Handbags have definitely had eras in my life.
There was a Dooney era. A Coach era. A brief but memorable Tory Burch phase. And then there were the Louis years — when corporate bonuses started hitting and suddenly those orange boxes felt a lot more attainable.
Over time some bags stayed, some were sold, and a few I definitely wish I had kept (a small regret we’ll unpack another day). But the ones still sitting in my closet today? They’ve earned their place. Not because they’re the most expensive. Not because they’re trendy. But because I actually reach for them.
Right now, the core of my luxury lineup comes from Louis Vuitton, and each one has its own little personality.
Let’s meet them.
The Loud One — Crafty Speedy 30
We’re starting with the one that absolutely refuses to be subtle.
The Speedy is one of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic bags — usually done in classic monogram or Damier canvas. Mine, however, is from the Crafty collection, which means subtlety is not part of the equation.
The oversized graphic print is bold, a little chaotic, and honestly kind of fabulous. It looks nothing like traditional Louis Vuitton, which is exactly why I love it.
This bag gets stared at every single time I carry it.
Some people clearly love it. Others look slightly confused. Either way, she starts conversations.
And every collection needs one bag that breaks the rules.
The Practical One — Odeon Tote (Damier Canvas)
Every closet needs a bag that just quietly gets the job done.
My Odeon Tote in Damier Ebene canvas is that bag. It’s structured enough to look polished, but relaxed enough for everyday life — errands, travel days, running around town.
The best part? It’s discontinued now. Which means it’s a little piece of Louis history quietly living in my closet.
Not flashy. Not trendy. Just extremely reliable.
The Versatile One — Multi Pochette Accessoires
This bag might be the overachiever of the group.
The Multi Pochette Accessoires in black empreinte leather can be worn about ten different ways — crossbody, shoulder bag, broken into smaller pieces, styled with different straps.
It adapts depending on the day, which is exactly what I want from a bag.
Also, fun little side note: this one has had a significant price increase since I bought it. Which means the girl math is working in my favor for once.
The Minimalist One — Easy Pouch on Strap
Not every bag needs to make a scene.
The Easy Pouch on Strap in turtle dove grey empreinte leather is the calm, elegant one in the group.
It’s perfect for:
- dinners
- events
- quick outings
- travel nights when you don’t want to carry half your life with you
Small, sleek, and very easy to style.
Sometimes the quiet ones end up being the most useful.
The Fun One — Raffia Resort Toiletry Pouch with Chain
This one is the personality hire.
It’s another limited resort release — a raffia toiletry pouch with black leather finishes and a chain strap.
It feels a little more playful than the rest of my Louis bags and definitely leans vacation energy. The texture alone makes it feel different from the classic leather and canvas pieces.
Not every bag needs to be serious. Some just need to make an outfit more interesting.
The Sentimental One — Vintage Monogram Wristlet
And then there’s the one with the story.
This vintage monogram wristlet with a gold chain detail is actually one of the oldest pieces in my collection. I bought it with my first real full-time paycheck in my twenties.
I remember that feeling so clearly — walking into the store, debating whether I should really spend the money, and then deciding that yes… this was my little reward for working hard.
It’s a small piece, but it represents a big moment. My first grown-up paycheck. My first real luxury purchase.
And honestly, it might be the most meaningful bag in the whole lineup.
The Philosophy Now
If you had asked me years ago what my dream bag collection looked like, I probably would have said something like “all luxury, all the time.”
And for a while, I actually did that. I sold off most of my non-luxury bags thinking I was upgrading my closet.
But now? I’ve come full circle.
These days I’m just as happy carrying bags from Coach or Dooney again — both brands have refreshed their designs beautifully, and the price point feels a lot lighter.
Less pressure. Less guilt. Still great style.
So the goal now isn’t to collect the most expensive bags. It’s simply to build a collection of bags I actually love and actually carry. Because the best bags aren’t always the rarest ones.
They’re the ones that stick around long enough to collect stories.
And next week, I’ll share the story of the bag that started it all — the one my grandma bought me at the mall one Christmas that quietly started this whole journey.
