Everyone and their mother has seen by now — or at least heard — of the world-famous Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag.
After all, it’s a very iconic bag. I talk a lot about this bag on this blog. But you might not be as familiar with a different fashion house that is just as traditional but not quite as popular: Goyard.
Maison Goyard has been around for almost as long as Louis Vuitton has. Goyard and Louis Vuitton have a few things in common: both houses started as makers of suitcases. Both are French Maisons and both are popular with celebrities. Meghan Markle, the Kardashians, and Gwyneth Paltrow are just a few names who have been spotted with their Goyard bags.
Despite being relatively unknown by the general public, this brand has been a favorite of the ultra-wealthy for years. Probably because there’s a certain amount of secrecy surrounding it that is very alluring to people that seek exclusivity.
Unlike other luxury labels, Goyard never advertises, never does a product launch or fashion week, never grants interviews, and only relies on word of mouth to get clients to their door. Sounds counterintuitive? Maybe so. But this elusiveness works to keep the brand’s exclusivity and status symbol.
You’ll never find prices posted anywhere on their website. If you’re interested, you have to go to a physical store. And don’t think calling or emailing will work either. As you can see, Goyard is the definition of what can be called “quiet luxury”.
Because of that, it’s easy to see why the brand feels more exclusive to the ultra-wealthy.
Louis Vuitton, on the other hand, has been a popular brand name for quite some time. And for that reason, one can argue that it has lost some of its appeal.
Maybe so. But despite all that, LV is still the most recognizable luxury brand in the world. Even with recent prices increases of 20%, it hasn’t stirred away people who are willing to pay for luxury. And the Neverfull is still one of their best sellers.
However, higher prices don’t always imply exclusivity. Goyard bags seem more exclusive because they’re not as readily available and not as flashy, as their counterpart from LV.
If I have piqued your interest in the Goyard handbags keep reading to find out more about this elusive brand.
Where do I buy Goyard tote bags?
If you’re interested in buying an authentic Goyard handbag you either have to go to one of their stores, selected department stores, or get it from a reputable second-hand reseller.
How does the Goyard St. Louis tote compare to the Louis Vuitton Neverfull?
The Goyard St. Louis tote, on the outside resembles the Neverfull in the sense that both are tote bags and both have their signature design. But you can easily tell them apart.
While the Neverfull is famous for its LV monogram and checkered bags, the Goyard St. Louis is famous for its iconic interlocking chevron pattern. But that’s not all.
One of the main differences is when it comes to sizes. The St. Louis traditionally only comes in two: Pm and Gm. A larger third size ( XXL) was introduced in 2018. This size is much larger than the other two as you could expect, but not meant for everyday use. The Pm — the smallest — is almost the same size as a Neverfull MM and more appropriate for everyday use. The Gm (much larger) was meant for travel. The bag is also reversible, another perk you don’t get with a Neverfull.
Like the Neverfull, the St. Louis bag is also made of coated canvas with leather handles. And just like the Neverfull, the St. Louis bag also comes with a small matching pouch. The coated canvas on the St. Louis bag is handmade in France and the signature chevron print is hand-painted.
Fun fact: the St. Louis was originally created to be a beach bag.
The St. Louis also differs from the Neverfull in the fact that comes in a greater variety of colors than the Luis Vuitton Neverfull does, and it’s much more customizable in that way. It can be personalized by having names, initials, numbers, or stripes hand-painted on the bag.
How much does it cost?
It’s impossible to know for sure the current price of a Goyard bag since they don’t advertise it anywhere. We can only estimate since it can vary by a lot depending on the customization. But you can expect to pay anywhere between $1200 to $2500.
Is the St. Louis better than a Neverfull?
This is a matter of personal choice. I like both and I think they can be used for different things and different occasions. Some St. Louis owners complain the bag is not as durable as the LV Neverfull and not as sturdier. On the other hand, they say they love that the St. Louis feels much lighter and is reversible which makes it a much more versatile bag.
With that said, my opinion is that the Neverfull is better suited for daily use since is a little bit sturdier, while the St. Louis bag can be used on occasion or just as a travel bag. But it all depends of course on how well you take care of your bags.
If you’re interested in a Goyard St. Louis tote, but you’re not quite sure you’ll love it, you can always try a look-alike instead.
In fact, I found quite a few bags that look just as good as the authentic including a bag of another famous designer that is much more affordable: Tory Burch.
The Goyard look-alike bags are linked below and are all under $200. A bargain if you consider the price of an original.
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* This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
