STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

erin · Chanel

yes or no to this clutch as a christmas present?

Kitty · Hermes

I have a VERY similar make-up bag. It's vintage eel skin and the exact same color. I also got it on eBay.

When it came, it smelled like smoke (although, it wasn't super strong). However, after caring it around for a month or so, the smell virtually disappeared. I'm not really sure, why.

Vanessa · Kate Spade

That's a really beautiful clutch. To be honest, I have not had much luck getting smoke smells completely out of things, in particular I'm referring to leather bags/coats.
To get it or not it would depend on a few things:
how bad is the scent?
how particular is your MIL, would this really bother her?
how much does the clutch cost (i.e. is it a fantastic bargain?)?
does the seller offer a return policy?

erin · Chanel

vanessa, good questions..i don't know if it would bother her. i had thought maybe having it around the house, possibly airing it outside for a bit before christmas..and if the smell still didn't come out i could buy her something else (and ahem, keep the clutch for myself)..however i don't know if i am a "clutch" kind of girl.

as for price, right now it's $26 with two hours left. i doubt it would be more than $50...

i don't think the seller offers returns, and specifies if smoke smells bother you not to bid. she did say in the week it's been in her home (non-smoking home) it smells less, but she can still notice it.

kitty - that makes me feel better about bidding.

NCshopper · Hermes

I think it'd be fine. I'd go ahead and bid on it and like you said, if it's bad, then you can keep it for yourself. If there's a fabric lining, I'll be you could spritz a little Febreeze in there to get rid of the smoke smell because I doubt that the eel skin is porous enough to absorb smells.

ETA: Your avatar is adorable. I can't believe how big Lilah's gotten! She's beautiful.

-- Edited by NCshopper at 14:14, 2006-12-07

Vanessa · Kate Spade

That's a great deal! I would go for it if I were you & keep it or resell it if you find that the scent is not dissipating after a while :)

erin · Chanel

NCshopper wrote:

e I doubt that the eel skin is porous enough to absorb smells.

ETA: Your avatar is adorable. I can't believe how big Lilah's gotten! She's beautiful.

thanks! she is def getting big! almost 8 months!

ps, thanks for the input, ladies. i bid on the item and won it!

-- Edited by erin at 18:45, 2006-12-07

Suasoria · Chanel

I wonder if you put it in a bag w/ mothballs or activated charcoal or something along those lines if the smell would be absorbed. I'm curious...I have a lot of vintage bags and other small accessories, and in some respects their "old lady" smell is part of the charm. Do let us know what you do and whether it's effective, please!

erin · Chanel

i will update with what happens. i am thinking of wrapping it in a cloth, then newspaper and airing it out in our garage for a day or so and seeing how that works. (i think i remember someone here saying newspaper absorbs smells)

i can't deal with the smell of mothballs, though.

ejc423 · Coach

I just read something that said if you put coffee grounds in a sock and put it in a car, it will absorb the smoke smell. You could try putting the sock in the clutch. . .

erin · Chanel

ejc423 wrote:

I just read something that said if you put coffee grounds in a sock and put it in a car, it will absorb the smoke smell. You could try putting the sock in the clutch. . .

thanks! i will try that!