We can’t help but admire the irresistible power that the Louis Vuitton iconic bag silhouettes have over us. The names of the legendary purses are known to the entire world – from the frozen deserts of Alaska to the hottest beaches of Indonesia. It’s time to talk about one of these classics: in our Louis Vuitton Alma Reference Guide, we are going to focus on one stylish and elegant accessory of the era.

Since the introduction of LV Alma, this model has been released in various sizes and colors. And as you might know, the cost of the bags changes every year. So, we, at Bagaholic, thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to summarize this information into one big guide! Sizes, prices, materials, styling tips, and of course, the enigmatic history of this purse – this is going to be a wonderful journey!

Let’s begin!

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How Old Is Louis Vuitton Alma?

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As a true symbol of the luxury brand, Alma is one of the oldest Louis Vuitton purses. According to the rumors that keep going until the present day, the first sketches and the silhouette of the bag were drawn by famous Coco Chanel herself! The fashion house doesn’t comment on this kind of gossiping, and the official story of Alma's invention doesn’t mention mademoiselle Coco.

The first edition of Louis Vuitton Alma was introduced in 1934. The grandson of the founder of the French luxury brand Gaston-Louis Vuitton is considered to be the designer who crafted Alma. The inspiration for the trapezoid design was found in the Steamer bag – the favorite accessory of travelers – and Art Deco.

Many years later, in 1992, the first official Louis Vuitton Alma in Monogram canvas came out. The bag has been released in numerous stunning editions and colors since then.

 

 

Louis Vuitton Alma Features

 

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It goes without saying that LV Alma is one of the most recognizable bag in the world! Even if you are new to the world of fashion and never heard its name, you surely know how this accessory looks like!

There are, however, some hidden details that raise multiple questions like: is there an interior pocket inside the purse or do Louis Vuitton Alma bags have feet? A bit of patience as we are going to tell you everything about it!

What are the typical features that each Louis Vuitton Alma has?

• Trapezoid shape. The bag is flat at the bottom and is curved on top like a crescent moon.
• Wide bottom and narrow top.
• Double zip closure running from one end to the other.
• Padlock and clochette.
• Two firm top handles are attached by rings (Alma BB also has a shoulder strap).
• Interior lining.
• 4 bottom studs to protect the bottom.
• Interior pocket (the number of pockets depends on the model).

Louis Vuitton Alma is often compared to LV Speedy, although they are quite different in shape. If you are, like many other fashion lovers, hesitate between these two purses, be sure to check our comparison:  Which Louis Vuitton Classic Bag To Buy: LV Alma vs LV Speedy.

 

 

Louis Vuitton Alma Sizes: Alma BB vs Alma PM vs Alma MM

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Judging by annual releases and collections, we can state that Louis Vuitton Alma doesn’t  lack the attention of the brand’s designers. This model is featured in most runway shows of the French luxury fashion house. It has been crafted  in several sizes (that changed throughout time). Now, this purse is available for purchase in four sizes:

 

1. Alma Nano. Dimensions: 6.7” L x 4.7” H x 3.1” W.
2. Alma BB. Dimensions: 9.8“ L x 7.5“ H x 4.7“ W.
3. Alma PM. Dimensions: 12.6“ L x 9.8“ H x 6.3“ W.
4. Alma MM. Dimensions: 14.2“ L x 11“ H x 6.7“ W.

 

If the LV Alma Nano bag is suitable for carrying as little as the keys and a chewing gum, the Alma MM model is a great office bag.

We can’t help but mention one more size – it’s Louis Vuitton Alma GM that is now discontinued. The largest in the family, this model was extremely popular among celebrities like Paris Hilton, Adrienne Bailon and Kim Kardashian.

Looking at Alma GM, you can say that this baby can fit your entire life! But what about smaller sizes, which are available for purchase? We are about to find out!

 

 

What Fits Inside Louis Vuitton Alma BB?

 

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Alma BB is considered to be a non-official favorite among all sizes. Why so? First, it looks cute. Second, it’s less expensive than the bigger purses of this kind. And third, it can actually fit most of your daily must-haves (don’t get your hopes too high, though).

The storage capacity of Alma BB is quite limited, so don’t expect to fit plenty of things inside. However, if you want to carry just basic stuff, like keys and a wallet, this purse will do the job!

As we have gorgeous and classic Alma BB in Epi Electric leather in stock, we know for sure what this designer purse can fit:

• compact wallet (the big wallet can fit as well, but get ready to experience some difficulties with taking it out);
• sunglasses case;
• key pouch;
• lipstick;
• smartphone.

These five items will already make Alma BB pretty full, so choose another option if you need to have plenty of stuff with you. Check our video about the stunning Alma BB in Rose Balerine (such a heartbreaker!) to get a better idea of what can be safely put inside this tiny cutie!

By the way, in this video, we also show how this model looks in different materials and colors.

Let’s talk about them in the next part of our Louis Vuitton Alma Reference Guide!

 

 

Louis Vuitton Alma Materials

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It would be a crime to see such a beautiful and sought-after silhouette as the Louis Vuitton Alma bag produced only in one color or material. The French brand knows that fashionistas love this model, that is why the range of leather and non-leather options is enormous.

Actually, there might be some difficulties when choosing a LV Alma you want because they are all eye-catching and elegant.

Here’s the list of main materials:

• Monogram canvas;
• Damier Ebene canvas;
• Epi leather;
• Vernis leather;
• Monogram Empreinte leather;
• Epi Electric leather;
• Exotic leathers (crocodile, ostrich).

Are you a fan of something exclusive and rare? Well, Louis Vuitton is known for its creative collaborations with modern artists, and the Alma bag was included in the number of interesting collabs. We truly adore the playful Multicolore Collection by Takashi Murakami and the cute floral print on Vernis leather by Stephen Sprouse. The shining Monogram Miroir Collection (the favorite of Paris Hilton and Kim K) also deserves to be mentioned.

Find more interesting patterns in our article – Everything About Louis Vuitton Prints and Patterns and Popular Limited Edition Collaborations (With Photo Examples). The works of the artists on the legendary bag models are just stunning.

 

 

How Much is Louis Vuitton Alma?

Of course, our Louis Vuitton Alma Reference Guide could not be complete without mentioning the current cost of this purse. Why is it important? You probably know that the luxury brand has a tendency to increase the prices for its goods, and the bag in 2021 will have a completely different price tag than the very same model just one year ago.

Want to know how the cost of LV Alma has changed in just one year? Check our article – Louis Vuitton Increases Prices Worldwide in January 2021. And come back here to discover the current pricing.

 

Name	Material	Price in USD*
Alma BB	Canvas	1,480
	Epi leather	1,760
	Vernis leather	2,020
	Empreinte leather	2,270
Alma PM	Canvas	1,660
	Empreinte leather	2,570
Alma MM	Canvas	2,000

* the data was gathered in August 2021. Current prices may vary.

Here, we mentioned only the classic and most popular materials. The limited editions are way more expensive. For example, recently released Alma BB Architettura crafted from calfskin costs 2,630 USD on the official website of the brand. However, it’s not the limit!

 

 

Most Expensive Louis Vuitton Alma Editions

The time has come to reveal the most expensive LV Alma bag ever sold. We have already mentioned this limited edition several times in this article. Do you have any clue?

Well, no more secrets! It’s Monogram Miroir Alma GM introduced by Marc Jacobs for 2006-2007 Fall/Winter collection. Crafted from patent leather and released in two colors (silver and golden), this purse became the most expensive Alma edition in history so far. Back in 2006, the retail price of such a model was 2,100 USD, the current cost of this edition is more than 6,500 USD.

On the French version of the official website, there is an even more expensive Alma BB displayed. It’s made from crocodile leather of exceptional quality and costs as much as 16,900 USD.

Quite hefty, right? There certainly should be an explanation why LV purses are that costly. Check our reasons in the article – Why Are Louis Vuitton Bags So Popular And Expensive.

 

 

Louis Vuitton Alma Wear and Tear

Any purse, even the premium quality LV bag, will eventually develop some flaws with time. The Alma bag is not the accessory for every day, yet still, there might appear some wear and tear. What to be cautious about?

• Darkening of vachetta;
• Wrinkles on top handles;
• Scratches on zipper;
• Scuffing and scratching on the bottom (despite the feet);
• Shoulder strap (comes with Alma BB only) may soften and wrinkle with time.

Taking care of a designer bag is an essential thing! Check our tips on How Do You Safely Clean a Louis Vuitton Bag at Home and find the best option on How To Store Your Designer Bags. These recommendations will help you keep any purse in pristine condition!

 

 

How To Style Louis Vuitton Alma

 

Unless you are Rihanna who was spotted carrying Monogram Alma BB with the training suit, or Kendall Jenner, who styled her Alma bag with leggings and an orange hoodie, there are certain tips to make sure your purse looks great with the outfit.

Although Alma bag is considered to give feminine vibes, it goes well with casual clothes like jeans. However, the best way to style Louis Vuitton Alma is to carry it with elegant clothing: coats, trenches, dresses, oversize pullovers, jackets, or shirts.

 

 

How To Tell If Louis Vuitton Alma Is Real

The last, but one of the most important parts of our Louis Vuitton Alma Reference Guide is the tips and advice on how to spot a fake LV Alma. This question is quite essential these days, considering that most people purchase their designer goods pre-loved. As the major part of the items are not available online or in boutiques, fashion lovers look for other ways to get the desired purse for their collection.

What should you pay attention to?

1. Check the overall quality – the pattern on canvas, the stitching.
2. Pay attention to rings attached to the top handles (most counterfeit goods have O-shaped rings, while the authentic ones are square).
3. Examine the clochette. On fake bags, the embossing is usually way too deep.
4. The color of threads (mostly for leather items). It should always match the color of the leather, period. No pink threads on the red purse, never brown stitching on the black background!
5. Look at the zipper. They should be of premium quality. The zipper can be a dead giveaway if it’s not straight and curls a little.
6. Fonts on the hardware. Way too much spacing between the letters? Or vice versa? Do some letters blend? “O” is not perfectly round? You’re holding a fake!

The date code. We have A Complete Guide to Louis Vuitton Date Codes (500 Photo Examples) if you want to learn more.

Always order a professional authentication before you make the deal. It will 100% prevent you from welcoming a cheap counterfeit item into your collection. Want to be sure about your purchase? Check our stock and select the ideal Alma – we have different options available!

Louis Vuitton Black Python Alma BB Crossbody Bag

Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Alma MM Amarante Bag

Louis Vuitton Black Noir Epi Electric Alma BB Bag

Louis Vuitton Black Epi Electric Leather Alma MM Bag

Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Magenta Alma PM Bag

 

If you need to authenticate a Louis Vuitton/Dior/Gucci item, please order one of the three types of authentication:

Verbal Authentication $10

• good when you need a certificate for any reason,

Certificate of Authenticity $25

• good when you need a certificate for any reason, either to sell the bag with the peace of mind or to return a fake bag to the seller if you purchased a fake
• includes a permanent certificate on lvbagaholic.com

Certificate of Authenticity with a thorough explanation $50

• good when you need a certificate and you need to know why the bag is authentic/not authentic for any reason, either to sell the bag with the peace of mind or return a fake bag to the seller if you purchased a fake.
• includes a permanent certificate on lvbagaholic.com
• includes an explanation of why the item is fake (detailed pictures and comparisons with an authentic bag, more than 10 pics included)

PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW

 

Do you love stylish and elegant purses with history? Then Louis Vuitton Alma bag is definitely your choice! A timeless classic of the French brand and chic addition to your casual outfit – you will never regret buying it. We hope that our Louis Vuitton Alma Reference Guide was helpful, and you will be rocking your new designer bag very soon!