Select Page
KNOWLEDGE

Handbag 101:
Safe display methods

By Koyaana R. March 13, 2019

With more shoppers considering handbags as investments,

we’ve seen a rise in storage options for keeping them safe. The selection of these options may be overwhelming, but don’t write them off as gimmicks – proper storage is necessary if you want to not only prolong the lifespan of your bag but ensure it holds its value over time.

Take Your Pick: Optimal Storage Options

Original Boxes

Courtesy of W Magazine

There is something to be said about using a handbag’s original box for storage. It could be a keepsake of your memorable shopping experience, or simply having the boxes in your closet makes you feel special. Original boxes have a purpose, not only to transport your new purchase from the store to your closet, but they are a vessel in which to store them. Below are the pros and cons of storing your items in their original boxes.

Pros Cons
  • Protects from light
  • Can look messy with various brands
  • Offers humidity control
  • Can’t be customized to fit your closet
  • Recognizable and pretty
  • Cumbersome to open and close
  • Prevents contact with other bags
  • Easily crushed and broken if not treated carefully
  • Reduces risk of structural damages typically caused by compression or indentation of foreign objects
  • Can take up a lot of space depending on the size of your collection
  • Can be stored upright or laid down
 
  • Prevents contact between bags
 

If you choose to store your bag within its original box, it’s important to remember proper storage techniques. We often get asked: “How am I supposed to store the boxes? Upright or laying down?” This is something that is met with mixed answers from various sources. It’s ideal to store them upright if the bag is placed freely inside. However, if your bag is surrounded by proper padding, as to not put any unnatural pressure or stress on it, you can store them laying down.

Clear Acrylic Boxes

Courtesy of Luxury Bag Display

Carrie Bradshaw said it best: “I like my money where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” Sometimes you really just want to see your investments front and center. Luxury Bag Display has created display boxes for the purpose of storing handbags specifically. Their clear acrylic boxes allow bags to be stored in a controlled environment while also allowing you to admire them. If you love the look but are looking for a cost-effective alternative, there are other options available but most do not offer as many handbag-specific features. We weighed the pros and cons of storing your bags in clear display boxes.

Pros Cons
  • Easily identifiable
  • Does not protect from light
  • Creates a neat and organized look
  • Can only be oriented upright (not always best for every bag silhouette)
  • Stores bags upright
 
  • Reduces risk of structural damages typically caused by compression or indentation of foreign objects
 
  • Offers humidity control
 
  • LBD boxes have hooks on the lids to alleviate chain pressure on the bag itself
 
  • Prevents contact between bags
 

If you do decide to store your bags in acrylic boxes, Rebag does recommend supplementing with the use of a dust bag to protect your bags from excessive exposure to light. Acrylic display boxes come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the look you are trying to achieve and your organizational needs.

Dividers

Courtesy of The Spruce

If the original boxes or acrylic containers are not an option for you, adjustable shelf dividers can offer a functional alternative with a clean and organized aesthetic. Using dividers is not our first choice for storage, as problems can arise if used incorrectly. However, here are the pros and cons to determine if this is a viable option for you.

Pros Cons
  • Easily identifiable
  • Does not protect from light
  • Creates a neat and organized look
  • Does not protect from humidity
  • Stores bags upright
  • Can only be oriented upright (not always best for every bag silhouette)
  • Reduces risk of structural damages typically caused by compression or indentation of foreign objects
  • Does not protect from dust
  • Adjustable for your needs
 
  • Prevents contact between bags
 

If you choose to use dividers, it is best to choose the acrylic or solid options. Open or wire versions will create indentations or may allow your bags to be in contact with each other, potentially causing color bleeding and transfer damage.

Regardless of your storage option of choice, it is a good rule of thumb to store your handbags in their own individual containers. Overall, this method of storage protects your bag from the most damaging factors. Handbags are ultimately an investment, whether financial or emotional and should be treated with care and respect. Properly caring for your bags will be worth it in the long run.