resist, though I personally know it’s hard.  My fave colors are Magenta, Black, Violet and Rouge Theater.

Get your Work at the Balenciaga website here along with other Bal goodies.

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Handbags can become an obsession.  There are people on websites such as the Purse Forum that dedicate a lot of energy and excitement over their new acquisition.  And why not?  Purses represent who you are, how you carry yourself, and your fashion.  The fashion industry has banked on accessories because they are easy interchangeable items that truly make an outfit stand out from the others.  We’ve even written about the classic handbags and what you need in your closet.  But how many is too many?  In the end, you only need about six kinds of bags, and you purchase a new one to replace the old one.

Evening Clutch This is something small that you carry only your essentials in: money, identification, cell phone, lipstick and keys.  You use this for evenings and events where you want less baggage.  The clutch doesn’t have to be simple either; they can be jeweled or vibrant in color to make it stand out.  Check out Bottega Veneta Knot Clutches, one of our fave brands.  Choose a color that is versatile to go with your many outfits.

Evening Bag Unlike the clutch, this can fit a little more and be carried by a shoulder strap to free your hands for holding your champagne glass while shaking hands with someone you just met.  More casual, but still elegant, as it’s not a monster bag.  Try to find a feminine style that is classic.

Work Bag This is the poor bag that carries your laptop and files with you every day, the bag that requires its own passenger seat when you are driving, and the bag that can take a tough beating.  You need something large and fuss-free.  I typically like large leather bags with great stitching because they last.  Nothing sucks more than having to replace your vinyl or nylon bags every season because it looks completely beat up and unrecognizable.  Invest in a great large leather handbag that has strong shoulder straps.  You may want two of these, different styles, to keep from getting bored.  You use these the most, so even three is a tolerable number.

Casual Day Bag You use this to run errands during the weekend wearing jeans, but you can also take this to a fun dinner with friends and still look great.  Imagine Balenciaga motorcycle bags, our obsession.  They have rich, supple leather and so many colors and styles that it’s almost easy to justify ten of them, but really, you can’t.  For casual day bags, try to own only about two or three of these, in different colors so you get the variety you need.

Travel Bag We have written about worry-free travel bags, and that would fit right here.  Something you use to toss everything in and just lug with you and not care about.

Your Holy Grail Bag This is whatever you fancy and dream for.  When you have it, you may just look at it now and then and gingerly use it initially.  This is your dream, your fantasy.  An Hermes black box 35cm birkin pops into mind.  It doesn’t matter how much it cost, because it’s completely worth it.

So that comes out to about ten handbags that is really all you need.  How many handbags do you have?

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When you purchase a new leather handbag, you expect it to last. Whether, you paid $100 or $1000, good leather will make your bag worthy of passing down to your kin.  But rain, dirt, perfume and natural oils can spot and tarnish the look of your Balenciaga or Chanel.  Have no fear, because we have found an amazing leather conditioner and protectant to keep your expensive leathers luscious and beautiful.

Apple Garde Leather Conditioner is awesome.  I have used it for most of my leather handbags and wallets, and it leaves no marks or stains after it has dried.  Even the vachetta of Louis Vuitton’s leathers can be treated.  It helps you clean, condition, and preserve your investments by removing surface dirt and leaves the leather water resistant.  What I do is use a soft cloth with a tiny amount of the conditioner and gently rub and buff my entire bag, inside and out.  I then let it out to dry completely and buff again with a dry clean cloth.  I have even used this on lambskin wallets with fabulous results.  Tiny scuffs rubbed away and the leather is getting softer and smooshier with each month of use.

Afterwards, try Apple Garde’s Rain and Stain Repellent as extra insurance.  Spray onto dry leather, holding the can about 9 inches from the handbag, and spray in a sweeping motion.  Then let dry for 30 minutes.  I usually let it hang overnight over my door.  Initially, your light leathers may darken and have spots due to the spray, but once it dries, all the spots and discoloration disappears.  When I sprayed my pink Chanel the first time, I literally  had a heart attack.  But in half an hour, the color returned to normal and my bag is now able to resist stains from my jeans.

Find out more details at Apple Polishes. The products will last you forever also.  I have used these two products on over 15 handbags at least twice, and I still have more conditioner and repellant to go. Here are additional tips to keep your leather handbags and accessories beautiful for years to come.

Let them breathe. Leather needs air, so do not store them in plastic bags or in airtight containers.  Store them in dustbags in a dry area with regulated temperature.  Use a conditioner if you are in very dry environments.

Avoid too much moisture.  Moisture without proper ventilation will lead to (eeps) mildew.  Keep your beauties in dry areas of the closet.

Bring them in for repair as needed. Hermes has a lifetime policy where your leather goods can be brought in anytime for repair, touch ups, or even hardware replacements.  Other vendors will also help you with repairs, and even local shoe repairmen can help with minor fixes.

Store appropriately. Instead of throwing your unused bags on the floor of your closet, store them properly.  Being squashed by other bags or items will lead to misshapen bags, stretched leather, dents, and scratches that may be unsalvageable.  Put them in their dustbags, stuff them with tissue paper to retain shape, and have them stand in a position where they do not slump over and slouch, causing unnecessary and ugly folds in the future.

Your handbags and leather goods are precious, not to mention very expensive.  Take care of them, and you will have a wonderful collection to be admired for generations to come.

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Classic handbags will always stay in fashion, such as the few we mentioned in one of The Conscious Snobs’s past articles.  However, now and then we all want to spice up our wardrobe with something new.  One of the easiest ways to add personality to any outfit is by adding your accessories.  But they can shrink your wallet and pile up in your closet. Sure you can buy more and more, reselling or donating old bags, but that is not conscious nor sustainable.

Enter Bag, Borrow or Steal, made famous by Sex and the City Movie, which allows you to “rent” top of the line handbags and accessories.  The best analogy is “Netflix for handbags.”  There is a broad selection of amazing merchandise.  So instead of buying a new $2,000 handbag that you use sparingly, perhaps renting it for a few weeks may work out, saving you hundreds of dollars in the meantime.

Membership starts at just $9.95 a month, and to get higher end items, you pay a premium monthly payment.

1. Decide if you’d like to become a Bag Borrow or Steal member OR rent as a Guest.  (Members enjoy the lowest rental rates plus other privileges outlined below.)

2. Browse the exciting collections and click the borrow button on the items you’d like to rent.

3. Rent by the week, the month or for as long as you’d like! There’s never a late fee.

4. Special savings when you borrow for 3 months at a time!

5. Borrow more than one item! For the first three months of membership, you can borrow up to three items at a time and one of those may be from the Couture collection.  After three months, you can borrow as many as five items.  At six months your borrowing becomes unlimited - unlimited items and unlimited Couture! Special guests can continue to borrow up to 3 items at a time.

6. When you’re ready for something new, just return the item and tell them what to send next!

7. Best of all: if you fall in love with an item, you can “steal” it!   They will gladly sell you any item you’re renting.  The company will evaluate the accessory’s age, condition and how easy it will be to replace—then let you know if the item is available for purchase and, if appropriate, a price.  If you decide to make a purchase, they’ll bill the credit card on file and the accessory is yours to keep.

Check it out and look fabulous without cluttering your closet!  Now that is something to feel good about.