At a recent event I attended, we were asked to place our bags on a table in a room off to the side, and pick them up as we left. Thinking nothing of it, I placed mine down and returned to retrieve it on my way out. To my dismay, I found the previously empty table was now covered with about fifteen identical versions of my same bag. After a frantic and admittedly awkward search through the daunting tower of bags, I saw a familiar notebook inside of one of them and grabbed it. Finally identifying the purse that belonged to me, I made my way out of the building, followed closely by a stream of girls, each swinging her own, identical Longchamp bag over her shoulder.
At Georgetown and college campuses around the country, the Longchamp is the go-to bag for school, work, and everything in between. However, the prevalence of the bag has transitioned from accessory to necessity. It seems that this simple bag now has a featured role on the unwritten yet nonnegotiable dress code here on campus. Many a girl, myself included, can be seen stumbling through campus, balancing an overstuffed tote in one hand and a skinny iced latte in the other.
That being said, the bag certainly does have its advantages. With its sleek exterior and lightweight fabric, the Longchamp Le Pliage is the style of choice. Although black is the most popular color, there are a wide range of colors available. The bag is also waterproof, making it the perfect rainy day companion. Fashionable and functional, the Longchamp has been elevated to a symbol of fashion and class, identifying the user as preppy, polished, and put together.
Although the trend is recent, the Longchamp bag itself is not new by any means. The brand has been around for 65 years, and originated in France. It began as a leather company, and was named after a racetrack that Jean Cassegrain, the owner, would walk by frequently. The brand gradually grew in prestige, becoming a designer accessory brand with global recognition.
Clearly, this trend spans beyond the gates of Georgetown and college campuses around the country. Celebrities have been spotted toting the bag as well: Rachel McAdams sports one in her movie Morning Glory, while Amy Adams has been photographed with one as well on a morning outing with her daughter. Even Kate Middleton has been frequently seen with an overstuffed olive Longchamp. If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us here at Georgetown!
Many Jane Hoyas are happy to comply with this unwritten dress code.
“All of my friends have the same Longchamp, which can be confusing, but it’s such a cute and useful bag that we don’t care,” Kaitlyn Morio (COL ’15) said.
Others, however, are looking to diversify their collection.
“At this point, the Longchamp is becoming too common. I ditched mine for a leather bag from Jack Wills on Wisconsin…it’s more unique,” Liz Coerdt (COL’15) said.
Even the guys on campus have taken notice. “Oh yeah, that’s that bag that every girl on campus has, isn’t it?” Hunter Kelly (MSB ’16) said when shown the popular purse.
So it’s clear that the Longchamp is a widespread trend that won’t be going away anytime soon. While purse styles come and go, it seems that the trusty Longchamp will be around for the long haul. A word of advice: adorn your bag with an identifying feature, such as a pin or ribbon, to avoid any messy mix-ups!