Until I started reading various threads and posts on this forum, I had absolutely no idea people had a preference for MIF. To me, it's all the same. Case in point, I purchased a MIF key pouch about 2 months ago, and it looks closer to the picture on the left than the right in terms of having more rounded edges (that stitching would have been a deal-breaker for me though).
Can you spot the difference? LV Clés Pouch Made in the USA vs France
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I’ve seen these odd shaped cles before and thought lv had changed the shape of them. I didn’t realise this is how MIU ones are/can be.
As a bit of advice if you’re new to lv, rather than focusing on where something has been made, just examine it carefully in store or when you first receive an online purchase. There are problems with pieces made in USA, France, Italy and Spain, it’s about the piece, not where it’s made. There are countless perfect made in USA pieces. And I say that from a European point of view, most of the items here in the Uk stores are made in France, but I see no difference in quality. Well made is well made. Mif feels like more of an emotional/sentimental thing.
As a bit of advice if you’re new to lv, rather than focusing on where something has been made, just examine it carefully in store or when you first receive an online purchase. There are problems with pieces made in USA, France, Italy and Spain, it’s about the piece, not where it’s made. There are countless perfect made in USA pieces. And I say that from a European point of view, most of the items here in the Uk stores are made in France, but I see no difference in quality. Well made is well made. Mif feels like more of an emotional/sentimental thing.
I’ve seen these odd shaped cles before and thought lv had changed the shape of them. I didn’t realise this is how MIU ones are/can be.
As a bit of advice if you’re new to lv, rather than focusing on where something has been made, just examine it carefully in store or when you first receive an online purchase. There are problems with pieces made in USA, France, Italy and Spain, it’s about the piece, not where it’s made. There are countless perfect made in USA pieces. And I say that from a European point of view, most of the items here in the Uk stores are made in France, but I see no difference in quality. Well made is well made. Mif feels like more of an emotional/sentimental thing.
Hi there ~ I really appreciate your perspective. Thank you. Of course, you're right, it's important that we all inspect any piece we want to purchase regardless of where it was made. The clés was my bestfriend's first experience with LV, who like me, had no preference before this. Having been to several stores she found all the US ones oddly shaped as well and with quality issues. We don't understand it why but the quality issues were rather pervasive.
Here's another example for you guys. Hope this helps.
I'll try to remember to do it this weekend (sorry, I'm traveling and didn't bring it with me). I just assumed the rounded edges was a design update because all of the pouches in the store (Zurich) were similar. But I completely agree the stitching and zipper look really off in your photos.
No problem at all. Thank you so much for adding to the conversation. It's interesting to know they look that way in Zurich as well. Safe travels to you! [emoji173]
I’m very surprised lv is letting these odd shaped ones through quality control/into production, like you and others say - they look counterfeit! And the seam and stitching is abysmal, it won’t last long before it tears. My mono cles is 17 years old and still looks fab.
I must admit, once I discovered tpf it did make me have a preference for Mif as it was discussed so much. Once I started buying Chanel I realised that all the Italian pieces were preferable so it made me reasses lv and relax about it more.
Have a search on the forum, there have been a few discussions about declining quality in recent years. There is some interesting info.
It is not something I can tell you to particularly look out for. It is not a quality and/or material difference between MIF and MIU simply saying there have been issues with MIF items just as there are with MIU items. Bottom line there really is no difference between the two as many may think. MIF is more of a preference for some and a bonus for others. Not a matter of thinking because one received an MIF bag that it is particularly made better than a bag one has which is MIU. I have both MIF and MIU bags and there is no difference in quality, materials or make. I think that yes things happen that probably shouldn't get by quality but that is my perception and may not be in LV's quality guidelines in a whole. I also think there is a perception that just because a bag cost thousands it should be perfect and last forever indestructible so to speak - yes do I want near perfect sure but I know nothing is 100% perfect. Not saying that is the case here just what I have witnessed on the forum. Then threads like these just make them magnified even more.
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I have a MIU cles and it looks like the one on the left. I read that it was just a design change? I got mine online but the ones in store were the same. It is fine for me. I do not mind that the seams show a bit on the corners - this is likely to happen when sewing around a round corner with bulky material (such as canvas) that is then flipped inside out. To be honest, with such thick material, if the tension on the seams is too tight I would be afraid of the thread cutting into the canvas which could lead to rips around the holes.
I had a MIF Neverfull and to be honest it was sew together terribly. The alignment was off on both sides and the zipper on the pocket was not placed centered which left a gap on one end of the zipper. I exchanged for a MIU one and that one is perfect in every way. I also have a MIF PA and the zipper was not sewn on such that the ends of the bag lined up evenly. It was off by 2-3mm which is not too much but noticeable once closed (also causes slight uneven tension on the zipper fabric). I could tell that the person sewing it had sewn on one side of the zipper slightly higher than the other. I returned that one since it just seemed really sloppy. I did get another MIF PA that was perfect though. So really it doesn't matter where it's made. The French workers are human too and thus will also make mistakes when constructing the bag.
I had a MIF Neverfull and to be honest it was sew together terribly. The alignment was off on both sides and the zipper on the pocket was not placed centered which left a gap on one end of the zipper. I exchanged for a MIU one and that one is perfect in every way. I also have a MIF PA and the zipper was not sewn on such that the ends of the bag lined up evenly. It was off by 2-3mm which is not too much but noticeable once closed (also causes slight uneven tension on the zipper fabric). I could tell that the person sewing it had sewn on one side of the zipper slightly higher than the other. I returned that one since it just seemed really sloppy. I did get another MIF PA that was perfect though. So really it doesn't matter where it's made. The French workers are human too and thus will also make mistakes when constructing the bag.
Did you watch the video? This may help you to understand better:
Perhaps it's a quality control issue. Problems/Defects are one thing, that will sporadically happen no matter where it's made. What we're trying to figure out is why the difference between the two clés don't seem to be an anomaly. All the MIU we've personally seen have the same round shape and seem to have a propensity towards quality issues. Whereas the MIF are more rectangular and even, like they've apparently always been made over the years.
Keep in mind, as we mentioned before, it was not a matter of preference for myself or my bestfriend who's first experience with LV was going to 4 stores and finding the exact same odd shape issue with the MIU. She wouldn't have hesistated at all to buy a MIU if the shape/quality was the same as what we saw with the MIF.
Hope that helps. ❤
You know what, I was just wondering if they were transitioning the design and maybe in the transition there were some quality control issues. Thank you so much for brining that up and sharing your experience. Really appreciate your input.
We're quite new to LV. Neither of us have ever been part of the MIU/MIF debate so I understand why some assume that's what we're getting at. But we're specificying the clés not any other pieces. We just noticed that the different look wasn't a one-off it was consistent and pervasive. And perhaps the design change is the reason why.
Thank you! ❤
No dear I do not watch you tube videos they drive me madd. No pun intended. I total get what you are trying to getting at I do but I also think you missed my point. You do seem very new to the forum and perhaps LV as well. I was actually answering your question and perhaps posting for others who may be new to LV trying to kill themselves trying to find MIF items in the US because they think its better. Not knocking what your saying at all as I stated our quality control and LV's I am sure are very different. Once you have been purchasing for awhile you will see what I mean. It is good to have discussions like this come up for new buyers.
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Ah yes, I understand you now. Generally speaking there is no difference between other MIU/MIF handbags, wallets, etc. Got it. And I agree with you that one shouldn't exhaust themselves just for a stamp that says made in France. [emoji173] Thank you for clarifying.
That's highly possible they were transitioning designs. When I got mine I was worried because it did look different from what I've seen online. But I saw a few other people post their new ones here and it looked like mine so I figure it was ok. I'm pretty new to LV too so I was wondering what was up with mine lol. Glad you two were able to get the matching cles though!