Comparing 2 vintage versions of LV Babylone- Which is better?

[LoveLux123]

Hi! Starting this thread to share differences I found between the 2 vintage versions of the monogram Babylone.

1. The general shape of the bag is different between the 2- the leather lined one seems more boxy.

2. The handle position is lower on the leather lined one.
- This results in more of the handle on the leather lined one to droop onto the surface the purse is resting on.

- Although strap length is the same on both versions, the leather lined one has a shorter distance between the edge of the purse and the top of the handle strap when you pull the strap up vertically, because the beginning of the handle location is lower on the monogram part of the leather lined purse.

3. The leather lined one is obviously a little heavier but the difference is not as great as I thought it would be compared to the one lined with Alcantara.

*** if you had to choose between these two versions, which one would you choose? The Alcantara lined version is an overall better shape in terms of the vachetta and the glazing.

The leather lined one has glazing that needs to be touched up at some point, and the inside pockets are all peeled and sticky and I would need to try to clean them out in order for them to be usable. However, in past posts, it seems that people generally prefer the leather lined one for its durability compared to the Alcantara lining, and seem to praise her overall quality of the leather-lined version?

I'm having a hard time choosing between having a purse with the leather lining and then perhaps fixing up the glazing later on although I don't know how important that is to do, maybe it's just cosmetic?

Or go with the Alcantara lining one which might not be as durable but the whole purse is generally in a bit better shape in terms of the glazing. The canvas itself is about the same. I think I could clean up the potato on the leather lined one to decrease the appearance of some of the watermarks.

Would love your input! Thank you!

 

[jellyv]

The lower-handle one was earlier than the other, and objectively higher quality, having the leather interior. At this remove from when they were made, not sure that's too decisive. I liked the bag a lot, though you have to go for a bag that's very structured and rather big; it is. The Babylone did have edge glazing issues, and it was a sort of expensive repair back then. I think it's important to address it, though, for structural stability. It's not just cosmetic, in my opinion.

If you get the leather one, I'd personally suggest you leave the pockets alone vs. fooling with them. This is so common in the old bags.

 

[880]

I had a leather lined one. Loved it. It wore really well. Normally I would say older is better, but if you have to clean out the interior, ugh, pass. Could you perhaps wait for one in better condition? I personally don’t mind patina and normal wear, but I like my interior to be clean

 

[LoveLux123]

Decisions, decisions! It looks like either I make peace with having the interior pockets be sticky and unusable, or keep looking for a leather one that doesn't have that problem although if it's not like that now, it may end up like that in the future as I understand it is something that frequently occurs.
And, to keep in mind that fixing the glazing is important, so I have to factor that into the cost.

The leather lined one is beautiful! I'm just wondering if it's worth looking for one in a better condition that's more expensive, paying more money to repair the glazing on this one, or stick with the other one that has just the Alcantara version and doesn't need any other repair. Yikes! I really appreciate everyone's opinion and experience with this! Thank you so much! I have attached a picture of the glazing on the leather lined one.

Do any folks have and like the Alcantara lined version, I wonder?

Thanks again!

 

[LoveLux123]

D

I had a leather lined one. Loved it. It wore really well. Normally I would say older is better, but if you have to clean out the interior, ugh, pass. Could you perhaps wait for one in better condition? I personally don’t mind patina and normal wear, but I like my interior to be clean

Thanks for the reply! Do you happen to know how Alcantara lining holds up? Still debating between that and leather lined. Thanks so much!

 

[atlantique]

I had a leather lined Babylon many years ago. I prefer leather lining, because it's easyer to hold it clean - it can be cleaned with leather care products.

Maybe you can clean the lining with baby wipes (without alcohol!) and after that you use a good leather care product?!

The leather lining makes the bag a little heavier.