New Speedy empriente 25 coming in August !

[FancyPants77]

I am learning so much from you in terms of how the Speedy looks with use and practicality. A huge thank you for sharing the experience. As I grow older and hopefully wiser [emoji6], practicality is a key factor in choosing bags and SLGS. If I know I am most likely not going to reach for it for various reasons of worrying about dye transfer, non practicality then I guess this is not the bag nor SLG to be.

I went through a phase whereby I bought colors I love but they turned out to be a challenge to match with my outfits. I had to rehome them and lesson learnt for me is to always ensure the bag matches with what I wear so that again, it falls back to it being practical.

When I purchased the Noir Curieus, Terre in the Cles caught my eye but I was looking for a small daily wallet that I need not fold my bills as I do use cash on a daily basis. Ironically, the Compact curieus wallet is not that small but because I only have four cards within and cash, it works out perfectly for me. I agree with you that Terre is absolutely gorgeous. I do like Camel browns too but Terre is such an elegant color and your point in having them both made absolute sense. I can now imagine them all in my bag, the noir curieus, terre cles, DE card case and DE mini pochette. What a lovely sight and being all neutral colors, they will match any bag. [emoji4]

I phoned customer service yesterday and was told Terre is no longer available. The piece that I saw could be a display piece. I am hoping I can still find it as I was offered a Cherry curieus wallet at the boutique even though I was told that only Noir is available. Wish me luck!

You're very welcome . Agreed, practicality is most important. How unfortunate the terre is no longer available. That does make the decision easier though if the pouch is indeed the piece you'll be going for. If it's more the color terre you want, the zippy coin purse in terre would fit your needs of having a card and cash holder- also very spacious and just a little more expensive. Then, you could actually have slots for your cards. The option of a cles allowing you a cardholder and/or a key holder is quite appealing though. I wish you the best of luck. Whatever you choose will be beautiful, as their empreinte is the absolute best-- with the exception of all things 'speedy' we discussed

 

[frenziedhandbag]

Wish you the best of luck. Whatever you choose will be beautiful, as their empreinte is the absolute best-- with the exception of all things 'speedy' we discussed

With your well wishes, I return in triumph with the Cles in Terre. It was not available at the boutique I went to but because my country is small,my SA ran to the other boutique to get one for me. I also got the DE mini pochette. LV did a fantastic job of reglazing my entire DE card case. I had previously thought that only the part that split slightly will be repaired but the SA informed me that it was taken apart and reglazed all round. It was also cleaned and now look as good as new.

With all my essentials within, I tried on both the Saint Germain and the Twinset. Both bags fit all the essentials I wish to carry. I adore the Saint Germain for its elegant look. The chain was light and very comfortable on the shoulder. It is definitely a notch more elegant with the gold hardware and the option to carry it as a shoulder bag is very appealing. I found it to elevate my casual outfit today. The twinset, on the other hand is versatile as a day to day bag and great for travelling too. I decided to give myself some time to ponder over these two.

Thank you for sharing your experience once again, and... my joy now. [emoji4]

 

[Cort]

Wow!! I wasn't expecting the quality to look THAT poor. Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with us. That's absolutely unacceptable quality. I'm so glad you returned it for the bagatelle in noir. Way better choice. Congratulations on the purchase as well as your husbands new wallet. And your Minnie Mouse fingernails look so nice! Hope the rest of your Disney trip is amazing

Thank you so much! This bag is definitely one of the highlights. My husband didn't even take his wallet out when we got back to the resort. Even though I knew I was returning the speedy, I still kept taking it out of the bag and box to look at it. I told him if he changed his mind about the wallet I would return it for him and get something for myself! [emoji6]

 

[Cort]

Wow!! I wasn't expecting the quality to look THAT poor. Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with us. That's absolutely unacceptable quality. I'm so glad you returned it for the bagatelle in noir. Way better choice. Congratulations on the purchase as well as your husbands new wallet. And your Minnie Mouse fingernails look so nice! Hope the rest of your Disney trip is amazing

After I purchased the speedy and got back to the resort I was sick about the awful quality. It put me in such a bad mood!

 

[FancyPants77]

With your well wishes, I return in triumph with the Cles in Terre. It was not available at the boutique I went to but because my country is small,my SA ran to the other boutique to get one for me. I also got the DE mini pochette. LV did a fantastic job of reglazing my entire DE card case. I had previously thought that only the part that split slightly will be repaired but the SA informed me that it was taken apart and reglazed all round. It was also cleaned and now look as good as new.

With all my essentials within, I tried on both the Saint Germain and the Twinset. Both bags fit all the essentials I wish to carry. I adore the Saint Germain for its elegant look. The chain was light and very comfortable on the shoulder. It is definitely a notch more elegant with the gold hardware and the option to carry it as a shoulder bag is very appealing. I found it to elevate my casual outfit today. The twinset, on the other hand is versatile as a day to day bag and great for travelling too. I decided to give myself some time to ponder over these two.

Thank you for sharing your experience once again, and... my joy now. [emoji4]

Welcome to the empreinte terre club! . That's great news. I'm so happy for you. And now you have the pleasure of owning a noir wallet and terre cles/"wallet"- their two most beautiful and practical color options, in my opinion. Congratulations on the full reglazing of the card case- so glad she's good as new. And I know you'll enjoy the mini pochette- it will truly be an essential part of your bags daily contents as soon as you designate some essentials to go inside of it. And it's fantastic for running a quick errand or such and using as a wristlet. It's rare to find an item that can be tossed around inside a purse and when you randomly take it out to use as a wristlet it looks perfect on the outside- LV got it right with this piece, that's for sure. Saint germain vs Twinset is a tough decision, as they are evening vs day bags. If in the end it comes down to making a decision based on practicality, it'll probably have to be the Twinset, of course. Either route, you walk away with a gorgeous piece that will last you a very long time . I think the biggest distinction for me looking at both, is that the Saint germain has the embossing on the flap with smooth letter as its body leather, and the Twinset is the reverse with the smooth leather as the flap with the embossed leather as the body. The twinsets focal point then becomes the smooth leather, and the smooth leather gives it an entirely different vibe. I'm not a big fan of the smooth leather because it shows emphasis on the tiniest of flaws and/or scratches (that then kind of become the focal point of that entire flap of smooth grain). My Saint Germains smooth grain has some hairline creasing on the front, but because the flap is the embossed part, the focal point becomes the flap. As well as the beautiful gold S-Lock. On the other hand, the S-lock is nowhere near as convenient as a button close and zip close purse. So two very different bags. For me, I try to grab the more expensive items like the Saint germain before anymore price increases. My first empreinte speedy was purchased a few years before the second one (both the same size) and therefore three hundred dollars cheaper. The price increases are so irritating. My first speedy 25 canvas was purchased in 2007, I believe it was, just before that years increase- it was only $595 before tax. If only LV was still that inexpensive (compared to now anyway- I actually considered that price expensive then, and sometimes can't believe what I spend on LV now). But again, I'm so happy for all your beautiful items, especially the terre cles because their empreinte pieces are the best! Congrats again

 

[FancyPants77]

Thank you so much! This bag is definitely one of the highlights. My husband didn't even take his wallet out when we got back to the resort. Even though I knew I was returning the speedy, I still kept taking it out of the bag and box to look at it. I told him if he changed his mind about the wallet I would return it for him and get something for myself! [emoji6]

I would have been irritated as well. I can't believe the terrible quality of design with the new speedy. I'm so glad you took that second look at it before it was too late and you were stuck with an already falling apart bag. Your pictures truly shocked me. I wasn't expecting for it to look THAT terrible, especially the print job on the key clochette. Although the gold lettering was so far to the left that I don't know which was worse. That would have driven me nuts even if you could've exchanged just the key clochette. The lettering on the bag looked a bit better print-wise but it would've eventually chipped away just like on the key clochette. I was actually listening to a Beyoncé song when I was looking at the pictures you posted and the picture of the lettering between the two rivets made me think of her song irreplaceable where she sings "To the left to the left!!!"... because of how to the left your lettering was!! It made me laugh out loud at how tacky the lettering makes this bag look. Again, thank you so much for sharing the pictures, as you have helped many of us steer clear of this bag . Very grateful for the purse forum and your contribution to it so we can make informed decisions on these large purchases. And I second your idea of exchanging his wallet if it doesn't thrill him- maybe get something to go with your beautiful new purchase, that unlike the speedy, is perfect. I do hope he likes the wallet though once he tries it out. Maybe switch his wallet out for him and it'll grow on him. So happy for you though, congrats again. And hope you enjoy the rest of Disney

 

[frenziedhandbag]

you have the pleasure of owning a noir wallet and terre cles/"wallet"- their two most beautiful and practical color options, in my opinion. Mini pochette... LV got it right with this piece, that's for sure.For me, I try to grab the more expensive items like the Saint germain before anymore price increases. I'm so happy for all your beautiful items, especially the terre cles because their empreinte pieces are the best!

Thank you! I am glad to get the Terre before it sells out. Not sure if it is a seasonal color but I do like how classic it looked. I tried it in the Twinset and it was wonderful as a mini wallet. The mini pochette is really a fabulous design. This month, I started downsizing my SLGs and bags, I wanted less pieces but more functional pieces. I found I was not utilising my bags and SLGs to their full potential. Instead of owning more, I am gearing towards the direction of having a piece that can double up, triple up or an all rounder. I believe the mini pochette to be this exact all rounder. I plan to use it as a catch all for now in a bigger bag but I also know it will go out with me as a wristlet if I just need to run a few errands near by.

That is a very interesting observation about the focal point for the Saint Germain and the Twinset. I must say you have enlightened me to see both bags in a different perspective. Currently, I do not have a evening bag as I find my current lifestyle to be more of on-the-go but the Saint Germain does go well with jeans as a crossbody. If I were to go back to practicality and daily usage, the Twinset definitely is the bag. It really is a tough decision but again, you are so right with the annoying price increases.

 

[frenziedhandbag]

the S-lock is nowhere near as convenient as a button close and zip close purse.

Finished reading the entire Saint Germain Clubhouse thread, watched a couple of videos on the PM and remembering how I tucked the Twinset's strap into the centre and trying it on as a clutch yesterday at the boutique, I think I am leaning towards the Twinset more despite the urge in wanting an evening bag to add to my collection but truthfully, a clutch in the form of a Twinset will work too for my casual evenings out with girlfriends sans kid and one-off wedding dinners. Thank you for sharing your insight on the Saint Germain, always good to have another option to think about. Your BB in your profile pic is stunning!

 

[beatese]

What size iPad? It should fit a mini in the 25.

Thanks darl. I usually bring iPad mini around.

 

[centercitychic]

I took my empriente SB25 noir back last night too and also looked at the bagatelle- which is a pretty bag but I realized that I'm a top handle kind of girl and ended up bringing home the Retiro in noir. Still on the fence if I should have gotten the Greenwich- but the manager said that due to the nature of the leather the hot stamp will never really adhere as well as a canvas or vachetta and its prone to cracking- so that answered my question about finding another one! Such a bummer on this speedy- I was super excited for her

 

[FancyPants77]

Thank you! I am glad to get the Terre before it sells out. Not sure if it is a seasonal color but I do like how classic it looked. I tried it in the Twinset and it was wonderful as a mini wallet. The mini pochette is really a fabulous design. This month, I started downsizing my SLGs and bags, I wanted less pieces but more functional pieces. I found I was not utilising my bags and SLGs to their full potential. Instead of owning more, I am gearing towards the direction of having a piece that can double up, triple up or an all rounder. I believe the mini pochette to be this exact all rounder. I plan to use it as a catch all for now in a bigger bag but I also know it will go out with me as a wristlet if I just need to run a few errands near by.

That is a very interesting observation about the focal point for the Saint Germain and the Twinset. I must say you have enlightened me to see both bags in a different perspective. Currently, I do not have a evening bag as I find my current lifestyle to be more of on-the-go but the Saint Germain does go well with jeans as a crossbody. If I were to go back to practicality and daily usage, the Twinset definitely is the bag. It really is a tough decision but again, you are so right with the annoying price increases.

Thank you so much . It's the most comfortable crossbody chain bag I've ever owned. I also wonder if the key pouch in terre is a seasonal color- if so, how lucky you are to have caught it while you can. I watched a video on youtube when I was researching the key pouch, considering actually using it for my keys, and it was called "Louis vuitton key pouch review" and it was of a red key pouch. It showed that after just a little while of using her keys on the key ring, the gold plating starting chipping off pretty significantly. Now, it is a key ring so it can be expected, but if you are looking to keep your item in pristine condition and consider it one of your favorite "wallets", perhaps do use it more as a card pouch than a key pouch to preserve the perfection of the piece. I was willing to risk the key ring getting chipped on mine, but I couldn't manage to get one shipped to me without flaws so I just gave up- as I've mentioned. I can completely understand you not utilizing your SLGs (and bags) to their full potential. I used to love to buy an LV bag and always had to have a matching new wallet to go with it. If I was using canvas, I needed my wallet to be canvas. Empreinte had to be with empreinte. Eventually, I found I wasn't a big fan of switching my wallets out every time I used a different bag (as my bag collection grew it became a nuisance to keep up with the wallet swapping). In the end, I found that most of my pieces are dark empreinte or ebene canvas so the Terre wallet matches the most bags- therefore it's the terre wallet that I've kind of made my main wallet regardless of what bag I use. I also found that I would hang onto my first LVs because of "sentimental" value, until I realized that I wasn't even taking my older pieces out of their dust bags, ever. So I told myself to be realistic and sold the LVs I haven't used in the last year. I got rid of just a few items, but I can honestly say I don't miss them. And then I replaced them with more practical pieces in practical colors that I don't have to baby. I should've done this sooner, to be honest. So like you, I am beyond content with my LV spring/summer cleaning. I feel like I have my collection down to only items that I absolutely love and use. The best part is, the items I sold (as old as almost ten years) I got almost all of my money back for. That is the one good thing about their prices increasing so much- the resale value that allows us to update our collections to fit our current lifestyle . That being said, the mini pochette is the absolute all rounder- such a perfect piece. And agreed, I do think the Twinset will probably be the better fit for you when it boils down to practicality. The saint germain is wonderful, in theory. It looks beautiful, the gold is gorgeous, the chain is light... BUT the S-Lock is more annoying to get into than the speedy bandouliere mouth (if worn crossbody). To get into the saint germain you have to use two hands. You have to take time to put the top of the lock into the latch and sometimes it doesn't grab right away so it'll just pop right back out. You have to make sure everytime that it actually latches. The best latching shut is accomplished when the bag is stuffed full. For me, because mine is a BB size it works very wonderfully. And once you start using it every day you get better at it. But it's definitely a piece that is made for looks. The latch is not practical by any means (on the empreinte pieces anyway- I imagine on canvas it would be a different experience as it's stiffer material). But because the empreinte is soft when you push the flaps latch piece into the other latch piece, it just doesn't always take. It kinda just pushes the latch back as the empreinte squishes back. It truly is an evening bag for this reason. So the twinset is absolutely better for your needs, in my opinion, of it's practicality you are aiming for. You don't have to worry about scratching any hardware. It just snaps and zips shut. It's as simple as a fanny pack but as beautiful as an evening clutch or shoulder bag can get. You're very welcome for sharing my experiences with my pieces. It took me a handful of years to figure out the perfect collection for myself, but like I said, my collection is truly perfect for me now. And it sounds like yours is as well now that you're adding so many practical pieces .

 

[frenziedhandbag]

It took me a handful of years to figure out the perfect collection for myself, but like I said, my collection is truly perfect for me now.

I wish there is a 'save' button for me to save your reply. Everything you had shared about paring down is exactly what I want to achieve in my recent 'ruthless bag/SLG culling process'. It was so liberating to let go of bags and SLGs that had not been used to new homes. Like you, I do not change out my main wallet. I only need a smaller wallet if I am using a smaller bag. Thus, the compact Curieus wallet and the Terre cles will serve this purpose. On a daily basis, I still want to utilise Terre Cles by storing loyalty cards and paper vouchers. I don't think I will be using the keychain within but that is valuable information from you in terms of chipping. My SA did offer to remove it if I did not intend to use it so I shall see whether it gets in the way. My culling is still a work in progress as I still have a number of bags that I need to rehome but slowly and surely, I want a small collection that works.

I wish to share this hilarious moment with you because I think it is embarrassing and funny at the same time. Whilst waiting for my SA to return from the other boutique, she left a few bags for me to play with and the Saint Germain PM was one of them. I tried it on as shoulder bag... crossbody bag... and tried to open it but after fiddling with it for a good ten minutes, I just cannot open it. Now that I am reading how difficult it can be, I truly think it will be frustrating for me to fumble with it, especially when I am trying to close it. But, I am a curious person by nature and since I did not get to see the BB, I will like to see how it looks in person and also find out how exactly the S lock works on my next trip.

 

[FancyPants77]

I wish there is a 'save' button for me to save your reply. Everything you had shared about paring down is exactly what I want to achieve in my recent 'ruthless bag/SLG culling process'. It was so liberating to let go of bags and SLGs that had not been used to new homes. Like you, I do not change out my main wallet. I only need a smaller wallet if I am using a smaller bag. Thus, the compact Curieus wallet and the Terre cles will serve this purpose. On a daily basis, I still want to utilise Terre Cles by storing loyalty cards and paper vouchers. I don't think I will be using the keychain within but that is valuable information from you in terms of chipping. My SA did offer to remove it if I did not intend to use it so I shall see whether it gets in the way. My culling is still a work in progress as I still have a number of bags that I need to rehome but slowly and surely, I want a small collection that works.

I wish to share this hilarious moment with you because I think it is embarrassing and funny at the same time. Whilst waiting for my SA to return from the other boutique, she left a few bags for me to play with and the Saint Germain PM was one of them. I tried it on as shoulder bag... crossbody bag... and tried to open it but after fiddling with it for a good ten minutes, I just cannot open it. Now that I am reading how difficult it can be, I truly think it will be frustrating for me to fumble with it, especially when I am trying to close it. But, I am a curious person by nature and since I did not get to see the BB, I will like to see how it looks in person and also find out how exactly the S lock works on my next trip.

I find that if I haven't used a purse for a year or more it's for good reason. I can keep it just to have it or I can get rid of it and get something I would enjoy incorporating into my life. I'd rather have a smaller collection of things I love to use than an overwhelming, frivolous collection just to collect them. Especially since the items just sit in their dust bags and I never truly see my collection. I know I have them, but I decided to stop putting emotional attachment on my goods. I'd rather give them a new home where someone can love them the way I did when I first got those pieces. And a lot like ex-boyfriends you look back on and think "what was I thinking?", I never miss the bags that are no longer serving my life well. I find my collection "matures" in a sense by allowing what doesn't serve my life well to go ahead and leave my collection. I'm practicing the art of non-attachment, and as you put it so well, it's liberating . I have a one year period now with bags (and 6 months with clothes). It keeps me organized. I like occasionally updating my closet/purses because it gives my wardrobe new energy or a revamping, if you will. Kind of like redecorating a living room every once in awhile.
That's funny about the Saint germain because I almost returned my bb until I realized what I was doing wrong. And now I'm so glad I kept it. The bag has to have stuff in it to close it, and since purses don't come with instructions I didn't know this. I sat my purse on my lap and tried and tried to snap it shut. It just wouldn't fully latch. I thought it was defective or I just wasn't used to fancy handbags and my method was defective. It was very frustrating. As soon as I actually put stuff in it, it shut perfectly every time, right away. But to avoid scratching it, I always hold it with one hand and clasp it shut attentively with the other. The problem was what I mentioned- the top part has to have a firm backing so that it locks into place. It's really a lot easier once the bag has stuff in it. Which is why the bb size is perfect for me cuz it's always full. If you hold the tab to close it, it works best. And to unlock it is very easy. You just press the left part to the side. Very easy to open. But closing it requires the bag to have your stuff in it so that there can be a firm backing for the flaps portion of the lock to snap into. The chain on the bb is very short so that's something you'll want to look into as well- this bag will only work crossbody for very petite girls (while sitting on the hip area anyway). I'm surprised actually that they made the chain so short. Over the shoulder would work for taller ladies. But it's truly a stunning piece once you learn how to maneuver the s-lock. And the more you use it, the better you get at the s-lock - and you will "master" it once it's stuffed with stuff . So funny that you had the same difficulty as me, thanks for sharing. I laughed out loud.

 

[frenziedhandbag]

I'd rather have a smaller collection of things I love to use than an overwhelming, frivolous collection just to collect them.

I coin my own culling process as 'ruthless' as I tend not to have any emotional attachments to bags. My rule to myself is the same as you, if it isn't being used or if it doesn't work for me, then no point keeping it. I will instead be glad to rehome it so that someone else will love it and use it more than I do.

I think I cannot ever rob a Saint Germain bag because whilst you experience difficulty in closing the bag, I cannot even open it. I twisted the lock sideways, pressed it down (gently, may I add, no bag was abused) and all sorts of ways I can think of. The great thing is that all the SAs were busy with other customers so no one was noticing my frenzy with the bag. I gave up trying after ten minutes and started playing with the Alma BB. Just as well that I did not manage to open the bag, because I think I will spend the next half an hour closing it and it was an empty bag. Hahaha! The Alma BB is another adorable little handbag but too dainty for me. I wonder with the short chain of the St. Germain BB, how high it will sit on me. Very interesting as I am 5"10 and the Twinset on last hole (5 holes) sat at my waist. Till next visit to the boutique. [emoji6]

 

[FancyPants77]

I coin my own culling process as 'ruthless' as I tend not to have any emotional attachments to bags. My rule to myself is the same as you, if it isn't being used or if it doesn't work for me, then no point keeping it. I will instead be glad to rehome it so that someone else will love it and use it more than I do.

I think I cannot ever rob a Saint Germain bag because whilst you experience difficulty in closing the bag, I cannot even open it. I twisted the lock sideways, pressed it down (gently, may I add, no bag was abused) and all sorts of ways I can think of. The great thing is that all the SAs were busy with other customers so no one was noticing my frenzy with the bag. I gave up trying after ten minutes and started playing with the Alma BB. Just as well that I did not manage to open the bag, because I think I will spend the next half an hour closing it and it was an empty bag. Hahaha! The Alma BB is another adorable little handbag but too dainty for me. I wonder with the short chain of the St. Germain BB, how high it will sit on me. Very interesting as I am 5"10 and the Twinset on last hole (5 holes) sat at my waist. Till next visit to the boutique. [emoji6]

Your frenzy with the bag made me laugh. Agreed, the alma bb is a little too proper looking for my liking. I think it looks nice on other women but I'm a bit too casual of a dresser for it. The Saint germain bb is probably about 6 inches too short crossbody for you (to hit at the hip). I think the twinset is ideal for you