JillDavis

I can't wait to buy the Vernis Alma bag in the amaretto color! (darkest brown)

StCirq

OK, LV mavens, I need your help. My SO's mother just cleaned out closets and gave us some gorgeous things. One is a LV tote supposedly. But I can't find any marking on it that would indicate it's authentic. How does one tell if it's authentic LV?

SuzChicago

I'm not parsimonious by any means, but I just don't get why anyone would spend $800 to $1,500 on a purse! Those of you who do, what's the attraction? I looked at JillDavis' "Vernis Alma" and really cannot understand why anyone would spend that much money on it. Please explain (and I am not being snarky, just perplexed.)

Pvoyageuse

"How does one tell if it's authentic LV?"

Go to an LV store and ask them.

historytraveler

Of course, each to her own, but I agree with Suze. I can easily afford to spend several thousand dollars on a purse, but can't imagine actually doing it. Those Scottish genes? I will say that cigalechanta's site for slightly used items ( www.malleries.com) was intriguing.

If my friends were to comment on my designer handbag ( which is not likely) and I replied that I had bought it in Paris, they'd think I was even more shallow and pretenious than I already am. But if makes someone happy what's my opinion worth? Rein du tout.

RobertaL

Wait. I don't know about anyone else here but I don't automatically offer the "I bought it in Paris" remark unless asked where I purchased the item. (but I do enjoy saying it)

-Roberta

JillDavis

Here is how you can tell if a LV is fake:

1) If the little LV's are cut off anywhere, it is considered "fake".

2)The color of the original LV's seem to be lighter than the fakes. It gets a little obvious sometimes. Some of the fake sellers make it real dark.

3) There should ALWAYS be a serial number. If not, it is totally fake.

4) Louis Vuitton bags NEVER go on sale. If you ever bought it on sale, it's fake.

5) The print needs to match. Check the pattern on one side. Now, check on the other. If the pattern matches, it's real. If not, it is fake.

6) Also, the interior of a bag and the feel of the leather is a dead giveaway.

7) You can check the bag online and see if it matches exactly.

JillDavis

SuzChicago - That is a really good question. Why spend so much on a bag? Well, I guess I feel like it is my one splurge. I cut back on other things. I don't need expensive shoes or clothes. Of course, my style in clothes and shoes is very classy, however I don't feel the urge to spend $400 on a pair of shoes or $200 on a shirt. However, for some reason, a spell comes over me when shopping for purses. My husband actually is proud of me on some things that I am frugal on - I always search for the best deals on hotels, planes, everything - you name it! We have the money to spend on whatever vacations we want to take, however it my mentality that why spend full price if all I have to do is a little research to save a lot of money. However, with purses I just can't explain it??? There is something about walking out that door with a staple purse that just screams style and sophistication. It is not even about flaunting anything. It is more a statement about my personal style.

cigalechanta

Ok St Cirq,
http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/...itton_is_fake/

JillDavis

Another way to tell if it is a fake:

If it is one with the LV logo all over the purse, the real ones never have a hem split the logo. They make sure that every logo is whole and the hem goes through the space.

palmettoprincess

Good tip Jill. I saw a really good fake yesterday. It looked good, smelled good and had appropriate tags (including serial number) Don't you think they can fake that too...

However, I was pretty sure that person who sells shampoo to the salons in town didn't have a LV franchise.

Lynnaustin

Some of the fakes are so good that even if you know what to look for you cannot tell the difference. I don't believe that some of the people in the LV stores can tell either. The only way to make sure is to buy it in an authorized store.

allib123

There is no logical explanation. It is an emotional thing. Somewhere along the line, you make a decision that there is some particular indulgence that appeals to YOU. It isn't about anyone else, but along the line, I came to grips with the fact that one bag that meets my every everyday needs, and is also indulgent, was actually cheaper than the sum total of all the other bags I kept buying. Seriously, how many inexpensive impluse purchases do you buy in a year? Yes, one has to be careful, when you say, "I bought it in Paris", as it quickly can make ones stomach turn in a huge way. Period. But, if the people you actually choose to say that too, know YOUR story, they just smile. Silly, yes. We all have flaws. Some are just publicly displayed with LV. Humbly or pretentiously, depending on the lady.

StCirq

Thanks, Jill and Mimi. I have to inspect this bag very carefully. On the one hand, SO's 92-year-old mother has impeccable taste and ran in impressive social circles; on the other hand, she spent a lot of time in Beijing and Singapore and Bangcoxk, where presumably opportunities for
"bagging" fakes were rife.

To answer the question about why designer bags appeal, they don't for me. I'm more interested in a beautiful briefcase, as I run a business and am always running around to meetings. I would never pay more than $100 for a hand bag, but I certainly understand those who do. I'm a shoe hog and though I don't pay retail for much of anything, will collect shoes like crazy.


What I absolutely do not understand is the thrill of telling someone "I bought it in Paris." To me, that is gauche to the extreme, or some deeply disturbing need to impress. It's bad enough that you need someone to walk up to you and comment on your bag, but way worse to feel compelled to say where you bought it (particularly if it was on the Champs Elysées, the hell-hole of tourist Paris. Honestly, that creeps me out. Something wrong with the self-worth there.

To anyone who wants to go to Paris and buy a great bag, I salute you. Not my thing, but I have my own addictions, so I totally understand.

scatcat

Why do some women pay $130 for a pair of panties? Because they want them and they can. Not many people will ask about them or even know you are wearing them. So, I don't believe it's always a bragging thing.

JillDavis

Yes, I agree it is tacky to go around bragging that you bought it in Paris. If someone asks, of course you tell them at that point. However, common sense etiquette is just that simple and understated elegance is always better than over the top flamboyant. It is always the people that brag that probably can't afford the purse in the first place.

JillDavis

StCirq - you should get an LV briefcase!

allib123

French bag, French trip, French souvenir, friendly encouragement.
As you age, hopefully you gain wisdom and judge less
Will kindly offer the definition of wistful...
adj wistful [ˈwistful]
thoughtful and rather sad, (as if) longing for something with little hope

freberta

I'm sorry to say that I am addicted to handbags as well. I'm convinced it's an illness. Every time I buy a new one, I promise my husband it's the last one (it is for that year). When my husband and I were in Paris in 2002 for our 10th anniversary, we did some shopping at the LV store in the 6th. I wound up buying 3 purses -- 2 for myself and one for my step-daughter who was watching our kids for the week. I also wanted a pair of boots, but they didn't carry any shoes in my size -- 41 (I wound up buying a different pair at the LV store in Tyson's Corner, VA when I got home). On that trip I also bought 2 Lancel bags and one Furla bag that were on sale at Galeries Lafayette.

The problem with all my bags (which also includes my latest purchase - a Cartier Marcello bag -- and bags by Henry Beguelin, Michael Kors, Burberry, Botkier and Bally) is that I never have time to switch bags when I want to. Usually I am in a rush to get out of the house and use whichever bag I've been using. I owned a Chloe bag for one day, but my husband convinced me to return it and buy a Henry Beguelin bag instead. Good decision. But I still like my LV bags, including my LV tote/shopping bag that I bought in 1982 for $250.

Thank goodness I have one dear friend who shares my handbag addiction and understands me completely.

Guenmai

BKP: My LV Passy bag is that great RED colored one, but the RED that LV used to do. What I call apple RED. I love RED handbags.

Now Passy is done in a darker RED. When I bought that bag, just hours after I had arrived into Paris, I was told that it was a new model and had just arrived into the LV boutique the day before which is why it was in the window being displayed.

As I like shoulder straps with my handbags, I bought a shoulder strap for it,too. But, as the bag was so new, the LV store in the 6th, didn't have one. I will not go to the LV store on Champs Elysees unless I absolutely have to...way too crowded and far too many lookie-loos. I go to the one in my neighborhood, the 6th, get my salesperson all to myself for as long as I want, and have a glass of champagne or other beverage.

So, I bought the bag, and then hopped the metro to the Champs Elysees boutique to see if they had a shoulder strap. The salesperson disappeared for quite some time and then came back announcing that he had found one in an office somewhere and that it was probably a sample one. So, I bought the only one that could be found in Paris. I LOVE that bag and will probably have it for life.

The day that I bought that bag, I hadn't planned to buy a LV bag. I had just arrived into Paris and was on my way to the Cafe Flore to have my traditional, arrival day, Kir Royale (Kir and champagne). But, to get to the Flore, I have to walk past LV. So, I peeped at the window and there was that one bag on display. I think it came in 2 sizes then. I have the smaller sized one, which actually is quite large compared to the size handbags that I usually carry. Happy Travels!