Hey everyone!
As I was going through my closet I was reminded how much I used to love wearing my LV Artsy and decided to share some thoughts for reference.
So welcome to my detailed review of the Louis Vuitton Artsy MM in the classic monogram canvas.
I’ll be sharing all the pros and cons, how it holds up over time, and other essential details. Hopefully, this review will help you decide if you are on the fence about getting this bag versus some other bags.
Table of Contents
- Design and Aesthetics of the LV Artsy Bag
- What Fits Inside the Louis Vuitton Artsy MM?
- How Durable is the LV Artsy Over Time? (Wear and Tear)
- How to Style Your Louis Vuitton Artsy Bag?
- Pros and Cons of the Louis Vuitton Artsy
- Artsy vs. Neverfull: Which One to Choose?
- Conclusion: Is the LV Artsy Handbag for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Design and Aesthetics of the LV Artsy Bag
I think I bought it sometime around 2016 from the store, so it’s been with me for eight years.
The Artsy is a hobo style bag, and I still adore its look, though I don’t find myself reaching for it as often as I used to back in the day.
- It’s got these pleated details on both sides.
- At the bottom, there are four feet.
- Around the top, there’s a really beautiful braided handle in untreated leather.
The smart handle design makes it fit comfortably on your shoulder or in the crook of your arm, and you can also just carry it by hand.
The handle is attached to the bag with some brass rivets, and there’s a large ring plus a little security piece right here.
This bit of hardware is pretty much the only “jewelry” that the LV Artsy handbag comes with.
- It also comes with this key ring attachment.
If you wanted, you could use it as a stylish charm. That’s what I like to do.
This little piece has a hook and a key ring, which is pretty handy for finding your keys in such a big bag.
Besides Monogram Canvas, the Louis Vuitton Artsy also comes in Damier Azur and Monogram Empreinte leather.
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The Artsy is a very nice bag. I used it a lot when I first got it and then I purchased the Empreinte one and that one was way too heavy so I sold it.
What Fits Inside the Louis Vuitton Artsy MM?
It’s lined with microfiber, which makes it feel more upscale compared to other canvas bags.
- This Artsy has six pockets on the inside, with three on each side.
- There’s also a zippered compartment, so you can put your valuables in there.
These pockets just keep everything organized accessible.
You don’t even need a bag organizer. I’ve never used one with this bag because it already has enough pockets to keep everything I need right where I want it.
- It’s so comfortable to wear and fits all the essentials (phone, sunglasses, car keys, wallet, etc.)
- With those, you would still have enough room for a water bottle, an iPad, or a notebook.
And just so you know, a 13-inch laptop can fit perfectly in a Louis Vuitton Artsy MM.
How Durable is the LV Artsy Over Time? (Wear and Tear)
The sturdy handle and the microfiber interior make the Artsy bag really easy to maintain, it’s practically built to protect itself.
Since it’s made from Monogram Canvas, it’s naturally strong and durable.
The Artsy is definitely one of the easier bags to manage from the Louis Vuitton collection.
There were rumors about the cracking issues along the top edges, but luckily, my Artsy doesn’t have this problem.
- The handle has a bit of discoloration, but other than that, there are like zero water marks. The leather is aging really nicely and evenly.
Corners usually show wear on most handbags, especially ones this size.
- There’s a little bit of rubbing around the corner, but overall the canvas is still in good condition.
- The four little feet at the bottom have some discoloration and wear.
Speaking of the feet, I know some people are like, “Oh my God, it has feet, that’s a plus,” but for the Artsy, I’m not sure they do much to keep it upright.
Maybe if it had five feet, it might offer a bit more support, but the bag itself is so big that it just slouches over.
Despite that, the canvas in the middle of the bottom doesn’t have any wear at all.
- The lining is a bit dirty, but that’s on me.
After 8 years of use, there’s only a bit of wear in a few small spots, which is way better compared to my 12-year-old GM Neverfull haha.
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How to Style Your Louis Vuitton Artsy Bag?
This bag has a casual chic vibe, so any laid-back outfit you can think of will go well with it.
A bohemian style is a natural choice. You can go for loose, flowy clothes, these are ideal to pair with this bag.
I think they also look great with jeans and summer dresses. (Even a casual outfit is elevated because of this bag.)
The Louis Vuitton Artsy bag is great for everyday use and works well as a commuter bag (though it’s not really suitable for formal work settings).
At the same time, this bag isn’t really the best choice for parties or night events.
I used to love carrying my Artsy when I wanted to stand out from the usual sea of Neverfulls and needed to tote around a bit more stuff. I also liked to take my Artsy to work.
While I haven’t done this myself, I’ve seen people add a strap to make it a shoulder bag.
Pros and Cons of the Louis Vuitton Artsy
Based on my research and what I’ve read from some bag forums, as well as my own experience, here’s a summary of the pros and cons of the Artsy bag.
Pros:
- The style is just too pretty to pass up.
- It’s easy to find things inside because of the pockets, and everything fits perfectly.
- The handle is comfortable and molds to your shoulder.
- It doesn’t look huge and sits right under your arm and close to your body.
- You can fold the top to make it more secure.
- It’s very durable yet maintains a classy look.
Cons:
- The interior is so deep, for some people, it’s kinda hard to grab things with one hand.
- The drop length is short, so it feels tight if you’re wearing a winter coat.
- It doesn’t have a zipper closure.
- It can get pretty heavy depending on how much you pack in it.
- The Empreinte Artsy is a bit on the heavy side even when it’s empty.
Artsy vs. Neverfull: Which One to Choose?
Even though they’ve got a bit of a different vibe, because they share some similarities and size-wise the Louis Vuitton Artsy MM and the Neverfull MM are pretty much the same, it’s normal to get stuck deciding between the two.
Start with the advantages of the Artsy:
The Artsy has a bohemian chic vibe with its braided handle and slouchy, hobo shape. It’s definitely more unique and eye-catching.
When it’s fully loaded, the Artsy is more comfortable to carry because the strap doesn’t dig into your shoulder as much as the Neverfull’s does.
Also, it has multiple interior pockets for better organization.
Even though both bags have an open top, I personally think the Artsy is a bit more secure than the Neverfull.
Move on to the pros of Neverfull:
Because of its wide opening, the Neverfull is easier to access things and shove in whatever you want and since it’s more structured, you can fit more things into it.
The Neverfull can stand up on its own while the Artsy tends to flop over in half.
The Neverfull is more versatile for different occasions, it’s great for both casual or formal settings. Many also use it as a beach bag or a mom bag.
Conclusion: Is the LV Artsy Handbag for You?
The Louis Vuitton Artsy is like the dream bag if you love a roomy, casual bohemian look.
With tons of compartments to fit everything you need, it’s sure to please if you like keeping things organized.
It’s perfect for any casual occasion. But if you’re not into bigger bags or the bohemian style isn’t your thing, then the LV Artsy bag probably isn’t for you.
I used to be someone who had way too many unused bags sitting in the closet just because I loved them and they were beautiful, and even tho they didn’t suit my lifestyle I absolutely had to have them. Especially after I discover the replica world!
Everybody does it to some degree. Some are worse than others. Really evaluate what you will and won’t use so you don’t wind up having to resell things and lose money (you’ll rarely make every dollar back if you resell).
I eventually beat the high by really looking at my collection and being honest with myself. Bags are meant to be worn! Not just sit in your closet.
Even though I already have three Neverfulls at home (one’s too old to use now), I can definitely see myself using the Artsy more (I need to get it cleaned and maintained first, haha).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What year did Louis Vuitton Artsy come out?
The Louis Vuitton Artsy bag was first introduced in 2009 and officially made its debut in 2010, showcased in a Spring/Summer ad campaign.
2. Did Louis Vuitton discontinue the Artsy Bag?
As I’m sitting here writing this post, it looks like the Artsy isn’t available on the US website anymore.
When you type in “Artsy,” it shows the Graceful as an alternative, but not the Artsy itself. I also checked the European Louis Vuitton website and it’s the same story there—other bags come up in the search.
Even though LV updated the bag in 2019 by adding a leather trim on top, from what I can tell, it looks like it’s discontinued now.
If you’re really into this bag, you can still get a preloved LV Artsy or look into the replica bags.
Personally, I lean towards replicas because the current prices for preowned Artsy bags don’t really seem worth it (you could get a brand-new Neverfull or Graceful for about the same price).
I’ve bought quite a few LV replicas and written a lot of reviews, and they show that today’s high-tier replicas are almost identical to the Replica Knockoff ones.
🌟To learn more about Replica Bag Grade Guide
🌟If you are interested, here are my replica LV bag reviews:
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| Pochette Metis | Multi Pochette Accessoires | On My Side PM | Discovery Backpack |
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| Speedy 25 | Alma BB | Neverfull MM |
3. Which is bigger Artsy MM or GM?
Artsy GM is bigger than Artsy MM.
The Louis Vuitton Artsy GM is 19.7″ W x 14.1″ H x 9.8″ D.
The MM version measures 18.1″ W x 12.6″ H x 9.4″ D.
4. How to tell if Louis Vuitton Artsy is authentic?
The date code on the Louis Vuitton Artsy is pretty hidden, so some fakes might not even bother with it.
Start by seeing if it’s there, and then check if the font looks sharp and matches what you’d expect from the real one.
To find the date code, you’ll need to snoop around a bit inside the interior pockets, usually on the underside.
Also, another good authenticity check is to take a close look at the Louis Vuitton engraving on the gold hardware.
🌟For a more detailed guide, check out: How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Bag Like a Pro
