Handbags

[Q4u]

---

@libbyannE wrote:

Back in the 1990s, I carried my LV bag a lot until so many fakes flooded the market. It kind of ruined it for me. And then the trend moved away from the idea of having a logo, however classic, all over a bag. I love the look of the bag you showed, and that particular one not badly priced if you want a coated fabric bag like  LV. It is one of the better buys. 

---

That's the Damier and it does have the name Louis Vuitton printed in very tiny letters on the fifth square of each row, but you can really hardly see it.  Damier is a gorgeous pattern.

Enjoy Enjoy~!!

[KingstonsMom]

Bags with logos all over them has never appealed to me, the snob factor I guess, but the look of a bag that looks like a checkers game board doesn't appeal to me either. Just my opinion.

Also, I think the LV bags are the most copied bags out there.

[PinkyPetunia]

I think of my departed MIL when I see this bag as that is what she used in the 1970's.

It is an elegant/status look to me, but the bag lacks the functionality I need.  I like at least 2 outside pockets and longer handles. Those short handles drive me nuts.

[1Professor]

---

@Q4u wrote:

Oh boy.... this is my forte'.... LOVE the history and exceptionalism of Louis Vuitton.  I have owned many and know the product very well, including those products made between roughly 1975 - 1995 by the French Luggage Company and those items that used to be sold by Saks .  I used to offer my services to Estate Sale dealers years ago, who notoriously would sell whatever they found in closets, most of which were not authentic.  

Back in the 1800's, when Louis Vuitton first started out, they had the dark brown Damier design (small squares) that became 'the rage' and was instantly duplicated by other companies for the travel set.  In order to fight the counterfeits (yes, there were serious counterfeiting way back in the late 1800's) that Louis Vuitton began developing the iconic LV logo (1880), which was difficult to duplicate.  Over the years, the LV logo has changed to incorporate shading, difficult to notice and copy spacing, color, all of which has become more and more complicated (including the Damier) over the years as counterfeits have become increasingly more accurate.

The OP is absolutely correct that these bags are virtually indestructable.  Mainly because LV produces their own canvas and has developed their own PVC outer covering over the canvas. Researched and Developed by LV and only manufactured by LV and that's why the counterfeits can't duplicate the wear., fake LVs simply split and fall apart with wear.  I had a vintage LV Speedy from the 60's that was in beautiful condition and only recently re-sold it.  Real ones maintain their resale value.

LV ONLY sells their product at their own Boutiques and Select high end Dept stores by their OWN employees.  Even when they sell at Saks or Neimans, they lease their counterspace and provide only their own employees!  They sell their product on their own website as well, however be absolutely certain it is LV's website and not a fake one to look like theirs.

LV will never ever sell their product at a reduced price.  It is full retail or nothing.  They do not have Outlets.  They never have sales or clearances.  If the product has been on their shelves for too long (often the Vachetta leather has darkened considerably by then).... the product is sent back to the manufacturer of origin and destroyed.  

Also LV never lets another manufacturer produce their product (except for one 20 year period, which they regretted) and they never wholesale or allow anyone other than Louis Vuitton employees to distribute their product.  They also never sell their materials.... ever.  So if you see a fabric somewhere that has a Louis Vuitton logo all over it you can be certain it's counterfeit.

I love the product.  I don't know of any other company that has such tight stringent rules in place in order to protect the integrity of their line and company.  When I purchased an LV, I was also purchasing the reputation of the company as well which has incredibly high standards.  I respect that....    

---

@Q4u: Oh, soyez le bienvenu, dear soul! 

You've added a lot to the discussion, and, I suspect, have lots more.

My other speedy is a 30 and was a limited edition Spouse roses:

The over-the-arm handles were harder for me (and over-the-arm gal) but I love it, just didn't take it out much. As I just bought my bandouliere speedy 35 in damier ebene, with strap!!, I found out you can now buy straps for the older speedy bags, hooking onto the handle fasteners. The straps offer adjustability, including cross-body, over-the-arm. You can order the pattern of the bag in the strap or the leather. Just revitalizes the usability for those who happily own non-bandouliere speedies. [I also own a metis hobo.]

Love to hear your adventures in evaluating bags! There's always a story buried in every estate handbag.

[Kachina624]

I can't stand a bag where everything ends up a jumbled mess inside and trying to find something is like searching a dark cave.  I must have organization and several outside pockets for quick access.  Aimee Kestenberg is good but LV just doesn't do it for me.  Most very expensive bags have the same lack.

[winamac1]

My first LV was a Speedy.

I just bought the new IENA tote on Saturday at LV in Easton Place--Columbus!!  I have been waiting for a zip top tote!

[1Professor]

---

@Kachina624 wrote:

I can't stand a bag where everything ends up a jumbled mess inside and trying to find something is like searching a dark cave.  I must have organization and several outside pockets for quick access.  Aimee Kestenberg is good but LV just doesn't do it for me.  Most very expensive bags have the same lack.

---

@Kachina624

It all depends on what you carry. I, too, hate a jumbled mess.

I carry a Brahmin wallet, one lovely LV cosmetics case [that holds all the odds and ends, tissues, & aspirins], a cell phone. Sunglass case. That's it.

Also makes it easy to change bags regularly.

[1Professor]

---

@winamac1 wrote:

My first LV was a Speedy.

I just bought the new IENA tote on Saturday at LV in Easton Place--Columbus!!  I have been waiting for a zip top tote!

---

@winamac1:

Is this the one? Wow! Gorgeous.

[1Professor]

---

@EdithEllenLily wrote:

@1Professor You know I love your beautiful new LV and I also think it's very smart how you bought it! Why keep handbags that do not work for you?  This is a lesson for all of us!

I recently found my Mom's LV Speedy 25 (Monogram) buried in one of her closets. She hasn't carried it for several years because she's on a walker so she does not fall due to a medical ailment. I read about cleaning the coated canvas exterior and cleaned it yesterday. It looks much better! By the way, long ago way before I became enamoured with handbags, my Mom had another monogram LV Speedy 25 and when it became too worn, the LV store gave her a brand new one! So, this is her replacement bag! She also has the matching LV monogram wallet so I guess I now know where I get that 'matching thing' from.  Through the years Mom had several fashionable handbags but then pared down to just that one LV. Maybe we become smarter as the years go on. 

Personally, I like the look of the one you chose better than the LV monogram. Yours is simply gorgeous! I know you will love to carry it...

Enjoy, EEL 

---

@EdithEllenLily: Love your mother's handbag stories!

Some people have instinctive tastes, choosing things they have no idea are considered classics and adoring them.

I'm liking the brown/khaki checkerboard, too! (As one poster said on YouTube, the mono is classic LV "in your face" so everyone knows; the damier is a bit more subtle.)

[Shawnie]

@1Professor pretty bag!