ekscrunchy

I have two questions. Neither is intended to be snarky or mean:

1. Is the brown and gold LV with the initials all over it considered to be chic in some parts of the world?

2. For people with huge handbag collections: Don't you find it a pain to move your stuff from one bag to another every time you change handbags? Do you change handbags every day?

JillDavis

allib123 summed it up quite perfect.

I also am not a fan of the LV monogram collection. The Damier and Vernis is more my style - more subtle and elegant looking.

Ekscrunchy - The brown and gold LV collection (called Monogram) is the first collection that came out by LV. I don't think it is a matter of what part of the world you are in, but rather the individual's style. To me, the LV is so common and also the most replica handbags are made from this collection (even though I have seen replica's from Damier.) However, on some pieces I like how the Monogram looks. The luggage in Monogram looks amazing.

2) I don't find moving my stuff from one handbag to another a chore. To me it is part of the fun by going in my closet and deciding which hangbag to choose for the next day. I do not change handbags every day. Every week is so different. It is hard to say how often I change. Perhaps every 2-3 days?? When I go to Europe, I am only going to bring only bag for the whole trip! It will be very difficult, but I don't want to worry about multiple handbags...

111op

To go back to the original question, I am guessing that there could be some savings right now apart from the VAT refund. That's because the Euro is falling. One would think that price tags are usually set at periodic intervals, and at the last time they revised prices, they must have looked at the exchange rate and decided on the Euro and $ prices.

If the price stickers are the same, the falling Euro will make it cheaper to buy in Paris.

Guenmai

Ekscrunchy: No, I don't find it a pain to move things from one handbag to another. Last night when I came home with the new DVF totebag, it took me all of about 30 seconds to move my things from one bag to the next. And I don't necessarily change handbags everyday. It depends on how I feel, where I'm going, and what I'm wearing; probably like people who have big shoe collections. Sometimes I'll use the same handbag for weeks and other times I'll switch up more often. And some weekends I might use two different handbags in a day depending on where I'm going.

As for your other question about monogram LV being chic in some parts of the world, well, for some places that's what's popular over other LV, like Epi, Vernis, Damier, etc...It's sort of like how there was a lot of Tumi luggage sold here, some years ago, because that's what was popular. However, I regularly use Kipling luggage. Some folks here don't know Kipling although it's been around since the 80s. But, I'm in S.E. Asia quite a bit, and I remember when Kipling was very popular and the young ones used to go wild when I was at the airport and almost every time I was going through some S.E. Asian countries, the young airport staff would stop and comment. I've been buying it longer than most of them have been around. It holds up very well. I previously had no idea, that it was so popular in S.E. Asia. A lot of my pieces I got at T.J.Maxx.

Even when the young bellhop, at my apartment building in S.E. Asia, came to pick up my luggage on check out, although he couldn't speak a word of English, when he noticed my suitcases he said, "Kipling, the monkey!". Then his face lit up. So, I removed the monkey key chain from one of the suitcases and gave it to him as one comes with each Kipling article bought. He was so happy. Every time I go back to that building to stay and he sees me, and waves and smiles. So, different cultures can be into different things. And even people from different areas in the U.S. can be into different things.

Yesterday when I walked past the Coach outlet, it was jam packed with people and especially with Asian tourists as there are tour bus trips to the outlet. The two most crowded stores were definitely Burberry and Coach as far as a large number of Asian tourists shopping. Although I'm not into Coach anymore, was in the 70s, a lot of people love it. I remember when it was very popular in Singapore,too. And also in parts of Europe at one time. Happy Travels!

cigalechanta

I have seasonal bags
some are for walking the dog that hold keys and plastic bags for his clean up. I also use these crossbody bags for dance parties.
Every day bags for shopping
bags for dining out(mostly clutches
largeer bags for travel.

moneyburns

I thought Paris was one large, gorgeous & sexy purse: stuffed with incredible architecture, glorious gardens, amazing food and wine; people watching, museums and history, storefronts outfitted with chic attire; friendly (yes, I repeat, friendly) locals, eclectic groups of tourists, and a vibrancy that I want to keep captured in my tote to carry home.

Exactly the purse I would buy.

MoneyBurns

violetduck

Any suggestions for where to have a LV vintage bag refurbished appreciated.

cigalechanta

I don't know if they will do bags but they do luggage.
They are very nice, maybe they can refer you to someone
they are R. Cook

http://www.nvo.com/louisvuitton/inventory/

karens

Lots of judgmental-ness here, eh?

I'm not a big handbag person - I have 3 designer handbags I've had for 2 years. Two I bought at Saks Off 5th and I purchased a Tod's bag from an upscale consignment.

They are so nicely made, the leather feels beautiful on my Donald Pliner, and I love when I unzip it and see the rich, magenta lining inside.

I currently pine for no other bags, but don't want to exchange my current ones for 9West ones, either.

We all have our splurges. Who is say which is better - no one. And to do so just sounds horribly catty.

Guenmai

violetduck: If I were you, I'd just contact your local LV store. I have an accordion pleated, at the bottom, briefcase that I bought brand new at the original LV store in Paris around 1982 or 1983 and although it still looks great, the light-colored, natural leather handle has of course darkened. I went into the LV store in the Beverly Center (L.A.) a couple of years ago, and they were great. I was told that whenever I was ready to have the handle replaced to just bring it in. I was also told that it would be around $75.00 to replace it. And that briefcase model isn't even made anymore. I just saw one on www.malleries.com up for sale. That's the first one I've seen in over a decade. Happy Travels!

ThinGorjus

Refurbishment: Artbag on Madison Ave. in NYC. They are legendary. You can send them your bag Fed Ex.

www.artbag.com

Thin

Ohiobarbara

Thanks for all of the help. I've picked out the one want and will compare prices before we leave. Another question...when looking at the prices on the French LV site, is the VAT already included?

violetduck

Thanks to all for the refurbishing suggestions. Will check
all of them out.

palmettoprincess

Jill your tip about the logos is a good one. The lady in front of me at Aldi had a large LV. The handles looked good, but yes the logo was not complete at the seem.

Guenmai

OhioBarbara:The sales tax is included in the European prices. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

OhioBarbara: I forgot to add, in my May 12th post, on the "Passy" example, that actually you would be deducting the $800. duty allowance from the $1427.42 total and thus be taxed on $627.42, not the whole $1427.42 providing that that's all you bought in Paris and have nothing else to declare at U.S. customs. Since I usually have more than one item to declare, I have a more complicated situation. So, actually, the duty tax would be around $62.74 , if taxed at 10%, on that particular bag, not $142.00. So, additional savings. I don't know why I didn't catch that. Smiles. Happy fun shopping. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

"Have fun shopping". Happy Travels!

elizabetht

I am not into LV, but for info about buying in Paris and authenticity questions, the Purse Forum is really good. I used to be really into bags and spend a good bit of time there!

Luisah

"You are obviously advertising the website, which isn't allowed here, dumbass."

Second post, second plug for whosehandbags.

Luisah

"Also read that there is a limit of $800 before I have to pay duty on purchases I bring back.

... you could always unpack the bag on the plane, fill it up and use it as your purse and it is doubtful anybody would question it."

Don't do it. If you can afford to pay $1400 for a designer purse, you should expect to pay the duty. Trying to get away with not paying it is downright cheesy -- far worse than saying "I bought it Paris."

I realize that the OP didn't complain about the duty, but I've seen this type of advice on other threads and just don't get it. Just pay what you owe.