Le Pliage (Longchamps)...advice needed. (Update!) - YouLookFab Forum

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Le Pliage (Longchamps)...advice needed. (Update!)

Runcarla

Veteran

During my quest for the 'perfect' travel bag, I keep finding references to the Lonchamps bag, called Le Pliage.

Can anyone provide any comments on this bag? What size is best? Does it come with a cross body strap?

I am looking for a purse alternative that will hold an iPad, a narrow binder ( travel itinerary, hotel confirmations, etc.), wallet, and maybe a few items as needed for the day, water bottle, trail mix and whatever DH might ask me to carry for him:-)

I've used a back pack before, but don't like that I have to take it on and off to access the contents, and it is kind of overtly touristy looking. I was thinking of a messenger bag.

This bag would be in addition to a small rolling suitcase.

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I don't think it comes with a cross body strap; a lot of people I see use it as a call bag (essentially a small overnight bag for working night shifts). It is a large vaccum of space which has kept me from purchasing it myself, and there's not much structure to the bag (so that way it can be folded up and put away).

I think Kate M used one on her trip to Canada.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I have the Longchamps 'Plantes' which is a shoulder/cross body bag. I bat for team "keep it simple", & this is the bag I use for 99% of my life. It holds an IPad, wallet, keys, etc just fine. But not a water bottle. My only complaint is that the outside smaller compartment requires two hand to get the snaps closed. If I were to travel, I would bring it. Mine is black.

Diana

Veteran

I have the large le Pliage tote:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lo.....te/3241956

I love it. It's lightweight, not too big but holds a shocking amount (I have carried two laptops as well as other assorted items in it), and the strap drop is perfect for me. No cross body, but my personal feeling is that it would be too big to be comfortable carrying it cross body, at least for a smallish woman. The shoulder straps stay on me fine. I travel with it all the time. I actually took it as my ONLY bag last time I went to NYC overnight for a YLF meetup. I took a change of clothes, pjs, small toiletries bag, plus my iPad, knitting, keys/wallet/phone, sunnies, and water bottle, just to give you an idea of how much it holds! I carried it full on my shoulder all day shopping with the ladies and it was comfortable enough.

The only caveat is that it's kind of a bottomless pit (since it's big and a single compartment) so it can be hard to find your keys!

Note: there is a bigger travel tote that I don't think is practical because it has a very short handle that can't go over a shoulder. I wouldn't recommend that one, although it does hold a ton.

Eta: you can see it (full) in this outfit post from my NYC trip.
http://diana.lookfab.com/post/wiw-in-nyc

bj1111

Veteran

I have a suiteful of these bags. I have the plantes because bag shell and matching handle is more refined so I take it as carry on and it functions as a purse at the destination.

I have a pliage short handle bag in a cream, a black and an olive in two different sizes, including an extra large that functions as a suitcase. Pliage comes in many more colors than plantes but only one handle color, tan. Too casual as an all purpose bag. Also, with lots of use, the base of the handle starts to tear away from the bag shell, especially if you carry heavy items that drag down the bag.

That said, I just asked my mom for another one.

Isabel

Veteran

I have a large one too. In an olive green almost alligator print. I LOVE mine. It does carry an incredible amount of stuff and has been surprisingly sturdy and easy to wipe clean ( especially the inside of mine ). No crossbody strap and it can be a bit uncomfortable on the shoulder if wearing a bulkier top like a sweater or coat. It has been my carry on on a couple of flights. Mine has a little side pocket where I keep my keys.

I do worry about what bj said. That maybe some day, I will push it too far !

Gaylene

Veteran

I love my Le Pliage bags for travel. The Le Pliage is actually a line of foldable bags made by the French company Longchamp Paris. My oldest one is still going strong after 10 years of fairly constant use.

The bags are very common in the duty free areas of most international airports. There are also a few companies in Canada that carry many of the styles and colors. The most common version is nylon, but I've also seen Pilage bags in leather and other fabrics in Europe. I sometimes think almost every woman in Paris has one tucked inside her handbag for shopping.

The tote style comes in about 15 different colors, different sizes XL-S, and different handle lengths. The line does include a backpack style as well as a crossbody style. Nordstorms carries a "made for Nordstrom" style that unzips at the bottom to create more volume. All Pilage bags fold up into a very small, compact package.

Lyn is right that the bags are not compartmentalized. Most just have a small inner pocket near the handle that fits my iPhone. I use small zippered nylon bags to compartmentalize my stuff so I actually prefer not having a bunch of inner pockets. When I travel, I carry a medium Pilage as a handbag with a large Pilage folded inside. Once I'm inside the airport, I switch things around by dropping my medium bag into the larger one which is roomy enough to accommodate the medium Pilage, my jacket, bottle of water, magazines, iPad, and all my other travel needs. The large bag fits very nicely under the seat or in an overhead compartment.

I love the versatility of the bags because I can always tuck one inside of a handbag to use as a shopping bag at my destination. I've also packed a weekend's worth of clothes into my larger Pilage bag to use as a carryon when we took a quick side-trip to Prague. And, because my bags are nylon, they are impervious to rain and easy to clean if they get dirty.

You can see all the styles and colours on the Longchamp website:
http://en.longchamp.com/pliage/nylon

I've purchased my bags in Paris, at Heathrow, and at Betty Hemmings in Toronto
http://www.bettyhemmings.com/tag/le-pliage/

Isabel

Veteran

Gaylene, I am not Carla, but thanks for all that info. I have had mine for about a year and I have even pulled it out at the beach to put wet toys and clothes in. It seems indestructible. I once bought a faux Pilage and it lasted a week. i don't know what it is about the Longchamp one, but htey got it down.

I LOVE the idea of a smaller one and tucking the medium or large inside for travel. Ingenious !

Adelfa

Veteran

I have the large. I bought it for travel and it's wonderful for that. But it has also become my daily work tote which holds my clutch, water, snacks, curriculum, files, spare glasses--all without looking enormous.

And to top it off, today a 29-year-old colleague, a very stylish one, said "I like your bag"!

Runcarla

Veteran

Oh! This is all good! I've seen pics of the one with the longer handles, and they remind me of the long handles on my yellow purse ( which is a favourite because of how the handles fit so well over my shoulder!).

I've also seen them at the duty free in airports...but I'll be in Toronto again in 3 weeks, also.

I will be using a small wheeled suitcase that is carry-on sized, and wanted the Second bag as my 'purse'. The idea of TWO bags, small and large, could work out very well. I could use the small one, and then if I make any interesting shopping finds during my travels, I can fill the bigger bag, and check the suitcase!

Hmmm...I'm thinking...navy blue?

Gaylene

Veteran

Hey Carla, I'd be totally stoked if we were 2-bag ladies together with our Pilages in the airport lounge. My colors are black, taupe, tan, navy, red, and fuchsia. Can you tell I'm addicted?

ETA: My largest one is black so I can sometimes talk my husband into holding it for me if I need to go to the washroom at the airport. He blanched at the thought of standing outside the ladies' washroom with a fuchsia bag.

Keix

Veteran

I actually own the navy blue, large Le Pliage! And like everyone else, I love it. It's been the perfect work tote for me: I usually fill it only a quarter full with everyday stuff, but there's enough room to add gym clothes, some fruit at the farmer's market, and my giant work laptop if I decide to lug it home. I really like that it looks semi-polished even when mostly empty.

Actually, last year I was shopping for a similar commuting tote bag and passed on the Le Pliage because it didn't seem worth the price. But now that I have one (purchased as a "souvenir" when I was in France), I would totally buy a replacement at regular price once my bag wears out. I've heard that the corners do wear out eventually after heavy use.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I found a beautiful one in plaid in Duty Free in HK. I am kicking myself I didn't allow my godfather to buy it for me. BAHHHHHHH!!!!!

Runcarla

Veteran

Squee! Look what I got! Navy blue large shoulder tote.

Thanks Gaylene, for the link to Betty Hemmings. I'm in TO this weekend, so visited the shop. The SA was ever so helpful, and showed me all kinds of wonderful travel kit as well as helped me pick the best Pliage for my needs.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fabulous! I am kicking myself for failing to buy myself one last time I was a duty free (and had duty free privleges.) I couldn't decide which one would be best. Judging from Gaylene's report, I could have easily picked any one at all -- because I'd soon be buying another anyway!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm thinking of getting a Le Pliage size L too, they look really practical as an extra tote. I have the Veau Folonné as my favorite work tote, and I love it. It is incredibly roomy for its moderate size, and very sturdy, yet lightweight.

Your new navy one look great, Runcarla! I'm sure you will be pleased with it.

Gaylene

Veteran

Welcome to the Pliage club, Carla! That size is perfect for travel.

Lisa

Veteran

I have been very curious about these bags, thanks for asking!