This may come off as dumb, but I've been wondering.. Is the reason that people say DE canvas is "better for rainy weather" or "the DE pieces are more durable" simply because of the vachetta leather handles and straps that is typically on the Mono canvas? I understand that vachetta is delicate and can get water stains, but both DE and Mono canvas are the same material, right?
DE canvas and Mono canvas
- Thread starter ohfrankie
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That's what I'm gathering, as well! However, I also feel that DE items are stiffer and retain shape better than Mono items.. I don't know if it's just me, but I feel that Mono items tend to get a nice slouch and get less stiff over use, but the DE doesn't.
They have stiffer and more pliable versions for all the canvases. And they are (deliberately) not even consistent for the same product. I have the Keepall in Monogram Macassar and in Damier Cobalt. Same year. Same product. But the Mono is super soft, the Damier is stiff and stands on its own.
They are the same but use different leather. Vachetta leather can stain in rain. But the leather use mainly on DE can withstand rain/wet conditions.
Right, I wonder why though? Is the Mono made super soft to match the fragility of their vachetta leather trimmings? I tend to wonder about small details, lol
I think not 
The VVN trimmings are actually very hard wearing. They were chosen a century ago for edges and corners so that they get the most impact, not the canvas. And when worn down, they can be easily replaced. It was a very good idea. But they were meant for heavy use and the fact that they show wear wasn't considered a defect or fragility. On the contrary, it was classy, since it proved how much you travelled around the world. It is a very new trend that people want pristine VVN, mostly because Vuitton buyers are predominantly middle-class now (not like a century ago), so they really want to keep the products as new as possible. So the days when people used Vuitton as they use Helly Hansen now are long gone.
I do think that they pick the canvas for the form factor first. A GM Neverfull in Monogram is surprisingly way more stiffer than a soft classic Noé for example. And then they also use variances for every model, so you can have more and less structured options. These product strategies were made long before people around here started to worry about VVN in the rain
The VVN trimmings are actually very hard wearing. They were chosen a century ago for edges and corners so that they get the most impact, not the canvas. And when worn down, they can be easily replaced. It was a very good idea. But they were meant for heavy use and the fact that they show wear wasn't considered a defect or fragility. On the contrary, it was classy, since it proved how much you travelled around the world. It is a very new trend that people want pristine VVN, mostly because Vuitton buyers are predominantly middle-class now (not like a century ago), so they really want to keep the products as new as possible. So the days when people used Vuitton as they use Helly Hansen now are long gone.I do think that they pick the canvas for the form factor first. A GM Neverfull in Monogram is surprisingly way more stiffer than a soft classic Noé for example. And then they also use variances for every model, so you can have more and less structured options. These product strategies were made long before people around here started to worry about VVN in the rain
Sorry, what is VVN?I think not
I do think that they pick the canvas for the form factor first. A GM Neverfull in Monogram is surprisingly way more stiffer than a soft classic Noé for example. And then they also use variances for every model, so you can have more and less structured options. These product strategies were made long before people around here started to worry about VVN in the rain
Also, are you saying that the canvas softness/stiffness will just depend on who made it and how it's made? Maybe it's just from my experience that DE seems stiffer than Mono, like I've coincidentally only come across stiffer DE and softer Monos. Other than that, I totally get what you mean!
Vache Vegetal Naturel. What most people call vachetta. Untreated vegetable tanned cowhide.
I meant that it depends on Vuitton's design choices, what softness of stiffness they decide for a model or for a colour. Damier canvases are usually stiffer than Monogram, but I have seen stiffer Mono and softer Damier too. Also depends on the lining and if they glue the lining to the external canvas, that can also make it feel stiffer. And in cases they also can put reinforcement material between to two, if needed, that makes the bag extra stiff and structured.
Ohh I see! That makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to explain.