Louis Vuitton bags are exceptionally popular luxury pieces. Of course, that means they come with a luxury price tag, so it’s natural to wonder how long these pricey pieces may last.
As with most items, the better you take care of a Louis Vuitton bag, the longer it will last. They are well-crafted with quality materials and should last for several decades, if not a lifetime of use, as long as they are well taken care of.
As long as the bag is properly cared for, you can expect many years of use from Louis Vuitton bags, making them a great investment piece.
Quality construction that still deserves respect and care
Louis Vuitton is known for the high quality of its bags. From the expert craftsmanship to the durable materials, Louis Vuitton bags are built to last.
The coated canvases used in Louis Vuitton bags are known for their durability and resistance to water. They’re also fairly straightforward to clean with a light-colored, absorbent cloth.
It’s understandable that owners will want to use their luxury bags regularly and Louis Vuitton bags are more than capable of handling regular use. Of course, this doesn’t mean they should be treated roughly.
While the canvas may resist water, the leather on the bag may get stained by water. Louis Vuitton recommends keeping their bags away from water and out of damp or humid environments.
Louis Vuitton bags are crafted to withstand many years of use but at the end of the day, they are still luxurious items that aren’t intended to be used in harsh, demanding environments. It’s important to properly care for Louis Vuitton bags and be mindful of how they are being used in order to keep them in good condition.
Vachetta leather and the patina process
Louis Vuitton bags sometimes use Vachetta leather in their construction (the pale leather seen on some Louis Vuitton bag handles for instance). This leather starts out very light in color but will eventually darken to a honey-like shade and then a darker brown with use.
Unlike many other types of leather, Vachetta leather is almost completely untreated (for instance not undergoing dyeing or extensive preservation processes), so it is easily affected by coming into contact with water, natural oils from your skin, lotions or creams on your hands, or other liquids. As it comes into contact with these substances, it will begin to discolor and this darkening process is the leather developing a patina.
The patina process should not be thought of as a flaw but rather as a desirable characteristic that is unique to the individual bag and adds distinct character to the piece.
Tips for taking care of Louis Vuitton bags
It’s important to take good care of Louis Vuitton bags in order to help them last as long as possible. There are various things you can do to care for a bag, from how you store it to how you clean it.
It’s important not to use any abrasive chemicals or cleaning products on Louis Vuitton bags as this will damage the materials. The easiest way to clean them is by using alcohol-free, unscented baby wipes to clean the canvas and the Vachetta leather and then leaving it to dry naturally (which shouldn’t take a long time).
It’s also a good idea to use leather cream to help moisturize and condition the bag’s leather components and prevent cracking. Make sure the leather cream is suitable for Vachetta leather.
A waterproofing spray can also be applied to the leather to help protect it if it comes in contact with materials such as denim where colors may transfer to the leather.
Other useful tips are to minimize the use of hand lotions when carrying the bag, as these lotions can cause the areas of contact with your hands (such as the handles and zipper pull tabs) to darken faster than the rest of the leather. Also, try to avoid placing the bag on dirty or greasy floors or surfaces to help prevent staining.
The dust bag that comes with Louis Vuitton bags is an ideal place to store the bag when it is not in use. This dust bag will help protect it against dirt and dust and also allows the leather to breathe, whereas placing a Louis Vuitton bag in a sealed plastic bag won’t allow the leather to breathe and may cause it to dry out.
Stuffing the Louis Vuitton bag with tissue paper while not in use will also help to maintain its shape and prevent creasing in the materials. Finally, make sure to keep Louis Vuitton bags away from direct sunlight or direct heat sources as this can damage the materials or cause the leather to darken at an unnatural rate.