When Vintage Goes Bad

A couple of evenings ago I made a horrid discovery. I was going out to the theatre with Rapunzel and Amelia-Jane, and looking for a little bag to carry.

I said to Rapunzel (who was patiently waiting while I rummaged around in my closet) that I seemed to have quite a number of large, casual bags for daywear, and many tiny little glamourous evening purses, but not much in between. Finally I pulled out a black asymmetrical leather bag I had bought years and years ago. I hadn’t used it for years. (I know, I really should clear out my wardrobe more often.)

It was when I tossed in the usual suspects – lipstick, keys, etc – that I made the horrid discovery. My fingernails inadvertently scraped the interior lining of the bag, and were filled with some kind of black gunk! The lining was disintegrating. What on earth? Whatever it is made from, it is most definitely not fabric. Why would you even do that? They just don’t make them like they used to. 

So while the exterior leather of the bag is still in quite good nick, and I have a sneaking fondness for the early 90s looking shape, I am ruthless: the bag must go.