The Steamer Messenger is a fantastic piece and work of art. Taurillon Leather is absolutely divine (And it smells great too). Its a versatile piece and fits a surprising amount of items. Go for it!!
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Épi all the way. I love Taurillon, but I hate that they felt the need to scatter logos all over it. I am also not into the magnetic closure, I know that it is practical, but for me it takes away elegance. None of the magnetic LV bags feel luxurious enough for this reason. My other issue with all the new Steamer kinda Virgil stuff it that they are not honest. They go against the 6th design commandment of Dieter Rams, that says that a good design is honest: which means that should do what it looks like being able to do. They seemingly have a very sophisticated closing mechanism, which doesn't close anything and only there as an embellishment. The Épi bag has nothing superfluous like that.
Plus the black coated hardware that will scratch like hell.
Plus the Épi has normal Vuitton zipper pulls, and the Steamer has those 'drunk' Virgil ones.
Thanks I really want to get into taurillon and that is my main reason for this bag but I do have similar reservations as bull. I think I will need to try it on a few more times. It is beautiful but also so superficial since it is just a magnetic closure.
I’ve seen a lot of comments on how black hardware wears and how it scratches/gets chipped but I actually have had a lot of good experience with black hardware from Chanel. Granted the Chanel ones are not in the matte style.
One of my biggest reservations about this bag is that it is such a superficial nod to the steamer style so you have really hit the nail on the head on the design aspect. I think a magnetic closure is a very big compromise to the elegance and beauty of a fully functioning and authentic closure. I think luxury items can be fiddly and take time to love, and LV already has the more general, functional pieces (like district or odyssey). Something like this should be a work of art (especially in the taurillon)
Will be reporting back when I can
The one on the left has a cleaner look, but both are Nice looking
I generally like maccasar (especially the interior of this one) but it’s annoying me that the monogram is off centre..
Classic monogram. The canvas interior tends to look worn out, warped and wonky after a short period of time. Canvas is not intended to be used for cards in my opinion. Stick to the classic.
You both make excellent points. For me. I’ve never been able to pull the trigger on Epi, other than a pocket organizer. There’s something about it that screams “blah” to me. Taurillion leather looks and feels so much more upscale to me. Also, the monogram embossing does it for me! Plain Taurillion is so BORING!!Thanks I really want to get into taurillon and that is my main reason for this bag but I do have similar reservations as bull. I think I will need to try it on a few more times. It is beautiful but also so superficial since it is just a magnetic closure.
I’ve seen a lot of comments on how black hardware wears and how it scratches/gets chipped but I actually have had a lot of good experience with black hardware from Chanel. Granted the Chanel ones are not in the matte style.
One of my biggest reservations about this bag is that it is such a superficial nod to the steamer style so you have really hit the nail on the head on the design aspect. I think a magnetic closure is a very big compromise to the elegance and beauty of a fully functioning and authentic closure. I think luxury items can be fiddly and take time to love, and LV already has the more general, functional pieces (like district or odyssey). Something like this should be a work of art (especially in the taurillon)
Will be reporting back when I can
Also I think Epi you really have to pick the right epi bag. It can crease very easily depending on how the bag is structured and whether the ‘high use’ areas go against the grains of epi, and when it creases easily look 20-30 years older - I think it is because we expect epi to look so clean and sleek
I know what you mean though - it is a bit blah but it can also look very smart
A question about your pocket organiser in epi, are there significant creases where it bends (since that part goes against the grain). I know it stretches out again when you close it so it is not too big of a deal.
The same typical creases that you would expect on any leather piece near the hinge. Same as the day I bought it. Durability wise, I’m extremely pleased with it. It wears much harder than all of my canvas pieces. I do see your point with bags. That may explain the lack of Epi inventory in messengers and such…Also I think Epi you really have to pick the right epi bag. It can crease very easily depending on how the bag is structured and whether the ‘high use’ areas go against the grains of epi, and when it creases easily look 20-30 years older - I think it is because we expect epi to look so clean and sleek
I know what you mean though - it is a bit blah but it can also look very smart
A question about your pocket organiser in epi, are there significant creases where it bends (since that part goes against the grain). I know it stretches out again when you close it so it is not too big of a deal.
Hey gents, I have been thinking about grabbing an avenue sling, and I cannot decide between macassar or the gray taiga. Can someone please recommend which one is more durable and ages well. I read somewhere the leather part of the mcassar scratches easily and will not look esthetically pleasing but I am not sure. If someone could confirm that would be great. Thanks!
The leather on the Macassar has a shiny glazed look and will show superficial scratches over time. The Taiga leather is a corrected grain leather and will be more resistant to scratches compared to the leather trim on the Macassar. Leather is also less prone to cracking compared to canvas. Worth the investment as long as you like the toned down look of it.
Miss the old Macassar leather. This new one always reminds me of Boss or Tommy Hilfiger leathergoods.