Paris Loot – les sacs!

Vraiment, I had not planned to buy any bags. In fact, I’m trying to reduce my inventory.

My first slip happened as a result of picking up some bags at Louis Vuitton for a friend.* The rumors are true; it really is cheaper to buy them in Paris. The price is a bit lower, even with the execrable exchange rate, there’s no sales tax, plus non-European residents get back a 12% VAT refund. I know they’ve become a symbol of conspicuous consumption, but every time I visit one of the LV boutiques I surprise myself with how much I really like some of their pieces. Most of the canvas styles are lightweight and wear very well. After buying my friend’s bags and realizing how much money she had saved, I caved and went for one I’ve actually been considering for some time. As is my tendency, I went for “classic with a twist,” a classic Speedy 30 but in the Damier canvas which I prefer to the LV monogram design; it’s a bit more subtle and not as often seen (or faked).

The Speedy, though handheld, is a great bag for traveling. It weighs next to nothing, holds quite a lot, and can take a lot of knocking around without showing wear. And when not in use, it folds flat for storage.

I really surprised myself with the second bag. Because one cannot buy Lancel bags in the US (except for the Duty Free shop at JFK Airport apparently) I wanted to peruse one of their boutiques just to see what these bags were about, after reading some good reviews over at the Purse Forum. Purely research, mind you; I was not familiar with their styles, and had not set out with a purchase in mind.
This bag did not catch my eye at first. I was looking at some of the simpler, more subtle styles. The sales associate pointed to one wall and indicated several bags that were 30-40% off, and that’s when I noticed it. At first, the color was what piqued my interest. I loved the deep green, but this normally isn’t the type of bag I go for. There’s a lot of visual detail with the contrast stitching, braid trim and the drawstrings/tassels. But was a great color, it did have a strap long enough to wear the bag cross-body, it was 30% off, and the sales guy started showing me all of the different ways it could be worn…

and then I saw the lining.
I am an absolute sucker for cute lining. And this is one of the best ever.
This style of bag is called the “Premier Flirt” and it really did flirt with me, and won me over. It wasn’t until later that I saw the color of the leather in natural light and realized just how rich and saturated this color is, and how high the quality of the leather.
When I unpacked at home, I discovered that the Lancel folks had also included a small book about the history and tradition of Maison Lancel. It’s full of gorgeous vintage ads, drawings and photos. I’ll work on translating some of it, and share more from the book in a later post. But in the meantime, below are a photo of Angèle Lancel, (whom, from what I’m gathering from the text in French was the initial brains behind the operation) and an ad for luggage in Art Deco style.
*and if you are planning a Louis Vuitton purchase while in Paris, skip the Champs Elysées and Avenue Montaigne stores, and head straight for the smaller, quiet boutique in the 6th just off Boulevard St. Germain. You’ll be able to shop without having to fight your way through busloads of tourists, and will have several eager sales associates just waiting to assist you.
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22 Comments

  1. That Lancel lining would make a great scarf! Bags are wonderful travel buys as each time you carry them you will be “carried back” yourself to Paris! Even a tiny coin purse is an enduring pleasure.

  2. HAH! I read, “and then I saw the lining” and in my head I heard, “DUHN-DUHN-DUUUUUUUUUUH!!!!” like in a corny mystery movie. But you’re right, that bag is brilliant.

    I’m thinking I’d like my souvenir from my next trip to be a bag from Longchamp — and not one of the Pliages, a proper handbag. I just love those quiet, slightly under-the-radar French labels.

  3. Love the Lancel bag – such a beautiful rich colour and you will find the LV bag sooo useful… I have one exactement the same and use it most days – it holds loads, is light in weight as you said, and (a mon avis) and most important looks very chic with black too! Great purchases “Une”!

  4. Hello Pseu, and welcome home! Bags do not entice me, in fact, I usually carry one of my assortment of vintage 50s “box” purses and other types of the era…and I don’t like green!…but that green bag ROCKS! It may not have had me at “hello”, but one look at that lining and I was done. Good eye, Pseu! Enjoy!

  5. I love both of the bags. I’m glad to know there is a LV store that is not a madhouse. I made the mistake of going to the C. E. store and it was over run with lots of tourists and just so busy. Your Lancel bag is so cute and the color is just gorgeous! I really loved the Lancel store. They must have that “showing you how you can use the bag” thing down because they sold me a wallet that doubled as a clutch that I had no intention of purchasing until after seeing Miss Chic French Lady model it. Great buys!

  6. I really enjoy making nice purchases while traveling, just as you’ve done with your bags. It’s so nice to have those memories attached to them.

    My favorite Vuitton is the the Epi leather line. Very spendy though, I must admit.

    The lining in the Lancel bag is absolutely to die for. Beyond charming. I love it. The color of the leather is glorious, too.

  7. Duchesse – wouldn’t it though? I also love that this bag is so unique to Paris. It’s unlikely I’ll see another one here in LA.

    RML – yes, and it makes me smile every time I go into the bag!

    downthegardenpath – merci!

  8. Sal – thanks, and yes I do.

    StyleSpy – heh! Yes, it was like “No-o-o-o! Don’t look at the lining…you’ll be powerless!” Longchamp has some really nice looking leather bags too.

    LPC – Thanks. I sometimes feel as though I have to rationalize my LV fascination. Maybe something to explore in another post…

  9. Anoninoz – thanks! I’m sure both of these bags will see lots of daylight. 😉

    Marsi – I really like the Epi’s too, but haven’t gone for one yet. One of the bags I picked up for my friend was the vernis (patent leather) in the bleu nuit, that was a very pretty and tempting bag too!

    Belle – I love green, but don’t see green bags in this shade often. It’s a great versatile and classy color.

  10. metscan – thanks! Both of these bags are quite different than what I’ve picked up before, and I’m quite thrilled with both of them.

    Maravonda – merci! oh, I love those vintage box purses! Unfortunately with all of the paraphernalia I seem to need to carry with me, they’d be too small for me, but they are SO COOL!

    Bonjour Madame – yes the LV store in the 6th was really a pleasure to shop. And even though they don’t have every color of every bag on display, they had everything on my friend’s list in stock and were quite helpful. Those Lancel people really know how to show a bag to best advantage! Lining aside, it did make the difference between buying or not to see just how versatile it was.

    Sher – you bet…no having to find my pen by Braille! Merci beaucoup!

  11. I´m so happy that you bought just those bags. The LV makes you look so French, and the color of this Lancel one compliments your hair. So glad that you chose something different this time!

  12. I was going to make some remark about you just needing more self control, but the 1920’s print lining surely would have done me in as well… Only I think I’d want to turn the thing inside out to carry it!