Golly me! When I asked you about the Longchamp Le Pliage tote, so many people responded with their love (and hate) for the Longchamp Le Pliage, I had to eventually find out for myself how I felt about it. No better way that to work it out for yourself you know š And no better way to tell you my thoughts than at the beginning of a brand new year!
I know I expressed my love for the Herve Chapelier 925N tote for travel but during a work trip out of town, I came to realize that the Le Pliage is more work travel friendly.
The colour I chose for my Le Pliage is black. Mostly it was for practicality and because there were only 3 colours available and black was best. Iām glad I went for black though. Boring as the colour might be, it does double duty better for work and travel.
I recently (well recently-ish) took a work trip out of town and the Le Pliage did a good job of transforming itself from a travel tote to a work tote, without losing too much character or looking overly casual. It might be the leather trim that does it. Leatherās more āseriousā than nylon ya know š
The size I chose (Medium) fits a ton. For the plane, it comfortably held my makeup pouch, shawl, flight and hotel bookings, documents, a book, gadget pouch with iPod and phone and other miscellany.
I did find however, that the over shoulder strap feels a little too long for me. It might be because Iām short but I do find that it does not sit very well on my shoulders. Less of a problem if you wear a winter coat, more of a problem if you do not. And if I put a lot of stuff in the bag, the strap cuts into my shoulder somewhat and I find myself leaning to one side to keep it on my shoulder which can get uncomfortable when you are running for the plane. Airasia yo! Be late and get left behind, but its ok if the plane is late š
I donāt regret buying the Longchamp Le Pliage tote though. I realize that many people are put off by it being ādone to deathā here in Asia, but since Iām not using it as a āstatus symbolā (it hardly is!) Iām happy and comfortable with it as a bag I can bash around.
I particularly like using it for when I travel for work. I donāt like carrying my good leather bags when I go out of town but I canāt be toting a colorful fun bag that looks like it belongs on the beach, either, what with having to attend meetings and having to project a serious image and all š The Le Pliage isnāt the most serious of bags, but it does its job well enough in the boardroom.
But if I were travelling for fun, Iād still use my Herve Chapelier. The broad straps sit better on my shoulders without cutting and it does not feel as heavy.
As to why I did not consider the Le Pliage with the short strap? The reason is simply because when I travel or when Iām out and about (which is when Iād use the bag) I like to keep my hands free and the short strap was strictly to be hand held or arm carry only. I could fit it over my shoulder but it would be a bit of a squeeze once I get all my stuff in there.
Now go on then. Roll your eyes at me already for owning a Le Pliage š I canāt promise I wonāt own another š
Paris B
I must admit it is a very useful bag but be careful of the 4 base corners of the bag. The material frays easily even with minimum usage.
Thanks for the warning! That does suck doesnāt it? Perhaps it because of the sharp corners. Iāll keep a look out š
i have to agree that it is quite āseriousā looking and can hold a whale in it. i am still yet to find a āseriousā looking sling bag (like le sportsac kind), then can bring to work and fun but itās light n easy to wash kind. any recco?
A whale might be a bit of a tight squeezeā¦ but then I didnāt get the largest on offer either! š I love Lesportsac messenger bags but as you have mentioned, they arenāt quite work friendly. Actually, unless its leather, its not easy to get away with messenger bags for work (unless you are a messenger boy) because they do tend to be too casual. But then again, it depends on how formal your work place is. At some offices, you could easily get away with some of the more sombre Lesportsac designs š Iād suggest Kipling, but I donāt own any and it looks even more casual.
For a work-friendlier sling bag, take a look at Hedgren bags. Look up http:www.hedgren.com
Thanks for the tip! Havenāt given them a lot of attention coz they look so much like travel bags š
Congrats! I own two myself (in the large size). š You may want to consider getting (or making if youāre the DIY type) a base shaper so that it holds its shape at the bottom. I got mine on eBay.
Thanks for the tip! I didnāt have a problem with the sagging coz it was stuffed full anyway š Do you have a short handle and do you know how it compares in terms of carriage?
Mine has a long handle so I donāt know how the short handles are.
Bought one recently, i agreed that the handle strap does not fit well on the shoulder and drop often but apart from this, itās a very lightweight bag and does not fell heavy on the shoulder when carry lots of stuff.
Hmmā¦ maybe I filled mine up too much because it did feel heavy and cut into my shoulders. That said, on its own, the bag is super light which is great š
I bought one and considered my first one during my recent trip to UK. Cost me around 56pound for the medium short handle. LOVE IT TO DEATH. Simply because my life revolves around with books and im a fulltime law student. I fly back and forth between east malaysia and singapore. And longchamp is the best for travelling, best for school bag, book bag etc. Iāve been using it for 5months now, so far so good. No fraying at the corner of the base etc. I notice that happens to few of my friendsā. Oh well.
Iām eying on my second one, Longchamp Planetes Medium Tote. š
Wow since you travel so much, this is surely a boon for you! And getting it in the UK means you get it at very good prices š How does the short handle fare? Can you sling it on your shoulder and is it a bother that it canāt be slung? I love the look of the Planetes and I think its a lot sturdier too. Might have that in the pipeline heheā¦
I just bought a short handle one in Dec 1 in chocolate and an loving it. Iām going to buy the medium long handle ones. Itās comfy, roomy and classy in a simple way š
I guess for those of us who donāt see this bag as a āstatus symbolā its easy to see it for its practicality. I love the look of the chocolate colour. Its so rich and pretty!
Iāve always wondered about this! May have to get one-HAHA! In spite of the frayingā¦what a fashion victim I am :-b
You know what? A mommy friend I know has the medium, short handled and she says its an amazing Mommy bag. You look chic and it holds a ton of babyās stuff so you have a 2 in 1! š Try to see if you can get it from Europe where its a lot cheaper š
I always wanted thisā¦but somehow it looks too old on me? Lol..But the tote look like I can stuff sooo many things inside which is good. :p
The short handled one has a younger feel to it š Or the smaller version which also fits quite a lot of stuff.
I love my Longchamp! Itās not really a status symbol for me either (uhm, $120?? The āstatus symbolā I want is a Bbag!) itās more of like an anywhere, everywhere bag for me. I can just toss it around or dump it anywhere when going to the mall, supermarket or elsewhere; Iām not as conscious about it as when Iām carrying an LV. The corners of mine have started to fray though. š
Oh dear with corners fraying, its quite something to think about since it can get expensive over here. How long have you had yours?
I have the exact same thing but in taupe. Besides loving the size and the long strap (i love going hands free too) ,I love the color to bits as well. Itās quite a unique chocolatey brown with a hint of green at closer look. Neutral and safe colour suited for almost all occasions. I might very well get another one too.
I wanted to get Taupe!! But I wasnāt sure how itād hold up with being stuffed under airplane seats and being tossed about and all. Does yours get dirtyand if so how do you clean it? I read they can be washed despite the leather but Iām not sure.
Hiya, hope itās all right to butt in. I just clean mine as per the instructions ā soap and water. I use an old toothbrush dipped in the soap solution, brush at the offending spot, the rinse off with water and itās as good as new! I usually clean it at the sink, so I can leave the handles dry. Rather not risk spoiling the leather, no matter what people say/do (eg, throw into washing machine!)
Thanks for the tip! Lucky i got mine in black HAHA! š
hahaā¦i didnāt read your post til after posting. I pretty much did the same you did. Old toothbrush, soap, water is the way to go. heheā¦
So far so good. Stuffed under airplane seats etc is ok i guess. The color is still quite dark so I donāt see dirt unless it is really very dirty. The other day, someone stained my bag with a bright marker (seems to me) and i didnāt have the time to wash out the stain til 2 weeks later. After rubbing some ah yuan laundry soap on it, i brushed out the stain with an old toothbrush. Now it looks as good as new. No colour fading or whatsoever. When washing, i avoid washing the leather part. Handwashed.
Ok I do like that colour very much. Perhaps itāll be the No. 2 š
Hubby purchased me the large size long handle and I used it for a good 3 months! No changing of bags! its just too comfortable and I can carry around almost everything I need! š I donāt use it as status symbol as well and I just like it for its durability! š Glad you love yours! I want to own a medium size ! (ugh another one)
HAHA It gets addictive huh? š I saw yours in your Style pic š Nice one!
Got mine medium size,short handle in orangy red. This is without the zip, just like ur Prada bag and I felt kinda insecure without the zipā¦:-( thou there is still the leather zap on top and it is kinda deep tooā¦.
I hv not used it yet as I am looking for a bag organizer and base to make it into better āshapeā. š
Ohooo I know the open ones but I didnāt get them because its so open. At least the Prada has a magnet clasp to keep it closed. Still, as you say, its deep and you can hold it close to you. If I recall, this oneās a little narrower than the usual zipped ones right? Perhaps a bag organizer will do to ease the craziness in there š
I am not very sure, I think it maybe slightly narrower than yours. It is more squarish in size. It has a leather zap on top too, minus the zipper. But without a proper base, the bag is out of shapelorā¦ā¦;-)
i love mine too but uāll definitely need a smaller bag organiser as well. Cos itās hell trying to look for anything inside that bag! especially car keys!!!
Thanks for the tip! Everyone says so and yes its a mess in there. Since I use mine mostly for travel, thereās less for me to organize, but Iāll be sure to tuck a bag organizer or pouches in there if I plan to carry small items like keys!
i have 2 pliage, 1 medium long handle, 1 medium short handle. love em cos they are practical and light. as for me, the short handle is easy to manage as well, so far no complaints š
anyways i just bought a purple planetes, medium short handle. if youāre looking for one that is practical but also stylish to bring to work, iād suggest planetes.
Can someone please tell me how much is it?How much is the long handle one, medium size? and where can i buy it in KL? Thanks!
There is a Longchamp boutique at The Gardens, Midvalley and Pavilion KL. Local prices unknown.
Paris, where did you buy yours? if its cheaper online, where can i purchase an authentic one?!
Mine was purchased in the UK and I donāt know where you can purchase a confirmed 100% authentic version online that delivers to Malaysia, unfortunately. Your best bet to get it at a cheaper price is to ask any friend heading to Europe (anywhere in Europe) and get it from there. Otherwise, it might be a little bit cheaper in Singapore (Iām not certain) or if you trust blogshops, there are some local ones that do sell them but I will never stick my head out and say they are authentic no matter what they say š
Well, I didnāt see this blog until today, if you have yet to find one, alternatively is to get if from Bangkok airport, itās appx 30 to 35% cheaper than the selling price in KL, colors selection could be limited, but black, navy & chocolate are always available. I hv help friends to purchase from BKK airport last Sep but now I know Schiphol airport is much cheaper by another 30 to 40%, in total itās appx 60% cheaper ā¦ unbelievable, MY is definitely over priced. If you have friends work with airline, get them to purchase ā¦ cabin crew are entitled to another 5 to 10% depends on airport.
Also available in Isetan KLCC. Currently the long handled medium retails for around RM530.00 :). Unfortunately not that much cheaper in Singapore. Le Pliages never go on sale as itās one of their classics.
coolie š my mom got two already, she really loves it and it makes me love them now. my momās friend is going to London next month or March, im going to ask her to help me to get one. but i have to give her the model no, anyone her know where to get the no?
i want to get one of it, can anyone tell me where to get it in singapore?
i will like to buy it in the shop rather tnan on-line.
I have a medium short handle in Parline where I use for travel, itās roomy enuf to fit DSLR, I also have a Cabas in Graphite for daily use, ordered both from US with my name embroidered, both Le Pliage has always the attention because of the embroideryā¦ recently I was on work trip to Netherland and purchase summer colors at Schiphol airport for my collegues, they love it, I hv also rewarded myself with another Cabas in Red, since itās so much cheaper @ Schiphol, I just couldnāt resist to get another !
I had actually never heard of this bag until my mom came back from Asia and brought it back from a place called Rustanās. apparently, everyone and their mother has one. iām not a big designer bag person, myself ā i opt more for Ben Sherman messenger bags. but i wore it to work and i really like it! it fit everything and itās easy to clean. i have not seen this bag on anyone in Los Angeles so itās new to me! š
Hi, I just wanna share with you my experience with the longchamp le pliage. I recently bought one early this year. Mine is a long handle medium tote in graphite, after 2 months of continuous use i realized the bottom corners of my longchamp are fraying. After searching through the net I realized many experienced this problem too. After that, I came up with a solution, I applied clear nail polish to prevent it from fraying. Voila, that does it, I no longer have this problem. Hope I helped.
Good day gals.. =)
Thanks for the tip WyYee Chan!
I recently bought Le Pliage long handle tote from the LM (Longchamp Maroquinerie) line in black. As much as I like the design of LM line, Iād prefer a bag that is more structured such as the Planetes line. The Planetes will hold its shape (just a bit) due to its thick canvas.
However, the salesperson told me that LM tote is better because it is absolutely water-proof and stain-proof. However, the material inside is cotton fabric in chocolate colour, unlike the normal Le Pliage which is polyamide fabric either in black or white depending on the colour of the tote.
Any thought on these 2 lines ā LM and Planetes?