If there’s one thing I believe in, it’s style. A travel bag should be useful, easy to carry and stow, and able to fit as much as possible into as compact an amount of space as possible. But you know what else? It should also look amazing. It should never make you feel like a guy lugging his stuff around, but instead a refined, elegant globetrotter, able to appear (at least mostly) cool in any situation, whether it’s a crowded train, a run through the airport, or a narrow hotel staircase.
That’s what the Meqnes weekender bag is all about.
We’ve designed it to be sturdy, roomy, and stylish, and found the perfect way to bring it to life: fine, world-renowned Moroccan leather personally sourced from Moroccan tanneries by our team. Moroccan leather has been used for centuries, and the tanning process is still the same today. Meeting local artisans was a real treat for us, as we watched them do the same processes we could have seen centuries ago. It was time travel, all in the name of style.
And our weekender bag is timeless. Inspired by men’s travel bags of bygone days, and the sleekness of men’s fashion today, it brings together the best of the past and the present, into something you can carry proudly beside you wherever you go.
Leather itself is timeless, too. It’s a material that can hold up for decades, even centuries…but there’s one thing you have to do. It’s a small price to pay for a bag that makes travel easy and elegant: You have to take care of the leather.
When you think about it, it makes sense. Leather is made from animal hides, and skin needs to be moisturized and cared for. As you use your weekender, the bag will develop what’s called a patina – areas where the color changes from wear. This gives your bag an old-school vibe, not to mention even more character. But leather will only age well if you keep up your side of the bargain. There are two major things you should do:
Keep leather moisturized.
After a while, leather can get dry and cracked. This isn’t a good look, and it’s really not good for the bag’s condition. Luckily, moisturizing leather is ultra-easy. There are a ton of different products on the market for doing this. Or you may want to go natural and use mink or neatsfoot oil, which are known leather remedies. Whatever option you choose, it’s always a good idea to test it on a tiny, hard-to-notice spot, first, and let it sit for about a day to make sure it doesn’t change the color of the leather or have any other unexpected effects.
But what if you don’t have the time or energy to go out looking for products like these? Or what if you’re fresh out and your leather bag’s not looking so fresh? There’s a very simple hack that can keep your leather bag looking great: Just use petroleum jelly! That’s right, that stuff you find in most people’s houses. Just apply a small dab and gently rub it into the leather using a soft, clean cloth.
Weatherproof it.
Skin is waterproof, but in the tanning process, that quality is lost. So it’s crucial to remember that leather is not waterproof and shouldn’t be left to sit out in the rain, or cleaned with or in water (more on that a little later). But there are ways to protect it from things like small spills and raindrops. And guess what? We’ve taken care of that for you! Our bags’ leather has already been weatherproofed, so you don’t have to fear fog or drizzle.
Of course, the point of a travel bag is that you travel with it. And travelling often means facing the unexpected. This can lead to awesome outcomes, but it can also mean mishaps. Here’s some advice about cleaning your bag if you run into anything from crumbs, to stains:
– Dry dirt: If you end up seeing that your bag is dusty or has crumbs or other surface dirt on it, cleaning it is simple. Gently dust it off with a soft, clean cloth.
NEVER USE WATER.
This is true no matter what stain, what circumstance. Remember: Thanks to weatherproofing, our leather may be water resistant, but no leather is waterproof.
– Greasy, oily stains: If your bag has one of these, the best thing to do is head to a leather expert for professional cleaning. If you can’t do that, there are products you can buy, called leather degreasers. But what if you can’t get one of those and you’re really in a bind? One trick I’ve learned with new stains is to pat at the mark as quickly as possible and as much as possible with a clean, absorbent cloth. This will hopefully get at least some of the grease away. Then cover it with an absorbent powder, like corn starch or talcum powder, and let it sit overnight. Ideally, if you did this before the stain could set, the powder will absorb the rest of the grease and you’ll be all right.
– Wet stains: You’ve arrived at your destination and you’re celebrating with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in a charming local café. Suddenly – disaster. It spills on your bag. First, get rid of any excess liquid. Then, if you can, mix some dish soap in a small amount of warm water. Use a cloth or ideally a sponge that’s slightly damp with just a little of the mixture, and gently try to clean it off. If this doesn’t work, see a leather expert as soon as you can.
– Other stains: If you think you’re the only person who’s ever spilled something on a leather bag, you’d be wrong, and the internet can prove it. Do a simple search to see how to get out whatever you’ve got on your bag. Double- and triple-check advice on different sites, and remember to always spot check if you can.
You can also avoid permanent damage by being prepared. If you know you’ll often have your Meqnes weekender around certain things (makeup, cologne, etc.) that could stain it, let us know and we’ll give you some advice.
Store it properly.
Another important way to take care of your leather bag is knowing how to store it. We know you’ll love your Meqnes weekender. But there may be times when you’re not using it. The best way to keep it clean and moist is to keep it in the sack it comes in. Make sure you store it at a moderate temperature — not too cold or hot — and your bag will be waiting for you, still looking great, when you’re ready for your next adventure.
From nomadic prehistoric tribes, to pharaohs sailing down the Nile, to jetsetters taking a flight to the latest hot destination, people have been traveling for millennia, and often doing it in style. Our Meqnes weekender isn’t just a sturdy, practical, beautiful bag – it’s also proudly a part of that tradition.
Wherever you’re headed on your next trip, turn heads and inspire fellow travelers. With our bag, the simplest trip becomes a glamorous journey – maybe the journey of a lifetime.
SOURCE : How To Care For Your Leather Weekender Bag
