From The Straits Times    |

 2 must-know tips to stop your designer bags from losing their shape

Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2015. Image: Showbit

It is easy for bags to lose their shape, what with the amount of things we chuck into them – laptops, tablets, bottles of water, cardigans for air-conditioned offices, make-up and wallets.

The way to keep a bag’s shape intact is to make sure it has a sturdy base. Also, how you store your bag when not in use plays a big part in extending its longevity.

1. Create a base
While many bags have a rectangular or square interior, the items within are of all shapes and sizes. Also, some items – especially electronic devices – can be heavy, causing the bags to lose their shape.

Create a sturdy makeshift base for your bag by cutting out a piece of cardboard that is the same shape as the base of your bag. Double up the material to make it difficult to bend and wrap it in a scarf or some other protective fabric material.

2. Store appropriately
How you store your bag makes a difference to how it looks.

Leaving it crumpled in the back of your closet is a sure-fire way to ruin its shape. Even keeping it upright does not help as it will bend due to gravity.

When you store a bag, stuff it with other items, such as other smaller bags or clothes, to help keep it from deflating like a day-old balloon.

Another way is to hang it by its handles onto a hook. This way, the bag will not bend and crease under its own weight.

This story was originally published in Urban’s last issue on June 26, 2015. For more similar stories, visit the new fashion section in The Straits Times Lifestyle section.

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