As basic as it may sound, a classic Louis Vuitton bag might just be my designer weakness. And the Speedy Bandouliere really is no different. Every time I scrolled through the endless pins on Pinterest, I’d see perfectly curated capsule wardrobe outfits paired with the classic monogram bag. I fell in love.
Handbag reviews are a huge content vertical for me, from my blog post reviews to my video reviews. Bags are just fun. It’s even more fun to dig into the pros and cons of the super expensive styles – and try to decide if they’re really even “worth” it.
Because let’s face it – the Speedy B doesn’t come cheap!
I recently added a Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 30 to my handbag collection and am ready to dive into the details with you. So, let’s discuss.
My Speedy
Monogram Idylle Speedy Bandouliere 30 Encre
That’s a mouthful, right? Lolz. I usually just go with Louis Vuitton Speedy 30.
I picked up my Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 30 pre-loved on Fashionphile. For years I’ve actually really lusted after the classic monogram of the Speedy Bandouliere. I even wanted the Speedy Bandouliere 25 because I thought it made for such a cute cross body bag. But after adding the Favorite MM to my wardrobe, the size 25 really didn’t make much sense anymore. Not with my budget, anyhow. A girl’s gotta make some choices.
The other unique feature of “my” version of the Speedy is the fact that it’s made with a monogram canvas material that isn’t coated like the brown Damier Ebene or classic monogram. Ultimately this makes my bag slightly softer and slouchier rather than more structured.
I paid just around $600 for my Speedy Bandoulière, while a full priced Speedy B 30 rings in at well over the thousand dollar mark (closer to $1.6K as of the time of this post).
Pros
The Speedy B is a classic for a reason. Let’s talk about the pros of this popular shoulder bag.
Easy to wear thanks to an adjustable strap
The adjustable strap is one of the biggest selling points for the Speedy Bandouliere vs the classic Speedy sans strap. As much as I love a classic handbag look, I love the versatility of the shoulder and crossbody strap options. The strap is made of a sturdy leather and the length is perfect for most heights.
For reference I am 4’11” and about 140 pounds – I can wear my Speedy B as both a shoulder and a crossbody bag.
Classic style with a timeless history
One of my favorite reasons to shop designer handbags is because I feel like I’m buying into the history. The story.
The Speedy in size 30 was actually launched in 1930 as a nod to the travel history of Louis Vuitton. The size 25 was added in 1959 at the request of none other than Audrey Hepburn herself (who was lusting after the perfect everyday satchel). While the bandouliere didn’t come until later, the history of the Speedy is long, rich, and part of the legacy of Louis Vuitton.
I have a B.S. in Apparel Merchandising & Design. So if you’re a fashion history buff like myself – you’ll love the legacy of this classic silhouette.
Perfectly sized
Calling any bag “perfectly” sized is a challenge because we all come in different shapes and sizes. What is perfect for me may not be perfect for you. What I can say is that the size 30 itself is the best of both worlds when it comes to a small/medium sized bag that still fits a ton of items.
I debated long and hard about purchasing the Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 instead of the size 30. I was genuinely concerned that the 30 would end up feeling too big, almost like a travel duffel, while the LV Speedy 25 seemed more for everyday. I can happily confirm that is not the case. The Speedy 30 is the perfectly sized medium bag that fits a ton, but doesn’t read like a large duffel to the eye. You’ll still be able to take all your daily essentials with you, while enjoying that every day sized bag ease.
If you’re on the hunt for a true travel bag to fit in clothing, shoes, and your other accessories, I’d opt for sizes of the Louis Vuitton Speedy larger than the size 30 (such as the Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 or the Louis Vuitton Speedy 40).
The LV Speedy comes in a whole host of sizes (including an adorable Louis Vuitton Speedy Nano size), so if the Speedy 25 doesn’t feel right, luckily there are plenty of other sizes to choose from.
Priced as “attainable” luxury
Nothing Louis Vuitton makes is affordable. Ever. Louis Vuitton also isn’t generally great value for money just given that the classic fabrics like the Louis Vuitton damier prints are all made of a coated canvas – not even a real leather.
I’ve just always found it challenging to justify Louis Vuitton prices. That being said, I would consider the Speedy B a great entry level price point when it comes to designer handbags. With preloved and retail pricing all around or under $1,600 the Speedy B is definitely one of the more “attainable” luxury handbags on the market.
Cons
The Speedy might be “attainable” luxury, but it is expensive given the make and materials
Speaking with my B.S. in mind – I just can think of so few reasons the Speedy B should cost what it costs to purchase. The bag is made in France, Spain, Italy, or in the US, which can add to the cost of labor. But the cost of materials just doesn’t add up. Coated canvas isn’t particularly expensive. For example, Michael Kors makes bags with similar materials. Sure, MK is made cheaply in China, but from a materials standpoint you’re talking about very similar components.
Smaller sizes have smaller openings
This post is specifically a Speedy Bandouliere 30 review, so this point doesn’t really apply. The Speedy B 30 has a great sized zip opening, allowing you to reach all your belongings easily. On the smaller sized Speedy’s the opening is proportionally smaller, making it a bit more challenging to reach all your bits and bobs inside.
No feet
If you own a fabric or coated canvas Speedy like I do, it will not have feet on the bottom of the bag. The leather versions of the Speedy do have feet.
The lack of feet on this bag mean bottom and corner wear are an unfortunate reality. If you’re shopping for the Speedy preloved, you’ll notice corner and bottom wear as some of the earliest signs of damage on this bag.
Again, this is why I’m so confused about the pricing here. You’d think for a $1,600 bag at full price we’d have some protective feet! I do sort of hate that I have to worry about damage to my bag every time I leave home.
All in all
At the end of the day, despite any cons, I really love my Speedy B. Transparently, though, I think I love my bag because I paid what I paid. At around $600 preloved, I feel like I’ve absolutely gotten a fair value. Even though I love this bag, I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay the full retail price to own it.
Where to shop
I highly recommend shopping pre-loved on Fashionphile
If you’re looking to add any designer handbag to cart, I cannot recommend Fashionphile enough. This post is not sponsored. Fashionphile has never sponsored me. I do use affiliate links, but I don’t make anywhere near what I spend myself in commission from Fashionphile. I just genuinely shop the store and find their customer service and products impeccable. You can read my full Fashionphile review blog post here for more info on why shopping preloved is awesome – and why Fashionphile is my recommended site.
Do you own the Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere? Tell me if you think it’s worth it in the comments below!