How to Store Your Leather Bags Properly

A leather bag can be damaged as easily in the cupboard as out in the world. Squashed, damp or neglected in storage, even a beautiful bag can lose its shape, grow mould or dry out. Storing leather properly is simple, costs almost nothing, and makes the difference between a bag that lasts a lifetime and one that quietly deteriorates unseen.

Keep its shape

Leather bags hold the shape they are stored in, so store them well. Stuffing a bag loosely — with tissue paper, a small cushion, or the like — helps it keep its form rather than collapsing and creasing. Avoid stuffing so tightly that you stretch it; the aim is gentle support. Store bags upright where you can, rather than squashed flat under other things, and do not hang most bags by their handles for long periods, as this can stretch and distort them.

Let it breathe

Leather is a natural material and needs to breathe. Never store a leather bag in a plastic bag or airtight container — trapped moisture is exactly how mould takes hold. Instead, use a breathable dust bag (the cotton bag many quality bags come with is ideal), which keeps dust off while letting air circulate. If you do not have one, a soft pillowcase does the job.

The right conditions

Where you store a bag matters. Leather does best somewhere cool, dry and stable, out of direct sunlight — sun fades and dries leather over time. Avoid damp spots, which cause mould, and avoid right next to radiators or heat sources, which dry leather out. A shelf in a wardrobe, away from extremes, is usually perfect.

Before you put it away

A little care before storage pays off, especially for a bag you will not use for a while. Empty it completely — forgotten pens and receipts cause marks and odd smells. Give it a gentle wipe to remove surface dirt. For longer storage, a light conditioning keeps the leather from drying out while it rests. Then store it supported, breathing, and in the right conditions.

Rotate and check

If you have several bags, rotating their use spreads the wear and keeps them all in good condition — no single bag takes all the strain, and none sits neglected so long it deteriorates. An occasional check on stored bags catches any problem early.

Simple habits, lasting bags

None of this is difficult, and it becomes second nature. These small habits are what keep good leather beautiful for years and decades rather than months.

Our bags are made to last a lifetime, and stored well they will. Explore the collection to find a bag worth keeping.