Are you looking for a new statement purse for this summer? Luckily for you, there is no need to search any further. Today we are discussing one of the most convenient and marvelous bags for the upcoming warm season: Louis Vuitton Croisette. An extra playful design, flawless quality and iconic elements of the fashion house – there’s no better way to shine along with the summer sun! Ready to learn more about this tiny beauty in our Louis Vuitton Croisette bag review and real vs fake comparison?
Let’s get started!
When Did Louis Vuitton Croisette Come Out?
Croisette is a relatively new member of the Louis Vuitton family, it was released in May 2016. Needless to say, that this adorable purse almost immediately became a hit. However, we can’t say that its popularity can be compared to such timeless models as Neverfull, Speedy or Alma.
Nevertheless, Croisette is practical, modern and stylish. Over the five years of its existence, it has got plenty of admirers and fans. Let’s find out what helped this model win the hearts of millions and turn into a coveted luxury piece.
Louis Vuitton Croisette Features
Everything becomes clear, when you take a first look at this cute purse. Small and functional, it’s an ideal solution for daily use: a walk in a park, a short trip, running errands, a date, q meet-up with friends – Louis Vuitton Croisette is suitable for any occasion!
Sadly, this bag doesn’t get enough recognition, especially when compared with the iconic silhouettes. That’s why I thought it would be a great tribute to create this Louis Vuitton Croisette bag review and real vs fake comparison. It’s a great opportunity for you to learn more about this model, fall in love with it and purchase, while the prices are still moderate.
But let’s get back to Louis Vuitton Croisette features. Here is why I personally like this accessory:
Design
The bag is sturdy and rigid. When carrying it every day, you will hardly worry about anything: it was designed to be out as much as possible. A nice detail that creates a playful look is a large tassel. However, this element is removable if you’re not a fan of girlish accessories or don’t feel like having it.
Shoulder strap
The most important feature (which only proves why this purse is loved by many) is the opportunity to carry it both in hands and as a cross-body. A detachable shoulder strap is an irreplaceable feature for every modern woman, because we always have something else to hold in our hands, don’t we?
Yet, there’s one drawback that some of you might dislike: the strap is not adjustable. Its length is 22 inches, which might be inconvenient for some people.
Iconic prints
Louis Vuitton Croisette currently exists in two legendary prints: Damier Ebene and Damier Azur coated canvas. If you ever find this bag in Monogram print, be sure to close this website forever – it’s a fake.
Signature S-lock
Now, this is the thing that causes lots of issues for owners. Many fashionistas face problems when thinking how to close LV Croisette when it’s full. Troubles with a lock is the main reason why this model is often returned to the boutiques. However, once you learn how to open LV Croisette, you won’t be able to say goodbye to this amazing accessory. The secret behind it is simple: you need to press (in a squeezing move) both knobs together at the same time. When closing it, you should hear a snap, indicating that the flap is secured.
How Much Is Louis Vuitton Croisette?
When this model was released in 2016, the official retail price was $1,590 USD. For the bag with measurements 9.8” L x 6.7” H x 3.7” W, it seems quite a reasonable price tag (we remember that we are still talking about Louis Vuitton, not some fast fashion accessories!).
However, as the fashion house tends to increase prices of their luxury goods annually (you can read more about the last changes in our article Louis Vuitton Increases Prices Worldwide in January 2021), the current price for Louis Vuitton Croisette is $1,960. A little calculation allows to understand that the cost of this accessory went up by 12.5% over five years which is, by the way, nothing compared to Louis Vuitton Neverfull that has risen by 77% since 2009. Here are more reasons Why You Should Invest in Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Right Now.
Where To Buy Louis Vuitton Croisette?
One of the best advantages of Louis Viutton Croisette is its availability. Unfortunately for all US citizens, on the official website of the fashion house, they are out of stock. But it doesn’t mean that you’ll be left to daydream about having this little beauty!
You might find a new piece in one of the local boutiques near you or plan to make your purchase while traveling. Another solution that allows you to both save money and time is to buy it pre-loved!
For example, we still have one cute LV Croisette for sale in stunning Damier Azur canvas. But considering the upcoming summer and a desire of modern fashionistas to shop pre-owned, it might not be there for long! By the way, if you are interested in this trend, be sure to check our article The Rise of Pre-Owned Luxury: Why Has It Become So Popular?.
Louis Vuitton Croisette vs Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis
Louis Vuitton Croisette is quite often compared to its elder sister – Pochette Metis model, which was released in 2012 and also became an instant hit! They kind of look alike, especially considering their design. Let’s see what they have in common and what’s the difference between the two.
First, the resemblance:
- Similar design. Both models are of rectangular shape with a flap closure.
- Top handle and removable shoulder strap that allow to carry them in hands or as a cross-body.
- S-lock. Still, it remains quite an issue for some people.
- Both are recent releases of the fashion house, that’s why the prices aren’t astronomical.
Now, the differences. There are way more things to discuss here! And as usual, the details can change the entire look of the bag.
Size
The size of Pochette Metis is bigger than that of Croisette. However, owners of the younger sister never complain about the functionality of their accessory. Just to compare, this is the size of Pochette Metis in Monogram canvas: 9.8” L x 7.5” H x 3.5” W. We can see that it’s slightly taller than Croisette.
Shape
If we put both purses side by side, we can notice a little difference in shape. While Pochette Metis has a proper rectangular form, Croisette is more of a trapezoid shape.
Tassel
Removable tassel is a cute addition to LV Croisette, which Pochette Metis doesn’t have. However, there are multiple options to style any bag with luxury accessories. You can learn more about it from our recent article - How To Dress Up Your Bag: The Best Designer Bag Accessories.
Flap
The flap of Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis reminds of an envelope closure (with a pointed end), while Croisette model has a more rounded flap.
Interior
Many people call Pochette Metis a more convenient bag for those who like to organize their belongings, because it has three compartments for keeping your things in order. Moreover, there’s a zipped pocket on the back of this model. Croisette has only one interior compartment and a large flat pocket inside.
Materials and Prints
The fashion house has expanded Pochette Metis line due to high demand and success. The bags are made in many versions and materials: Monogram canvas, Monogram Empreinte leather and Monogram Reversed canvas. However, if you’re a fan of Damier Azur print, Croisette is your choice (there’s no Pochette Metis in this version).
Top Handle
Even the top handles of the two models differ! The handle of Pochette Metis is secured by two leather rings, while the handle of Croisette is attached to hardware rings, which give it a better flexibility. Moreover, if you don’t want the top handle rising like an arch above the top of the purse, choose Pochette Metis, its handle lies almost flat.
Shoulder Strap
Both shoulder straps are removable, but there’s more to look at. Pochette Metis strap is adjustable (and that’s an important feature for some fashionistas) and wider, than the one that comes with the Croisette model.
Moreover, there’s a difference in price. Louis Vuitton Croisette is considered to be cheaper than it’s elder sister. The current cost of Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis in Monogram canvas is 2,050 USD. The leather models are even more expensive.
Louis Vuitton Croisette Wear and Tear
As any other luxury item manufactured by skillful artisans of the fashion house, Croisette bag will serve you for decades. However, some wear and tear is still unavoidable. Let’s see what issues with this cute baby you might face.
- Scratches on the lock. This is a typical wear and tear for each purse, which is tricky to open.
- Cracking of the shoulder strap. This is a universal issue: when there’s a leather shoulder strap, there might be crackings on it.
- Minor rubs on corners. Happens to each bag that can be placed on the surface.
- Tassel ends split.
- Color fading on the linen at the place, where the flap touches the upper edge of the bag. Especially visible on Damier Ebene models.
Hopefully, these challenges won’t stop you from joining Louis Vuitton family this summer! Now, as the final part of our Louis Vuitton Croisette bag review and real vs fake comparison, let’s see the actual photos of two purses and learn how to tell a true art of craftsmanship from a cheap knock-off.
Louis Vuitton Croisette Real vs Fake Comparison
As a bagaholic, I can’t imagine anything worse than purchasing a luxury purse that turns out to be a counterfeit. Over the years of my experience (and I’ve been working in authentication for more than 7 years), I’ve seen and touched thousands of bags and spend lots of money on studying. Now, I know the secrets of telling the difference between a truly precious item and a worthless fake piece.
Here are two lovely Louis Viutton Croisette bags in Damier Azur. I won’t be tormenting you with “Guess the fake” game, but show the smallest details that reveal the counterfeit.
Let’s begin!
General Look
The fake item looks quite trustworthy. Judging by this picture, it’s hard to draw any conclusions, especially without touching both bags. We could say that there are two authentic luxury goods in front of our eyes, if there weren’t some dead giveaways. Which ones? Read on to find out!
Top Handle
Look at the pictures above. A handle that can be bent is the first giveaway. It should never be this soft and fall to the side. Unlike the shoulder strap, which is soft and flexible, the top handle is always rigid and sturdy and should rise above the top, like an arch. It might be hard to notice that from the picture. Only an expert in authentication, who knows these details and who knows the touch of the real purse, can identify it. Eyes might lie, but the touch never does.
Bottom Pattern
Now, let’s compare the bottoms of the two bags. As you might notice, the pattern on the right bag doesn’t match at the seam. It seems like these two pieces of canvas were put together carelessly (and they were, because it’s a fake). However, such a detail isn’t a guarantee of authenticity. Rarely, you might find the same issue on original bags. That’s why it’s important to look at other details as well.
Leather Buckle
The next stop of our journey across the world of fakes is the sides of the bag. If we look closer at the buckles, we can see the obvious difference: it’s bigger on the fake item, which doesn’t give the purse an elegant look.
Shoulder Strap
Here we can see the inaccurate thick strap on the counterfeit purse (the thickness of the red glazing definitely gives it away). The same is visible on one of the previous photos. The stitching is sloppy and wrongly placed. Look at the real item, where the thread runs along the strap right in the middle, and compare it with the fake, where two threads run along the edges.
The embossing on the swivel clasp doesn’t match the one on the button. It looks inaccurate. Manufacturers of the fake products didn’t even bother to use the same font.
Lock
The S-lock is already the topic for discussion in the fashion society. But right now we are not interested in how to open LV Croisette (we’ve talked about it above). Let’s see how the lock can be a giveaway.
Here it should be clear, even for a untrained eye. Do you see what’s wrong?
Yes, you guessed it right. It’s the letters on the hardware. There are several mistakes that counterfeit manufacturers made here:
- The fonts are copied wrongly.
- The text itself is not centered (you can see that it’s located closer to the right knob, letter “N” is almost touching it).
Heat Stamp
Now, let’s see what’s inside this beauty. My big experience in authentication has taught me a very important lesson: pay attention to everything, because the devil is in details! Checking the heat stamp is very important when examining luxury bags. And, to be honest, they can tell a lot about the origin of the purse.
This heat stamp (on the right picture) is poorly made. First, look at the fonts. They should be taller, like on the original item, and evenly embossed. Second, it’s the glazing around the stamp. There’s just too much of it, which is another giveaway. Moreover, the top corners of the leather stamp on the knock-off is inaccurately painted with this red glazing: Louis Vuitton artisans are never that careless, because every part of the purse should be flawless.
Date Code
And as a dessert of our authentication process, there are two date codes to compare and to study. Actually, both look trustworthy. A non-professional would never say that there’s something wrong with the right element. However, when working with luxury accessories, I’ve learned to check and double check every part of the bag to make sure I’m holding the real piece.
Back to the date code! Can you see what’s wrong with it? Well, I’m not going to keep the intrigue for long. The first giveaway is the font. Yes, it’s completely wrong. The second thing that catches my eye is embossing (you can scroll up to see the original heat stamp and notice that both embossings on the leather are the same).
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading this Louis Vuitton Croisette bag review and real vs fake comparison. What conclusion can we draw from it? Always authenticate your bag when buying it pre-loved!
There are still cases of people buying fakes from trusted second-hand shops and we even explained why You Can Still Buy A Fake Bag In Reputed Consignment Stores.
We, at Bagaholic, double and even triple check each purse before it appears in our online shop. So, you can be 100% sure that you’re buying authentic goods. And we also offer professional authentication.
If you need to authenticate a Louis Vuitton/Dior/Gucci item, please order one of the three types of authentication:
- 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
