I’ve been toying with the idea of the Longchamp Le Pliage tote for quite a while now. Yes I know its overdone and that every young girl out there is toting her Les Pliages like it was a school bag.
But I’m drawn to it anyway 😛
Perhaps I like the many colours they come in (although this time I’m drawn to the humble black version – very NOT me :P) or the different sizes they come in, or perhaps the fact that it is foldable and that it holds a ton without being heavy.
I’m NOT quite liking the fact that its nylon on the body although I’ve read that its a very hardy nylon that doesn’t get furry, tear or spoil that easily.
I own a nylon tote from Herve Chapelier which I travelled with with absolutely no problems and it didn’t get too dirty despite it being a light colour so really, I have no cause to worry.
That said, I stopped by the Longchamp boutique in The Gardens last week just to take a look again at the Les Pliage (brown leather on colored nylon body) and Planètes (leather color matches the nylon body and is not foldable – black tote in picture) but the selection of colours here is quite poor so I might take another look the next time I go to Singapore (they seemed to have a better colour selection). Or maybe I’d just think about it again the next time I’m at duty free somewhere – I always see Longchamp sold at airports 🙂
On another note, I’m quite impressed by the quality of the Longchamp leather bags. They are understated, aren’t too heavy and aren’t crazy expensive. With the sales now on, they are actually affordable for a good leather bag!
But coming back to the Les Pliage and Planètes totes – if you own one, I’d love to hear from you how it holds up to wear and how you like it 🙂 No better way to find out how a bag performs than to find out from an owner! 🙂
Paris B
geekchic says
I would totally get one on days you would need to “rough it out”. Nylon is fine but if you can get the Le Pliage in full leather, yummers! Problem is, they NEVER go on sale and I do want one. Maybe when I go to HK? 😉
ParisB says
I did hear that HK is cheaper than here. Worth a look I guess. I saw the full leather one – still prefer the nylon for hardiness factor 🙂
melvel says
I love these totes (i have both Le Pliage and Planetes). Planetes is nor foldable
but it’s made of thicker material. Le Pliage has more colors though.
Just a tip, if you’re anal about getting dirt on bags like me… The lighter colors are white inside while the darker colors are black. So I always get the darker colors
ParisB says
Thanks for the tips! I was thinking of a dark colour if I get one coz I don’t like dirt showing up
aiyu says
I don’t know. It looks like the bag my mom has that’s foldable, and she got it free from some direct sales company.
ParisB says
haha!! Yes there are some ‘free bags’ that bear the same sort of “design” 😀
deborah says
i didn’t like the le pliage initially because everyone on the streets was carrying it, but i chanced upon it in london and bought it since it was cheap anyway. i was sold. shopping on weekends, travelling companion, it went along with me. i can throw everything inside and its durable and waterproof!
verdict. get it! 🙂
ParisB says
Uhoh! A push in the “buy” direction!
iya says
i am also thinking of getting one for myself, Le Pliage in black too! and ms.deborah, i am also thinking of using it for travelling, is it really good for all kinds of weather? which do u prefer, the one with the long handles or the short handles? and which size do u have? sorry too much questions! i just really would wanna get myself one, but even duty free here is out of stock! they said they will be getting new stocks this month though.
li says
meh. boring! And the fact that everyone and their sister has one, it’s a bit like the LV Neverfull, SO overdone it’s cliched, like screaming “i’m a try hard wannabe with an inability to create my own style!”
*whispers* I also think it’s kind of ugly
ParisB says
Oh don’t get me started on the Neverfull! Its such a cheap trick for LV to pull and I absolutely dislike that bag. But the Les Pliage… calls to me… hehe…
Foong Jin says
Get it! 😀 I got the Le Pliage because I wanted something lightweight yet durable and can hold heavy stuff and I don’t regret it! 😀 It’s very casual, yet not too casual and can be “dressed up” for other occassions. It’s a very convenient bag, especially when it comes to travelling 😀 I like it so much I got another three on the way (one of them a Planetes). My friend has a Planetes and the quality of the nylon is much better. It’s thicker and has a nice sheen to it.
It’s also really easy to clean! I just use an old toothbrush and some soap and water, to brush at the offending dirty spot and voila! as good as new 😀
And yes, their leather bags are gorgeous yet understated! 😀
P/s: If you have friends in the UK, try to get the bags there. It’s absurdly overpriced in Malaysia!
ParisB says
Uhoh another push for “buy”. Thanks for the tip Foong Jin! I have to find someone in the UK to shop for me now (checked the prices and its HALF the price in the UK vs Msia – how can?!?!)
caroline says
ugh terrible does not pay to buy in Malaysia at all.. my friend got a full sized one for something cheap like rm 300.. and she’s using it as an overnight bag.
Ps: i love my neverfull 🙁
Bumos says
Hi there. How much does it cost in the uk? Envying my mum’s but the price tag here is putting me off since I heard it’s cheaper there…
irenekay says
i got e long handle large size in red and love it for travelling (esp beach hols) cuz its light & roomy and i can practically chuck everything in (i tend to carry more things in when i travel) but its better with if u have a bag organiser if u don’t want to end up diggin for stuff all e time.
I do own a huge XL size thats good for overnight or xtra bag just in case of excess baggage (its cabin size) cuz its light + easy to store in my luggage..
Its all depends on your usage anyway…
ParisB says
Hmm… you’re probably right about having to dig for stuff. The sizes you have sound good. I’m always in the market for something nice for extra luggage and for travel 😀
Jen says
Where did you find a bag organizer? I would love one for my Le Pilage.
lynne says
I have the Le Pliage and after about a year, I’m starting to tire of it, mostly because the design is so bleah. oh and because everyone else is carrying it (or some sort of imitation).
ParisB says
Ah good point – thanks for raising it! I guess if I were able to get it for a good price, I’d be less hesitant 🙂
Sydney Chow says
I see many fakes being sold around.
I have many friends who have it and still aren’t impressed. The worse part is that it can hold so many things, when you wanna find something small, like a tissue pack or handphone, you end up scrambling everything in the bag just to find it. That’s what most of my friends end up doing anyway. It looks kinda “rough” especially you are on a business meeting/date. Unless, you end up putting your small stuff in little pouches, which creates unnecessary weight, and defeats its purpose of being lightweight.
ParisB says
Ah wasn’t quite planning to use it for work but the whole “messy interior” is turning out to be quite a trending complaint. I’ll have to see if I can live with that 🙂 Lots of stuff are faked but I always like living with the knowledge that mine isn’t and hang what others think 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Celine says
I own a long handle Longchamp Le Pliage bag in Red colour. The colour itself is very nice and it catches quite some attention whenever I brought it out.
However, there is one problem that I cannot tolerate with. As the bag itself has only 1 small compartment and that is the place you button up your bag, the compartment is almost useless because if u put in too many things, u may end up having a hard time to button up the bag.
And because there is no other compartment, u nid to dump everything in and it is super MESSY. But A bag organizer would help though. I also don’t like how the bag appears in the real life as its true shape (when put in all your things) is like a cheap nylon bag & the 2 “corners” of the bag will go down instead of up as shown in the pic. You get what I mean?
In the end I sold the bag to somebody else as I cannot persuade myself to take it out anymore. This is my opinion. Take it as a reference. And if u still like the bag, go for it! After all, it is not super expensive! 🙂
ParisB says
Thanks for the detailed experience. I do get precisely what you mean because roomy totes do end up being quite clumsy. I will bear this in mind but gosh! Red is super lovely! 😀
Ava1959 says
I just purchased my first bag and I’m excited! To solve the dumping everything in it and having to dig… I use a “Purse Organizer in all my bags… which makes it a snap to switch bags in seconds. I say buy it!! I went with the new Medium Large in the Parline color. Happy Shopping!!!!
Jyoan says
I don’t like these. They are too commonplace in Singapore due to fakes. And I must admit that the fakes are really good. I don’t carry a fixed bag for long unless it’s leather, so if I need a huge shopping tote, I don’t mind getting some other no brand or the fake, for functional reason. Just didn’t give me a good impression cos of fakes. =(
ParisB says
Yeah I did notice many people carrying this in Singapore. Hmm…
CJ says
I have a Medium Long Handlw Le Pliage in Red too. I find it lightweight, water resistant and durable. I have been travel to few countries and the bag serve me well and can put lot of things inside. About the messy interior I still can tolerate it as I do own Neverfull and Gucci Joy Boston bag and sometimes i do need to dig for the stuff i carried along.
But I just like this bag so much and going to get a second one from Longchamp 🙂
ParisB says
Thanks for the feedback CJ!
Kimz says
Do NOT get it from Malaysia. I got one in March and now is only barely June…The nylon has frayed so terribly and I must say I’m very careful when it comes to usage of my bags, i.e. I am NOT a rough user. Plus the price here is exhorbitant! I only got it because my SIL gave the small size to it and I had to pay to upgrade it because otherwise, the bag would totally go to waste. What a rip off! And the one I bought in Frankfurt last year, the gold on the zip has come off!! I couldn’t believe it.
Although for what it’s worth, I do find the bag very handy. 🙂 Please please don’t get it from Malaysia.
ParisB says
Thanks for the warning! With everyone telling me its way cheaper in Europe/UK I’m going to wait till I can get it from there (if I decide to get it!) 😀
april says
Er, put it this way, it is an easy design to fake, and if I carry one, chances are that people would think mine is more fake than genuine. It has been everywhere for about a year or so in Sg. If you want to stand out a tad more, there’s no point spending so much for durability. Surely there is a next best alternative.
Shay says
Precisely why I don’t get it. People might think mine’s a fake. hehe…
ParisB says
🙂 All in the attitude gal!
ParisB says
Thanks for sharing! Its less popular here (coz its more expensive) Perhaps looking at it the other way, if I have staying power, I’d outlast the trendies! 😉
april says
haha maybe you are right, if it is just a fad here like bubble tea surely it would not take you that long to outlast them all. Get the long-handled ones then, for ease of use.
ParisB says
Yep quite confident to ride out the trend 😉 But still thinking 😉
irenekay says
actually no matter what bag that scream designer will have fake all over e world.. Important thing is you’re confident on carrying it, even if its fake ppl will think its real & vice versa… I’ve seen buyer in LV Starhill… Those pasar looking ah sum paying in cash! And don’t think those datin are carrying real one… They probably don more fakes cuz they need to keep up with their lifestyle… Nevertheless all matters do you really want it, need it, like it… All up to u.. 🙂
Anyway i’m not offending anyone here… My beautician carry all genuine stuff.. & she prob own more luxury bags than me.. =P
Btw i usually carry my Le Pliage when i’m holiday-ing in 3rd world or beach holiday or pool party if you’re worried bout commercialise.. It sorta blend in e culture… .=p
ParisB says
Actually I’m not worried about everyone carrying the same thing. Just wanted to know how it holds up to wear. To take it to the beach, its got to be pretty hardy!
JC says
Too common. Why not get the Bric’s X-line??
ParisB says
Oho I’ll take a look at that one! Haven’t come across it
JC says
I’m intending to get one myself:) If you buy online, it is much cheaper but they don’t have all the LE ones;)
http://shop.brics.it/collection.asp?l=usa&c=ita&attr_id=1009&val_id=5
Yvonne says
Don’t bother. I have two, and they’re both starting to feel flimsy and come apart at the seams after a few months of continuous use.
ParisB says
Goodness that’s unusual! Many people have said theirs last forever! Might it be to do with the country of origin or where it was purchased?
Yvonne says
Hmm, I got mine from the UK and trust me, I look after my bags supremely well. =(
ParisB says
Golly! That really sucks! Did you try writing into the company?
Constance says
That’s most unusual indeed. I got my first one 13 years ago and it’s still in very good shape – and I’ve been using it a lot (I was 17 at the time and it was my only bag). When I bought my third one this year, I never even thought a second about people thinking it’d be genuine or fake… Nor did I buy it after seeing some other girl carrying it around – well, I didn’t the first time anyway… Well, maybe not a question we really ask ourselves in France. So if you really like it, just go for it. It’s good quality, it’s not that expensive- you just need an organizer for the inside!
ParisB says
Thanks for sharing! Over here where the Longchamp bags are expensive they are a bit of a “statement” hence the discussion about fakes and how everyone seems to be carrying it. Glad its not so in Longchamp’s home country! if I get it it has to be from Europe. Its so much cheaper there!
Michelle says
Get the small off-white!!! I saw it only once in Paris and never ever saw it again in any other country. Regret myself silly. So if you find it, get it. It’s definitely not common and pairs like a dream with any summery get-up. In fact, if you see it, I’d like to tumpang and get one for me!
ParisB says
Ooh is that the one called “paper” its like an off white cream. Looks pretty in pictures but I don’t know how it holds up to wear. Will be sure to drop you a line if I see it 😉
shuaddict says
I’m in the same boat 😀 I keep thinking I want one but talk myself out of it after a bit. I’m into LeSportsac bags – quite childish but so functional and they feel like the same nylon-like material.
I also don’t like how the LePliage are so ‘out of shape’ when you put things into it. I saw a lady carrying a cute red one in the Gardens on the weekend but it had that saggy look to it. Still undecided as I still called it cute!
ParisB says
No worries! I like my lesportsac too! Hang what detractors think of it! 😉 They make great travelling partners especially the ones that sling cross body
stellarvixen says
hola shuaddict,
alot of short handle handbags go out of shape~ saggy looking indeed!
so i always put my cardboard base to maintain the shape of my speedy, boston & longchamp~
you can DIY your base or purchase from Gucci@Pavillion rm40 ..i got mine there!
shuaddict says
looks like stellarvixen is trying to convince me to get one – total vixen! 😀
the lesportsac tribeca totes have the same issue, so i got those ikea plastic cutting boards (flexi kinds) and cut them up to place as a base. one board can make 2-3 bases.
i am now … convinced like 75% 😀
ParisB says
For me, I’m perfectly happy with slouchy totes 🙂 I like my Speedy with a bit of slouch too but I’m getting some great tips here for creating a base for slouchy bags – thanks girls! 😀
Connie says
I don’t own this but I know enough people who do :p It’s as if everyone has AT LEAST one. Within a year if the nylon bubbles or do whatever it’s not supposed to do, you can have the bag exchanged for a new one.
Personally, I’m not too keen on it because I like bags with compartments and that I can throw into the washing machine