Wardrobe Staples: Longchamp Le Pliage
One of my goals when I started this blog was to create my wardrobe staples list, an undertaking which spanned an entire year as I looked at what I owned, what I actually wore, and what I still needed. While I’m still filling in a few gaps in my closet, I wanted to start highlighting the pieces on my list that span the seasons and delve in deep—what function do they serve? Why does this piece (instead of another) make the list? What do I like about this piece? How long has it been in my wardrobe? How do I use it?
One of my most-used pieces in my wardrobe is my Longchamp Le Pliage*. It’s definitely an early 2010s throwback, but it’s a classic, practical piece that is lightweight, sturdy, and rainproof (!!!), which alone knocks all competition out of the water (pun intended).
I have three Longchamps: two large* with long handles and one medium* with long handles. I use the medium* size for everyday use and the two large* ones for travel or commuting.
This piece makes my wardrobe staples list primarily because of its practicality. As mentioned above, it’s rainproof, which is such a relief when I am carrying my laptop around. On days when I’m commuting, it’s nice to have something incredibly lightweight to transport my belongings. It’s a sturdy bag that holds a lot of weight. The Le Pliage has also held up to daily usage for over a decade.
I received my first Le Pliage* as a gift when a family member was in France, just as I was graduating from college. I was very grateful as I was heading into “the real world,” complete with commute. At this point in my life, I wasn’t bringing my laptop to work, so I used my medium* Le Pliage for my commuting bag. It was so great—roomy enough to hold everything I needed, light enough so it wouldn’t weigh me down during my walk home.
I subsequently received two large* Le Pliages as gifts from my godmother and those quickly became my ideal travel bag! I have used these as carryons for long-haul flights and as weekend bags for more local trips. They’ve held everything and, when I’ve unpacked, I can just fold them up and stick them in my purse.
Why I love the Le Pliage*: practical, lightweight, a classic that’s not trendy or dated. Great for work, travel, or everyday! A perfect seasonless staple. I highly recommend!
Absolutely agree! I purchased my first for school back in the day: a large, black tote with black leather (there’s a specific name but heck if I can remember it). It lasted me all through and was fabulously classic. Then began my “brown” phase and purchased a large tote in “terra” which becomes seasonally switched out. But of course as we were going to travel I “needed” the matching expandable weekender which led to the realization that I needed a larger weekender for actual weekend trips (also brown) which led to my latest stocking stuffer the XL Weekender in Dove. When I was pregnant with our first we didn’t discover our baby’s gender and so naturally (and I feel so ridiculous typing this) baby needed (NEEDED) the XL Le Pliage Club Travel Tote of their very own: Navy with Red Embroidery. This led to a matching dop kit for all those small things that baby needed and so it goes… I never expected it to turn into an obsession. I really didn’t. But it has and I LOVE it! 😀 And I’m also pregnant with #2 sooooooo which color this time??? 😉
They are so good and the perfect baby bag!! let me know which color you choose 😊
Hi saw your style and post on Ivy Style, so I followed the link to your blog.
My question to you is this, why do you wear blue jeans when you could easily wear a pair of 5 pocket trousers in any other colour? If you had blue eyes it would be understandable.. You’d probably look better in shades of brown, taupe perhaps or some light beige ones?
Something to consider.
Hi Tie bar and chain, thanks for stopping by! I find blue jeans practical for some aspects of my life at the moment with a toddler. Besides that, they are comfortable! Unfortunately good five-pocket trousers that aren’t made of denim aren’t easily found for women. Most women’s trousers that aren’t made of denim do not include pockets. But the hunt for a good pair of five-pocket trousers is the subject of a future column I’m working on!
I’m anxiously awaiting your post on trousers! I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s been an unsuccessful multi-year search for me. I’m either wearing skinny jeans or a dress/skirt because I can’t find a good pair of trousers to save my life.
I feel like the search for trousers has also been a multi-year search for me, mostly disappointing. I wish that there was a company that made well-made trousers for women! This should not be revolutionary.
I do have a couple pairs that I like linked in my wardrobe staples list (you can find in the menu under “wardrobe,” there’s one for each season). But I also revert to jeans in my daily life. What specifically are you looking for? Would love to help out!
I have 4 Le Pliages (2 of them custom) and 2 matching accessory pouches. I agree they are a perfect staple for their classic look and easy storage but the bubbles! Have you ever had that problem? I won’t buy Longchamp again because of it. At least 2, and maybe 3, of my bags have canvas “bubbles” that can’t be fixed and won’t be replaced by Longchamp. I was told it was because I got them wet! I nearly fell over when they told me my canvas bags were ruined from the rain. Who makes canvas bags that would be damaged that way? Very frustrating from a company that has a useful and attractive bag with a great selection.
I don’t think I’ve had this issue! Mine have been caught in the rain, had things spilled on them, and literally been put in the washing machine multiple times without this. That is unfortunate I am am sorry!
I got a large navy Le Pliage as a graduation gift when I got my masters and it’s been my work tote ever since. It easily transitions between multiple settings without drawing too much attention or looking out of place. I also love that it’s hardy and water resistant – sometimes my work takes me to community meetings where I need to be able to place my bag wherever there’s space, which is often a gym floor or even the ground. I don’t want to insult the hosts by implying that their space isn’t “good enough” for my handbag, so I like that I can place my tote wherever with no worries.
Yes! It’s truly such a versatile bag and a practical one, too. Plus it just holds so much! The only issue I have with it is that there is only one interior pocket, but I work around that by using pouches. It’s great that I can just toss it in the wash if it gets dirty.