Saturday, February 21, 2009

Just Like New

I bought this handbag (see photo below) over a year ago at the local thrift and used it everyday for about a month. Then the straps started detaching from the purse (damn it all!). I tried to sew them back on, but even with a mammoth sewing needle, I could barely punch through the layers of leather. So I did the only reasonable thing I could think of - I shoved it in the back of my closet hoping that it would magically repair itself.

About a month ago I started shopping around for a nice black purse when I remembered two things:
1.) I didn't really have money for a nice black purse and
2.) I had a thrifted leather handbag (without attached straps) crumpled in a corner behind my shoes.

I brought the handbag to the local shoe repair place where the owner raised an eyebrow at my pathetic sewing attempts (I turned bright red and pretended like I didn't know what she was pointing at). She ended up replacing the four leather tabs that connect the straps to the purse. It set me back $24, which is a lot better than buying a brand new purse that wouldn't be nearly as nice as my newly refurbished one.

Catherine: one
Conspicuous consumption: zero

Photobucket
Outfit details: H&M hat, cardi and tank, Zara vest, pants from Rockit in Decatur.

CL

30 comments:

Sharon S said...

Hi there-well done indeed, that bag is gorgeous and should now last you a very long time, fingers crossed!!

Lesley said...

That is a great bag and definitely worth fixing it! Hmm...now I want a new bag!

Anonymous said...

This makes me want to buy handbags so I can have more things that I take to our local cobbler. Well done!

Tabitha said...

Looks great... I love the shape!

Shelly's Style Shop said...

Good decision on repairing the thrifted handbag...it is so gorgeous! And..I am really loving the hat!!

xoxo, Shelly

~ Faith said...

I think you made the right decision, plus it's a beautiful purse! Age probably makes it look even better!

~F

Lainey said...

Umm...that bag is amazing. It's really cute! I would've fixed it too!

Allie said...

Damn! I can never find cute bags in thrift shops here. Great tip on the fixer upper.

AsianCajuns said...

Sharon Rose, that's what I'm hoping. The shape is classic enough that it should be in style for a while.

Lesley, I recommend Last Chance Thrift. That's where I found mine :).

Lain, isn't that shoe repair place on Clairmont great?

Fashion Therapist, thanks!

Shelly, the hat isn't actually mine. I think it's Lauren's boyfriend's hat - but I might steal it every once in a while to wear it ;).

Faith, you're right. It looks more expensive because the leather has been broken in a bit.

Thanks Asianmommy!

Lainey, yeah $24 was definitely worth it.

Hot Bot, sometimes I come out empty handed when I've been to the thrift store. Just keep looking - I'm sure you'll find a great handbag!

JuliaFuentes said...

love it

Anonymous said...

Can I be you for a day? :-P

Secretista said...

I love that Zara vest.

Anonymous said...

I want that hat AND the bag.

Anonymous social worker said...

shoe repair? why I haven't thought of that, my mom has a leather purse she wants fixed but doesn't know where to go.
THANKS.

Winnie said...

So glad you got the bag fixed, it really is lovely!

Unknown said...

Well done Cath! I'm humming Eye of the Tiger as I re-read your post. Inspiring recessionista stuff ;) My DIY shame is buying thrifted skirts and dresses that are way too long and hoping they'll hem themselves.

Lisa said...

Cute bag! It was definitely worth the repair job. And I want a Panama fedora that looks like the one you're wearing.

Danielle said...

That is a great bag!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the bag! Glad you got it fixed, hehe.

Margaret Meyer said...

Good for you! Recycling AND patronizing a small, local business (how can you not look good doing that?!). I'd love to see more people follow your example.

June Shin said...

That was a great decision to have it repaired professionally and definitely worth it. That bag should last you a really long time.

Couture Carrie said...

Divine, darling!

xoxox,
CC

P.S. I am having a contest on my blog today if you want to stop by :)

Danz said...

Great purse! Glad you got it fixed because it would've been a shame to let a nice bag like that just sit in the back of the closet gathering dust.
Btw, I gave you a couple of awards on my blog. Check it out :)

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

That bag is great and it's smart thinking!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

P.S. Do either of you have an e-mail address? I have a question for you two...mine is thenewclotheshorse@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Well played, C. Way to save some buxx AND do right by the environment. Why buy new when you can repair old?

Anonymous said...

Well done! I'll have to remember this for the next time a bag needs repair.

beccaweber said...

nice work, c!

Unknown said...

Wow, that bag is beautiful!! I have so many articles of clothing that just wilt away in my closet because they just need one little repair... I should just get on it!

compradora anonima said...

i love the bag, and it is so funny, cause rigth now i have the same problem i had try to repair by myself but it looks horrible, so i was done.but now thanks to you i now were i can fix it, thanks so much.
you look fab as always and i love the bag.
guess what??
my bag is also thrifted..