3 Smells You Don’t Want in Your Bag—And How We Prevent Them

You open your new-to-you bag, giddy to check it out, and BAM—your face is met with a whiff of something… off. Whether it’s Grandma’s attic, a chain smoker’s glove box, or that weird combo of patchouli and despair—let’s just say some scents can ruin even the chicest vintage Coach bag.

At KismetMags, we don’t mess around when it comes to how our bags smell. Every piece goes through the Purse Salon—our cheekily-named, very real intake process where each handbag gets the spa day she deserves. Here’s a closer look at the three most common odor culprits and how we handle them.

1. Smoke – The Instant Nope

Nothing lingers quite like cigarette smoke. Once it’s in the lining, it’s tough to get out. And while a smoky leather hobo might look cute, trust us—it won’t feel cute once your hoodie starts smelling like someone’s uncle’s man cave.

What We Do: We don’t list smoky bags. Period. They’re automatically disqualified from resale. If it’s borderline, we test, air it out, and do a deep interior clean with odor-absorbing methods. But if the scent is stubborn? She’s out. No bag is cute enough to justify smelling like a casino.

2. Mildew or "Basement Funk"

This is the smell of bags that have been improperly stored for decades. The culprit? Moisture + time = mold spores or just that gross damp stank that screams “I was forgotten under a bed in Ohio.”

What We Do: We inspect for signs of mold or long-term storage damage, and we deep clean the lining using non-toxic fabric-safe products. We also recondition leather when possible and use activated charcoal pouches to absorb lingering moisture. If it doesn’t pass the vibe test (aka the smell test), it doesn’t go on the site.

3. Overpowering Perfume or Scented Inserts

We get it. You wanted your bag to smell like a tropical sunrise. But too much artificial fragrance can mix with leather and lining to create a chemical cocktail that’s…not pleasant.

What We Do: We remove any scented inserts, wipe down the interior with fragrance-free cleansers, and let bags air out naturally. We believe in a “neutral nose” approach. If a bag smells like anything other than “clean,” we hold off listing it until she’s fresh and fab again.

How You Can Keep Your Bag Smelling Fresh

• Store with silica packs or charcoal pouches
• Don’t toss in open gum, mints, or candy (yes, that’s a thing)
• Wipe interiors regularly with a gentle cloth
• Give your bags a break—air them out every now and then!

Want Smell-Good Assurance?

All of our bags come with the Good Vibes Guarantee—which means your pre-loved treasure should never arrive with any funky surprises. And if you’re a Purse Pass member, you can always exchange if something’s not quite right. No stress. Just swap, smile, and move on to your next bag soulmate.

Shop all pre-loved bags and trust your nose—it knows when it’s a Kismet Find.

Mags’ Personal Insight 💬

Listen, there’s funky vintage, and then there’s funky vintage. You know the difference. If it smells like memories, cool. If it smells like mildew, HARD PASS. That’s why we’re snobby about smell around here. You don’t have to be an expert—you just need to shop somewhere that has your back (and your nostrils). And that’s us. Always.