The Chokehold of the Century: Longchamps on a College Campus
Written by Nolan Schultz
When you think of college supplies, what do you think? Maybe it’s stationary, or clothes. Maybe a water bottle too, but most importantly, it's school bags. The biggest debate amongst college students today is whether or not you stick classic with an old school team backpack, or rather, venture into wearing a purse, an increasingly popular trend for college students and more specifically, the Longchamp bag. On your next walk to class, take a look and see just how many Longchamp tote bags you can see on your walk. My personal record is 15.
The core question is: Why Longchamp? With the thousands of different brands–Coach, Michael Kors, Tory Burch–what makes Longchamp THE bag for college students?
History of Longchamp
Founded in 1948, Longchamp received its name from the famous racecourse near Paris. It didn’t immediately start with handbags, instead selling leather products for smoking. With the rise of air travel, the demand in the fashion market for quality luggage began to skyrocket. Longchamp understood this and entered the luggage market. Going into the 1970s, Longchamp re-focused its brand into the handbag industry, starting in 1971 as Philippe Cassegrain designed his first handbag line for Longchamp. This decision was revolutionary for the brand, as today we see Longchamp bags all around us.
It isn’t just any handbag, though. Typically, it is the Longchamp Le Pliage Tote bag on campuses everywhere. However, what makes this bag that special?
Features of the Le Pliage
The Le Pliage has the following dimensions of 12.2 in (L - measured at the base of the bag) x 11.8 in (H) x 7.5 in (W) according to the official Longchamp website. The medium size can fit comfortably a laptop, An iPad, your cellular device, chargers, everyday essentials,, your wallet, makeup, sunglasses, and anything you may deem necessary. The larger size is the more appealing of the two, as it can fit a laptop, an iPad, multiple textbooks and notebooks, folders, and all your everyday essentials. Many report, however, if your major requires numerous thicker-sized textbooks, this might not be the tote for you.
Why do fellow students choose this bag?
It goes without saying; the looks of this bag alone are enough to suede someone into investing into this tote bag. It features a simple yet sleek design, with Russian leather fabric and nylon coating perfect for a simple outfit elevation. Coming in numerous colors, there truly is an option for anyone. Furthermore, if you want to ensure your products make it to your next class, this bag is not only waterproof, but zips and locks fully, from seam-to-seam. It’s safe to say that this bag has made its debut to college, made its mark, and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Is this the right bag for you?
As I said before, if you have a lot of textbooks, notebooks, folders, alongside your personal electronics, and personal items that prepare you for any occasion, this might not be the bag for you. Many customers have stated that the straps are not the most comfortable, especially with multiple heavy objects. Priced at $180, the tote may be too high for many students to justify purchasing a bag for everyday academic use. Many also report that this particular tote is an investment that has never let them down. When it comes down to pinpointing why this tote, it truly depends on your perspective and your values. If you want a sleek tote that will elevate your outfits, this may be the tote for you.
Edited by Claudia Rothberg
