Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Reference Guide: History, Releases, Leathers

The name Speedy may make you believe that this bag is just a few decades old. Guess how old is this girl? She's over 90 years old!

History of the Iconic Speedy Bag

Louis Vuitton began in 1835 when a young boy set off on foot to Paris to find work. Twenty years later that boy opened Louis Vuitton Malletier. At first, they specialized in travel bags and luggage. They did not think about producing handbags.

Considering Louis Vuitton already had Keepall, a nice travel bag, in 1930 Georges Vuitton decided to take an experiment and release the smaller version of the Keepall. The Speedy became the very first handbag for the fashion house.

Yet in 1930 The Speedy bag is an integral part of the Louis Vuitton story as it was the first handbag that the brand ever produced.

A smaller version of the Keepall bag which Georges Vuitton introduced in 1930, the Speedy was the first bag that Vuitton suggested for everyday use. Originally a 30cm size, it was then created in a smaller 25cm size for Audrey Hepburn in 1965. Today it is available in the 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40cm sizes. A 45 Speedy is already a Keepall.

While the style of the bag has been reimagined over the decades (it can be found today in a variety of leathers, colors, and designs)  for the past 90 years the classic shape of this bag remains the same.

 The classic version of the bag consists largely of sturdy canvas with leather handles, which over the years darken to a dull patina. The canvas is waterproof, remains scratch-free and does not tear the perfect material for a ‘heavy-duty’ bag.

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Sizes

Originally a 30cm size, it is currently available in the 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40cm sizes. Smaller sizes are being added too.

Nano Speedy (Speedy 15)

A Louis Vuitton Speedy 15 is called Nano Speedy. It's available only in several leathers like a monogram and comes with a strap.

Speedy 20 

The Speedy 20 bag is available in leathers like cowhide and Empreinte leather or exotic leathers like python, adorned with the Monogram Print.

It's not available in Monogram or Damier Ebene print. Just like the Nano Speedy, this nice small bag comes with a strap. Several Speedy Limited Editions were released in this size only.

Speedy 25

Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 is a cute bag, 5" smaller than the regular Speedy size. This bag was released in many leathers, like Monogram, Damier Azur, Damier Ebene, Empreinte, etc. Several Speedy Limited Editions were released in this size only.

Speedy 30

Speedy 30 is the iconic bag as we know it. It was released in all the possible prints and colors.

Speedy 35

Speedy 30 is a little tight and small? No problem. Take size 35 which is one of the most popular sizes too. It's also been released in almost every print and leather.

Speedy 40

The largest Speedy size was only released in several prints like Monogram, Damier Azur and Damier Ebene.

History: Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Price

Speedy is a ‘starter’ bag, it’s by far the cheapest bag at Louis Vuitton (not counting pockets and SLGs). The current price for Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 is 1020$ as of October 2018.

Yet it's interesting to compare how the price of the bag increases every year.

Classic Speedy Bags

You may notice that in 5 years the price has gone up for 110$ for each bag. Considering the price increases, buying a luxury bag may be a great idea cause you’re investing in a piece that is worth more every year.

Louis Vuitton Speedy Leathers

Over the years, the classic Speedy has been released in multiple types of leather, colors, and over 50 limited editions. Every year Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquere is reinventing the 90-year old design with new creative.

Speedy canvases: Monogram, Damier Azur, Damier Ebene, Multicolor

Speedy leathers: Epi, Empreinte, Exotic.

Full List of Louis Vuitton Speedy Limited Editions

Picture	Name	Year	Colors	Sizes	Original price	Estimated resale price
	Speedy Graffiti	2001		30	n/a	1200$
	Speedy Cerises	2005		25	975$	850$
	Neo Speedy Denim	2005, SS	blue, pink, green	30	1690$	650$
	Perforated Speedy	2006, SS	green, pink, orange	30	1240$	1400$
	Speedy Fringe	2006, SS	white, black	25	3150$	2400$
	Speedy Mirror	2006, FW	gold, silver	35	2100$	1300$
	Speedy Dentelle	2007	gold, silver	30	2350$	1000$
	Speedy Mirage	2007 FW	black, Bordeaux	30	1800$	2100$
	Speedy Patchwork Denim	2007 SS	blue, grey	30	2050$	2000$
	Speedy Mini Lin	2008 Cruise	dune, ebene,  white, pink	30	805$	600$
	Speedy Watercolor Aquarelle	2008, SS	white, brown	35, 30	1280$	2000$
	Speedy Frame Watercolor Aquarelle	2008, SS	white, ostrich (orange, pink)	30	3600$ white 9000$ ostrich	2100$ white, ostrich negotiable
	Speedy Monogramouflage	2008, SS	green	35	1580$	over 3000$
	Speedy Cube	2008 FW	black	20, 30	2910$	2500$
	Speedy Roses Stephen Sprouse	2008 SS	mono	30	1310$	1200$