So, one thing you should know about me… I have a small obsession with BAGS. Specially those of the high-end designer kind, and more specifically Louis Vuitton. There’s just something so CHIC + CLASSIC about Louis Vuitton that I can’t help but be completely enamored with their bags. And thus, a small collection has started to form.
BUT… another thing you should also know about me… I’m always looking for a deal and I never like paying full price. Which is where Fashionphile comes in, my own little saving grace to my bag addiction.
Yes, it’s a fun experience to walk into a designer boutique and pick out a bag. Louis Vuitton, for one, definitely woos you from the minute you walk in the door and makes you feel extremely special. HOWEVER – if you could get a “like new” excellent condition bag AND save $200-500+ on it, would you axe the in-store experience. My answer? YES.
Now, I realize it’s a little scary to order a high-end purchase online. What if it’s fake? What if the condition isn’t what was advertised? What if I don’t like the way it looks in person? All important questions to ask yourself – and – all the more reason why I love Fashionphile.
I definitely did A LOT of research and read A LOT of reviews about their certification + authentication process before making my first purchase (which was a Vintage Chanel bag) and after taking the plunge and receiving the bag (which was gorgeous and in better condition than described) and having it authenticated again in a Chanel store, I was a believer! I’ve since ordered three other bags, my most recent being this little beauty, the Louis Vuitton Alma BB.
Something to take note of… This excellent condition “used” bag (which didn’t look or feel used at all) came with it’s original box AND dust bag. MAJOR ADDED BONUS with this purchase! Not all Fashionphile bags will come with the dust bag and/or box but I always try to scout the listings that do, because well – I want the whole package deal!
The bag also came with the detachable cross-body strap (a necessity) and the lock & key you can see on the side attached to the zipper.
The Alma is a Louis Vuitton CLASSIC but the bags that can only be worn on the “crook of the arm” just don’t really fit my mom-of-two-boys crazy lifestyle. I need a cross-body strap that gives me full reign of both hands at all times. So the Alma BB, the most adorable Louis Vuitton mini bag in my opinion, coming complete with a cross-body strap, makes it a home run in my book and has been on my “must have bag” list for awhile now!
The bag comes in a variety of the Louis Vuitton prints but I really wanted it in the Damier Ebene. While I have a few LV bags in the Damier Azur print, and I wager to say that is my favorite LV print, I really love the fact that the Damier Ebene has the dark leather handle which doesn’t patina (the changing of colors due to oxidation over time and/or water exposure). The water exposure is a tough one in Florida with our pop-up sun showers that come on a whim.
The bag also has tiny little “feet” at the bottom which is again one of the little features on this bag that made me love it. Placing the bag down on the table at a restaurant or on a bench in the park is always a little questionable for that “fear” of your bag getting damaged… BUT, with the little gold feet on the bottom it protects the actual leather on the bottom of the bag from dirt since it’s “propped up” from the surface.
Another feature on this bag that I really loved was the zipper that crosses the entire structure of the bag. Some mini bags have a small zipper enclosure on the very top of the bag that doesn’t allow you to actually fit as much into the bag as you would be able to otherwise. The wide zipper enclosure on the Alma BB allows you to fit a surprisingly large amount of things into the bag (which I’ll show you below.)
So what can one fit inside of a mini bag? Totally legit question and one I sought advice from Google myself before making the purchase. Of course you can measure dimensions of a bag but they don’t really explain how much “stuff” you’re capable of fitting – they only tell you the length, width and height of the bag – rarely the depth. So I thought I would show you guys an honest to goodness showcase of how much this mini Alma BB bag can fit!
Make-up Pouch that holds (Christian Dior) lipgloss, (Honest Company) hand sanitizer, (Quay) sunglasses, (Target) mini wallet and keys with attached keychain. I could even fit MORE in there if needed and still have it zip fine but this is my standard “go-to” stash that goes into my purse.
So what do you think? Love my new Louis Vuitton mini bag? Tempted to give Fashionphile a whirl for your future designer purchase? I hope so, you won’t be disappointed!
