Louis Vuitton’s history lies in the art of travel, and it’s arguable that if it were not for the revolution that took place within the world of travel in the mid-late 1800s, the brand would not be what it is today. Monsieur Louis Vuitton built his business on a foundation of trunkmaking, and Louis Vuitton’s travel pieces are at the core of the brand’s DNA still to this day. It was Mr. Vuitton’s connection to the Parisian Haute Couture world that helped him identify and understand the needs of those going from place to place.
The History of an Icon
One necessity created by Louis Vuitton himself is a revolutionary accessory that remains a beloved and coveted item to this day. If you’re a fan of the brand, it’s likely that you know, or own, this item, but you may not realize that it has historical roots and is more than 120 years old. Crafted from coated canvas, the iconic Louis Vuitton Toiletry Pouch was created in 1901 and has become a true icon for the House.
For decades, Louis Vuitton fans and celebs alike have been carrying the Toiletry Pouch as a clutch, which, truthfully, gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Even Princess Diana was spotted exiting a Yacht in the 90s with one tucked under her arm. The brand itself is well aware of this trend, and recently Louis Vuitton got smart, monetizing this trend by introducing a chain version of the beloved pouch. And, not surprisingly, they’ve seemed to discontinue an old icon in the meantime.
Fans worldwide have been speculating since spring that the Toiletry Pouch was getting the oust, with some believing it was just rumors and others stating their SA’s had indeed confirmed the rumors. A call to client services earlier this summer yielded mixed results, with a rep stating while there was no stock to be had, the official decision hasn’t been made yet. Unfortunately, if you’re looking to buy one right now, the resale market is your best bet, and it will come at a premium.
Introducing the Toiletry Pouch On Chain
Now, we’ve got a look at what the brand had up its sleeve: the introduction of a Toiletry Pouch on a chain. Which, of course, comes at a much heftier price tag. At the last listing, the Toiletry Pouch retailed for $580, while the new Toiletry Pouch On Chain will set you back $1,760. A description for the bag states that it was, in fact, inspired by the Louis Vuitton clients themselves who used the Pouch as a clutch.
The new piece has been reworked, though, likely in part to justify its high price tag. A removable chain has been added as well as leather trims. Hidden inside is a mini version of the beloved pouch, and both items can be used separately or together. What do you think?
The OG was ideal to carry your toiletries and a good companion for pool-side necessities. But a pretty sad-looking bag. It always looked like someone who was trying too hard.
This official version of the DIY pouch-to-bag creatures is pretty awful. In the end, I have more respect for someone who can’t afford an actual handbag thus engineers one out of a toiletry pouch and a chain bought at a Hobby Lobby-esque store rather than this overpriced monstrosity.
Exactly! Well said Marcy
Long time LV purchaser and I think this is fabulous. Classic but functional. Easy to wear. The idea you “shouldn’t” or “can’t” because it was a toiletry seems elitist and close minded. You like it why not? It’s just a small, cute bag.
I wish more brands would have really simple shoulder bags that are easy to get into. This one actually seems really smart to me.
I changed out the chain for a leather strap from another LV bag and made it a crossbody. Super cute.
This looks so Tacky and DIY! Are “influencers” now working at Louis Vuitton
$1700+ for that??!? Hard pass…
What a great idea!! It’s minimalistic, functional and really a multipurpose handbag ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Interesting, since I’ve been using my own LV toiletries pouch as a clutch + LV cardholder for a while now. 🙂
This was never a bag to begin with. Only cheap gold diggers who hadn’t netted their first husband used this as a bag to match their black loubs and you can’t change my mind. Can LV stop ripping people off and keep it discontinued and in the past?
I became the “rich man” by becoming a software engineer, so I don’t need to marry some rich man to buy me expensive things.
Was princess Diana a gold digger?
Who needs a husband to buy a LV bag. 🙄
Right? I have been married and I find it easier being divorced to have a lovely collection of bags I enjoy. No one to answer to or to judge me. For the record I receive no alimony.
You were just married to the wrong person(s).
I realize this post is quite old already but I had a really interesting conversation with the store manager at my boutique, which confirmed everything I have heard from friends working for LV. In a few words, he explained that Louis Vuitton is harmonizing its client base by significantly raising prices across the board. Entry-level items are either discontinued or receive a steep price increase. All of us contributing to PB and TPF noticed this trend over the past few years… a trend that seems to accelerate lately. Additionally, prices for repair services are also going up.
You might ask… “What does harmonizing its client base mean, Fabuleux?”. Anyone who’s been in an LV store has noticed that the spectrum of clients go from very wealthy elites to the local riffraff. It’s politically incorrect but a fair observation. It’s also an issue that brands like Hermès and Chanel don’t face—at least not to the same degree.
“The company wants to move upmarket in order to change the type of customers who buy Louis Vuitton,” said the SM. “They want less customers who have to save in order to purchase a bag, a wallet, or a keyring in order to reposition themselves as a true luxury brand,” he added. “In order to preserve its luxury status, the brand must remain inaccessible to a large portion of consumers.” To make up for the portion of customers who might get priced out, prices are increasing. The hope is also to (re)capture customers who currently consider Louis Vuitton too common or associate the brand with crowds they don’t want to be identified with. [I’m not getting into the moral, ethical, cultural, and socio-political issues that plague the luxury industry].
Many will remember the article that described Louis Vuitton as a brand for secretaries a few years ago. The undeniable saturation of the market combined with the high visibility of its products have damaged the brand’s standing and the aura of its monogram canvas. The comment section of PB often features posts to that effect.
Certainly, Louis Vuitton is not alone here. All luxury brands have been raising prices, sometimes dramatically so. Just recently, PB users were outraged over Chanel’s continued price increases. Companies need to find the right balance between short-term earnings and long-term growth. Stay tuned!
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Ok, wait a minute! The original toiletry pouch was $580.00 and with a chain it’s $1,760.00? That’s $1,180 for a chain??!? On eBay I purchased beautiful handbag chains for $30.00! Are people really this gullible to pay over a thousand dollars for a chain??!??
Don’t forget the card holders, the ones you get in a Toiletry 26 organizer/conversion kit for 50 bucks on Etsy in your choice of colour.
Then there’s the leather to add value, which it technically does but it doesn’t change the bags purpose. This isn’t most peoples “main bag”. It is an essential and versatile piece imo though. You can keep all of your essential stuff in this so if you suddenly want to just travel light but need a number of items you can. An evening clutch type bag is typically to small to comfortably carry everything I prefer to have out for longer periods. I feel for this type of purpose I liked the original much better. I live in a small town, the less flashy the better. This is somewhat elevated but it doesn’t fit it’s purpose. Perhaps a fabric or chunky resin or leather coated chain instead, once again could be purchased most anywhere. Even with a very high quality strap purchased elsewhere I.E Coach you will not spend more than $225 max.
The additional Toiletry 15 NM I’ll call it was a good addition and is useful but people should still have the option to purchase a’la carte since most die hard LV fans I imagine already own at least 1 mini Pochette Accessories which IMO suits the same purpose. It does add tangible value though so it is worth more now. Get rid of the leather panels, chain strap, pockets and charge 1250 CAD for both pieces and an aforementioned strap type then I could accept this but for now is missing the mark for me.
I actually really regret not getting one. I tried online almost daily when it was first going out of stock in 2016. I managed to snag a Pochette Accessories in Damier I had wanted and was satisfied a bit so I forgot about it. Now it’s officially all gone and this is the comeback? It is so ridiculous to me that I’m considering no longer shopping here.
Sorry for the rant I have a lot of feelings about this piece and no one I hang out with cares about my feelings for bags. 😜
The primary issue was that the TPs were legacy items that were no longer aligned price wise with the rest of the catalog. Basically, they were too cheap. Similar legacy items have experienced the same fate. Perhaps most famously, the Sac Plat.
Throwing this out there again, are you interested in writing for PurseBlog? Lmk.
Aren’t I too controversial and polarizing? 😉
Hit me up [email protected]
You are correct. It happens but I just think there has to be a degree of sense in all this at some point. I feel that when is enough enough when it comes to SLG type items for what they are? I feel it’s akin to paying fast food workers 30 dollars an hour eventually as minimum wage rises. At what point is this ok and at what point does it then become ridiculous?
Louis Vuitton is having a record year according to insiders. I see lines outside the door daily at my local boutique. People are clearly not phased by the high prices.
Unless everyone stops buying, prices will not go down. It’s a question of supply and demand. Simple economics.
And as far as fast food workers, salaries have to increase if nobody wants to do the job. Employers have to attract workers. Again supply and demand. I think the days people were willing to work for poverty wages and not complain are behind us.
It’s not exactly the same as the original toiletry pouch. The bag has leather panels. So you can’t really compare them. But yes… the price is totally ridiculous.
“To justify its high price tag…” Right.
The original version was perfect! What’s the point of discontinuing such a legendary product? I’m so glad I bought mine five years ago. It’s perfect for traveling.
That picture of princess Diana carrying the pouch kind of makes me sad. The last weeks (or days?) of her life 😢
I love mine. 🙂 I love the treated vachetta, especially on the side of the bag and think this gives the bag an elevated look.
If they wanted to recreate, the strap should NOT be metal based it would have been more casual (fabric strap) for the reasons that LV truest mentioned below.
I love mine. 🙂 I love the treated vachetta leather, especially on the sides of the bag and think this gives the bag an elevated look.