Calfskin vs Epi

[JJbear]

Please help me decide on a Mother’s Day gift!

I’m pretty set on going for a dauphine bag in black but can’t seem to make up my mind on black calfskin (smooth calf not pebbled) or black epi.

I’d love to hear which one you’d pick solely on looks alone and then based on overall factors.

The pros and cons that I’ve weighed out so far seem to be that calfskin is more prone to scratches, but considered more luxurious since it looks so smooth and buttery. While Epi is virtually indestructible and distinctively LV.

I’ve never owned an LV calfskin piece as of yet so I’m not sure how it wears or ages and would love to know your thoughts on how it might act on a bag like dauphine.

My mom isn’t the most gentle with her bags, but not entirely careless either. She’s currently has many epi pieces so I know she likes the leather, but I’m torn between getting her another of something she already has or getting her something different like calfskin - but not if it won’t look so great in the long run.

 

[BULL]

This is very hard. Just by looking at the title I was like 'Épi all the way', since I am a big fan. The first true Vuitton leather, sophisticated, durable, and still luxurious. And I am against the idea of them using generic leathers that don't even have a name. It's part of the mythology that we all crave. Vuitton leathers have a story and a history. I find the 'calf' bland. But I have 3 reasons against Épi:
1. This bag has a strong Art Deco vibe, and with that Épi doesn't resonate that well.
2. The 'frame' on the Épi turns it into a Chanel Boy wannabe. Not cool. And also the chain, come on.
3. And I also had a little Devil Wears Prada moment while looking at them side by side. I know that the blueprint is (almost) the same, but they are VERY different bags. Even though they both have gold hardware, the Épi ones all felt colder, while the smooth ones all felt warmer (even though both having a Noir option). And this bag just feels better warm, if you know what I mean.
So all in all, I'd recommend the smooth calf, that is a more honest design.

 

[JJbear]

This is very hard. Just by looking at the title I was like 'Épi all the way', since I am a big fan. The first true Vuitton leather, sophisticated, durable, and still luxurious. And I am against the idea of them using generic leathers that don't even have a name. It's part of the mythology that we all crave. Vuitton leathers have a story and a history. I find the 'calf' bland. But I have 3 reasons against Épi:
1. This bag has a strong Art Deco vibe, and with that Épi doesn't resonate that well.
2. The 'frame' on the Épi turns it into a Chanel Boy wannabe. Not cool. And also the chain, come on.
3. And I also had a little Devil Wears Prada moment while looking at them side by side. I know that the blueprint is (almost) the same, but they are VERY different bags. Even though they both have gold hardware, the Épi ones all felt colder, while the smooth ones all felt warmer (even though both having a Noir option). And this bag just feels better warm, if you know what I mean.
So all in all, I'd recommend the smooth calf, that is a more honest design.

Wow thank you so much. If there was such thing as a perfect reply I think you just delivered it. You touched on all the points I was looking for and even described the vibe of the bag in a way I was struggling to.

I may have to pop by the store and do a side by side like you did.

Do you think the smooth calfskin will age well? Ive been so spoiled by the durability of scratch proof Vernis and hard epi that I’m afraid I’m either underestimating or over estimating smooth calfskin.

 

[BULL]

I think it can age nicely, but only if really taken care of. It really seems much more delicate than Épi. And since it is more of a formal bag, scratches don't look good on them. On a duffle bag or something more casual, the leather having blemishes adds to the patina experience. But on a formal bag like this, not really.
If you can visit a store and compare them, that is the best.