Note: As of right now, 10:45am EST, the Escale Onthego is available on LouisVuitton.com! Act fast!
Some of the most sought after handbags today were Limited Edition when they were originally released. The Watercolor Speedy from the Louis Vuitton x Richard Prince line instantly comes to mind, which coincidentally is one of my top Holy Grail bags. In addition to the Watercolor Speedy, I also dream about owning a Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Speedy, just about any piece from the Takashi Murakami Multicolore line, and of course, the highly coveted Takashi Murakami Cerises or Cherry Blossom lines. If you search any of these bags on the resale market, you will see that they are hard to find and usually come with big price tags. I’ve read countless threads on The Purse Forum of members trying to track down pieces from these collections and (unfortunately) often failing.
I have been very vocal about my passionate love of Louis Vuitton’s Onthego bag. It’s one of my favorite bags released in recent years and I just adore everything about this handbag. I own an Onthego in the reverse monogram color scheme and it’s become one of my most frequently used handbags. When Louis Vuitton released their Escale collection, I was instantly smitten. Truth be told, when I first laid eyes on the Escale collection I was immediately disappointed I had already pulled the trigger on the reverse monogram Onthego because I was so obsessed with the pastel version of this bag. The Escale collection is one of my favorite Limited Edition collections that Louis Vuitton has had in recent years and I couldn’t stop thinking about it after seeing it. Pink is my all time favorite color and I loved the pastel color scheme, it became my newest handbag obsession (which I’m sure if you are reading here, you can probably relate to).
Every time I looked at the pastel Onthego online, which was a lot, it gave me the dreaded “notify me” on the site. Fast forward two months later when I was perusing the Louis Vuitton website late at night (anyone else have a tendency to do this or is it just me?). Imagine my surprise when I saw the pastel Onthego was available to place in cart. This bag had been sold out on the site for weeks, so I decided to take the plunge and order it when I was half asleep (I woke up in the morning and had to double check it hadn’t been a dream!). I couldn’t believe how beautiful the bag was when it arrived at my house, it truly is a stunning piece.
I really do love the look of this bag, but when I went to actually wear it there was just something about it that felt off for me. I’m not shy about loving logos, my monogram Onthego is one of my favorite bags in my collection, but the bright colors combined with the large nature of the bag was just felt a little too flashy for my comfort level. This is coming from someone who loves bold prints and logos, so I was very shocked when I realized this bag was not for me. I felt self conscious with it, which is the complete opposite feeling a bag should give you, and in my heart I knew that I wouldn’t be giving this bag as much wear as I should (especially for the very high price tag).
Of course my first thought was that I should return it, but I found myself hesitating because this handbag took me so long to find. I was lucky I was able to even snag one, right? I was totally swept up in the hype of finding a bag that was hard to find that the idea of returning it was out of the question. I knew I wouldn’t carry this bag often, but the idea of owning a rarer bag outweighed the logical need to return. The thought of being able to sell it for a higher resale value in future crossed my mind as well, especially since some resale sites are already selling this bag for far above retail value. If you’ve followed along on my Onthego journey, I even considered paying nearly double the price last summer when I fell in love with the Creme Onthego (and truth be told I am still pining over that bag…!).
Because of the prices that some Limited Edition bags of the past are commanding, I did consider keeping my Escale Onthego. Am I just going to yearn for it in 15 years? Possibly. Is that reason enough to keep it now? Not for me. After two weeks of mulling it over, I ended up exchanging my Escale Onthego for a Pochette Métis and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Maybe I will regret it in future, but for now, I think I definitely made the best choice.
Have you ever kept a bag that didn’t work well for you for potential resale value or because it was rare? Did it work out for you?
I have never purchased a bag with the intent to resell. I love the bags I get because I was intentional in getting each of them.
I only buy bags that I plan to keep forever. Resale value is only important if I’m deciding whether to buy a preloved bag or buy it new. Some bags, like most Diors, lose value so quickly that it makes more sense to buy preloved in excellent condition.
If I’m not going to use it – I sell it. It really only holds a high resale value when its still popular. Then, buy something you love with that money!!
Totally agree after mulling it over 🙂
I would sell it if you don’t love it. This bag won’t have the same staying power (or long term value) as a Murakami, Prince or Sprouse piece. It’s trendy at best and won’t be cute a year from now.
A bag being limited edition doesn’t guarantee it increasing its value or being sought after in a couple of years. Double whammy if she doesn’t like the bag now and it not doing well in the resale market later on.
I have kept new unused versions of some of the most original collaborations and special editions …… with Vuitton its not worth it I’m now wearing them but i think it best to sell now if you don’t like it.
I buy only with the intent to resell since I’ve been buying/selling bags for almost 2 decades. I have mostly limited editions now with a few vintage pieces and a few staples, like the MM Damier Neverfull. I was actually surprised to see how much the LV speedy has increased in price and value. I sold mine last year, and I regret it. You couldn’t claw the Murakami Neverfull away from my corpse, but I don’t like to use it much because the first gen of Neverfull, which this is, doesn’t have any reinforcement around the handles, like the newer ones do, so the part that joins the handle to the bag is slowly separating at the canvas, and LV will not repair torn canvas. I have already tried sending it in for repair, but LV refused to change any aspect of the bag’s design. I have all the tags and museum documents from MOCA’s LA exhibit. In the interest of full disclosure, I initially bought the PM size at the exhibit; I sold it after 2 years for a 350 profit and upgraded to the GM size, which I’ve been holding onto. I was sure to get 2 sets of all of the merch that came from the exhibit (stickers, booklets, exhibit guides), such that I still maintained a set even after selling the PM. Back in 2011, I sold my Multicolore Alma bags in black and white because their value was rapidly diminishing, but they’ve rebounded, and now my teenager is wearing 2000’s “throwbacks” and wants the Multicolore to match the Juicy C. sets I’ve handed down, so I’m seeking one of those in black again. It wasn’t the most classy of bags, but it did match everything. I have bought quite a few “tacky” bags just to hold onto. My Reubens Palm Springs backpack still has film over the letters and sits in a box, waiting for the value to increase. Maybe when the 2010’s come back in style. I’m also investing in Gucci’s retro print of formerly knock-off designs and the Dapper Dan line, which will make a comeback eventually. Id’ve profited big time if I had bought 10 of those fake Gucci shirts in the late 80’s/early 90’s. It’s a genius idea for a line and an interesting phenomenon of art mocking life (or is it life mocking art?).
I remember I wanted a Speedy back in college and thought they were too expensive at $660! That was 10+ years ago, but I can’t believe how much it has gone up in price! I love that your teen is wanting the Juicy suit and the Multicolore–I was obsessed with that look back in the day lol!
I have the same problem with you. Im also debating whether to buy the exact same bag or not. I love the pastel rainbow well i love anything bright bold rainbow colored (i have a mini backpack from the Valentino rainbow line back in 2015) and same as you I’m not scared of bold prints too. Im just hesitant though about the size. I love the onthego style but this one only comes in a GM size. And im not sure it will work well with my frame. Im petite 5’3. Thats my worry about buying this bag. The only limited edition louis vuitton that i love is the multicolor line. I got a speedy just 3 years ago in ebay at a bargain price cuz it was bidding and few people made a bid and in excellent condition even though ive wanted one for the last 10yrs. So im not sure if i will wait it out whether il wait for a used one for the next years or forget about this line. And i also agree with your choice the pochette metis. Its classic. I feel like this pastel escale is just trendy but wont really be valuable in the long run.
I am also 5’3 and felt it was overwhelming on me! Something about the colors and the size just didn’t work for me. I have the GM monogram Onthego and it doesn’t seem as large for some reason? You could always purchase it and exchange if it doesn’t work 🙂 I got a Pochette Metis instead and am loving it.
You made the right decision to exchange the bag. I purchase all of my bags based on future resale. However, I only purchase bags that I can also carry and get use out of. I am very careful when I carry my Chanel or Birkin bags. I treat them like they are babies. My golden rule has been to stick with neutral colors that can go with just about anything but I sometimes will purchase rare colors that I still can get wear out of.
Funny, I have the LV watercolor speedy and I have never used it. It would have been great for work but I ended up retiring early. I adore the pattern but it is large for my lifestyle now. I keep thinking I should sell it but so far, I have not been able to do it! So beautiful!
I will buy it when u want to sell. I love that watercolor and when it came out I was not in a position to buy LV.
I will cherish that beautiful speedy.
I have one. Super Mint condition. If you’re interested. It’s too big for me 🙁
Hello I like you purchased a bag but now I’m thinking about either returning it or selling it. However when I looked into the avenue of selling it I can’t find any really trust worthy sites to do it on. I guess the Real Real seems closest but with 25% of people not happy and claiming either their bag was lost or switched I’m questioning where do I go? Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
I have sold bags to Fashionphile and they are okay. I also sold to Yoogi’s Closet and they were awesome. I really recommend them. Hope that helps.
Seasonal bags are limited edition by nature — it doesn’t mean much. When seasonal bags are first released, brands may not able to accurately gauge demand, so they sell out and the second hand market is sky-high. Once the second production push comes through though, demand is often satiated and prices go down. Look now, the Pastel OnTheGo is still available online.
Even if a current bag’s resell value is high now, in 10 years you really never know if it’s going to go much higher, or join the dustbin of trendy bags long since forgotten.
This is true re: current bag values may diminish in the future. For instance, I remember that the Chloe Padlock was $2K when it came out and now they are on the secondary market for as little as $250. When I have a bag that I’m no longer using I sell it immediately vs. waiting because I always get a good return. It’s tricky knowing when to sell, but if ppl do their research re: what bags are popular they can make a good return. At least that is my personal experience.
When I was in Hawaii a few years back, I looked at the special Hawaii edition of the Neverfull, which was painted to look like it had buckles, etc. seemed very gaudy. I thought it was not for me, so passed and bought a monogram Neo Noe. Of course, I’m happy with It, but resell value is less what I paid, even in perfect shape. while that Hawaii bag has skyrocketed. It’s often $500 to a $1,000 more than I could have purchased it for (given the Hawaii discounts at the time. ) I do regret passing on it.
I still don’t care for the bag but I’m sure it would have come in handy, as all Neverfull’s do, and by now I could have sold it to get a bag I truly want.
Clearly, I have a bad time knowing what will be popular though. I bought a Kimono bag, not only because I adore it, but I was sure it’d be a collectors item. Ha! It’s already much less than I paid. So much for me guessing!
That said, you have to be happy with your decisions. Ultimately, you are better off having sold it to buy what you love. You don’t know what your future holds, so do what makes you happy. As an idea I’m intimately familiar with, you may not have the time to wait.
So enjoy your bag. It was a good decision. No matter what resale shows in ten years, you made yourself happy and didn’t spend a lot on a gamble.
I sold my Cerises speedy, it was too small, showed some wear and felt juvenile. The good thing was that I got more than I paid for it.
Hi! I just ordered the creme from Louis Vuitton! They’re available if you are still pining over it!!
I collect limited edition LV items. Resale value may impact some of my choices but not all of them. If the item has abysmal resale value it’ll impact how much I pay for it. Since I collect I plan on keeping items, not selling them. It’s more important to like something rather than just see it as an investment. Truthfully only a small number of handbags can be deemed as an investment.
I’m seeking someone to verify if an LV I have is real. Any recommendations?