Quote Originally Posted by Posh View Post
Everyone, I updated my original post to include Louis Vuitton's limited edition sports bags. They should help the LV guys carry all that gym stuff lavishly. It actual is a reply to MLDK's man bag post. I figured as much time as it took to get the necessary info, it could help others who use this post too.

Eskie, using a bit of dye sparingly and gently, which is faster than the traditional method, can achieve the color of brown you want. Check out these out.

If that's daunting to you, there's always this method used by hadrcore LV fans the world over, which I got from Hisremnant.org:

What you can do to shoot for the gorgeous patina
I'm going to tell you what Louis Vuitton lovers on the EXTREME end do. This may sound humorous and silly, but some people are dead serious about this procedure. How forgiving we should be concerning stains really depends on the individual, so you decide how paranoid you want to be with your brand new Louis Vuitton.
  1. You open the package after coming home from your Louis Vuitton boutique, making sure your hands are VERY clean.
  2. Place the purse on a "carefully selected" spot in the house where no Sunlight reaches.
  3. After a couple of months of exposing the leather to the air, the leather should have very slight oxidization.
  4. Move the purse near the window where the Sun light is filtered. Leave it there for another couple of months, turning the purse once in a while for even exposure to the Sun. Don't forget turning the strap, as you want even tanning both front & back. Then the leather is very light brown, looking like real leather.
  5. Start carrying the purse, ONLY when there is no chance of rain. If in doubt, carry a Papillon (older version, with treated leather) or another model to which rain drops don't matter.
  6. Be sure to avoid all kinds of water or other stains; make sure the countertop or the vanity top where you set your purse is clean and dry. Be extra careful not to let the leather touch anything like the car exterior or the ground. Be sure that you do not hug children without setting your purse aside. Remember, dog noses are WET too!
  7. After a year of very careful daily use, the leather is about the color of beech wood. Now you don't feel embarrassed about carrying a brand new Louis Vuitton. Continue for 5 years, then you'll have a stain-free gorgeous honey color Noe leather!

    Nuts? I think so!! BUT, just about everybody has Louis Vuitton in Japan. If there are 5 ladies at a cash register of a grocery store, expect 3-4 of them carrying Louis Vuitton. The lady in front of you may pull the exact same wallet that's in your purse! So they think carrying a brand new purse with a brand new leather makes them look like a Louis Vuitton newbie, and they want to look like a seasoned collector! You'll bet I would be a "closet" Louis Vuitton collector if I were still living in Japan and probably carry a no-name purse outside!
Thanks! Quite crazy! I guess I just need to decide if I'm brave enough to give it that patina or just let it age naturally.