Thursday, June 20, 2013

Longchamp Le Pliage Shoulder Tote | Review

*Note: This post was originally written on Jan 22, 2012 on my old blog (loveformakeup.com). I am transferring the content here. 


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The Longchamp Le Pliage bags have been quite popular (at least on the East Coast here in the US) for a few years now. It seemed like every other woman owned one — which was the exact reason why I resisted buying one for years. However, after doing much research and searching endlessly for a versatile yet practical everyday bag… all arrows pointed to the Le Pliage shoulder tote.

** note: it seems they now refer the previously 'medium le pliage' as a "small le pliage" now.

Money saving tip: Ebates cashback program is currently celebrating their 15th year anniversary (wow!) and offering 15%+ cash back for a lot of sites, including Nordstrom.com (15% cash back for a limited time). This is a great opportunity to snag a Longchamp bag at a discount!  If you don't already have an Ebates account, you can sign up free here -- they have so many different retailers and I have used them for years to save a lot of $$$ via cash back.

Positive Aspects:
  • light-weight
  • water-resistant (I love that it keeps all bag contents dry during rain/snow)
  • shoulder strap is super comfortable 
    • comfy over the shoulder even when the bag is full and heavy 
    • the strap is a perfect drop length for my height: 5’4” – (medium has 8” drop, large 10” drop)
  • Holds so much!
    • medium=great for everyday use
    • large=perfect as a carry-on bag for travel
  • folds up into a flat, compact size
    • effortlessly folds up and fits in your suitcase for an extra purse to choose from when on vacation!
  • low-maintenence care (easy to clean)
  • simple, logo-less design
  • high-quality leather straps/embossed detailing add sophistication to an otherwise plain tote
  • versatile: looks great with a casual outfit, yet still appropriate for a more polished look
  • available in many different styles/sizes/strap lengths
    (see all Le Pliage styles here at Longchamp.com)
    You can even customize your own on the Longchamp site, pretty neat.
Negative Aspects:
  • only one large compartment and a small (virtually useless) compartment
  • lacks structure/may appear flat if you don’t have a lot of stuff inside
  • pricey if bought at retail price 
    • I recommend waiting for a sale or use promo codes for sites that carry these bags. I got my Le Pliage shoulder totes from Bloomingdales for over 20% off.
    • sign up for Bloomingdales e-mail updates to get 10% off code e-mailed to you in a few days
  • very popular bag; expect to see someone else on the street with the same bag as you
Photos:
Shoulder Tote Comparison:
Medium (black) versus Large (bilberry)

Shoulder tote when folded up into compact size:
 

Detailing of the bag:



See my video review for size comparisons:

Which Longchamp bag do you own? Are there any you’ve had your eye on?


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Update - February 2016:
Over 3 years later I am still using my Longchamp Le Pliage totes quite frequently. I always use my large Le Pliage as a personal item when I fly and I have used my black "medium" (which is now referred to as a 'small le pliage' on most sites) on the daily for work for well over 2 years.

I most recently replaced my black Le Pliage Medium with my Everlane Petra Market Tote (my review here) since I started carrying more stuff for the brutal cold winter season -- scarves, ear muffs, gloves, hats, etc.

Anyhow, both of my Le Pliage totes have held up extremely well. The corners of my black Le Pliage medium are a little worn, but not frayed and there are no holes. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well both totes have held up.

I do also want to address the fact that Longchamp now started calling their once "Medium Le Pliage" the "Small Le Pliage". From the time I initially posted this blog post until now, Longchamp did get rid of calling any of their le pliage shoulder totes "medium" size -- as there is only the small le pliage (used to be called medium), and the large le pliage shoulder tote now.  Back a few years ago they did make a small le plaige that was very small and, in my opinion, not very functional as it didn't have the capability to hold much. I'm glad they got rid of that super small size, but now it's super confusing that the current "small le pliage shoulder tote" is the same dimension as what was once called the "medium".  Do also note that to add to the confusion... Bloomingdales and some other sites still sell the "medium" size. Just always remember to check the actual dimensions before you make a purchase!

I've gotten a lot of questions on my YouTube video about which size is best for school. My answer: definitely the large Le Pliage.

If you're looking to fit notebooks, laptops, textbooks, binders: go with the large size.
If you're looking to only hold a few things like wallet, keys, phone, a tablet: the small size will work.

Please note the small (old "medium") will not comfortably fit a Macbook Pro 13" unless you put it in longways -- and it will stick out (see my photo below). I do have a case on my laptop, but even if I take it off it will be very hard to fit it completely in the smaller size Le Pliage.




Hope this update has helped answer a lot of your questions :)!

44 comments:

  1. thanks for this review! It really helped me decide which size i wanted to purchase. this review was reallly helpful

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad this was helpful! Thank you for taking the time to comment & support :)

      Delete
  2. Will the large tote fit a 13 inch Macbook pro?

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    Replies
    1. Yes : ) the large le pliage tote will fit a 13'' macbook pro comfortably with room to spare : ) When I travel and use the large as my carry on, I'm able to bring my macbook pro in it's sleeve, my point and shoot canon camera, phone, wallet, and a light pullover. The large bag can really fit a lot! Hope this helps!

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    2. Thanks! Is the large tote you have the one with the new or old measurements? I heard that Longchamp changed the dimensions for the large tote but I'm not sure when.

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    3. Yes, the one I show in this post is the "old" measurements!
      Someone did comment on my YouTube video informing me there are new measurements now :T
      I think it was mid-2012 that they changed it?

      Delete
  3. Thank you for sharing....Longchamp bags are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by & commenting! Longchamp bags truly are wonderful! I am still using mine everyday : )

      Delete
  4. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I'm glad this was a helpful post
    : )

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  5. I loved your video! And I read a few of your other articles (like the purseket). Very informative and detailed... I got the large Longchamp bag for Christmas and I am SOOO in love with it.

    I was considering getting a medium but your review made me stick with my original large. Thank you! Looking forward to reading your other articles :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad this post helped you make a decision about what size purseket to get for your le pliage large :D In hindsight, I should've gotten a large purseket -- it probably would've fit better for both my medium and large le pliages. Either way, I can still make the medium functional :)

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  6. I leave in switzerland and I have a few collection of the longchamp bags and I love the organizer idea which is sure a problem...so where can I get it ?
    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. You can try searching "purse organizer" on eBay and they have a variety of different styles and sizes : ) there should be sellers that ship to switzerland : ) good luck!!

      Delete
  7. Is the billberry color close to navy? or is it obviously purple?
    Online the two seemed very similar...
    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bilberry color is a really beautiful deep plum purple color; it's not a bright or obvious purple. It is purple enough that it wouldn't be confused to be a navy blue color.
      Hope this helps!

      Delete
  8. Is the billberry color difficult to match or does it go with everything?
    Thank you

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    Replies
    1. I personally don't think the bilberry color is difficult to match : ) It's a deep purple so it goes well with a lot of other colors. I wouldn't say it goes with everything, but it goes with a lot of color combinations. I would definitely recommend this color : ) I love mine : )

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  9. your post has me sold on that purple bilberry color. it's so gorg! ordered it online and cant wait to get it!!

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    Replies
    1. Isn't it a wonderful color? Hope you're loving your longchamp tote ^)^

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  10. I've been looking into le pliages for a while now I'm slightly worried that the large will overwhelm my frame (I'm 5'2). Would you recommend the large or the medium?

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    Replies
    1. I don't think the large will be too overwhelming for your frame. My suggestion is to decide if you want a medium vs a large based on what you plan to carry in the bag.
      If you are looking to carry books or a laptop I would definitely suggest a large le pliage as most laptops will not fit well the medium (now referred to as a 'small').
      It you're just looking to carry everyday items & a tablet/iPad, then I would recommend the smaller size : )
      Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

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    2. Thanks so much! I want it for a school tote, and being scared of it look too big on me was the only factor holding me back from buying it!

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    3. If you're looking to use it for school I would definitely recommend the large le pliage shoulder tote :D I don't think it will look too large for your height : ) hope you love it! it holds up well holding books/laptop, etc.

      Delete
  11. Hi would you pls tell me the exact measurement for the medium one ? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. My medium le pliage was bought over 2 years ago and I think the dimensions may have changed since then. But mine is 14.75" width (top where zipper is) & 10' bottom width x 10" height x 5.5" depth. Hope this helps!

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    2. Yup, I know which size I'm going to get now . Thanks so much !

      Delete
  12. Like this one, I now want to buy a Handbag, buy-longchamp liked, but I do not know that a good pick , you help to the point.

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  13. Hi, I just recently discovered your blog b/c I was looking into the LC Le Pliage (and getting a purse organizer), and Google directed me to your blog. Thank you for the awesome review (though I'm still undecided which size (med or large to get).

    On another note, your eye make up looks awesome! I am Asian, and I find doing eye shadows is really difficult for me. If you ever do an eye makeup tutorial, I'd love to see that!

    Anyways, wanted to comment on your post. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw! Thanks for taking the time to comment! I personally use my le pliage medium (now known as the 'small size') more since I just use it for work. But if I were a student, or if I needed to carry around my macbook, I would use the large more. I currently just use my large when I travel as a personal item to bring on the plane : ) Hope this helps a bit more!

      I've tried filming makeup tutorials, but I suck at it! Maybe I'll try again in the future ;) I have hooded eyes, so it took me years to really learn how to apply eye shadow. I'm still trying out different techniques, too!

      <3

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  14. Thanks for your honest feedback on the LC. I guess they have gotten bigger in the last few years? Had no idea that your current medium is now considered the "small".

    As for your eye makeup, did/do you use any makeup tutorials on YT? I have hooded eyes too, and need (desperate) help on using eyeshadow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The longchamp bags are still the same sizes as before, they just changed the name for some odd reason. The old 'le pliage medium' is now called the 'le pliage small', but is the same size. So weird! I think because the old 'le pliage small' was so small it was non-functional :p

      In terms of makeup tutorials, definitely check out Emily Quak on YT! IMO, she has the best eye makeup tutorials for hooded eyes: https://www.youtube.com/user/emilyquak

      :)

      Delete
  15. Hi, I'm a guy, and I'm seriously in love with the Le Pliage bags. I stumbled upon your website recently, and your review sealed the deal for me. I've had my Longchamp bag for a few months now, and I take it everywhere. It's still in perfect condition. No fraying at the edges or any other problems.

    Would you be able to suggest any items that I could put into my bag to help stay more organized? The only problem, to date, that I have experienced with this tote, is that everything is in a jumble at the bottom of the bag!

    Again, soooo many thanks for your review :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nicky! Thanks for coming back to the blog and taking the time to let me know the review helped you make a decision on purchasing the longchamp bag :D this made my day!

      I also had the same issue with things being a mess in the bag! That's why I bought the purseket (I still use it until this day). It adds compartments to the bag and seriously makes a huge difference. You can check my purseket review here: http://belinspired.blogspot.com/2013/06/purse-organization-purseket-review.html

      There are also a lot of other purse organizers out there! Just type it in amazon and see which style purse organizer fits your need best. Hope this helps!

      Delete
    2. Oh. My. Gosh. This is actually sooo helpful Lisa! I *need* a pursekit. Reading your review, I think the medium size will be best for me. I see you can even attach your keys to it. Yey! I can't tell you how many times I've dug around at the bottom of my bag, looking for my keys. Thank You, Thank You, Lisa, you are a life saver!

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    3. :)! Yay I'm so glad you've found the info helpful <3 There are also a lot of purse organizers on amazon that have more of a "bucket" style, but I feel like those are harder to use since it needs to fit the purse/bag more exactly. I find the purseket type organizers can be used in different bags of various sizes!

      Delete
    4. I am looking on Amazon now, and I see there are over 53,000 listings for "purse organizer"! I am sooo over-whelmed. This is crazy...especially because I can be a bit of a perfectionist. I suppose I shouldn't worry too much because (a) this organizer will stay Inside my bag, and (b) none of them seem too expensive, so I can always try again if I get it wrong the first time.

      Still, sooo much to choose from. This is fun, but can be a *serious* time waster <3 .... anyway, back to Amazon! & thanks again Lis

      Delete
  16. This was so helpful! I'm wondering if you know if the medium longchamp will fit a 13" MacBook Pro?

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad this was a helpful post :)
      If you're looking to carry a 13'' macbook pro, I would recommend getting the le pliage large. I can squeeze my 13'' macbook into the medium but it stretches out the purse lengthwise and you wouldn't be left with much room to put anything else in.
      I use my medium le pliage on the daily for work (just carrying my phone, makeup bag, wallet, portable charger, and other misc items). Anytime I need to carry my 13'' macbook around, I definitely switch to using my large le pliage.

      Hope this helps to answer your question!

      Delete
  17. hello,
    May I see a picture of how the MacBook 13" fits into the medium le pliage?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey! I cannot insert a photo in this comment section but I added a photo at the end of my post above.
      The medium le pliage does not properly fit a macbook pro 13" so if you're looking to carry that around often, you definitely want to go with the large size.
      Hope this helps!

      Delete
  18. Thanks so much for your review. I was buying online and got really confused by the size and functionality.

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  19. this review is still so helpfl thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Female Shoulder Handbags are the epitome of style and practicality, effortlessly complementing any outfit while providing convenient storage for essentials.

    ReplyDelete