Repairing a leather handbag strap at home

edge kote in black and brown to repair purse strap and wallets LV and Chloe

Fiebings, Edge Kote in Brown, $8 on Amazon / Fiebrings Edge Kote in Black, $11 on Amazon
Get both to mix for the right color

Even if you spent a lot of money on a designer bag or wallet, wear and tear happens, and a little DIY to fix your worn handbag strap or leather wallet will work with these affordable products from Amazon I tried myself.

There were a few options my girlfriend told me, go to a leather repairs shop (but leave my precious there?) or do it the “trashy way” she calls it, and use nail polish, haha! Hey whatever works, however how many of us have brown or black polish? And well, it’s not as flexible as leather edge paint.

But, let’s actually use a color-coating leather edge paint, it’s so inexpensive anyway!

Here’s what I used –

purse repair edge kote to show how to repair a purse strapFiebings, Edge Kote in Brown, $8 on Amazon / Fiebrings Edge Kote in Black, $11 on Amazon
Get both to mix for the right color

I bought both because I had a feeling the brown wasn’t dark enough and I wanted even the tiniest drop to make it a bit darker, just in case.  Worth it!  Buy both – it’s so cheap and much cheaper than going to a leather repair shop. You can do this yourself in minutes and save these products knowing you can spruce up your handbags and wallets in the future.

You could also use this technique to fix a leather belt, canvas like Louis Vuitton small wallet or purse strap.


How to Make Leather Handbag Straps Look


  • You can do both sides of a strap if you want, just lay/rest the strap on a box close to hold it up while it dries.
  • Use a Q-tip – get a new one if it looks over saturated which may cause it to bleed over the edge
  • A few coats might be needed to get it to match the rest of the thickness.
  • Let dry at least 10 minutes
  • Mix colors on a waxy magazine or something plastic.  I used the top of a canning jar lid.

purse repair edge kote to show how to repair a purse strap

I rested my straps on a box.
purse repair edge kote to show how to repair a purse strap keep it up by resting on a box

For my wallet to dry, I wedged it in my English toast rack – no it is not used for letters! However, I will use it sometimes when I do calligraphy for them to dry.  I know, ridiculous American.

fixing LV wallet edging with purse repair edge kote to show how to repair a purse strap

If you need to glue or repair a strap or product that’s fraying or open, I used the glue in a vinyl repair kit, which can also repair ripped canvas and leather I heard.  I used it at the corners of my LV wallet that had frayed apart.  I also heard this under $5 fabric glue works as well being a flexible adhesive but since I haven’t tried it, I would recommend doing a test area then put the kote on to make sure it’ll adhere to it.

It’s a temporary fix if you want to do it yourself, otherwise I’d also suggest going to a shoe repair place – they usually also fix purses and they will be able to help as well.

Doing this every so often really refreshes you tired purse edges so I suggest doing this and also before you list to sell any of your handbags it really makes it look new.

Happy purse repair!

Product Reference on Amazon:


Diana Elizabeth is an author, photographer, and obsessive thrift shopper. You can typically find her in the garden wrist deep in dirt, at a local estate sale or planning her next creative themed party. She continues to blog weekly.

6 Comments

  • Becky Pennington

    I recently purchased a Coach leather bag. The binding on the leather strap has separated in one section. Can you advise me on the best way to restore this problem? Thank you.

    • Diana Elizabeth

      Hi Becky, I would use a glue made for leather and then use the kote.

  • Kathleen

    I need to fix edge of strap on my purse….its that plastic type coating. So you are saying that product will restore that oart if strap??? Where can u find edge kote???

    • Diana Elizabeth

      Hi Kathleen, it should – but if it’s falling apart, you need some glue to make it adhesive. This is a good color that will help seal but if your bag is already splitting, it’d be best to first treat with the leather glue and let it dry then cover with the colored coating. Good luck!

  • Jennifer

    Where are the before and after pictures? I want to see please!

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