End of an Era: Is LV discontinuing the Neverfull?
A few days before my trip to Italy my phone was buzzing with Google alerts about Louis Vuitton discontinuing the Neverfull. I felt my heart sink as I received this update as I had plans to purchase the Neverfull during my trip. Confused by the title of these alerts, I started to read more about this and I realized that this news seems to be trending among fashion lovers and handbag communities. Bag enthusiasts and fashion lovers were speculating all kinds of things, to say the least.
So is it true? is LV really discontinuing its most coveted Neverfull Collection? Hmm Idk, I am afraid you gotta keep reading to find out.
For those of you who've been thinking about investing in a Neverfull, Fret Not, I got your "bag" . I will share my honest thoughts on the bag, what fits, and more in this.
But before that, let's get into a little bit of history first.
Neverfull Collection: The History
TBH I was quite surprised to learn that Louis Vuitton's signature Neverfull collection made its debut only in 2007, just 16 years ago! For some reason, I feel like this bag has been in existence for a long time and it has become the most sought-after bag. Originally introduced as a seasonal beach bag, this range quickly evolved into an everyday bag that can be diversely used for various occasions and purposes, making it the perfect tote bag. Thereby, establishing itself as a timeless classic.
As far as fashion lore has it, the Neverfull collection was created to compete with the Goyard Saint-Louis Tote. However, this remains a conjecture. In any event, Louis Vuitton's Neverfull has rapidly gained a loyal fan following and remains one of the brand's most popular styles.
Since its debut, Louis Vuitton's Neverfull has only ever been available in three sizes: the PM (“Petit Modele”), MM (“Moyen Modele”), and GM (“Grand Modele”). When it was first introduced, the bag was only offered in Louis Vuitton's classic Monogram Canvas and LV subsequently expanded the collection to include designs in Damier Ebene, Damier Azure, and Epi Leather. Over the years, Neverfull has been reconceived multiple times in partnership with various high-profile artists to create exclusive and limited edition designs.
In 2014, the Neverfull became an even bigger crowd favorite when it added a detachable matching wristlet/ pochette which can be used as a clutch or as an extra compartment. This is what I love most about this bag cause it is like getting two bags for the price of one - what's not to love right?
It is worthwhile to note that the retail price of the Neverfull saw a tremendous increase over the last decade; from $870 in 2012 to $2,030 in 2023.
Now that we know a little bit about the bag's history, let's move on to the main topic of the day.
Is LV discontinuing the Neverfull?
The short answer is NO! So if this bag has been on your Wishlist, you can breathe a sigh of relief as you can still purchase this bag albeit a trickier process.
After a lot of panicking and some research, I found out that basically LV has introduced a new Waitlist policy where the classic Neverfull can only be purchased at the store and it may not be readily available.
LV has employed this strategy in an effort to steer customers towards its leather pieces while maintaining the allure of the brand without saturating the market. After all the concept of exclusivity hinges on the notion of scarcity, right? Don't you agree that the rarer the item is, the more valuable it becomes?
Under the new policy, the classic Neverfull can only be purchased via a Waitlist where the buyer will be notified when a bag becomes available. The buyer will then need to collect the bag within 24 hours or it will be sold to the next person on the list. The waitlist is speculated to be approximately 2-3 months.
However, this new Waitlist policy does not extend to Limited Edition Neverfull bags. These bags are still available for purchase both online and in-store.
Folks from the online handbag community were saying that the "add to cart" option has been replaced with "call for inquiry" on the website making it impossible to purchase the bag online.
This added to my confusion because the "add to cart" button was staring me in the face. I was able to add the bag into my cart and proceed checkout. The bag seems to be in stock but to avoid any disappointment, I got in touch with LV and they confirmed that the bag that I wanted is available in all stores in Rome. I told my husband that it must be a sign from God and in response he gave me the bombastic side eye which doesn't faze me these days.
So my guess is this new policy might be implemented in stages. Idk cause at the time of writing (10 June 2023 @ 3.34) I see that the bag is available for purchase online within the Middle East region.
Neverfull - The Design
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the design; Did you know that it takes roughly 45 hours to create a single Neverfull bag. It is this elaborate process that makes this tote unbelievably resilient and classy at the same time.
The design of the Neverfull is pretty standard as are tote bags. The iconic Neverfull features a coated canvas exterior, a printed textile interior, and is trimmed in cowhide leather. Before 2013, the interior lining was only offered in beige and cerise as a homage to the canvas linings of LV's original trunks. Soon the options grew to include more shades ranging from Rose Ballerine, Fuschia to Mimosa.
Dimensions of the bags are listed below for comparison:
Name | Measurement |
PM (“Petit Modele”) - Small | 11.4” L x 8.7” H x 5.1” W |
MM (“Moyen Modele”) - Medium | 12.6” L x 11.4” H x 6.7” W |
GM (“Grand Modele”) - Large | 15.7” L x 13” H x 7.9” W |
Neverfull MM is the most popular size and it can easily hold a laptop and still leave space for other necessities. You can probably carry your whole life in a Neverfull GM bag as it is incredibly roomy and it makes for an ideal weekend bag. The GM model can withstand a whooping 90 KGs of weight in spite of its deceptively delicate looking handles; a testament to LV's outstanding design and expert craftsmanship.
The detachable pochette is also pretty valuable on its own and is in demand in the pre-loved market. Some owners choose to sell the Neverfull without the wristlet to offset the price of the bag. Please be mindful of this if you intend to purchase a pre-loved bag.
You also have the option to purchase made-to-order models where you will be able to personalize interior color, stripe pattern, and color, as well as have your initials monogrammed.
The iconic Neverfull is designed to be completely reversible, thanks to its one-of-a-kind seam construction. It can be turned inside out to reveal its trademark interior lining. Pretty cool, yes?
So which size and design did I settle for?
So I opted for the Neverfull MM in Damier Ebene with the red (cerise) interior. The PM was a little too small for me as I want to use it as an airport bag while the GM was too big on me. I am on the smaller size so I find that the MM is the best fit for me.
The product details are as follows:
31 x 28 x 14 cm (Length x height x width )
Cerise Red
Damier Ebene coated canvas
Natural cowhide-leather trim
Striped textile lining
Gold-color hardware
4 side laces
Hook closure
Flat, textile-lined zipped inside pocket
Removable zipped pouch
D-ring
Handle: Double
If you read my earlier blog post, you will know that I was leaning toward the Damier Azure as I naturally gravitate toward subtle and neutral shades. I decided to go for a darker shade this time as I realized that my wardrobe is mostly dominated by pastel hues. So I figured it is time to add some color to my wardrobe.
When personalizing your accessory, you have the option of choosing the letters, sizes, and colors.
#PROTIP Please note that this stamping service extends to preloved LV items as well. You just need to bring it to the store to get it done.
I also got my tote personalized with my initials. Marco, our sales associate showed us how it's done. It was a cool process to witness. We also learned that any error in the stamping process will result in the bag being destroyed. The customer will obviously be given a new piece to replace the ruined one. However, if you intend to sell your Neverfull at some point, you should think twice when deciding to personalize your bag.
Effective 1st June 2023, Louis Vuitton increased the price of its Neverfull MM canvas bags by a 100 Euro. The tote in MM size currently retails at 1600 Euros. We managed to narrowly avoid the price hike as we made our purchase on 31 May 2023. Hehe. Talk about cutting it real close.
Where to purchase
I purchased my tote from the Louis Vuitton Roma Tritone Store. If you happen to be visiting this outlet, ask for Marco - he is very kind and helpful which made the whole experience that much more enjoyable.
These bags are no longer readily available in stores or online at the moment given the recently implemented Waitlist policy. However, I suggest that you contact your nearest LV store to check the availability of the said bag. This will save you a trip to the store in the event of unavailability.
In terms of prices, it is cheaper to purchase LV products in Europe as you will be able to enjoy the added advantage of tax-free shopping in the EU. For those of you traveling from Ciampino Airport, please get your tax refund form stamped at the Customs Office at the Airport, and do not forget to drop your stamped document into the Global Blue mailbox located just outside the Customs Office before your board your flight. If you fail to do so, you will no longer be entitled to a VAT refund, and on top of that you will be charged a penalty. So please be extremely mindful of this.
If you are looking at saving some $$$, you may opt for preloved or vintage bags that are available for sale online. However, the recent price hike and the new Waitlist policy created a ripple effect on second-hand markets. It is only a matter of time before the preloved market follows suit and increases its prices.
So please scout around for the best prices and make sure to verify the authenticity of the bag before committing to a purchase. I personally feel that it might be worthwhile to invest in an authentication service to ensure that the product that you are investing in is legit and for your own peace of mind.
Check out Vestiaire Collective and SACLAB for top-tier preloved bags - they have some amazing quality pieces. Sites like pursebob and purseblog are great platforms that feature reviews and all handbag-related information /resources.
Pros and Cons
Here are my pros and cons of the Neverfull:
Pros
It is chic and is an easily recognizable LV bag
It is very functional - it can be used as an airport bag/ work bag/ diaper bag without looking like one
It is very roomy - you can carry your whole life in it; especially the GM model
It is very versatile - You can carry it as is or cinch the side straps to give it a different look. It is also completely reversible.
The detachable pochette is a bonus, you can carry it as a clutch and use it on the go.
Good value for money because you technically get two bags for the price of one #win
It is extremely durable and will last you a long time- very sturdy handles
A good investment piece - has a great resale value
Low maintenance - easy to clean
Cons
Almost every other person owns a Neverfull so it is not unique
The new Waitlist policy can be inconvenient. Long wait time
The straps are a little too thin and can dig into your shoulders if you fill it up with too many things
It is pricey
It does not have a zipper, only a buckle to loosely secure the top - contents of your purse can easily fall out if you are not careful
Since there are no compartments, it can be tricky to look for something. You can solve this by purchasing an organizer.
My Bag Story
Truth be told I was never really a big fan of Neverfull until a few years ago when I saw it up close. Before that, I used to think that it looked tacky. Well the joke is on me now, isn't it? Lol.
A few months into my first job, I summoned every morsel of courage that coursed through my veins to enter the LV store located in the Garden's Mall Kuala Lumpur. Back then I used to find high-end designer stores super intimidating but at the same time, I was curious to get a taste of it. So I took a deep breath, put on my confident face, and sauntered into the store.
My initial awkwardness was replaced with excitement as I entered the store. Looking at all the beautiful pieces up close made me feel like a kid at the candy store. A very kind sales assistant approached me with a smile and that is when I caught a glimpse of a customer trying out the Neverfull in damier azure. I thought it looked really beautiful in person and asked the salesperson if I could see it. She took the liberty to also show me the damier ebene and I developed a new found love towards those hallmark tiny checks. I finally got what all they hype was about - its sleek shape, sturdy craftsmanship and timeless style exuded elegance. On top of that, it felt luxurious to the touch. I was sold and I have been a fan since. I left the store on such a high and with the determination to someday be able to own these stunning designer pieces.
Fast forward a few years later, and here I am holding my very own personalized Neverfull. While to some it may not be a big deal, but to me it is a tremendous one. I would consider this a milestone achievement; given that Tevan and I are two small-town kids with big-city dreams who are working towards our dream life. We have come a long way and there is a long journey ahead of us but we are counting our blessings as we go.
So a word of advice to any of you who feel intimidated to walk into a fancy store or are consumed by the feeling of not belonging like I once did; I say just do it! Just push back your fear, walk into that store, and own it. Like most things we fear there is really no reason to be afraid. This is also a reminder to myself to push myself out of my comfort zone. How else do we grow, right?
My Final Verdict - Is it worth the price?
I personally think that it is 100% worth it to purchase this bag despite the price increase. I believe that the Neverfull is an extremely durable piece that will last for years to come. I foresee myself reaching for this bag quite frequently due to its practicality. So if you are on the fence about getting this bag, my vote is for the bag!
It is never a wrong idea to invest in classic Louis Vuitton pieces like Neverfull or Speedy because the prices of these bags have steadily increased over the years and I know that they will continue to rise in the future.
I hope that find this review helpful.
Would you you like to see a review on the Alma BB? Let me know.
Till next time. Toodles
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