Review: This bag was literally designed to carry champagne! Louis Vuitton Petit Noé
Yes, I snapped the drawstring…this is me in Louis Vuitton getting a replacement. Read about it here
History
Here’s the most delightful part of owning this bag: the story behind its design. The Petit Noé was originally created in 1932 not for everyday use, but specifically to carry champagne bottles. Yes, you read that correctly—champagne! Who in the 1930s needed to carry that much champagne? I couldn’t resist testing this out myself with gifted undrunk champagne bottles from over the years. I managed to fit 4 bottles (it was designed to carry 5, but I wasn’t about to push my luck), and let me tell you, I was on edge the entire time, convinced the bag would just give way under the weight. But—miracle of miracles—it didn’t! The stitching held up, the leather remained unscathed, and the bag came through as if it were made for heavy-duty duty... literally.
That said, I’d still advise against using it as your go-to champagne carrier, but it’s a testament to the craftsmanship and timeless design of this iconic bag.
Price Points
RRP 2025: £1,540.00
RRP 2024: £1,520.00
I bought my bag [circa 1988] in 2020 from The Handbag Clinic in Chelsea for £580.60.
If you are looking for a very good condition 2006 onwards era model, purchased via a consignment service, you will be looking at £1,000 - £1,295.00 . This gives you a good anchor for price points - but on Vestiaire Collective you can get a vintage petit Noe from £370 - £850. I would argue vintage Louis Vuitton is SO much more stylish than box fresh Louis Vuitton. I love aged leather - I like the patina, its such a gorgeous caramel colour - as opposed to the slightly pink colour you get with store fresh Louis Vuitton - I really don’t like that colour. I think dare I say it * it looks slightly cheap.
Also do not be fooled by the word ‘petit’ this bag is big.
The Good
Now, let’s talk about the bag itself. The standout features have to be: the iconic coated canvas that defines the Noé collection, the bottom of the bag and its shoulder strap. The material is the epitome of durability (stand aside Prada Nylon). Louis Vuitton’s coated canvas, is known for its resilience, it stands up to everything from scratches and stains to the general wear and tear of everyday life - coffee spills, rain water and commuting life. What I find especially impressive is how well the canvas holds its shape, even after years of use. There’s no doubt this bag can handle the hustle and bustle of city life—rain or shine, the canvas won’t lose its integrity. And unlike leather, it doesn’t require the same level of maintenance or worry about water damage.
The sturdy leather bottom is a game-changer, too. It’s thicker and more durable than you might expect, adding just the right amount of weight to balance the overall structure of the bag. It’s a design feature that not only reinforces the bag’s longevity but also ensures it can stand up to heavy loads. This is one bag that can take some knocks—and keep on going. Whether you're tossing it in and out of your car, resting it on the ground on the tube, or simply living your life, the Petit Noé's durability is second to none.
The double-buckle shoulder strap is nothing short of perfection—it's exceptionally durable and I think probably one of the best-quality straps Louis Vuitton has ever crafted. Seriously, it’s built to last. I’ve put it to the test, and it hasn’t faltered.
When it comes to the size. This is a big bag. When you have the top completely untied and open, it is a similar size to the Neverfull MM. But, whats great is that if you pull the drawstring tight you can shrink this bag and make it feel and look a lot smaller.
All in all, the Louis Vuitton Petit Noé is a classic that deserves far more love than it gets. Stylish, durable, and with a history that’s as fun as it is practical, this bag is an absolute treasure.
The Bad
But after saying all the good, I do have an issue with this bag & it’s a big issue. If we were friends, my gorgeous reader I’d lend you my bag before you purchased yours so you could see the problem. It’s WILDLY impractical for anyone that wants to use it as a work bag and commutes, which I assume is the reason you’d buy it because it really is quite roomy.
There are no interior zip pockets so everything is just loose and rolling around in there.
But its the knotted closure which lets the bag down. Firstly, because this is vintage my drawstring has become quite a rough strip of leather so when you double knot it, which you have to do because a single knot or bow comes undone as you walk. It is almost impossible to undo and it takes all your willpower to not use your teeth. Sadly I have had to use my teeth on occasion, also the drawstring after 37 years finally disintegrated and I had to get a replacement.
Secondly, you have to do this ridiculous balancing act of using your chin to secure the shoulder strap against your chest whilst you hunch yourself over trying to untie the bag and find your phone/AirPods/oyster card/water bottle/reusable coffee cup to hand over at Pret A Manger. Then you tie it back up, realise you still need something from your bag and the process begins all over again.
I would say if you bought one new you likely wouldn’t have this problem because the leather is smooth and coated whereas because mine is so old. Also, they have introduced a new closure and added a drawstring leather tab which means you can ignore the above if you bought a newer model, but vintage beware!
What does this bag carry?
Spoiler Alert: This bag carries everything.
It fits: Laptop, Charger, sunglasses, hairbrush, wallet, perfume, full make-up bag, moleskin, work pass and keys
Pros
Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Unique Design
Spacious Interior
Timeless Appeal
Durability
Excellent resale price for vintage
Very well made
Cons
Tie Knot Closure is a nightmare
No Interior Zip Pocket
Would I buy this again?
I would buy this again purely because of the price point of a Vintage Noe - you get a lot of Louis Vuitton for your money and it is a very well made bag.
However, if you were looking to spend £1000+ on a newer Noe, I would not buy it and instead purchase the Artsy MM. I love the Artsy MM. It is one of my favourite Louis Vuitton styles which I sadly do not own. Check out some of the Ebay options.
If you want tips on authenticating your Louis Vuitton Noe click here.
love alice xx
