Longchamp’s nylon Le Pliage bags come in an assortment of sizes—but the large and extra large ones... [+]
I travel to Paris once or twice a year—sometimes for work, sometimes for pure epicurean hedonism. Let’s put it this way: I have no problem flying seven hours to treat myself to drinks at Bar Hemingway, veal cheeks from L’Ami Jean, and an elusive dram of Karuizawa at Golden Promise on Rue Tiquetonne.
So after years of reveling in the fine French art of people watching, I've determined there are three kinds of chic Parisian women—those who carry a classic Chanel flap bag and the ones who prefer an Hermès Birkin or Kelly (or the more attainable Herbag). Then there is the third type: the busy, no-nonsense women who can’t do without Longchamp’s cult bag—the nylon Le Pliage tote.
Like many of those women in Paris, I fall into two of those three handbag categories: I have Chanel bags for daily use and dressier occasions, but when I travel I always have a Le Pliage tucked inside my cabin trolley. The way I see it, your luxury purse is the show pony. But modern life, with its burdens and small indignities, requires a workhorse. And the Pliage is the perfect one, exemplifying all the merits of simple and functional French design: It comes in a variety of sizes, colors, handle-drop lengths, and shapes (such as the Pliage backpack and the Pliage document holder)—plus it lasts for years.
The bag was designed in the early ’90s and its name comes from the French verb meaning “to fold.” The style has since been a celebrity favorite, spotted on the limbs of the likes of Kate Middleton, Alexa Chung, and Miley Cyrus. The bag is particularly useful when packing—a Le Pliage collapses quickly, with its neat origami-like creases. And it easily expands to hold extra items if you end up shopping too much.
The most distinctive (and convenient) quality of Longchamp’s Le Pliage is that you can easily fold... [+]
What makes the lightweight Le Pliage bag so superb, however, is that it’s the one chic bag you never have to worry about. Though it’s not 100 percent waterproof, it repels water when it rains. And its interior coating makes the bag easy to wipe down and also protects its contents. The single, easy-access inside pocket can conveniently hold house keys, a phone, and a small card case. Each bag is trimmed with a leather closure—and its comfortable top handle provides an easy grip. Zipper the bag close and you’ll notice that the circular zip-pull aligns perfectly with a punched-through leather tab—which can accommodate a TSA–approved combination cable lock.
But if seeing many other women carry a Le Pliage is a turn-off, consider this: The bag can be custom designed—color, material, handle length, lining—and even monogrammed. Because after all, your own initials make the best label.
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