Considering First LV Purchase - Suggestions/Recommendations?

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#46
shillinggirl88 said:
Thanks! I'm definitely leaning that way. I'm guessing canvas is low maintenance but I'd have to worry about vachetta...rain, snow etc. and I live in a state that has winter with snow!
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Actually, you don't have to worry about vachetta at all, that's the point. It is supposed to be a durable, luggage leather with a workhorse heritage. LV luggage was built to get slung onto the top of a carriage where it met all of the forces of nature--rain, sleet, snow, blazing sun. It isn't supposed to stay pristine and white. You can carry vachetta and beat the cr-- out of it, and it will still be going strong in 20 years. If you will fret and stress about vachetta aging--scratches, rainspots, dirt, patina-- then don't get it. Instead of appreciating it, you'll think it's a hassle. Some people will even say it's "delicate." That always makes me laugh. It's about as delicate as a farm tractor. Anyway, if looking new is your objective, then get the Epi. It is a beautiful, classic design that will look very nice for many years. :smile:
 
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#47
prepster said:
Actually, you don't have to worry about vachetta at all, that's the point. It is supposed to be a durable, luggage leather with a workhorse heritage. LV luggage was built to get slung onto the top of a carriage where it met all of the forces of nature--rain, sleet, snow, blazing sun. It isn't supposed to stay pristine and white. You can carry vachetta and beat the cr-- out of it, and it will still be going strong in 20 years. If you will fret and stress about vachetta aging--scratches, rainspots, dirt, patina-- then don't get it. Instead of appreciating it, you'll think it's a hassle. Some people will even say it's "delicate." That always makes me laugh. It's about as delicate as a farm tractor. Anyway, if looking new is your objective, then get the Epi. It is a beautiful, classic design that will look very nice for many years. :smile:
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Thanks for your thoughts! I love the darkening of vachetta leather. The only thing that would bother me are rain type spots. I'm hoping to compare the monogram and Epi in person...not sure if Alma in the monogram will keep its structure enough for me.
 
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#48
Ok stopped at local store again! Tried monogram and Epi. Those are the two I'm down too.

I like the no worry of Epi and black is always classic but do I need another black?

Love the idea of the vachetta getting a nice honey patina! At same time worry a bit about water spots etc.

My dear daughter took pics of both.

Any final thoughts opinions would be awesome :-)
 

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#49
shillinggirl88 said:
Ok stopped at local store again! Tried monogram and Epi. Those are the two I'm down too.

I like the no worry of Epi and black is always classic but do I need another black?

Love the idea of the vachetta getting a nice honey patina! At same time worry a bit about water spots etc.

My dear daughter took pics of both.

Any final thoughts opinions would be awesome :-)
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They both look great on you. Good luck deciding.
 
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#51
I like the Epi one on you better. Plus it's more durable and can withstand rain and snow. I have the Petit Noe in Epi and love it. I have some monogram pieces but I only use them on sunny clear days. I live in Michigan so it's not very often I get to use them.
 
#52
shillinggirl88 said:
Ok stopped at local store again! Tried monogram and Epi. Those are the two I'm down too.

I like the no worry of Epi and black is always classic but do I need another black?

Love the idea of the vachetta getting a nice honey patina! At same time worry a bit about water spots etc.

My dear daughter took pics of both.

Any final thoughts opinions would be awesome :smile:
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You look great with both Almas in those photos! Nice to know you finally saw all 3 together - epi, monogram and damier ebene.

If you really like the monogram, get that. If it's summer where you are, use it often and allow it to get a nice patina. After a while, I find the vachetta more or less impervious to inclement weather (as @prepster also said). With a few weeks of use, if it ever gets any water spots, I'd wipe the vachetta with a slightly damp cloth to even out any spots. It will dry evenly.

Good luck deciding! :heart:
 
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#54
litchi said:
You look great with both Almas in those photos! Nice to know you finally saw all 3 together - epi, monogram and damier ebene.

If you really like the monogram, get that. If it's summer where you are, use it often and allow it to get a nice patina. After a while, I find the vachetta more or less impervious to inclement weather (as @prepster also said). With a few weeks of use, if it ever gets any water spots, I'd wipe the vachetta with a slightly damp cloth to even out any spots. It will dry evenly.

Good luck deciding! :heart:
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The DE was the MM size - my friend liked that for her. I think PM is better size for me - plus a strap works great with them.

Thanks on the notes on vachetta. The SA there told me that she just wipes hers with a cloth too. I have just not experienced it before so hesitant. It is a big investment for me...likely a onetime LV purchase.

Thanks again.
 
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#55
shillinggirl88 said:
The DE was the MM size - my friend liked that for her. I think PM is better size for me - plus a strap works great with them.

Thanks on the notes on vachetta. The SA there told me that she just wipes hers with a cloth too. I have just not experienced it before so hesitant. It is a big investment for me...likely a onetime LV purchase.

Thanks again.
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If you are only ever to get 1 LV Alma (ever), I would then say go for epi leather. It doesn't have to be black if you have too many black bags.

My advice for getting the classic Alma in monogram was premised on your purchasing other LVs after this first LV. It usually does not stop at one. ;)
 
#56
litchi said:
If you are only ever to get 1 LV Alma (ever), I would then say go for epi leather. It doesn't have to be black if you have too many black bags.

My advice for getting the classic Alma in monogram was premised on your purchasing other LVs after this first LV. It usually does not stop at one. ;)
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Ha ha on only getting one. That is my plan.

My store only has black and for an investment piece it seems logical choice. I like Dune as well but think Black looks so nice in Epi.
 
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#57
shillinggirl88 said:
Ha ha on only getting one. That is my plan.

My store only has black and for an investment piece it seems logical choice. I like Dune as well but think Black looks so nice in Epi.
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I think both look amazing on you, but if I may suggest--- if you're leaning towards Epi, you may want to try finding it on the pre-loved market? Epi typically drops dramatically in value once used so you may be able to find a fantastic deal on it. The monogram tends to keep its value quite well so buying it new is probably better since you'd like only save 10-15% off the retail price.
 
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#58
My mom bought an Epi leather Alma about 7/8 years ago in a really pretty dark purple. My mom does not baby her bags at all and her Alma is used constantly, especially in winter (we live in PA). She also takes it to court a lot and court security are not gentle with bags, they actually ripped her Neverful once. Even through all this, LV has repaired it when needed and it's still going strong and looks great. I don't think you can go wrong with Epi.
 
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#59
First off, you look so happy and pretty carrying both :). I can't remember but do you plan to use it day to day in your bag rotation or will it be a weekend bag? What does your gut tell you? Will it truly bother you if you get rain spots on the vachetta? I know you will probably protect it and wipe it down asap but what if you end up with rain spots? Have you looked at preowned listings of Almas (both mono and epi) to see how they might possibly age? I agree that the monogram will hold its value better over time should you want to sell it down the line. I think life is too short to worry about what happens IF you get rainspots on your bag. Then again, are you the type to be bothered by any scuff, marks, spots on your bag? You can't really go wrong with either. Good luck deciding!
 
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#60
oceansportrait said:
I think both look amazing on you, but if I may suggest--- if you're leaning towards Epi, you may want to try finding it on the pre-loved market? Epi typically drops dramatically in value once used so you may be able to find a fantastic deal on it. The monogram tends to keep its value quite well so buying it new is probably better since you'd like only save 10-15% off the retail price.
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Thanks good to know....I guess people like the pieces that show off LV ;-) I guess my thought is if my first and possibly only LV I want to break it in!
 
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