If you saw someone with a Louis Vuitton bag ...

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

... and it was a fairly small bag, and the person was obviously not a millionaire, but just sort of pretty average, would you assume it was a fake?

I've wanted one all my life , and have A PLAN. I'm having a HUGE wardrobe clearout and am going to put the money I get from getting rid of heaps of clobber and unworn shoes towards a Posh Bag (I've never had one), and have my heart set on LV, but DH says there's no point because people will just assume it's not real.

What d'you think? Are my girlish dreams all for naught?

I wouldn't know a louis vuitton bag from a safeway carrier bag but I assume those who know about bags can tell. I wouldn't worry about it. All that matters is that you're going to love it. It doesn't matter if other people think it's real or a fake because you're buying it for you, not for show.

Enjoy your bag.

Don't use it as an emergency sick bag if the kids get ill on the motorway.

Or if you do - take your purse out first.

Which one did you go for in the end?

Muchly jealous - and I agree with the PP about the Sofia Coppola LV bags, they are gorgeous. Since having DD, family finances haven't stretched to a designer bag, maybe if I get organised and flog the stuff I mentioned upthread, I may have enough pennies to justify buying one for myself.

Thanks everyone - and I will def post a picture when it arrives - FULL bag porn

If nothing else this thread has taught me not to give a fig for what anyone thinks. I have worked damned hard all my life since first wiping bottoms in a care home at 17 and I've always wanted one and that's all that matters.

STILL feel a bit sick though!

World it's flogging stuff on eBay that is paying for this (and hopefully for a Burberry trench, my other dream!). DO IT! And let us all enjoy you choosing your bag!!

Ah a quiet word about a burberry trench...

Take it only to a burberry approved dry cleaner, or else the top waterproofing layer will be damaged and the coat will fade.

However burberry customer service came good in the end as I got to go into the paris branch, have the VIP room and choose any navy trench as a replacement. All free of charge.

Disclaimer burberry had somehow got the care instructions on my original mac wrong so they were at fault.

Enjoy your bag and finally when you get it your new Coat

I always associated LV with screen goddess glamour from a young age too, it made me sad when I got older and saw the less elegant connotations. Nonetheless, when I got myself my first full time job I bought myself one of their purses and really love it. I got it second hand from Naughtipidgin's nest which I would definitely recommend.

Hauntedarmchair I won't need help - I have already spotted the Mirabeau GM in Epi leather.

PHWOAR, world! That is gorgeous. Please kindly promise to update when you've got your hands on it!

Always I'm glad the whole silver screen thing isn't just me! Just had a look at Naughtipidgin's nest - what a fab site, but the shop seems to be 'closed'

wooo hoo congrats haunted

enjoy it and deffo post pics when it arrives

i love that light headed feeling like oh shit i have just spent shitloads on a bag combined with OMG i am getting the bag of my dreams :o

I wouldn't necessarily think fake, but if I even passed a thought on it, it wouldn't be a good one. I love nice bags, but not logos. If you love satchels, get a beautiful, timeless soft leather one would be my advice, the very best most wonderful you can, it will look classic, nobody will be able to price it or place it, and it will cost a fraction of the price. I have spent silly amounts on bags in my former life prestudentpoverty and have lanvin bags, mulberry (got rid of them, too heavy) chloe with minimal chloe-indicators and a maison margiela one with no logo or bling at all. So I am not being judgey per se, just.. well.. I don't like obvious things

^ argh should read thread properly before posting

enjoy your bag these things are so subjective I'm sure loads of people would hate my bags. for what it's worth I sat next to someone in the library the other day with a very nice LV bag so I should probably eat my words. She was lovely, it was full of her notes for her dissertation, it didn't look fake, and to be honest I didn't get judgey pants about it. It suited her style. So, ignore me entirely. enjoy! I think it's better to have one thing that you love that will last you years than 10 or 20 things of averageness

Aw don't worry Cafecito I knew what you meant!!

ROARING at your being surprised someone with an LV bag was nice and studious - it just goes to show that with the best will in the world we do judge people on their appearance etc. I mean, I do it too, we all do!

You'd die of shock if you knew me and knew I was getting one of the damn things. Logo-bag-lady I am not.

Incidentally before I realised I could screw together the funds for an LV bag I was going to get a Cambridge Satchel - they had a clearance sale on. I'm still mildly tempted but I don't think I can justify getting two bags.... or can I

there should never be an excuse not to buy more bags

By the way thanks for the Burberry advice, Barbie! In the end I decided I simply couldn't justify getting two 'premium' bits in one week, so I've found a gorgeous BNWOT Dannimac trench on eBay. On the plus side this means I can continue to daydream about getting a Burberry one day. One step at a time!

something more to whet your appetite OP www.google.com/search?q=loro+piana+handbags&rlz=1C1SKPC_enIT356IT362&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=YaGoUYjfFND3sgaC8oCAAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=813
sheer understated Italian-made luxury

spook my mom has the the loro piana globe bag,what a beauty!

ooh lucky her! I would just like to touch one, just once [saddo]

Whoa now. Those Loro Piana things are insanely gorgeous. Whoever said money can't buy you happiness never saw one of those babies.

Congratulations Haunted! Glad you went for it in the end, and please plst pictures!

You do know that Loro Piana has and outlet at Bicester which carries bags? Just a small, useful fact to file away...

Has it arrived yet?!?!

Oh hello! I've been away from MN for a bit and in the meantime it's gone all weird

Right, DON'T LAUGH, but I sent it back

It was vintage, and in much much poorer condition than the photos seemed to suggest. The straps were cracking almost to the point of breaking, and it had obviously had pretty heavy use because the bag had lost some of its shape.

I could see that new it would have been absolutely gorgeous, but I just couldn't justify spending all that on something that frankly looked pretty shabby. I'm just glad I bought it through BrandAlley because if I'd've gone via an eBay seller I would have been stuck with it!

However, I've not given up the quest! I'm still really keen on getting something really special but think perhaps I'll continue to save and flog stuff on eBay until I've got enough set aside for something new, and I'll really take my time over it. I want a dustbag and labels and certificates of authenticity and the whole kit and caboodle!

THANKS everyone. Your company during my bag insanity was much appreciated

Oh that's such a shame

You have done the right thing though.

The whole experience of buying from the store will be worth the extra grand money

Keep us posted!

See, you're bang on: I want the experience not just the object, IYSWIM. I would put on my best coat (let's fact it, it'll be winter by the time I have the spends) and both ALL my diamond rings, and bring out the cut-glass grammar-school girl vowels, and pretend to be rich for an hour. I shall report back when the time comes!

I would think fake I am afraid but then is it about what other people think? I can see what attracts you to them.

I remember reading an article by a high class prostitute once which said she could always tell who else was a hooker as LV was the bag of choice. No idea if this is true obviously

haunted you did the right thing,and i know what you mean about the experience of buying from store!keeping saving and ebaying and eventually that bag will be yours, and we expect a full report on your big purchase!