July 26, 2011
The basic!
Of course these aren’t exactly rare in the United States, but I first was exposed to them in Europe and so I always think of that when I see someone with one of these bags.
They are particularly handy when you travel; the first thing into any suitcase of mine is my folded and snapped Pliage, which I then use to accumulate all of my purchases and receipts along the way. Then I use the bag as my carry-on for the return trip, so everything is in one place on that rare chance that the Customs people will want to inspect my newly-acquired treasures.
This is the bag I ordered custom-made from Longchamp.com
And online, you can order CUSTOM Pliage bags, specifying the length of the handles, the size of the bag, the finish of the metal fittings, AND!!! the colors of the sac itself. You can get a solid colored bag in about at least a dozen different colors, or you can get a bag made with a racing stripe, like mine shown above. They’re not at all prohibitively expensive (considering you’ll own it the rest of your life) and don’t take more than a few weeks to receive.
My only warning: I would NEVER, EVER consider using one of these bags for checked luggage. I’ve seen it done and I think it’s foolhardy; the lightness of the bags translates into a certain lack of “baggage handler-worthy” sturdiness, if you know what I mean.
I have one of the larger size that is my go-to carry on bag for travel. And two medium ones that I use as handbags with more casual ensembles. Love these!!
I've eyed these but I was wondering: how much weight can they take? How sturdy are these? Could I put a tablet computer, two books, wallet, keys, etc in a medium one with no worries about breakag? Anyone experimented with what they can take?
I saw a lot in Paris, though not as many on my last visit. The only one I have is the little one–with the strap that does not go over the shoulder. I got it as a thrift shop; the previous owner must have found it too annoying to use. Any suggestions for this little bag?
I love these–always think them chic whenever someone's using one. Yet I can never, ever buy one when in the store. Never. They seem so icky then. I definitely love the ones you can build yourself online–so maybe that's what I should do–tout de suite!
Nice tip–love the bag! Looks like the perfect travel tote. xxBliss
I have three: a small for knitting, a medium for using as a handbag, and a large for a work tote. You can't swing a dead cat over your head in Aix without hitting someone wearing a Pliage; to me, they are almost as Provencal as a market basket. And you know what? When mine need a refreshening, I just throw them into the washing machine with a tiny bit of detergent, and wash on cold, reshape to drip dry. It doesn't affect the leather one bit. Been doing this for years to all three Pliages.
Loving that racing stripe!
I wouldn't recommend putting too much into one of these, but I've never actually checked how much weight mine will hold. Does anybody have any insights into how a Pliage is for carrying a laptop?
And regarding the smaller sized bags, I've seen them used as a handbag. If you really don't want to use it, there's a pretty good resale market for all things Longchamp!
I carry a laptop in mine when I travel, PLUS a magazine or two, a pashmina, a bottle of water, and a smaller handbag. They're quite sturdy!
I'm on my second black tote, and have quite a few others in different sizes. The backpack with drawstring closing is comfortable and perfectly sized for a 13" laptop in a padded sleeve, but in a pinch the computer alone will fit in a medium-sized handbag. (I'm not a backpack fan but sometimes my bad shoulder demands mercy)
These things are STURDY, unlike the fake I bought from a NYC street vendor which broke a strap at a most inopportune time.
I just went and designed my custom version. Now I know what to wish for.