10/13/2020 How To Restore Vintage Dooney
Dooney & Bourke offer high quality purses with a unique, distinguished style. Over time, these bags can become soiled, much like any other fabric accessories. While prevention and protection are always key, there will come a time when the purse must be cleaned to keep its pristine look.
How to Spot Fake Dooney and Bourke Handbags. These days, everyone wants a Dooney and Bourke handbag, but few can afford them. These increasingly sought after designer accessories are quickly joining the ranks of Coach, Chanel and Gucci. Which is to say coveted by most, and copied by many. Telling a real from a fake requires a trained eye.
Glance at the leather logo tag, visible on the front of the purse. If the stitching is not the same color as the thread that's used on the seams, it's a phony.
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Examine the handbag. British tan trim adorns all Dooney and Bourke handbags. If the one you're examining is any other color, you're not looking at the real thing. The purse handles also are always British tan leather.
Study the metal details. Any hardware on a Dooney and Bourke will be brass, whether it's the protective feet, studs or the strap knobs. If you see silver, you know it's not a real Dooney.
Peer inside the bag for more tip-offs of fraud. You'll know it's a fake if you don't see a leather duck logo with visible stitching and a red, white and blue registration number sewn beneath a leather seam. You might not be able to do this if you're just trying to size up whether your husband's ex-girlfriend is carrying a real Dooney and Burke or a knock-off.
How To Restore Vintage Dooney And BourkeTip
Shop at a Dooney and Burke boutique or a department store for an authentic bag. EBay can be a great resource for better-priced Dooney and Burke handbags, as long as you deal with sellers with primarily positive feedback whose ratings rank in the thousands. You can also find bargains on Overstock.com and BagBorrowOrSteal.com.
Warning
Avoid buying Dooney and Burke handbags from eBay sellers with little or poor feedback, especially if only vague photographs are supplied. While it might be tempting to purchase a Dooney and Burke knock-off, remember it's against the law, not to mention unethical.
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Leather purses and handbags can be beautiful pieces of wearable art. However, they need to be properly cared to retain their appearance. Fortunately, a leather purse in poor repair can usually be restored.
Purchase your products. You can get saddle soap and mink oil from pet supply stores, farm and feed stores, or equestrian dealers. If you have a delicate or expensive purse, consider purchasing the special products available from Lovin' My Bags. These were specially formulated for the special circumstances involved with handbags and purses.
Remove any items from the pockets and spaces. Turn the purse upside down and gently shake it. Brush the lining out to knock loose any additional debris. If the purse is sturdy enough, you can even vacuum it with a low-suction vacuum cleaner.
Use a soft, barely damp white cloth and wipe down the entire purse to remove any surface debris.
Test a small, inconspicuous area for colorfastness with the soap or cleanser. Let it sit for a while and examine it to make sure it's not going to leave a mark. If it does leave a mark, use another cleanser.
Clean the leather by massaging the saddle soap or handbag leather cleaner into the grain of the leather. Use a second cloth to blot out stains. You can use a soft toothbrush to pull up dirt or debris ingrained into the leather.
Moisturize the leather with mink oil or a special handbag leather moisturizer/conditioner. You can use a cloth or your own hands, moving in a gentle circular motion. Take care to reach every portion of the purse, including the seams and crevices. Wipe off the oily residue with a clean cloth. Buff the leather well.
Apply any other products to the purse, including products for color restoration, shine or odor removal. Check out Lovin' My Bags for options.
Dooney And Bourke Vintage Bag
Clean, repair, and shine the purse's hardware. You may need to re-plate the hardware if it is bad. Use a type of cleaner specific to the metal.
If the purse is in bad shape, consider taking it to a professional. Shoe cobblers will usually do purse and bag restoration. You also can take it to small specialty mom-and-pop shops or online vendors like Lovin' My Bags or Artbag (see Resources below).
TipsVintage Dooney And Bourke 1975![]() Vintage Dooney And Bourke Satchel
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