3 Reasons Why I Sold Almost 70% of My Louis Vuitton Bags

I started my LV collection quite late, somewhere around 2013. I purchased different models almost every year — and most of them are preloved items. I remember the first pre-owned bag I bought was belong to my friend — Berkeley in Damier Azur print. As my number of bag collection started to grow, I noticed that I have one habit— I liked to line up my bags, nicely, on a shelf, covered them with dustbags — safe and sound. Until one day I realized that there was no more space for all my bags and that was the very moment I thought of selling them because of few reasons. Nevertheless, I do have a few left with me — and those are the chosen ones. Those are very dearest and have sentimental value to me.

Why I Sold almost all my Louis Vuitton bags?

(1) The quality of the canvas has changed

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, almost all of the bags I bought are preloved but they are still in excellent condition, despite the minor signs of wear. Most of the bags are from Japan and from trusted websites like Reebonz and Yoogi’s Closet. Some of the older models I have ever bought were made in the '80s and '90s while the latest bags I owned were made from 2015 to 2017. I am not an expert but I noticed a big difference between models made in the '80s, '90s, and early 2000 which are of the finest quality as the feel of the canvas is so thick and sturdy. In comparison to the latest models of Louis Vuitton, the canvas quality is soft and thin. If possible, I won't be complaining about the price per se as we all know Louis Vuitton items are high-end luxury pieces. Personally, I opted more for the older and classic designs as they are so incredibly sophisticated. On the contrary to the best of the older designs, I could not stand the downsides of the material they used to make the latest designs of Louis Vuitton.

In 2017, I bought a brand new Mini Pochette in Damier Ebene print. I discovered that the canvas print started to wear off and the zipper is a bit tarnished. I just wore it like less than 10 times (and not every day). I don't really wear my so-called high-end items 3 days in a row. I really take care of my bags like a newborn baby — whether they are branded or not — they really mean a lot to me.

When the price is slowly decreasing over the years — with the softer and thinner quality of the canvas and other downsides of the material, personally, it really affects my reliance on the brand.

(2) Doesn't fit my lifestyle

I don't really wear all my bags. Perhaps, this is another reason why I sold them. I am more of an outdoor kind of person. I love being a free-spirit woman without worrying too much about anything and this includes putting my bag anywhere I want. Alas, what happened was the other way around. Whenever I carried my bags, I had this feeling of insecurity. Bags are supposed to be your protector, especially in bad weather as in rain or on a sunny day. When I carried my Longchamp, I used it as my umbrella to cover myself from the rain while running to my car. I could do anything with my Longchamp without being worried— it's a life savor. Unfortunately, with Louis Vuitton, I had to sacrifice myself just for the sake of protecting my sensitive Louis Vuitton bag from the rain.

There was one time I just finished my work and it was drizzling — I was carrying a Louis Vuitton Deauville in Monogram print, running to the parking lot. I remember I wiped the bag first before myself. Keep in mind that the cowhide leather on Louis Vuitton is so sensitive to liquid — just a little dots of rain could leave watermarks on the leather, for a lifetime. Beware!

I started to think this is hilarious. I always had that worries when I was carrying my LV bags. I know you might be thinking that all eyes are on you especially when you are carrying those 150 years of brand creations — Classy and versatile — But, what’s the point of a classic bag if it is not your kind of classic bag. It is not classic to me at all when I never feel safe carrying my own bag with me. Some of my LV bag designs are just don't belong to my lifestyle anymore.

(3) Counterfeits Ghosting Me

Counterfeit bags are everywhere nowadays. I have to admit, they make great imitations these days. You can't really tell if the bags are replicas because they look exactly just like the real thing. When I was wearing my Neverfull GM in Damier Azur print, I didn’t feel special about carrying that designer bag after seeing so many people wearing the same bag walking around in the shopping mall. Literally, almost everywhere, and not forget to mention the questions that I got from people that I barely know:

*Is it real? *How much did it cost?

Oh, wait! I sometimes received compliments too:

* Nice. Your bag really looks real. * Where did you buy your bag?

I really have no problem with people buying counterfeits or premiums or AAA grades or replicas or mirror images as what they addressed it — Different names for one term: FAKES. Their money — their business! All right, just put it this way — I only support original products. It doesn’t matter what are the brands (or no brands) — luxurious or non-luxurious — From the very famous boutiques or from the streets. You name it. But never counterfeits!

I really appreciate and respect the hardship this big-name encountered in the past. They started from scratch! From just an unknown name eventually became a big fish in the fashion industry. This is another reason why I sold some of my bags. I was so incredibly upset with how the black market rolling its profits through other irresponsible people or organizations. What upset me more? They can even sell (Louis Vuitton lookalike) fake items on Instagram nowadays. I wonder why there are no further actions taken by Instagram policy on this matter.

This is just my personal view on Louis Vuitton items based on my experience of buying and wearing them. Well, I still have four bags of Louis Vuitton and a few small leather goods (I am not thinking of selling out these items). However, if I were about to get another Louis Vuitton product, I would get the vintage piece or anything of Louis Vuitton that made from the 1980s up to the year 2010. At some point, the latest designs (especially in the iconic Monogram print) are still incredibly classy and timeless pieces, but in comparison to the past, they are just not made with that same quality, and the price is so crazily expensive.

These are few questions to consider before buying a Louis Vuitton

1. Is this design suits my lifestyle?
2. How often will I wear this bag?
3. Should I get a canvas print or a full leather bag?
4. Can I wear this design anywhere I go?
5. Is this bag suitable for winter?
6. Is this sling bag fits my purse, my iPhone, and car keys?
7. Can I wear this backpack to travel, without worrying about the weather of the country I am going to?
8. Will all my things fit in this bag?
9. Should I get the vintage speedy or the latest speedy in the boutique?
10. Which print and pattern suits me? The classic Monogram, Damier Ebene, Damier Azur, Epi leather, or Vernis leather?

Always remember that it is not about the brand, it is more about the style that you are comfortable with.