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In Lust with Longchamp Le Pliage

Thursday 7 March 2013
longchamp-hermes
Longchamp le Pliage Large Shopper with Hermes Birkin 30 and Hermes Kelly 28

I have a love affair with designer handbags. It's pretty obvious if you've been reading my blog for a while. I scrimped and saved for my first Hermes bag.  
Fact 1. My Birkin costs more than my "vintage" car (left it unlocked once and no one tried to steal it. That said a lot about my car).  
Fact 2. It's so impractical that I use it as a decoration piece in my glass cabinet. 
Fact 3.  A Longchamp le Pliage shopper was purchased in the interest of protection and preservation of the hugely expensive bag. Besides, it's waaaay more chic than popping your expensive designer bag in a supermarket plastic bag when it pours. Which happens everyday here in England. Like today. And tomorrow. All 3 facts point to signs of insanity.

On my visits to Paris, I noticed that the locals are HUGE fans of Longchamp. Not Hermes. Not Louis Vuitton with its flashy logos. Not even Celine.They're all toting around the affordable, chic, practical and understated Longchamp. So was I. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Paris.... you get the drift.

Longchamp

Here's an old photo of my bulging le Pliage aka overnight carryall when I hopped on the Eurostar with a friend to attend the Hermes sale. The guard at the border control was incredulous when I told him that this was my "suitcase". I dared him to make a snide sexist remark. Being a smart man that he was, he resisted the urge.

Here's a little secret if you plan to attend the sale. All the attendees have smartened to the fact that if you carry an Hermes bag into the venue, you'll end up having to sign a document while everyone raced ahead of you. Or face being trampled to death. So....if you're an old hand at the sale, you'll carry this foldable tote and pop another bigger version in your bag for your purchases.


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And here's me looking rather disheveled and sheepish having to snap a shot right after a school run. Just in case you're wondering, it's my friend, Christy's. I couldn't decide whether the small, medium or large le Pliage cuir suited me best. This is the medium which easily fits my laptop and Hermes bags.

A HUGE thank you to my dear friend Sam for featuring me on her blog. I'm beyond flattered. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

36 comments:

  1. Oh yay u got the cuir version! i've recently gotten the chocolate one for my mum(small size) and she loves it! so lightweight and practical!

    I carry my le pliage with my birkin when I travel(much more practical than the rain cover!)

    Cute outfit too esp the flats :)

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    1. Nope...that's my friend's. Was testing out the size of her le Pliage as she's much MUCH taller than I am.

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  2. You really are so pretty.
    I've never seen the leather version or the strap, I like it.
    So funny, I have bags that cost more than my car too! I'm looking for a new car and don't know what is me out there, but you know what, our bags will keep their value, cars irk me especially if you are a private buyer and it's not a company car, it's a lump sum of money that gets less and less each year.
    Hmm, should I just go and buy my Kelly bag then?

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    Replies
    1. Aww...Tabitha, that's really kind of you. I'm not photogenic at all. That's the thing about cars that I hate too. Drive off the car yard and the value drops by 20%.

      Definitely buy your Kelly! I bought my Kelly for half the price of the current retail price. Seeing a 35 year old Kelly selling for 2500€ changed my mind about designer handbags forever. The owner bought it for 900 francs and used it regularly and sold it for more than what she paid for.

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  3. Love the entire look!! So chic!

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  4. I think I want one of those bags too! Sadly not to put a Hermes in........

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  5. I have been loving all the adverts for Longchamp lately. I am def not a LV lover of the logos. My Marc jacobs (now battered and bruised has handles and strap and I have always been back and forth about whether I like that - what do you think?)Love this pic of you at school gate so chic and yet natural and relaxed. Going over to see your friend Sam.

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    1. I've always loved the additional strap. Makes all the difference in the world if you're a busy mom.

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  6. I am a big fan of longchamp, they are so lightweight that it makes for a great summer bag. I have a smaller version of yours (not sure the name) in a light blue, which I LOVE. :)

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  7. I love those bags, I have a couple I bought in Paris about ten years ago.
    Re the cuir one, have you ever worn it cross body?

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    1. Catherine, I've got a photo of me wearing it across the body but I looked like a loony just escaped from an asylum so I deleted the shot.

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  8. They have a very timeless look about them which is nice! I really like that shot of you Marlene! That jacket really is such a cool piece! :)

    xxTheresa

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  9. I want one! Love to travel with Longchamp bags, they are the best! So understated, chic and...lightweight. Will be taking mine to Miami in a few days and will be thinking of you:)
    Catherine xo
    www.pearlsandcaramel.com

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  10. OK. Am I the only one is completely mesmerised by the fact that you keep your Hermes Birkin on display in your glass cabinet????

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  11. You know you've got me on the hunt for one of those in the small now don't you? I don't need to fit a laptop in or a big camera but I'd really like one but as long as it has a strap so it can be worn messenger style. I have a feeling they don't do this in the size small. Drat.

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  12. a fan of the le pliage too, bf's mum (french) gave me one for christmas and it's all she carries so that is definitely true.. love the black one with the strap, it's a nice change up from the regular ones

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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  13. So glad you did a feature on the Le Pilage. It's such an understated handbag and the most practical one I own. You're so right about it being on every woman's shoulder in Paris. That was the first thing I noticed there too. I just love your version, I don't think I've seen ones with a shoulder strap before. Is it new? Just when I thought I had crossed off almost every handbag on my wishlist along comes another. Thanks Marlene, said with a hint of sarcasm. I've often wondered if anyone really ever folds up their Longchamp? But now I know, it's for nestling inside more expensive handbags.

    xx Jenee C.
    {camo meets couture}

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  14. This is such a lovely picture of you.. Love how you wear your hair!

    I used to have a Le Pilage and wore it so much that it holed in the corners and I had to retire it.

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  15. Congratulations on such a brilliant feature! Longchamp are everywhere in Melbourne at the moment. It's like you are guaranteed to see at least one getting carried with pride every time you head in to the city. Such nice practical bags and as you say, without costing the earth. What a refreshing change.

    xx Mandi
    www.findmeamuse.com

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  16. That Les Pliages Cuir looks amazing on you!!!

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  17. Hmm, I did that embarrassing stunt of getting an extra plastic bag from the cashier for my bag once.. not elegant at ALL! I actually love the cuir Pliages especially in bright colors.. tempting but I promise no bags this year but another City :(

    Come check out my Foodie Weekend!
    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

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    1. Noooo......you did NOT! My friend schlepps around with her Tesco supermarket carry bag which contains her Chanel.

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  18. hehehe i love how you nest the two H bags in the pliage. the longchamp is such a practical carryall!

    also, i wonder why you rarely use your birkin? is it because it's too small, or you just prefer your kelly more? :)

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    1. I now realize that I just cannot hand carry my bag. I prefer to be hands free. If I can't sling it over my shoulder or wear it cross body, that bag will soon become a piece of decoration.

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  19. Lol, I laughed so hard at the first picture of all those bags shoved in the Le Pliage. This is THE bag to travel with. I think Longchamp is growing more and more on me. On a related note, you look wondering. Casual chic, yet effortless and sort of charming?

    P.S. Would you like to follow each other on bloglovin?

    WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

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  20. I absolutely love Longchamp Le Pliage bags - I have about 5 in different colours and sizes, and they're so versatile and chic. I love the big ones for travelling, and the medium ones for everyday. they're virtually indestructible too - I lugged my navy one around uni with me (filled to bursting) for 3 years and it still looks great :)

    I just wish it was earlier to add a long strap to the normal Le Pliage -- like the leather one you're wearing. Sometimes I just need to sling my bag over my shoulder! x

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  21. I own a big purple Longchamp Pliage bag that I use as a "suitcase"! But then I'm French...

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  22. When I went to Paris a few years ago we noticed the exact same thing with Longchamp. My best friend and I even started playing a game of how many we could spot because we weren't overly familiar with the brand but man it was EVERYWHERE. You're so lucky you actually own a Hermes, and not even that, you carry it around in a Longchamp shopper!!! Jealous! Love the last pic btw, you look lovely and the medium bag looks great.

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  23. Lovely photo of you! Seriously so cute!

    The Longchamp le Pliage is my overnight bag and carry on when I travel. I also use it as a gym bag- it's perfect for my gym clothes, water, sneakers, etc.

    Oh and I'm that crazy lady that doesn't take certain expensive bags out if there's any chance of precipitation even if they have been waterproof. I just can't imagine risking it.

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    1. As long as you're not swinging a plastic bag with your designer handbag inside, you're ok :P

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  24. I am so slow to the Longchamp race, I've been meaning to buy one and totally regret it whenever I see posts like this (had an opportunity in London and for some reason decided not to buy?)

    Is that black one you're wearing the leather? SO so dreamy..

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    1. Sure is, Jamie-Lee. I borrowed a friend's to try it out. It's made of lambskin if I'm not mistaken.

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  25. i love longchamp not just because of its affordable price but also its cool, comfortable and easy to use!!! i still have to buy smaller size of le pliage cuir though :)

    take care. xoxo,Meg
    Sweet Gala's

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  26. Totally agree...I love Longchamp too...despite the fact that in my city, inspired ones are commonly toted and that almost half the people on the streets might be carrying one.
    I love the style and practicality too much. Of course, the price point is also a sweetener :)

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  27. Hi

    We loved your review of the Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir Tote bag. We’ve been parading them around the office and they have certainly added a bit of glamour around here! We thought your readers might be interested in a competition we’ve got on our website to give away one of these bags – entry is very simple, and is based on a multiple choice question. To enter, just click here:

    HolidayExtras competition
    We’re changing prizes every few weeks, so there is an excellent chance of winning something.
    Keep the great posts coming!

    The HolidayExtras team.

    ReplyDelete

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