Remember my past musing about whether I should get a Longchamp Les Pliages tote bag? I should have looked in my closet! Well no, I did not find a Longchamp Le Pliage magically appearing in there, I found something just as good if not better.
My old Hervé Chapelier 925N tote!
Hervé Chapelier is a French brand that specializes in strong colourful nylon bags. Like Longchamp, the bags can be folded although not into a pocket size but they are similarly lightweight, hardy, longwearing and great for travel.
Its also interesting that Hervé Chapelier bags don’t seem to be as popular as Longchamp. Maybe that’s why it appeals to me. I recently shook the dust off my old Hervé Chapelier 925N tote and fell in love all over again.
My Hervé Chapelier 925N was purchased here in Kuala Lumpur many many years ago when I first saw it in the DFS Galleria here. We no longer have a DFS Galleria and as far as I know, you can’t get Herve Chapelier here anymore. In fact, you would be hardpressed to find Hervé Chapelier anywhere in Asia except Japan, based on the website.
Fakes are available of course but I don’t do fakes or replicas. Ebay is an option but then, you never know if you might end up with a fake. So I’m going to bide my time, forget about Longchamp Les Pliages and hunt down more Hervé Chapelier bags which are apparently still all made in France :D
My bag is quite old now. The designs are distinguished by numbers. The 925N has a distinctive trapezoid shape, with a large square bottom and a triangular body with dual colours. The strap is long enough to sling, and the nylon is very strong and waterproof. I got sopping wet in Shanghai, but my camera stayed nice and dry inside my Hervé Chapelier :D In fact everything in my bag was dry although the outside was drenched.
Why I say it makes a great travel bag is because its so light yet is so strong and can carry a ton of stuff without looking bulky. Excellent when you’re shopping for souvenirs because you never know what you might pick up, and you don’t want to look like a bag lady while at it. The inside is just one main compartment closed with a zip, with a zip pocket which is big enough to fit a passport and essentials.
I’ve handwashed my bag in warm soapy water and it comes out clean and looking like new every single time. I’ve fallen in love with it all over again and I’ll be darned if I don’t want another. Yes I’m a spoilt brat that way :P
Having played with the Longchamp Les Pliage and then using my Hervé Chapelier, I think I’d get another Hervé Chapelier instead of the Les Pliage. Its less common in this part of the world, and I like that there’s no leather on it plus I already know that it lasts and is waterproof with no bubbling of the nylon, unlike what I’ve heard about the Longchamps :)
The website says that its €72 (RM300+) at point of writing. I think I purchased mine for about RM150 or so but it was many years ago. Question now is, where do I get another?! Maybe I’ll check it out in the UK :D
Have you ever set eyes on a Hervé Chapelier or do you own one too? Is it love for you too? :)
Paris B
They are prettier than the Longchamp ones, IMO. ^.^ Go for the other bag!
But a lot harder to find too! :) we’ll see what happens since im technically on a no bag buy
It’s great to find something on your stash! Hmmm….I don’t think I would pay more than s$50 for a nylon bag.
For a well made one i would but i guess one really only needs one nylon bag in our lives :)
seriously i dont think longchamps are good looking at all, and so many look-alikes in the market right now. if given a choice to choose between these 2, this chapelier will definitely win my heart
I actually really like Longchamp’s leather bags. That said the Le Pliage is dressier than this one so I guess it depends on a person’s style :)
I don’t like the look of these bags. For the price, the design should have been stylish at least but these are just too plain (I see a lot of similar styled ones for a lot cheaper in department stores).
Ah but I like it plain! :) Gotta admit these totes aren’t for everyone :)
To be honest,I dun like the design of Herve Chapelier,I like Le Pliage more. :P
but I agree it is a very useful bag for travel cos it was waterproof and Le Pliage ‘s hand holder is made by leather.Anyway,thanks for your sharing with us.
The Le Pliage is dressier that’s for sure. This one’s more casual. Much depends on a person’s style. The Le Pliage bags are waterproof to a degree too :)
Will check out that place on Collins St and report back ;)
Do! :)
This is my first love for tote bags and I still love it much. Love it more than longchamp too but good question raised. Where to get them? I’ve been trying to find this for years after they were withdrawn from the Singapore market. Wish they open an outlet here. That would be heaven for tote lovers like me.
I can’t believe it! Someone who agrees with me! high 5! :D our nearest store is unfortunately in Japan or Australia boo!
Hi ParisB,
I googled for Hervé Chapelier and found here. (Nice find though!)
Anyway, just to check, the tote u have right here in the photo, may i asked what’s the size? ‘cos i went to the Hervé Chapelier site and realise they have various sizes, from XS to XL… wondering what are the difference, This one you have seems to be the right size i like to get!
Thanks in advance!
The size is 925 – the different sizes have different numbers so the store will know what you mean when you tell them you want the 925 which is the perfect size for toting around :)
thank you so much! i can’t wait for my friend to return from paris with my new bag now!
Hi there,
Love these bags. Unfortunately they’re also very hard to find in the uk having been withdrawn from House of Fraser. So, I was pleased to see you could buy them on line. Unfortunately, I ordered mine and paid over £100 only for it never to arrive. The company seems to struggle with order fulfilment. Shame, Jenny
Like you, I’m a Chapilier than Longchamp. Got my 1st back in 1990 from my aunt shop in Micasa. Just got my 3rd one recently. Got my friend to g for me in their boutique in Paris. RM330 before vat for 925.
Yes the Herve is def a niche item now. Back in the mid to late 1980’s they were the status bag for high school age and young career women to tote our bulkier belongings around in!! I had an Herve and a Longchamp tote. Yes one is a little more casual looking – hence my having both :-) It seems that are back in fashion again.. I wish I kept mine but I remember I wore it so much it got holes. I do remember going to their shop in Paris – what fun. All those colors. No internet then to buy them so I had to make do with House of Fraser in London. Maybe now they are in demand again the company will catch on and produce more. For now I guess the overpriced secondary market will have to suffice – Vintage Baby. My daughter now carries my Longchamp one i’m considering splurging on an Herve for her – always nice to have something a bit more unusual.