Wash and Wear Herve Chapelier?
Posted on | December 7, 2004 | 23 Comments
I ordered a Herve Chaplier bag in Perle/Tarama last summer off EBay. All in all it was good bag, heavy duty and roomy. I used it for much of the summer and then retired it.
During the past few months I discovered it made an excellent airplane carry on bag. However dragging the light pink/tan bag through multiple airports resulted in a rather grungy bottom. I was able to do some touch ups with soap and a sponge, but it doesn’t look new. Until I remembered that the HC’s *in theory* can just be tossed in the laundry. Durning the summer I was too nervous to try that with my beautiful bag. But now that its older and not so important I am now willing to try out a washing.
Will report back here later this week with how the washing experiment worked out.
PS Now I’m begining to get the HC bug again. I am thinking maybe the small hanbag 901N, in the nicest brightest colors Ebay has to offer. That wouldn’t work for Boston in the winter, but since we will be down in Houston the colors should fit right in with the warm weather.
[Update: Here are the results.]
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23 Responses to “Wash and Wear Herve Chapelier?”
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December 23rd, 2004 @ 10:48 pm
so what was the verdict on washing your bag? i was thinking about it myself but i’m scared to wash it in the washing machine in case it results in irreversible wrinkles!! let me know how your wash went! thanks!!
February 10th, 2005 @ 11:34 pm
I love(!) Herve Chapelier bags, especially for flights, the beach, and school. They do get really dirty after all that though, so I’ve defintely had to wash my Herve bags in the washing machine, and its totally fine
I think its best to use the gentle cycle, though, and maybe Woolite or a similar gentle detergent just in case. I’ve also known friends who’ve done it and it’s worked out fine for them too.
March 1st, 2005 @ 2:37 pm
Where can I find an Herve Chapelier bag in San Francisco, CA?? I have been looking everywhere!!!!!!!
November 22nd, 2005 @ 4:45 pm
I bought an XL Herve Chapelier weekender tote on ebay with the intention of using it as a carry on. I decided its too large and would like to exchange it for a smaller size. I’m not having luck working with the seller. Does anyone know where these bags are sold and do you think they’d accept an exchange? Thank you.
December 1st, 2005 @ 1:24 pm
does anyone know where i can get a herve chapelier 1024? they’re impossible to find argh. thanks!
January 15th, 2006 @ 9:20 pm
Does anyone know where I can buy a Herve bag (in any size) in the Boston area or Winston-Salem, N.C. area? Please e-mail me back!
January 18th, 2006 @ 1:25 pm
They sell Herve Chapelier at Queen Be and at Francesca Laurenzi, both on Newbury St. Francesca has only a few left though. I have six! HC bags, love the colors, and all different sizes. I love the versatility. But I still have not washed mine. I would like to hear verdict on washing these bags.
February 9th, 2006 @ 9:47 am
I just saw that HC has a new website – http://www.hervechapelier.com. It’s very user friendly, and they have a lot of different sized bags and colors. I didn’t know that they have backpacks and travel bags too. Has anybody used these travel bags to carry books on campus?
June 10th, 2006 @ 2:51 pm
I just bought my second HC. The medium size, which is impossibly roomy without being cumbersome at all! I use it when commuting. Here in Italy it is sold in many shops
July 3rd, 2006 @ 5:13 am
are the hc bag foldable?? i’m deciding between this and longchamp. personally the hc bags i love and i think looks better, but i want something that can be folded
July 18th, 2006 @ 5:08 pm
I just washed my herve this weekend. I had a big black stain near the bottom (looks like grease). I am sad to say the stain didn’t come out, but the bag looks the same as it did when it went into the wash (on delicate cycle). Go for it!
August 10th, 2006 @ 4:17 pm
Hi, I’m looking for a Herve bag for school, and i just bought a herve chapelier 1028N, and was not aware of how small it would be, i bought it on Ebay, and its good for a purse, but i need one that can hold a lot of books, anyway, i was looking at the picture on this site and it looks like the perfect size whar size is it so i can start looking
Thanks
August 11th, 2006 @ 9:57 pm
i own three bags and i love them! i have washed mine a few times. the stains don’t come out all the way, but it cleans them up a little. the herve website is a great resource for finding stores in your state that carry the bags. i have found a few in north carolina. i attend unc-chapel hill and they are very popular there. i recently purchased a 925N for my school books and it is great when i don’t have too many books. i purchased a customized longchamp a few months ago, but i definitely prefer the herve. the colors and size are fantastic. i plan to buy another smaller one soon to use as a pocketbook. has anyone had any good luck on ebay?
August 22nd, 2006 @ 3:57 pm
I send mine to the dry cleaners- works like a charm!!!!
September 4th, 2006 @ 7:18 pm
I sent my Herve Chapelier 913 (the large travel tote) to the dry cleaners, and the rubber lining is now coming apart. I have black flakes of rubber all over my books. I would not recommend dry cleaning!
October 31st, 2006 @ 2:54 pm
I just realized i have had my HC med tote bag for 4 years and it still looks great. I have dragged this bag everywhere with me and throw it in the wash on the regular cycle. Just hang to dry and you are good to go. They are incredibly durable.
December 8th, 2006 @ 8:49 am
I washed mine and it did get irreversible wrinkles. I dumped it and bought an identical one on ebay!
March 19th, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
I found the best place to buy Herve Bags…I was in New York and there is a great shop on madison ave that has a huge selection. It was between 85 and 86 street on Madison, the name is Venture, i called to order a coin purse and they shipped it right a way… 212.288.7235
August 13th, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
machine washing works great. i put it in with a towel, used cold water and regular detergent. i used a stain stick too (put it in immediately afterwards) and it came out very clean. no wrinkles. and then i let it air dry.
August 28th, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
I have a friend who has a herve bag, and she put hers in the washing machine, but when it came out it had bubbles all over the material because of it’s plastic based material. I would be careful!!
February 13th, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
has anyone used one of these bags as a diaper bag? would you recommend it?!
February 21st, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
Yes these can be used as diaper bags etc.
August 8th, 2009 @ 7:49 am
For Kim & Katie,
Hi, I saw your question about washing a Herve Chapelier bag. Just throw it in the washer – it will be fine. I have a brown bag with a light blue bottom. I have thrown it in the washer quite a few times and it comes out just beautifully. I’ve spilled stuff on mine and all the stains come right out. The nylon its made out of is a great fabric so do not be afraid to put it in the washer and dryer.Just throw it in and you’ll be amazed how good it looks when you take it out! Washer and dryer!!