Welcome to Take Care of It. Here you will find best practices for upkeep and maintenance of your luxury fashion purchases.

My white vintage Chanel bag is one of my most prized possessions. I "borrowed" it from my mother when I was in high school and have passed it on bit by bit ever since. The bag has seen everything from vacations to graduations and (embarrassingly) inside various nightclubs around the world; after 10 years, the bag was getting a little beat up; I looked for ways to improve it at home on YouTube, but when the wear and tear reached its limit, it was time to call in the professionals.

Paris-based consignment seller Re-SEE (opens in new tab) is a one-stop store for all things vintage, offering a wide range of vintage clothing, shoes, accessories, and handbags for purchase Re-SEE also offers a full-service handbag repair spa which sets it apart from many other consignment stores. The list of repair options for the spa service is long, including bag color alterations, re-stitching, and hardware repairs, all done by French artisans and starting at $350 for a solid finish.

I sent my bag to Re-SEE's atelier in Paris and opted for the classic spa treatment. Here, the team at Re-SEE explains the Classic Spa Treatment and offers tips on handbag maintenance you can do at home in between professional cleanings.

Marie Claire: What are the steps of the Classic Spa Treatment?

Re-SEE: There are eight.

MC: Once your bag is brand new, what are some things you can do at home to keep it looking its best?

Re-SEE: Dust the bag weekly, store it with an adapted bag pillow to keep it in perfect shape, protect it from rain, use products such as leather conditioner, leather brushes, and leather polish several times a year, and always take the bag to an artisan spa on a regular basis It is always recommended that you take your bag to an artisan spa on a regular basis.

MC: How often should a bag be taken to an artisan?

Re-SEE: Once a year is recommended. Of course, this is not limited to bags that are worn frequently, but even bags that are not used every day should be checked annually to keep them in the best condition. Remember, a bag does not necessarily have to be stained to receive a spa treatment. Care is just as important as repairing or removing stains!

MC: How do I know when an at-home treatment is sufficient and when I should bring my bag in to a professional?

Re-SEE: You'll know it's time to bring your bag in to a professional when you're sick of treating it yourself. Or, if you have tried home care and the stain or mark has not been removed. When in doubt, it is best to rely on the expertise of a professional. For example, for specialty leathers such as ostrich, lizard, and crocodile, we recommend that you use only a dry cloth for basic care and ask a professional to take care of the rest.

One thing my Chanel bag has taught me is that it is important to consider upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning before splurging on a white investment bag. I don't want to take too much care of my bag. I knew I needed to give my bag a facelift and Re-SEE came in to save the day. If you need a little reassurance before you hit the "add to cart" button on your white bag, I suggest you do so! But don't neglect the maintenance.