Louis Vuitton bags are timeless making them excellent investment pieces. While new Louis Vuitton bags can cost thousands, if you're a savvy shopper, you can find an original LV bag for a fraction of the price. But where - and has the brand got an outlet?
Louis Vuitton has a long-standing reputation for some of the best designer bags and the best Louis Vuitton bags are timeless heirlooms that you can pass down from generation to generation. Owned by parent company LVMH, luxury is in Louis Vuitton's DNA and the brand are constantly helping to form the latest handbag trends.
But it isn't just Louis Vuitton bags the brand is known for. One of the best French clothing brands, twice a year, at Paris Fashion Week, Louis Vuitton showcases its latest collections, giving press and VIP guests a six-month preview of its clothes, accessories, and bags. A Louis Vuitton bag could set you back an average of £2,000 plus, and surging online searches for the famous "LV" monogram bag has shown they're as popular as ever. But if you don't want to pay full price for an LV bag, you'll need to do your research.
Is there a Louis Vuitton outlet?
There is no official Louis Vuitton outlet store that is associated with the brand. Official products are only sold through Louis Vuitton stores, the Louis Vuitton official website, and 24S - so be wary of any websites claiming to be an outlet.
Does Louis Vuitton have sales?
Louis Vuitton never go on sale or markdown prices. If you're looking to get n LV for a smaller price tag your best bet is to look to resell websites that will have pre-loved Louis Vuitton bags.
How can I get a cheap Louis Vuitton bag?
A Louis Vuitton bag will never be 'cheap', but you can get discounted LV bags, or lower-priced bags from reputable resellers. With the market for pre-loved handbags booming, the most timeless and recognizable designer bags will hold their worth for years to come, making them sound investments for the future. Dubbed the fastest-growing business in fashion, the resell market has been strengthened by both the ever-increasing price of new designer and luxury goods, as well as a greener mindset amongst consumers, with more people investigating how to sell clothes online and doing their bit to keep items out of landfills for longer.
Handbag Clinic co-founder and retail director, Charlotte Staerck says, “Louis Vuitton is one of our top three bestselling brands. I think it's mostly down to its timeless aesthetic and longevity in the fashion industry. The LV Neverfull often sells within minutes of appearing on our website, and recently we sold one in just nine minutes. The LV Speedy bag is another hugely sought-after style. Made in 1930, it's still extremely popular today. Louis Vuitton bags are also highly durable - provided they have been well looked after correctly, the classic monogram and Damier styles will hold their value."
Here are Charlotte's top tips for buying a pre-loved Louis Vuitton bag:
1. Buy in the winter
The best time to snap up a Louis Vuitton bargain is between December and March. As with most high-end luxury brands, fashion houses increase the price of their handbags annually in spring. For Louis Vuitton, this is normally around 5%, but over the last few years we’ve seen as much as 17% for the best Chanel bags and others - this is due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the increased cost of sourcing raw materials. Between December and March is a great time to snap up an LV bag, as it will increase in value on the pre-owned market post-purchase, in line with the increasing prices at fashion houses.
2. Color effects resale value
If you're buying for investment specifically, think about the color of the leather. As an example, the LV Monogram is on vachetta leather which is designed to develop a patina over time. This slightly changes and darkens the color. So it’s important to try and avoid buying a handbag with a dark vachetta as it means it’s on its way out and considered too poor a quality to hold its value.
3. Pay attention to the handles
Louis Vuitton leather is super absorbent and the handles are the worst affected by wear and tear. The only way to correct this is by replacing the handles, which highly trained artisans can do. This costs around £150 for styles such as Speedy, Alma, and Neverfull, so it's worth bearing in mind as an extra cost when buying preowned.
The best specialist designer re-sale sites for Louis Vuitton bags
1. What Comes Around Goes Around
The vintage dealers at What Comes Around Goes Around ship internationally from its stores in New York and Los Angeles, but go through deep research and consultation with experts on authenticating each item that's sourced. The site has become the go-to vintage dealer of a host of celebrities when passing through New York or LA from jewelry to vintage band tees. Its biggest section though, is designer handbags, where there's a host of LV favorites on offer.
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Resale price: $895 / £752.99 | Listed as being in good condition, this classic second-hand Papillon has a deep patina throughout the Vachetta leather, meaning it has had some wear. There is moderate wear on the handles and some tarnishing and scratching to the hardware. However, this cylindrical shoulder bag with LV monogram is utterly classic.
Resale price: $1,495 / £1,257.99 | The Neverfull was first introduced in 2007 and became an instant classic. One of the houses' most successful silhouettes, it is one of the best designer tote bags you can invest in. Continuously released in new prints, colors and fabrications each season, Louis Vuitton lovingly breathes new life into this design each year, making it a solid choice.
Resale price: $1,650 / £1,412.99 | Looking for one of the best designer backpacks? This late '90s Montsouris backpack features LV's iconic monogram on coated canvas with gold-tone brass hardware. Great for every day, it is rated as 'Good' by the site so you can expect some wear and tear on this bag, including deep patina throughout and excessive scuffing marks on the base and corners.
2. 1stdibs
The online resale market 1stdibs covers everything from fashion and jewelry to fine art and furniture. More than anything else though, 1stdibs specializes in luxury offerings. Products might not be as cheap as the thrift store finds, but for collectors looking for a certain model to add to a collection or a bag in certified mint condition, 1stdibs has a ton of offerings for different options.
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Resale price: $1,508 / £1,236.86 | Looking for the best weekend bag? This chic monogram, LV holdall will ensure that wherever you're heading, you're going in style. The Keepall is the ideal travel bag, great for weekends and beyond. This bag is in good condition, with scuffs on the exterior from normal use. With an unstained interior lining and only minor shoulder strap creases, this bag has clearly been well looked after. An opportunity to style up your capsule wardrobe for travel if ever there was one.
Resale price: $937.40 / £739 | The Monogram Ellipse is instantly recognizable as Louis Vuitton, and coming in at under $1000, it is a classic LV bag at a discounted rate. The unusual shape of this bag makes it a real standout piece, and we love the tan pipe detailing that echoes the handle color. From the images on the 1stDibs site, the bags interior looks like it is clean and tidy and the bag itself is listed as being in a good condition. The base of the bag also appears to be well looked after.
Resale price: $1,242 / £1,018.69 | Sadly now discontinued, if you want to get your hands on a Louis Vuitton Monogram MM, then second-hand is your only option. This does mean that the MM carries a higher price point, and should retain value due to their rarity. One of the best designer crossbody bags, this style is ideal for someone looking for a smaller designer bag that stays true to the brands' aesthetic. As with all pre-loved bags, check the pictures and small print for the bags condition.
3. The Handbag Clinic
The Handbag Clinic is a luxury handbag restoration and preowned designer resale retailer. Clients can book a consultation with one of Handbag Clinic’s trusted team of dedicated experts, and they will be on hand to audit, authenticate, value, clean, restore, and sell your designer wares. With restoration at the heart of its business, customers can also sit back with the peace of mind that their beloved handbag will fetch its best possible price. The retailer has stores in Chelsea, Leeds, and Newcastle as well as three international stores. All bags go through rigorous quality control and authenticity procedure before going on sale online and in stores.
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Resale price: £1,695 (international shipping available) | One of the less 'classic' LV bags, the Twist is the ideal bag for AM to PM dressing. With a sleek silhouette and chain strap, that can be slipped inside the bag to convert it from shoulder to clutch, this red bag will go with everything and is ideal for teaming with the best cocktail dresses for a refined finish. With a large LV emblem on the front, this bag is listed as being in excellent condition and comes with its original dust cover.
Resale price: £2,195 (international shipping available) | A subtle style, devoid of monogramming or overt branding, this Louis Vuitton Pont Neuf bag is ideal for those looking to dress in a Stealth Wealth way. In classic black, this will pair well with everything, regardless of season. A sophisticated design, this bag is ideal for work outfits and feels very elegant and understated. Listed as being in a very good condition, this bag comes with its original dust cover too.
Resale price: £1,625 (international shipping available) | Louis Vuitton has a long history in luggage trunks and vanity cases and while The Handbag Clinic doesn't currently have any trunks for resell, this briefcase is a treat for any fashion fan looking to start a collection. In the brand's original iconic monogram, which was created in 1854, this item will never be out of style. Listed as being in a 'Good' condition, this item understandably does show signs of damage or wear.
4. Luxury Promise
Established in London, Luxury Promise is a premium marketplace, allowing customers worldwide to buy and sell their pre-loved luxury items from the comfort of their own homes. Each item is carefully authenticated and checked by a team of expert authenticators, going through a triple quality control.
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Resale price: £3,500 (International shipping available) | This bag is a subtle statement piece. The Petite Boite Chapeau is a classic Louis Vuitton hatbox reimagined for the ultimate day to evening bag. Small but mighty, this bag can still fit key essentials and the additional hardware adds a luxurious finish to this delicate, luggage inspired piece. Unworn, the limited edition Louis Vuitton bag is in excellent condition, with original strap and dust cover. Due to its rarity this is quite the fashion find.
Resale price: £1,050 | The Neverfull does what it says on the tin and this oversized tote bag is the ideal everyday shoulder bag with space for your laptop, essentials and even your lunch. This classic bag is instantly recognizable as Louis Vuitton thanks to the monogrammed fabric. Listed as being in good condition with some markings to the inside of the bag, these are clearly shown in imagery provided on site. A bag certain to never go out of style, this is one of the brand's most loved styles.
Resale price: £2,390 (international shipping available) | A Louis Vuitton bag with a twist, this is a limited edition Speedy Bandouliere in a stylish print that celebrates the brand's extensive heritage. In a coated canvas material the condition of the bag is listed as good, with plenty of pictures on the listing on line to help you make a thorough assessment. Due to its unusual style, this bag might not suit all tastes, but its rare nature should make it one that will retain its value.
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