There are It baggage. And then there are vintage without end baggage. Longchamp’s Le Pliage, someway, manages to be each. It’s section quiet luxurious, section Y2K revival. Part preppy meets minimalist meets prepared-for-anything. It’s probably the most sensible—and maximum inexpensive—fashion designer baggage you’ll personal. No surprise it has accomplished cult standing with fashionable other folks across the world.
Now, with tens of millions of perspectives on TikTok and the Gen Z stamp of approval, this foldaway canvas tote is experiencing a renaissance. According to model seek engine The Lyst Index, the Le Pliage Neo XS used to be ranked because the 8th freshest merchandise on the tail finish of 2024, placing it in the similar league because the season’s cult buys together with the Alaïa fishnet ballet residences and Toteme’s nation jacket. Already a commonplace sighting in airport terminals, place of work blocks and fitness center lockers, now, it’s at the entrance row of style week, too.
Thinking of becoming a member of the fold? Let’s unpack exactly what makes Le Pliage a contemporary icon.
The Birth of an Icon
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Born within the ’90s (1993, to be exact), the Le Pliage used to be designed by means of Philippe Cassegrain (son of Longchamp’s founder Jean Cassegrain) who used to be impressed by means of the artwork of origami on a go back and forth to Japan. It’s named after the French verb “to fold” and can also be lowered to the scale of a paperback e-book in simply 4 easy steps, making it a firstclass shuttle significant other.
Not most effective is it spacious and conveyable, it’s crafted from an ultra-light, extra-strong nylon canvas which is washer-friendly, too. Plus, it comes supplied with a complete most sensible zip and a snap-closing leather-based flap making it tremendous protected, and two most sensible leather-based handles which can be comfy to hold even if crammed to the brim. The bag’s unique form is in an instant recognisable, but it’s nearly logoless, save for Longchamp’s signature galloping horse motif, in honour of the Paris racecourse from which the logo takes its identify. This undying attraction makes it multigenerational—a truth mirrored within the maison’s personal in-house restore provider, with craftspeople at its Segré workshop restoring nearly 60,000 baggage each and every yr.
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Finding Fame
The tote used to be as soon as the keep of elegant Parisians, who desired a loyal errand bag to hold their groceries. But it wasn’t lengthy prior to London’s Sloane Rangers stuck on. During the 2010s, the tote cultivated a cult following a number of the generation’s It-girls, from Kate Moss to Katie Holmes to Kate Middleton. A unique shout out to Alexa Chung’s iconic Indie Sleaze generation, which noticed her uniform of vast brim hats, Breton tops and denim dungarees ceaselessly accessorised with a specifically memorable kitten-print Le Pliage.
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But the bag is highest identified for locating favour among higher crust Chelsea ladies, together with gaining the royal seal of approval. In truth, Catherine, Princess of Wales has been a fan since her pre-royal days in 2005 when she first met Prince William—see her St Andrews commencement pics for evidence. While she will have since ditched the Ugg boots of her Uni years, you’ll ceaselessly nonetheless spot her (or contributors of her entourage) wearing this sensible tote on royal excursions. Alt genre icon Princess Anne is a fan, too, favouring the massive military model, ceaselessly styled along with wraparound sunglasses and her signature chignon.
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Although Le Pliage has been a constant bestseller for the logo for over 3 a long time, the new surge in Le Pliage content material on TikTok is riding document gross sales. Some laud it as the perfect “book bag” for college kids. Others, a great “beginner designer bag”. There’s even a subsect dedicated to the bag organisers offered on Amazon which can be made to suit completely within Le Pliage.
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Legions of recent lovers together with Lila Moss, Kendall Jenner, Emma Roberts and Mia Regan have helped spice up the bag’s attraction among a brand new technology, at the side of endorsement from the celebs of Netflix’s maximum bingeable hits, from Joe Locke and Kizzy Edgell in Heartstopper to Aimee Lou Wood from Sex Education and Bridgerton’s India Amarteifio. Our cultural obsession for Parisian sublime additionally guarantees Longchamp’s endured reputation (Lily Collins sported a neon yellow netted Le Pliage in season two of Emily in Paris).
The Le Pliage’s Evolution
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Le Pliage’s design won’t have modified because it used to be first introduced, however that doesn’t imply your choices are restricted.
The authentic tote bag is crafted from recycled canvas, to be had in 7 colors from vintage black to tomato purple, and is available in medium (£110) or massive (£120), the latter of which is huge sufficient to suit a 13-inch computer. There’s additionally a Le Pliage backpack (£140), a shuttle holdall in 3 sizes together with an expandable model (from £140), a small purse (£100) designed to be carried by means of hand, in addition to a dinky Pouch (£80) which doubles as a make-up bag.
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Le Pliage Xtra provides the similar iconic design however reimagined in leather-based at an increased worth level, whilst Le Pliage Green champions eco-friendly recycled fabrics. Others are adapted to fit a selected objective. For the most productive fitness center bag, take a look at the sports activities impressed Le Pliage Energy. Or when you’re headed to the seashore, Le Pliage Basket is produced from a great summery weave. If it’s a trendy grocery store bag for existence you’re after, Le Pliage Filet is outlined by means of its netted mesh frame, impressed by means of the string consumers utilized by Parisian grandmothers.
Limited version seasonal types can also be discovered underneath the Le Pliage Collection class—the latest family members for spring/summer time 2025 come with a slouch-style knotted deal with genre with a lovely gingham and artichoke print, in addition to a textured raffia web bag home made in collaboration with feminine collective NGO Anaka.
Over the years, there were numerous cult collaborations too, with restricted version designs from the likes of Toiletpaper, Tracey Emin, Jeremy Scott, Thomas Heatherwick and Pokémon proving gold-dust on resale markets. You can also have a move at designing your individual. With My Pliage Signature customisation provider, you’ll make a choice the form, colors, trimmings and upload your individual numbers or initials for a real one-of-a-kind icon.
Shop Longchamp’s Le Pliage Bag
Longchamp
Le Pliage Medium Tote Bag
The medium is the most well liked—naturally it comes within the complete gambit of Le Pliage sunglasses.
Longchamp
Le Pliage Large Basket Bag
Basket baggage are a way particular person favorite—one thing tells me you’ll be able to see a large number of this genre this summer time.
Longchamp
Le Pliage Medium Tote Bag
If you like on your baggage to have extra construction, glance to the leather-based iteration.
Longchamp
Le Pliage Extra Small Handbag
The dinky dimension is comparable to the styled carried by means of Jennifer Lopez.