Today is National Handbag Day and I am sharing one of my all-time favorite luxury handbag brands with you. 

I can say, without any hesitation whatsoever, that Louis Vuitton is the perennial “It” bag. And although I have a very special place in my heart for Gucci, a classic monogram LV purse will never, ever go out of style. 

I speak from experience. Let me share a little story … 

When I was a little girl growing up in Orlando, my Aunt Shirley, the oldest of my Mom’s seven sisters, introduced me and my younger aunts to Louis Vuitton. It was the very early 1980s, maybe even 1979, when Shirley proclaimed she wanted an LV bag.

I had no idea what that was, but I overheard my other aunts and Grandmother discussing the cost of this purse. Over $200! Now, to my youthful ears THAT WAS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY! Actually, it WAS a lot of money at that time, and for a purse? But one thing was for sure, Shirley was going to get that bag. Everything she ever said she wanted, she worked hard and got it. 

A Family Fashion Affair 

Shirley drove down to Miami to Bal Harbour Shoppes. It was where Florida’s only Louis Vuitton store was located at the time. She bought her luxury bag — I can’t remember if it was the Noe or the Speedy — and when she showed it to us, it was like I had seen a million dollars. I fell in love on the spot. I didn’t know why at the time. But eventually, as my fashion sense and knowledge evolved, I got it. 

I bought my first one — the Looping Bag — in 2002 for $575. I still have it. Aunt Shirley still has hers some 40 years later. Currently, I’m not sure there are many LV handbags  available for under $1,100.  

So why does Louis Vuitton retain its status as the perennial “IT” luxury brand year after year after year? It’s the quality craftsmanship, the resale value and the brands storied history that make it an investment for life.

Owning a Louis Vuitton bag isn’t simply about status for some. For me, it’s like collecting art. I have a pretty decent collection of handbags, and some LVs that I absolutely adore. Below are 4 of them and I share why I wanted it in my collection. 

My Favorite Louis Vuitton Handbags

---

The Speedy 

Louis Vuitton’s most iconic bag is always in fashion and oh so suitable for a variety of occasions. First created in 1930 in size 30cm and called the “Express” as homage to the era’s travel revolution. In 1959, Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn wanted a smaller version of the Speedy duffle. Louis Vuitton obliged, designing a 25cm version for the fashion icon. It was Hepburn who helped make the bag iconic. Simple and easy to carry, this large handbag makes getting around town with all the essentials easy and stylish. The Speedy now comes in 4 sizes: 25, 30, 35, 40, and because I love a big purse, of course the 40 is my fave. 

---

Bag With Holes

Whenever I carry this bag, I get a lot of comments and strange stares. It’s awkward looking for sure. But it’s art indeed. The Bag with Holes was designed by Comme des Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo. Kawakubo is one of six designers to recreate a bag as part of the brand’s Icons collection. I fell in love with it. Today, this bag has more than tripled in value. 

---

Cannes

Released in August 2018, the Cannes handbag was an instant hit with celebrities and fashionistas worldwide. This bag sold out FAST on the website. Cannes is a reprisal of the historic beauty cases (but miniature) produced by Louis Vuitton for fashionable female travelers. For a mini bag, you’d be surprised just how much it holds. I can get my wallet, phone, phone charger (who leaves home without THAT?), my makeup compact and a few other items. I love that the Cannes has a zip-around closure as it helps to keep all my belongings in place. It’s a small, yet extremely functional purse perfect for concerts, festivals, date night and shopping. The resale value will be amazing on this little gem.

---

OnTheGo 

This whimsical bag is everything I love about fashion. It’s fun, functional, full of color, unique and a conversation starter. I was enthusiastically smitten when Louis Vuitton released this bag in all its variations. As part of the Monogram Giant Collection, Onthego is quite a large tote. It measures in at L 16.1 x H 13.4 x W 7.5 inches. It’s such a unique bag with each panel being a different color. The bag comes in several different color combinations and is already a rare collector’s item. The Onthego tote is as striking as it is practical and ideal bag for everyday wear. It’s the newest in my collection and a easy fave!

---

Louis Vuitton Leads Luxury Lists

These bags only represent a small part of why Louis Vuitton stays on top of the luxury lists. Earlier this year, LV was named the most valuable luxury brand by BrandZ, the world’s largest brand equity database.

The French fashion house grew 15% in brand value over the past year, as it is now worth $47.2 billion. BrandZ points out that much of Louis Vuitton’s success continues to revolve around its signature leather goods and unmatched creativity in all product categories.

Shop These Louis Vuitton Bags