Ever since I have been into Vintage style, I have loved Lucite bags.

Round, Rectangle, clear, tortoise shell or even bright colours, I adore them all. In the past I have lusted over so many that I have seen either online or at events that go into the hundreds of pounds and my budget really didn’t stretch to that unfortunately.

I was very lucky to get a red Luxe de Ville Paris repro bag at a vintage fayre in London a few years ago for the absolute bargain price of just £35. I then found out that they retail for around $200!

Lux De Ville Paris Bag

In fact, you can buy slight seconds from the brand and they still cost $160.

I absolutely adored using my red Paris bag but of course, it didn’t go with every outfit I wore as not everything was red in colour. I really wanted a clear version but knew that I would have to save my pennies a little in order to get one.

Also there is a well known problem with vintage lucite bags, ‘The Disease’

For some unknown reason, occasionally lucite bags start to disintegrate. You can usually tell this from a strong vinegar like odour and a sticky, condensation like feel. The sad part of this is that one the rot sets in, you cannot do anything to halt it and your lucite item will end up a puddle of sticky goo.

Anyway I didn’t want to get caught out with a dodgy bag that might cost a fair old bit, so I took my time and saved my pennies until I had a little bit put aside to treat myself.

I saw this amazing bag online with a vintage seller. I just loved the oval shape with the criss cross grooves and the curved handles.

Dita Day with Lucite Bag

Snapping up the little beauty I went to many a lovely event using it.

The last time I used it was going to London to see the stunning Dita Von Teese in her Burlesque Show. It suited my outfit perfectly and I got one or two compliments during the course of the evening.

Sadly that evening ended badly, with me being followed by a young man in the virtually empty underground who called out rude comments, which he probably thought was actually complimentary and repeatedly asked for my number.

It was nearly midnight and I was pretty scared. I know I am stereotyping, but I was also concerned that he may well grab my bag. I had a large holdall with me and I opted to put my see-thru lucite bag inside the already crammed holdall.

He continued to follow me, catcalling until I managed to catch up with a couple ahead of me and ask to walk with them. He then turned and went in totally the opposite way to which we had been going.

I was absolutely gutted to find that when I got home, I had snapped one of the handles of my bag.

Wounded Bird

I have to admit I may have shed a tear or two when I found it in pieces in the holdall.

Fast forward several months and I had seen something online about repairing lucite with a special glue. This is where it went even more wrong.

I got the glue and it said I had to rough the two edges a little with sandpaper. I did that and applied the glue. The only problem was that the shape of the handle meant it was under a bit of tension and I didn’t have any clamps to keep it tight.

Of course, the handle came apart again and it looked such a mess that I decided there was nothing else I could do, but perhaps use it as a storage box for jewellery on my dressing table or something along those lines.

And that is where it sat for several months until I saw an Instagram post from a friend of mine, Sarah.

She was posting of her love for Si-Line Vintage who makes reproduction Lucite bags in some wonderful designs and colours.

Blue and Beautiful!

I went along to have a look at his designs and then I noticed that it said they repaired original vintage bags!

This could be the answer to ALL my prayers.

Ravishing Red

I sent a message on Facebook to ask if it was possible to have a look at my bag to see what could be done. Si-Line were so friendly and helpful. They told me that it may be possible to repair the break in the handle or if not, the option to make a new handle would have the bag back like new.

Passionate in Purple

There was also a small issue with the clasp as I had lost the pin and it was being held on with a paperclip. Again, they told me this was an easy repair.

The best I could do…

I duly sent my bag off special delivery as I didn’t it to get damaged or lost in the post.

Si-line told me it would be a couple of weeks and I advised them that there was no rush. After all it had sat on my dressing table for quite a few months.

Gorgeous in Green

Literally a couple of weeks later I had a message to say that the bag was now ready.

They had added a couple of photographs and I was gobsmacked.

Brilliant Blue

You couldn’t tell which was the new handle and which was the old!

I was also given the option of having the bag cleaned and polished for an extra £10. I thought about it for 60 seconds and said, yes please. After all, it is a little old lady and she could do with a little bit of TLC.

Which one is the new one?

Seeing the before and after results was amazing as it now sparkles like cut glass.

The repair is out of this world. It has give my bag a new lease of life and I can now take her out for special events.

All in all, Si-Line made a brand new handle, straightened the fixing pins out, replaced the pin on the latch all for the superb price of £25.

Clear as Crystal

Obviously the cost of repairs vary depending on the damage done and the work needed to put it back together, but I was highly impressed with pricing AND the repair.

Glorious Gold

Oh and they make jewellery, clocks and hand plates for doors amongst other things, so go and have a look at their Facebook or Instagram. You won’t be disappointed.

Protective door hand plates

They really did pull this one out of the bag, pun totally intended.

Oh and now I need to save up some more pennies to order myself one of the Si-Line Stylelite colourful bags to add to my collection!!!

Yummy in Yellow

Till next time,

SPSG xxx