11 Louis Vuitton Items That Are And Aren't Worth The Money

Trends within the fashion world come and go, but one monogrammed print has sustained every ebb and flow the vogueing world has endured — Louis Vuitton. The iconic LV embossed leather has stood the test of time, its instantly recognizable pattern reflecting wealth, status, and luxury. The man himself, Louis Vuitton, came to Paris at just 16 years old in 1837, finding work alongside Monsieur Maréchal. Identifying a need for client-made trunks and luggage — as traveling by horse and carriage was common in those days — Vuitton quickly garnered a reputation as a skilled craftsman. As his reputation and ingenuity grew — as he and his son, Georges, revolutionized the locking mechanism on trunks — Louis Vuitton as a brand skyrocketed. By 1914, the company had grown to 225 employees.

Today, Louis Vuitton is known for its timeless travel bags, iconic handbags, couture red carpet looks, and incredible ready-to-wear clothing. To own a Louis Vuitton item is to treat yourself to a product that is not only exceptionally made but rooted in a rich history that stemmed from a teenager's hard work to a global enterprise. With all that said, of course, items from Louis Vuitton will cost you a pretty penny, and some pieces are certainly worth the investment, while others fall a little flat. Here are the 11 Louis Vuitton items that are and aren't worth the money.

Nothing says crisp and clean like a white T shirt, and we love a look centered around the staple wardrobe piece. However, when it comes to dropping money at Louis Vuitton, we suggest staying away from the Monogram Frill T-Shirt. This tee does come with an extra layer of detail with the frill at the cuffs, bringing playfulness to an otherwise standard garment, but the viscose and polyester shirt will set you back $1,660. We're not kidding — the designer, while iconic, is selling a tee that costs more than what most people pay in rent, and while the shirt is definitely cute, we can't justify spending that much money on a basic top.

To add a little insult to injury, there isn't really anything about this top that screams Louis Vuitton — the only monogramming you'll find on the shirt belongs to the flower tab. Otherwise, the only thing people will see is a cute white shirt you spent thousands of dollars on. Worth it? We don't think so. And if convenience is your thing when thinking about shirts you wear daily, this top from Louis Vuitton is dry clean only, adding yet another layer of irritation. So take it from us — save your money, purchase something else from Louis Vuitton, and buy a cutie frill shirt from Madewell that will set you back $40.

Daydreaming about a vacation on the Italian coast happens more often than we care to admit, and yet thinking about the dreamy beaches of the Mediterranean sounds like just the escape we're after. If you're one of the lucky ones who does find themselves heading off on a beach vacation, you'll likely want to pack a beach bag to throw all your sand essentials into — think sunscreen, a cute mom visor, a book, and what's a beach day without some beverage to sip in the sun? If you're browsing Louis Vuitton while you're prepping for your getaway, the Saint Jacques bag might catch your eye — this "summery staple" is made of raffia and is perfect for "sunny days, on city streets, or by the sea." Sounds great, right? Wrong, when you realize that the bag comes with a $3,100 price tag.

We're all for investing in some timeless pieces that you can take great care of as you use them, but a beach bag or a city-hopping, throw-over-your-shoulder purse should ideally be one that you won't miss if it's snatched away. And at $3,100, this raffia bag is just too much to offer up, even if it has a large LV monogram on the front. We're more partial to the jute tote bag you can snag at Zara for $49.90, made of practically the same material and boasting a similar size.

One of the great aspects of buying a designer is that the item's quality is usually 20 out of 10. No one wants to drop thousands of dollars on a product that is going to fall apart or age poorly, and we're here to tell you that while Louis Vuitton is a designer that puts quality first, the Speedy Bandoulière 25 handbag in beige should go on your miss list.

The bag features a miniature monogram pattern that is very feminine and delicate. It features rolled-leather handles, the iconic padlock, and has an outside pocket on the front that is perfect for your keys and chapstick. But maintenance of any designer product is key, and as noted by CodoGirl, the beige leather is harder to maintain. The bag will also set you back $2,630.

If the beige leather is just speaking to you, though, there are some tips for maintaining the leather's quality. The material can be damaged by watermarks and stains, as well as by the oils present on your skin. You'll also want to be wary about using the bag when it's excessively sunny or when it's raining. If the bag gets dirty, use a baby wipe or a magic eraser and don't scrub — scrubbing the leather will take away layers of the material.

If there is one winter material that screams expensive, it's cashmere. In the form of a sweater, a scarf, mittens, you name it, cashmere is the peak of warm fabrics and is sought after every year. If you're in the market for a new cashmere sweater and don't mind dropping a pretty penny on it, the Open Sleeve Cashmere Pullover from Louis Vuitton might be the one. With subtle zippers on the inner arms and a cut-out detail at the neck that offers an up or down styling, the pullover sweater seems like a good purchase. 

To note, the sweater is only 73% cashmere, with a 26% cotton and 1% polyester blend. It's also $2,490. We'll be the first to admit that splurging on a gorgeous sweater for the cold winter months is irresistible, but dropping that kind of money on a white cashmere pullover with no Louis Vuitton markers (apart from the lining of the zippers) seems like a waste of money. It is even more eyebrow-raising when you remember that the sweater isn't even 100% cashmere, which — duh — is the whole reason to buy said sweater in the first place.

We recommend saving your money and instead turning your attention to the classic crewneck pullover — that's 100% cashmere — from Naked Cashmere. Not only is the garment made completely after the sought-after material, but it comes in at a much more reasonable $215.

If you're anything like us, you like to travel in style. Why rush through the airport when you can get through security a couple of hours before your flight, grab a coffee, and find a seat in front of a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling window while watching the planes take off and land? Making any travel day much better is attractive luggage, and we get why the Nice Vanity bag from Louis Vuitton would catch your eye. From the monogrammed canvas material to the gold hardware to the double-zip openings and the mirror inside, it has everything a vanity bag needs. It'll also make you feel like Audrey Hepburn, walking around with the (removable) strap making everyone in the airport jealous as you do so.

And while this might sound like a list of reasons to buy the Nice Vanity bag, we'll tell you that you should skip it. While it does have some great features that make it a convincing tease, it costs $2,990. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider that you're going to be throwing in makeup and self-care products that have a distinct chance of exploding mid-flight. While the inside of the vanity bag is a washable canvas lining, you're better off getting a vanity bag from Target that you don't mind getting covered in a crushed makeup palette's debris rather than one that you spent nearly three grand on.