So the other day, I dug out this vintage LV Denim Baggy bag at my parents’ place when I was visiting them. It brought back so many memories and I thought it would be fun to share with you all.
And to make this post informative and useful, I want to talk more about Vintage Louis Vuitton Bags.
Like did you know some of the LV bags you see today have vintage versions? My own experience with vintage LV, should you buy them? Any recommended styles?
If you have questions about vintage Louis Vuitton, I think this post will give you some insights.
Vintage Louis Vuitton Bags and Their Reissues
Fashion really does go round and round! Famous examples include the Alma, Noé, and Speedy. Plus, I’ve put together a fun comparison of some LV reissues and their vintage twins.
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| Sac Dauphine | Dauphine |
The Sac Dauphine first came out in the 1970s and was reissued in 2019. The new Dauphine added a chain and used a two-tone monogram design.
The vintage versions have a stronger retro vibe, but it’s tough to find one in good condition.
I have the new Dauphine, I don’t reach for it often though because it doesn’t have the outside pocket like the Métis for my phone. It’s still a chic bag that I like and definitely has a vintage vibe too.
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| Vintage Boulogne | Boulogne |
The Boulogne bag is also a very very old LV bag, first released in 1896.
The new Boulogne came out in 2021 and is slightly slimmer. The vintage version has just one shoulder strap, but the new model adds a metal chain strap.
Gotta say I prefer the new Boulogne. I once tried it at the store, it’s lightweight and the strap is adjustable.
It’s super versatile and since it comes with a gold chain, it can be dressed up or down. Thinking about getting a replica one lol.
| 🌟Check out my other replica LV reviews: |
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| Croissant | Loop |
The original Loop bag, called the Croissant, has been around since the early 2000s. Ever since Bella Hadid made it popular, its resale price has shot up like crazy.
The new version tweaks the original by changing the curved bottom to a half-moon shape, it looks more like Celine’s AVA.
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| Bel Air | Ivy |
Even though the names are different, the reissued and vintage versions look very similar. The newer one is more refined and delicate.
Whether it’s vintage or a modern reissue, the iconic flap design never goes out of style.
More Vintage LV Handbags vs Modern Version
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| Amazone | Danube 21 | Papillon | Papillon Trunk |
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| Sologne | Diana | Vintage Tambourin | Tambourin |
Mini review of vintage LV Denim Baggy PM
Overall the craftsmanship, finishing, and durability of this vintage denim LV bag have impressed me.
The hardware still feels nice and substantial. I love the shape it’s gotten over time! Very chic but slouchy and casual.
I think it would still be a great “beater” bag AKA to wear casually, toss into and out of suitcases, throw in the back of Ubers etc.
Such a fun piece you don’t have to baby. It’s so nice to have something that makes you feel special while also being utilitarian.
It screamed “I stole this from my mom’s closet and I’m so cool I don’t even care that much about it”. The fun y2k vibes were there without being over the top.
Talk about what fits inside, it can carry my essentials effortlessly and is even big enough to fit my iPad Air.
My only gripe is it can sometimes be difficult to get in and out of the bag while it’s on the shoulder.
Thankfully the outer pockets come in clutch here and that’s where I can stash my phone, keys, dog treats, and lipgloss.
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My current top three favorite Louis Vuitton vintage bags
As a seasoned LV enthusiast, my bag collection definitely includes some vintage LV beauties.
They add such a unique element to personal style and I just love that. It’s so much more interesting than just copying everyone else on social media, same brands, same ‘it’ bag, etc
Top Left-Vavin; Top Right-Monceau; Bottom-Croissant
- The first one is my all-time favorite, the Croissant.
I bought it around 2019 and it’s probably the bag I used the most over those years.
I literally wore her every day when I first got her, it fits everything I need for the day.
It’s so comfortable to wear and I like the way it sits under your arm when you carry it. It’s just the right size, not too bulky. I could use it every day or take it out on date night.
- The second one is a vintage Vavin (sometimes called Vivian).
I snagged from a vintage shop in Japan. (Japan is a great source of vintage Louis Vuitton, they have many models that are no longer available that are quite unique.)
It’s in superb condition. This bag fits a ton but still looks tasteful and can straddle both dressy and casual!
It’s incredibly elegant. I usually tie a contrasting silk scarf on it, it’s a perfect match with a white dress in the summer.
- The third one is the Monceau, an older model of the Pochette Metis.
I bought it back when the Metis hadn’t come out yet.
I have to say, I really have good taste. LOL. Not long after I bought it, they released a reissue.
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the look of this bag. It’s so interesting and unique while also feeling timeless!
Vintage Louis Vuitton Bags Worth Buying
Personally I love vintage and I hope they mix it up with modern. What I don’t like is seeing the quality go down and prices go up with the same tired looks.
Considering all the price hikes from Louis Vuitton, here are a few classic-looking alternatives I’d suggest checking out. (The top three are ones I own and love, haha!)
- Vavin PM
- Croissant
- Denim Baggy PM
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| Viva-Cite MM | Cite | Saumur 30 |
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| Hudson PM | Denim Mini Pleaty Blue | Denim Pleaty Blue |
Pros and cons—should you buy a vintage LV bag?
Pros
- They are generally a lot cheaper than brand-new LV bags.
- Vintage Louis Vuitton bags have great durability.
- You get that gorgeous, developed patina right away.
- You’ll stand out from the crowd.
- Vintage Louis Vuitton handbags are collectibles.
- It’s a more eco-friendly choice.
- There’s no ‘new bag stress’.
LV vintage bags are really beautiful and have many advantages, but they’re not for everyone.
Cons
- Because vintage bags are quite old, they often come with signs of use, storage marks, and even smells
(like the previous owner’s perfume, dry cleaning chemicals, or just the aging of the leather, glue, or other materials).
But the good thing is, most bags from vintage stores won’t have all these issues at once. And you can avoid those things if you know what to check (I will talk about it later).
- Some of the styles can be overpriced, like the Croissant now.
- Also, there’s a chance you can even run into fakes.
I got a Louis like 15 years ago at a vintage sale in NYC. I was so happy. It was unique and still in great shape. After carrying it proudly for a long time, the strap broke.
So I took it to an LV store to see if they could repair it and they informed me that it was a fake!
I had bought replica bags before (actually very LONG time and If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably know that), but it hits different when you think you’re carrying a real, vintage bag and it’s not. Lol
🌟Learn Time: How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Bag Like a Pro (Ultimate Guide)
🌟You May Be Interested In:
- Recommended Replica Bag Sellers List
- Replica Bag Grade Guide: How to Choose Best Replica Bags
- 21 Best Replica Bags Worth Buying (2024 Review)
Things to Look Out For When Buying Pre-Loved/Vintage LV
The condition of pre-loved items does vary quite a bit. So there are things you should keep an eye on when you’re looking at photos or checking out a listing for the bag you’re interested in buying.
- First off, check the leather. What’s the patina like? Are there any dark spots? Water stains? Is it dirty?
Obviously, the handles are going to show the most wear since they’re held the most. That’s where oils and dirt from your hands end up.
But there’s a difference between a naturally darkened patina and black dirt that you can’t clean off.
Sure you can take the bag to professionals and get it fixed, but if the Vachetta leather is dirty, blackened, or has deep water stains, it’s tough to fix unless you replace the whole piece.
Either way, there would be an extra cost and that won’t be cheap.
- The second thing to watch for is tarnishing on the metal parts.
If the bag is priced really low, most time the hardware is either completely blackened or even starting to peel off.
- Next, you can always ask the seller about whether the bag has smells if you’re buying online.
Sometimes it will state on the listing and sometimes it won’t, so better to ask the seller to check again.
- And then the last thing (but not least) to look out for is the corner bits, especially if the bag has Vachetta leather there.
Are they worn? Do you see any cracking in the leather or the canvas?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What qualifies as vintage Louis Vuitton?/How old does a Louis Vuitton have to be to be vintage?
Generally, if a bag is considered vintage, it needs to be at least 20+ years old. But not everyone has the same standard, some collectors think something 10+ years old can also be called “vintage”.
So it’s not like when a bag is discontinued, it immediately becomes a vintage bag.
I think it’s interesting to see how your old LV bags slowly turn into “vintage”, for example, my Artsy, and Neverfull is also about to be a 20-year-old bag.
2. How to tell if a vintage Louis Vuitton bag is real?
It feels like it’s more difficult to check if an LV vintage bag is real, because they are usually pretty beaten up.
But the ways to authenticate them aren’t much different from how you’d authenticate a newer LV bag. Look at the quality, the stitching, the stamps and etc.
Its condition can be a big clue. If a 20-year-old bag looks brand new, like it has no patina at all, then it’s much more likely to be a fake than just a bag that’s been “well-maintained” by the seller.
3. How can you tell how old a vintage LV purse is?
You can actually find a date code on them, and normally they can be a bit tricky to find.
⚠️Note: LV bags before the 1980s don’t have date codes.
And it’s not just a date code but also tells you the country where the bag was made.
🌟For questions 2 and 3, check out the article “How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Bags Like a Pro” for more details.
4. Are there any replica vintage LV bags?
Yeah, I think so. I haven’t bought any replica vintage LVs myself yet, though.
I did buy a Chanel Diana replica before, and it was pretty good quality, especially since the Replica Knockoff versions are so pricey.
Compared to Chanel, I gotta say the prices for vintage LV bags are much more reasonable.
