The renaissance of the Longchamp tote bag has taken the Internet by storm this year. However, if you’re a long-time fan of the brand, this shouldn’t surprise you. The French designer has had staying power in the world of luxury leather goods thanks to their durability, unique design, and affordability. If you’ve ever wondered if the Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag is as good as rumor has it, you’ve come to the right place. You’re about to get not one, but two testimonials from Carolyn and me about our experiences with the brand. We’ll even help you decide which size is right for you! Keep reading for our Longchamp bags reviews.
A Little Bit About Longchamp
Longchamp’s history originated in Paris in 1948. The Maison was founded by Jean Cassegrain, who kicked off the brand’s foray into leather goods with a leather-covered pipe. He sold the Maison’s wares to local Parisians visiting the theatre, as well as international visitors wandering the city. The Longchamp website lists the four tenets that were the foundation of Cassegrain’s brand success: creation, quality, work, and service.
After years of success selling small leather goods and then luggage, Jean Cassegrain’s son, Phillipe, designed the house’s first bag for women in 1971 and launched the Longchamp Leather Goods line. The first flagship store opened in Paris in 1988 in the heart of the city. Then, in 1993, the brand created one of its most iconic lines as a solution to the following conundrum. How do you create a bag that’s both durable and light to carry? Out of this desire, Le Pliage was born.
Today, the third generation of the Cassegrain family is at the helm of the design store. Phillipe’s children are the CEO, Creative Director, and the leader of brand development for American boutiques.
Reviewing the Le Pliage
As mentioned before, the Le Pliage Original line stemmed from the desire to create a bag that was as durable as it was light and beautiful. The source of inspiration for the Le Pliage bags is origami – the Longchamp bag has been crafted to be lightweight, foldable, and elegant.
Large Le Pliage (Left) | Medium Le Pliage (Right)
Affordability
As a designer bag, the Le Pliage collection comes at a surprisingly reasonable price point. For instance, the large Le Pliage Original tote costs $155, while the medium size (pictured on the right, above) is $145. We’ll be going into detail about the different sizes in just a little while, but what I’ll say now is that whichever size you choose, the value is very good for the money, especially if you plan to use the bag regularly.
When it comes to making a big purchase, I’m a researcher. I will check social media, blogs, and ask real-life friends for testimonials about the product. We work hard for our spending dollars, and I think we could all agree that we want them to go a long way. If research is why you’re here today, you’ve come to the right place!
I purchased the medium Le Pliage last winter, and I’ve already used it extensively. It’s my new go-to bag for long-haul flights, and weekend trips. When I’m not using it, it can be folded up and collapsed using the leather closure – perfect for transporting in a suitcase. So far, it’s held up well – the pebbled leather is durable and remains unmarked, and the nylon is easy to wipe clean if I do get anything on it. Longchamp bags reviews I read or watched agreed that this bag can be used daily for years, which makes the cost per wear very low.
The Medium Le Pliage
What it Can Hold
If you’re going back and forth about which bag is right for you, the Medium Le Pliage is the perfect size for daily use. Carolyn and I both brought our bags to New York City. They made for a great choice for a practical (yet chic) accessory. I was able to fit a water bottle, a large camera, my wallet, lip balm, my phone, a charger, and more inside. It may be the medium size, but it does have so much room and is a good size for regular use.
Are you considering a Longchamp tote bag for your next work bag? The Medium Le Pliage could also fit a 12-inch Macbook. However, if your laptop is any larger I would recommend the Large Le Pliage tote instead.
The Construction
This specific style features long leather handles, perfect for wear over your shoulder. If you look at some of the smaller versions of the Le Pliage tote, there are variations that do include crossbody straps. However, most of the larger styles only have the top handles. This is my first Le Pliage, and I was impressed by the construction of the bag. The nylon bag features a weather-resistant coating. This is easier to clean if you have to battle the elements on a regular basis.
Fans of a logo-free design will appreciate the understated branding of the Longchamp totes. The logo is only stamped in the leather closure of the bag and located on the hardware – it makes the Le Pliage a great style for an elevated look that doesn’t necessarily scream designer. It stands to reason why celebrities (and even royals) like Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Lupita Nyong’o, Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber have all been spotted touting Longchamp bags.
Styling
The Le Pliage is the perfect style to add to a capsule wardrobe. It pairs well with everything from a matching lounge set to an elevated office look.
The Cons
One thing to note about the classic bag is that there is very little organization within the tote itself, besides two small open side pockets. If you’re worried about your bag turning into something of Mary Poppin’s nightmare, you might consider buying a bag organizer insert to go inside. I love the one I found on Amazon, which fits the specific dimensions of the Le Pliage medium size tote bag.
Also, you may notice that the leather straps can slide off your shoulders depending on the material of your shirt or jacket. It doesn’t bother me too much, but it could be something to note if you’re sensitive to that!
Overall, any other potential cons I’ve seen could include normal wear and tear over time, such as small holes in the nylon, discoloration of the lighter color bags, etc. But in my opinion, all of these things are to be expected with casual everyday use. Plus, the durable nylon can always be cleaned with a damp soapy cloth.
The Large Le Pliage
What it Can Hold
When Cassie showed up to one of our work planning meetings with her scrumptious brown Longchamp bag slung around her shoulder, what can I say, I was influenced! I had been eyeing the burgundy bag for quite some time and she convinced me to take the plunge.
I went back and forth on whether or not I should get the medium or large bag, and ultimately, I decided to get the large size as I planned for this to mainly be a travel bag. In the two months or so that I’ve had it, it’s already seen 2 airports and several long car rides. So, what can it hold while traveling?
To my pleasant surprise, the Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote held everything I needed. This includes regular items like your wallet, phone, and chapstick, of course, but it also can fit my laptop, laptop charger, DSLR camera, water bottle, notebook, toiletries, snacks, and more.
This bag is large (hence the name) and perfect for travel, ensuring you can fit all the essentials – and then some. However, this bag would be slightly too large if your plan is to carry it out and about for your daily life. The medium size would be a better fit for that!
The Construction
Though I have a Goyard tote bag that I travel with occasionally, one thing that I especially love about this Longchamp tote (that other designer bags for some reason don’t have) is the top zipper.
It adds an extra level of security and privacy; I don’t necessarily want my contents out in the open for the world to see! Oh, and you know when you fly and have to store your bag under the seat in front of you? I’m always nervous that something will slip out, but you don’t have to worry about that with a zipper and snap tab! Additionally, the gold detail and charm are a nice touch.
Though the price has gone up in recent years (as has everything else), it still feels durable and the easy-to-wipe clean surface is a big pro. Besides a slim interior pocket, it doesn’t have any organization, so you’ll want to get an insert.
Styling
I was afraid that if I went for a “statement” color like burgundy I’d run out of ways to style it – I’m glad that fear was not reality! For the fall and winter seasons, this color pairs beautifully with everything from neutrals to autumnal tones.
Though you could wear this color all year round if you wanted, I plan to purchase another Longchamp tote in a neutral color (either black or cream) to have for year-round styling, in addition to this burgundy shade.
Whatever color you have, treat the Longchamp bag like any other tote bag. You can wear it with anything in your French capsule or minimalist wardrobe!
The Cons
One pro of the large size is how much it can hold. One con of the large size is how heavy it gets! Though I tested the durability and size of my tote bag by putting everything but the kitchen sink in it, I was met with sore shoulders at the end of the day. Now that just may be an overpacking issue while walking miles through NYC, but it would be nice if it had the option for long, thick crossbody straps to divvy up the weight. Not enough of a deterrent for me, however, as I am currently planning my next color!
The Le Pliage: Love It or Leave It?
When it comes to the Le Pliage, it’s safe to say that we’re loving it here at MCO! Whether you’re looking for a casual everyday tote or the perfect travel bag, this bag is affordable, durable, and stylish. Plus, it comes in a wide range of color options to fit your personal style. Longchamp has staying power, and if you choose to invest in it their bags will serve you well for years to come.
Le Pliage could also be the perfect gift idea for a mother, sister or friend! Looking for more gift ideas for your French fashion-forward family members? Up Next: 40 French Gifts from Amazon for Every Aesthetic
I’ve had my large Longchamp bag for years. I carry it every time I fly.. Love that it folds up so small when not in use!!
Yes, that’s such a great feature!
I hade several of the large Le Pliage bags. The only con I have with them is there are no bottom corner protectors. The fabric there always wears out, leaving 4 small worn holes on the bottom corners. Would be easy to fix by having leather caps on these edges.
Yes, that is the common con with a lot of them. That is a great idea to fix it!
I have owned two of the medium size bags and both became worn at the corners. I used them daily and they were often placed on the floor at my job. Other than that wear issue I have no complaints. In fact , it is time to buy another .
It’s such a great brand! Thanks for sharing your feedback.