Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Article originally published: 9/1/21
Article updated with Edge Kote DIY repair article link: 10/9/24
If your purse handles need protection OR are in need of repairs, we have some ideas for you. My Coach bag is only a little over a year old and the fraying of the handles (the glazing mostly started peeling off) started within 6 months of use. While I know I could get a leather repair shop to help fix my purse handles, I also know I need a fix until then so they don’t get worse. Here's my scarf purse handle repair hack plus some purse repair ideas.
I should have taken my own advice from the original portion of this article (scroll down for that article), and wrapped my new bee themed Coach purse with some cute scarves to protect them. I honestly had great experiences with Coach in the past, so I didn’t think the straps would peel.
My Coach bag is only a little over a year old and the fraying of the handle coating (and now some of the threading is coming loose too) started probably within 6 months of using it. I take really good care of my purses, so this is either a quality control issue with Coach bags or maybe the Coach brand isn’t what it used to be. I had vintage Coach bags hold up better than this.
My bag looks better, but it’s not a permanent fix
While at a doctor’s office in 2024, I watched a heartwarming news story about a cobbler named Jim McFarland in Florida that repairs shoes for his family shop called McFarland Shoe Repair. His work is amazing on high end shoes like Louboutins and more. He makes them look brand new!
Check out their shop here. Their story and passion for leather repair and more is contagious. You can send them shoes to repair too.
My purse handles are now better protected with the scarves
Seeing his work (watch some of his TikTok’s here…they are mezmerizing) made me realize that my purse handles were probably repairable. If your purse handles or shoes are falling apart:
Consider looking into a leather repair shop or a shoe repair shop to see if they can help, especially if you paid a lot for your item.
There are also purse handle repair kits on Amazon. There are shoe repair kits too. I’ll be ordering this high heel replacement kit for a pair of Gucci slides I have for sure.
If you don’t like the idea of scarves, you can buy handbag leather wrap covers here on Amazon that may help you too.
At least the scarves will keep the handles from getting worse
There are also many DIY’s out there like this one on YouTube that shows you how to fix the glazing (it’s that waxy sealant that seals the edging of your purses or leather goods and you can get it on Amazon here), which is what my purse is mostly having problems with.
Edge Kote
After one of my TikTok community members told me she wanted to try to fix her handles herself after watching my video of watching me wrap my handles, I was intrigued. She got Edge Kote and tried it. She let me know it worked perfectly! So, I finally decided to try it myself and here’s how I did it….see my full process in this article.
Now for the original article about wrapping your handles in scarves, the video tutorial and a look at another bag I added the scarves to. Read on!
See the 1-minute video tutorial of me wrapping my Coach bee tote handles above or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
How to Wrap Purse Handles With a Scarf
Original article:
I recently purchased a stylish charging laptop bag, as I often travel around with my laptop. You never know when writing inspiration will strike! I love the bag, as it is a faux croc print, slim, yet roomy and holds my laptop perfectly. The company that made the specific one I used for this post no longer makes this bag, but you can get a similar bag here on Amazon.
Faux croc printed laptop tote
As I usually do, I decided to make it even fancier looking and thought the scarves may protect the handles, as a laptop can be heavy and may cause issues to the handles. I ordered a set of long, slim scarves for my scrunchie scarf project, and thought they would look cool on my bag as well.
The bag is black, but I needed it to match my navy pantsuit. I decided to add some printed red and navy scarves to the handles to help it match my outfit.
Interview outfit idea
After wrapping the laptop bag handles with the scarves, I thought it may be an idea to pass along to others who want to either protect their handbag handles, conceal cracked handbag handles, or just make your handbag look more fancy as I did!
Read on to see how to wrap purse handles with a scarf.
Protect purse handles with a scarf
WATCH THE 52 SECOND TUTORIAL IN MY VIDEO BELOW or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
All you need is the following:
Purse or tote with handles
My black skinny scarf from my Coach bag hack is from Amazon
Short Hair Inspiration
How-to:
Knot one scarf at the base of your handbag handles.
Wrap it diagonally around the handle.
Knot it again when you reach the other end of the handle.
I double knotted mine on each end to make sure they would stay in place.
Neutral makeup idea for work
You may need 2 scarves per handle as some handbag handles are longer than others. You also should wrap them on the tight side, so they don’t unravel.
Don’t feel bad if you have to try this several times to make it look right. I didn’t get mine perfectly wrapped the first time I tried it either. It can be tricky to make sure the scarves are even, but just be patient and you’ll get it!
French Braided Short Hairstyle
My outfit is just an older Cabi style. I have been in love with the Cabi brand for many years now and though pricey, the pieces do last a long time! I choose pieces that aren’t super trendy so I can wear them year after year. My shoes are Cabi too.
When I buy Cabi, I usually buy them when they are discounted at the end of each season. The discounted pieces are usually samples from a Cabi stylist. You can also get discounted Cabi pieces from Zulily about 2 times a year and from Cabi outlets.
Work hair style
I didn’t plan to style my hair in this way, but as I’ve written before, sometimes you just gotta let your hair do what it wants to do. I french-braided it along my forehead, secured the braid with two bobby pins and then pulled the rest back into a messy bun-like ponytail.
I included it with this post because I thought it may be a hair style ideas someone would like to try. I think it makes a cute, yet clean workplace hairstyle for any age. See me create a similar hairstyle in my video below or on my YouTube channel.
Hide cracked purse handles with scarves
My earrings are faux fur leopard button style post earrings. I got them from a local gift shop, but you can find similar ones on Amazon.
The best laptop purse for work
I like how the colors of the scarves give a basic black bag some more style. I love how it turned out.
Long skinny scarves for purse handles
Laptop bags are cool because you can insert your laptop into the padded side, then connect it with the included USB plug. Then the plug on the side of the bag can be used to charge your phone or other electronics.
Laptop tote with storage
The bag itself does not have a battery for charging, as this would have made the bag more expensive AND heavier. I just like how slim it is, as many of my other laptop bags have been very bulky and heavy.
Stylish laptop purse tote
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How to Fix a Wire Closet Shelf That Fell
Did you try this DIY do something similar? Let me know by leaving me a comment below!
Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.