Louis Vuitton, Gucci Or....?

I am looking at purchasing a Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull MM or Speedy 30 or a Gucci Joy or Tote for my dear, long suffering and loving wife for Christmas. I want to get her a nicer gift this year.

The handbags are in the $700 price range which for my budget is a "premium" price to pay (I know these bags can go for much much more, but this is the $ I am comfortable with).

Which bag would you choose and why? Or would you choose another high end brand and if so, why?

Any opinions are appreciated.

Rick - Is your wife definitely the designer bag type? Nothing wrong with that if she is, but not everyone is into that.

DeniseM said:

Rick - Is your wife definitely the designer bag type? Nothing wrong with that if she is, but not everyone is into that.

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That's an interesting question.

Is Cora a "fashionista"? No she is not.

But would she like, enjoy and care for finer things? Yes, I believe she would. Like many women, she has for years put children and family committments before her own wishes. So, I guess this is a way to say thank you to her for all of her years of putting others before herself.

Will she be the type of person who "flashes" her real designer bag? No, but she is the type who will quitely admire it and know it's the real deal, unlike many of the fakes some of her friends easily "flash about".

Does this make sense?

I applaud you for wanting to buy something very nice for Cora. However, to me a purse is a very personal thing. It needs to be the right "fit' for my needs, likes, etc. I've been trying to find the right purse for years.

Only once have I spent more than $100 for a purse and I wouldn't do it again. But that's just me. Cora may be different.

If you buy her an expensive purse, make sure she can take it back for something she may like better--or return it for a full refund so she can buy a purse from a different retailer.

Maybe you could bring up handbags in a casual conversation to see what her ideas are on that subject. Go window shopping at the mall. Point out a display of purses and say something like, "they come in so many shapes and sizes and colors. How does a person choose one?"

LV has much more history supporting the brand than Gucci does. LV tends to show a company with heritage while Gucci tends to eminate fashion. Both make fine products, but have very different 'personalities' - if any of that helps.

As is often the case, I agree with Rose Pink.

I think the thought is lovely, but goodness, $700 or even $500 is an awful lot of money for a present that might backfire. You could get her a nice (though smallish) pair of diamond solitaire earrings for that......something that, if she likes earrings, she could wear every day. (I'm thinking a smallish but good quality pair at a nice jewelry store.) Of course I don't know if she's into jewelry, but diamonds are much more simple and more personal than a bag. (Do you want her to joke that you think she's a bag lady?)

If you DO want to get her a bag, how about going to one of the outlets, like a Coach outlet? They almost always have 20% coupons (I can pm you the link to get on their email) and you can get some very very nice bags in the $100-$200 range when they're on sale and with the coupon. These days Coach is more about fabric prints with their C logo rather than leather, though probably 15-20 years ago MIL got me a deliciously soft slim black leather Coach shoulder-bag briefcase - it was a winner from day 1 and still is.

If you do pursue the bag idea, get very familiar with the size and style of what she carries - does she like a shoulder strap? lots of pockets? Zip or foldover? Real leather (Stone Mtn?) or cloth? prints? colors? weight? You'll need to understand her very well to succeed in this well-intentioned mission

Diamonds are forever and though I am not a jewelry person, I have lusted for a pair of nice-quality classic diamond solitaire earrings for years.

I agree that purses or pocketbooks are a very personal item. The way I carry a pocketbook - the size & length of the strap; the width & weight of the body; the opening & means of closure. Then there is the color and finish of the leather.

I carried Coach leather bags for years. Then I was waylaid at a Polish pocketbook manufacturer/factory. It took me 3 hours to find just 1 acceptable leather bag to buy - before the FIL/driver continue back to Karkow. My male companion didn't understand my attitude - he was totally clueless that stop was a shakedown and 3 hours was my way of only have to buy 1 $80 bag.

I still love Coach leather bags. High end stores still carry them - the outlets just seem to stock the ugly colored leather ones or the clothbags.

I have to laugh a bit. I asked for opinions about brands and got a discussion going about cost, does she want it and purse size etc.

To fill you all in further. I have already talke this over with her! Very few secrets in our household around Christmas shopping.

I like the classic LV Speedy 30, but she leans more towards the LV Neverfull, since she likes a shoulder bag. The reason I brought Gucci into the discussion was to see if anyone had opinions about designers etc.

So, now that you know a bit more info, any other opinions?

Well, now that it's not a surprise, you won't end up in the doghouse if you just go shopping together!

On our "girls trip" to France this June my DD and I went into the Louis Vuitton Store on the Champs-Élysées....and we both purchased the Neverfull - I got the large size and my DD got the medium.
DD lives in NYC and is always carrying 'stuff' around - we both are VERY happy with our bags.

I had NO INTENTION of buying one and was just going with her...but this bag is particularly nice and I can see using it (it is classically styled) for many years to come.
For this reason and the HIGH cost I decided and also pursuaded her to buy the 'classic' LV color and pattern.

It is REALLY really nice! And you are a realllllly nice husband.

edit - just looked at the speedy - yes, a classic (they still sell it after all) but IMHO go with the Neverfull...much more 'user friendly'

ricoba said:

I have to laugh a bit. I asked for opinions about brands and got a discussion going about cost, does she want it and purse size etc.

To fill you all in further. I have already talke this over with her! Very few secrets in our household around Christmas shopping.

I like the classic LV Speedy 30, but she leans more towards the LV Neverfull, since she likes a shoulder bag. The reason I brought Gucci into the discussion was to see if anyone had opinions about designers etc.

So, now that you know a bit more info, any other opinions?

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Rick,

Since there are usually few secrets at your house for Christmas shopping, maybe this could be the year for a surprise purchase. Instead of spending $700 on a purse, perhaps you could give her 700 timeshares from eBay!

Update...

Before I had posted the question regarding this, I had been on the LV site and both the Speedy & Neverfull were all sold out online, so I called the toll free number and told there were some at Santa Monica Place.

So, we just got back from the mall and guess what? By the time we (yes, Cora and I) had arrived, they were all sold out (I think they only had a couple of either bag).

The clerks said they don't know when they will get new inventory. They are the two top selling LV lines.

Obviously, people are waiting for these classics and snatch them up when they become available.

Meanwhile, Cora found some Coach bags she liked, but they just don't seem "special" enough to me, or lack the cachet of a LV bag.

This may be a purchase that has to wait until the New Year and her birthday in January.

GrayFal, thank you for your comment about the Neverfull. I think it is probably the purse she would go for if we do decide to get one.

DVB42 said:

Rick,

Since there are usually few secrets at your house for Christmas shopping, maybe this could be the year for a surprise purchase. Instead of spending $700 on a purse, perhaps you could give her 700 timeshares from eBay!

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That's one a week for 13 and a half years!

:hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:

i would avoid brands with mass market lines like LV

and check out say hermes, or perhaps smaller/independent designer

unfortunately cant recommend a forum for discussion, other than >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products-639/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/women-travelers-166/
(dont worry about forum title, those are the best on FT for your question)

re diamonds - only fancy color have actual inherent value

a memory?

I would do this:

(1) make overnight reservations at a favorite "special" hotel near where you desire to shop. (You're in LA? try Rodeo Drive, like Beverly Wilshire Hotel---oh well, just a thought)

(2) check in early and go to a romantic dinner.

(3) tell her the NEXT DAY is devoted to the two of you finding her a purse. Shop together and let her pick it out-----the real deal.

*****She will enjoy that purse even more, remembering the "date" you had in finding it. The purse will be icing on the cake.

Believe me, this works......I did it for a special dress, and guess what she talks about? yep, the whole evening and our shopping TOGETHER, not the dress. We had a blast together, and she felt the excitement of a very special "shopping spree", and yes she loved the dress.

Good luck.......you said you wanted it to be special... Remember, it's what you put inside the purse that counts-----a memory!

Rick, I've had good luck with Neiman Marcus online and mail-order shopping. It might be worthwhile for you to try calling any of these numbers (did a search on neimanmarcus.com for "Louis Vuitton Neverfull") for help.

I love your idea, btw. Many years ago when we had to pinch pennies much more than we do now, Don used his secretary's boyfriend's discount and bought me a classic Coach bag for Christmas that I still love and use today. It's not something I would have bought for myself and I'm definitely not a fashionista or designer-conscious, but he wanted me to feel special and it surely did the trick. I'm sure Cora will remember this Christmas for all the right reasons.

(Don may not be as happy for Cora because your post sent me searching for "designer purses" and I found a Salvatore Ferragamo that I am IN LOVE WITH. It wasn't on my list before but I just might be adding it ... :hysterical: )

Rick,

This is such a nice thing you are doing!
Since she has told you what she likes, I hope you can find it somewhere...even if local shops are sold out. I agree with others, purses are something we can be very persnickety about.

I have to say I used to be a super Coach fan, but don't like the fabric or vinyl versions they have these days. Last year I found a modest but perfect Fossil shoulder bag I just absolutely love for under $200. and told hubby that's what I wanted, and I got it.

Best of luck finding the gift.

re hotels, for about double the stated budget, night in verandah suite at FS wilshire >
http://www.fourseasons.com/image_library/BEV/custom_sizes/BEV_209_400x320.jpg

Sounds like she has picked her bag. If she likes the LV by all means get it for her. Hope you can order one with the suggestions above! Linda

muranojo said:

Rick,

This is such a nice thing you are doing!
Since she has told you what she likes, I hope you can find it somewhere...even if local shops are sold out. I agree with others, purses are something we can be very persnickety about.

I have to say I used to be a super Coach fan, but don't like the fabric or vinyl versions they have these days. Last year I found a modest but perfect Fossil shoulder bag I just absolutely love for under $200. and told hubby that's what I wanted, and I got it.

Best of luck finding the gift.

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I agree about Coach - it seems like they're now catering to the young girls who have adopted Coach as "theirs." I don't like the big chunky metal and fabric designs, either, and for the life of me I cannot figure out how so many really young girls - middle schoolers! - have convinced their parents to spend Coach money for bags. At that age I carried a bookbag because pocketbooks were for ladies. And when my daughter was that age, she changed her pocketbook as often as she changed her outfit - there was no way I would buy her one Coach bag, nevermind four or five!

SueDonJ said:

I agree about Coach - it seems like they're now catering to the young girls who have adopted Coach as "theirs." I don't like the big chunky metal and fabric designs, either, and for the life of me I cannot figure out how so many really young girls - middle schoolers! - have convinced their parents to spend Coach money for bags. At that age I carried a bookbag because pocketbooks were for ladies. And when my daughter was that age, she changed her pocketbook as often as she changed her outfit - there was no way I would buy her one Coach bag, nevermind four or five!

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Oh boy, this is really a sore spot with me. I HATE the show-off materialism of the middle-schoolers and high schoolers...DD was teased b/c of not having the "right" brands and then got in big trouble for inappropriately reacting to one of the girls who was teasing her. I sat outside the school several afternoons at dismissal and did a rough count of UGGs and Coach bags - it was probably around 25-30% We got her a knock-off, and then I later got her a Coach purse for her birthday at the outlet with a coupon so the price wasn't bad. Immediately the next day she got all these "ooohhh, I just looooove your bag" comments. Ridiculous. Nonetheless, she has chosen to spend birthday and holiday money on Coach and UGG.

pjrose said:

Oh boy, this is really a sore spot with me. I HATE the show-off materialism of the middle-schoolers and high schoolers...DD was teased b/c of not having the "right" brands and then got in big trouble for inappropriately reacting to one of the girls who was teasing her. I sat outside the school several afternoons at dismissal and did a rough count of UGGs and Coach bags - it was probably around 25-30% We got her a knock-off, and then I later got her a Coach purse for her birthday at the outlet with a coupon so the price wasn't bad. Immediately the next day she got all these "ooohhh, I just looooove your bag" comments. Ridiculous. Nonetheless, she has chosen to spend birthday and holiday money on Coach and UGG.

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Eileen's first Christmas after she started working part-time in high school, she bought herself a Coach bag, wrapped it up with a tag "from Santa" and put it under the tree. I was honestly shocked at how much she wanted that thing and up to that point I had said "no." But since then, like you, I've given in to the Ugg and Coach wishes for birthdays and Christmas. It's the parents of young girls who make their daughters think that these things are wardrobe staples, who buy five of each as part of back-to-school shopping, who make me shake my head. I don't feel old, really, but way too often I find myself thinking, "what could possibly be special as a grown-up if you're playing with all the trappings while you're still a kid?"

jme said:

I would do this:

(1) make overnight reservations at a favorite "special" hotel near where you desire to shop. (You're in LA? try Rodeo Drive, like Beverly Wilshire Hotel---oh well, just a thought)

(2) check in early and go to a romantic dinner.

(3) tell her the NEXT DAY is devoted to the two of you finding her a purse. Shop together and let her pick it out-----the real deal.

*****She will enjoy that purse even more, remembering the "date" you had in finding it. The purse will be icing on the cake.

....Good luck.......you said you wanted it to be special... Remember, it's what you put inside the purse that counts-----a memory!

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I like this idea. How sweet!

ricoba said:

...I like the classic LV Speedy 30, but she leans more towards the LV Neverfull, since she likes a shoulder bag.

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I was curious and went to the LV site to view these bags and choked on the listed prices. They don't look any different than similar ones I can purchase at Target (for example) for under $75. Can someone please fill me in on why these high end purses are worth so much? I just don't get it.

I bought a leather bag last spring because I liked the color and the style. But after one use, I realized it was just too heavy. I took it on vacation because it is big and holds a lot of stuff. I ended up going to WalMart the first night of our vacation and buying a cheap, $10 fabric bag to take to the amusement park the next day. I probably didn't look very fashionable but I was certainly more comfortable.

I am truly having a difficult time finding a purse that is just the right size, not too big and not too small. I think if I was more skilled and clever, I'd make my own.

Still, Rick, I think it is wonderful that you are spluring on something that will make your Cora happy. Just because designer handbags don't impress me doesn't mean they aren't special to her. You're a good man.

Rose Pink said:

I was curious and went to the LV site to view these bags and choked on the listed prices. They don't look any different than similar ones I can purchase at Target (for example) for under $75. Can someone please fill me in on why these high end purses are worth so much? I just don't get it.

I bought a leather bag last spring because I liked the color and the style. But after one use, I realized it was just too heavy. I took it on vacation because it is big and holds a lot of stuff. I ended up going to WalMart the first night of our vacation and buying a cheap, $10 fabric bag to take to the amusement park the next day. I probably didn't look very fashionable but I was certainly more comfortable.

I am truly having a difficult time finding a purse that is just the right size, not too big and not too small. I think if I was more skilled and clever, I'd make my own.

Still, Rick, I think it is wonderful that you are spluring on something that will make your Cora happy. Just because designer handbags don't impress me doesn't mean they aren't special to her. You're a good man.

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I think a lot of it has to do with name and recognition and history.

Louis Vuitton is (I believe still) the number 1 replicated/faked designer brand in the world.

Since the beginning of the company they have maintained a "snobbish elegance". It was Louis Vuitton trunks that went down with the Titanic for example.

But they also have a high reputation for quality and craftsmanship.

When I spoke with the woman on the phone, she said she had had her Speedy 30 for 28 years. It is a classic design that has never gone out of style.

The purses are made in either France, the USA, Italy or Spain, by craftspeople.

Are they worth so much more than a Target purse? I don't know, I guess that's up to each person to decide.

For me it's the idea of getting Cora something special or unique. Even if her friends walk around with faked designer bags, she can have the quiet confidence and assurance that hers is the real deal. She's not the type that would ever discuss it unless asked.

But since everything from Louis Vuitton (in our price range - a lot of the higher priced stuff is available - but not for our budget) seems unavailable, I have to come up with another plan and am leaning towards an iPhone 4....Maybe I can surprise her and put it in a purse from Wally World!