Recently, during a late-night prowl through resale sites, I was on the hunt for wild, monogrammed bags. I was dreaming of a Dior Saddle Bag stamped with unmissable Ds, and found a slew of Fendi Zucca printed baguettes. Louis Vuitton had a vast collection of monograms—LVs on a classic, brown cowhide canvas, rainbow logos on white leather, and even a cheeky denim incarnation. Never will I tire of a bag that connotes: “Yes, I’m a very visible fan!” But, I left my search empty-handed and monogramless.
Instead, my quest for Louis Vuitton led me to the age-old muted classic: the Epi style. Epi leather is a Vuitton-specific creation that’s textured with wavy micro-ridges. The only monogram visible here is a solo “LV” that is subtly branded into the grain. The House used the glossy grain in its luggage during the 1920s. It was later revived in 1985, and eventually released in several different colorways. Fast forward years later, that once luggage material has now been translated into wallets, shoulder bags, and backpacks. It is incredibly sleek, enough so to make me forget my love of logomania. Running your finger along the leather is deeply satisfying with its velvety toughness, both butter-soft and impenetrable. Vogue Fashion Director Virginia Smith’s own love for the style relates back to its durability. “I have to admit that I’m very tough on my bags and don’t treat them with the respect they deserve,” she writes. “However, in the case of my LV Epi, I don’t need to be. Despite years of my neglect, my silver ‘boite’ still looks perfect.” Executive Fashion Director of Vogue.com, Rickie De Sole agrees. “It’s waterproof, what’s not to love?” she says. “Makes me come back to it time and time again.”