Style Staples is a monthly series where we dissect the best luxury bags to invest in. In this edition, we explore Loewe’s silhouettes to bring you the most timeless pieces that will always have a place in your life.
Investing in good quality bags is worth every penny – as long as you promise to look after it the correct way, it will be a wardrobe backbone for the rest of your life. It could also be a vintage piece that you can hand over through the generations, or sell them off to possibly make money on. Fortunately, Longchamp does carry five irresistible lines that make great style staples that you can carry for decades.
How Longchamp was born
In 1945, Jean Cassegrain decided to take over the luxury tobacco shop in Paris built by his parents. Three years later, Jean decided to take the business further into leather crafting, creating leather-covered pipe for the affluent Parisian gentlemen. It quickly became popular among foreigners and travellers in the city. In 1955, Jean expanded the brand’s offerings to small leather goods like passport holders and other essentials for travellers.
The famous bags we see today began life when Jean’s eldest son, Philippe Cassegrain, started to design bags for women in 1971. The leather bags line went viral at that time, from France, across Asia, and found tremendous success in Japan.
Sophie Delafontaine, creative director of Longchamp
Today, the granddaughter of Jean Cassegrain, Sophie Delafontaine, has held the creative director role at Longchamp for over 20 years, taking the brand worldwide. Sophie is known for her clean and contrasting designs, embodying a sense of clarity and adaptability. There is a bag for every woman and man, no matter what their style is, and that is how the Le Pliage line was created.
Le Pliage
In this era of quiet luxury, Longchamp’s most iconic Le Pliage line of bags is beginning to take centre stage again. This foldaway canvas tote, which is instantly identifiable but essentially logoless except for Longchamp’s iconic horse design, was one of the most popular bags of the 2010s. It was worn by both the most imitated royals and the ‘It’ girls of the time. Le Pliage is back in style after over a decade, so it’s time to reinvest if you don’t already have one in your closet.
Shop Le Pliage here.
Le Roseau
In the ’90s, Longchamp’s Le Roseau debuted as an open tote, making it simple to quickly find anything you were looking for. The bag also had a unique feature that gave rise to its name – a metal bamboo clasp shaped like a reed, or roseau in French.
The Le Roseau has been reinvented today with new silhouettes that are just as functional as they are fashionable. When you go out for a casual date, cafe hopping or dinner, the boxy handbag will be pretty handy. Besides, the long, removable shoulder strap makes it simple to convert into a crossbody.
Shop Le Roseau here.
Daylong
Longchamp’s Daylong has an intriguing design reminiscent of a bowling bag without any of its bulk. It is portable but has a broad base and an elongated body that allows you to fit all your necessities.
As its name implies, the Daylong’s sleek and simple design makes it perfect to go from day to night, whether to a lunch meeting or a night out later. It is made of soft leather, giving you the comfort and versatility to wear it in your hand or across your body with a strap.
Shop Daylong here.
Le Foulonné
The Le Foulonné was first created in 1975 with the highest regard for the leather goods regulations. It has a distinct place in the brand’s many collections and gets its strength from the grain that gives it its name. The line’s models are timeless classics that are frequently updated. They are sturdy yet soft, discrete yet instantly recognisable. Its distinctive drummed grain and sophisticated, sensual texture are characteristics of cowhide. It comes in a variety of colours and perfectly complements the sober, logical style of the models in the collection.
Shop Le Foulonné here.
Épure
This Longchamp Épure’s shape is evocative of a Le Pliage flap, giving it younger and more feminine visual. It pays homage to Longchamp’s equestrian past with its adjustable strap, saddlery design, and snap fastening.
Épure is made primarily of Russian leather, making it look sophisticated and strikingly fashionable. Its strong and sturdy body is made to hold your daily necessities, and is versatile to use from day to night.
Shop Épure here.
Timeless classics are always worth the investment. Explore more style staples here.