Goyard Saint Louis PM vs Loro Piana Extra Bag L27: which one should you buy?

Where they differ

The Goyard Saint Louis PM wins on hand-painted coated canvas that is light, tough and reversible-pouch ready. The Loro Piana Extra Bag L27 answers with soft calfskin tote with a charm, by the cashmere house. Material: Goyardine canvas on the Goyard Saint Louis PM, Calfskin on the Loro Piana Extra Bag L27. Size: 48 x 28 x 15 cm on the Goyard Saint Louis PM, 27 x 22 x 13 cm on the Loro Piana Extra Bag L27. Hardware: Brass on the Goyard Saint Louis PM, Gold-tone charm on the Loro Piana Extra Bag L27. Made in: France on the Goyard Saint Louis PM, Italy on the Loro Piana Extra Bag L27.

Reasons to buy the Goyard Saint Louis PM

Very light, Tough canvas, Pouch included. What to accept: open top, boutique-only purchase. Usual price: $2,200–$2,700. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Goyard Saint Louis PM review.

Reasons to buy the Loro Piana Extra Bag L27

Exceptional leather, Logo-free, Light. What to accept: very expensive, no zip. Usual price: $4,200–$5,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Loro Piana Extra Bag L27 review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best luxury tote bags has every other piece with its own call. Laptop fit: a 13- to 14-inch laptop needs about 36 cm of width inside; many “medium” totes are too small.

Also consider the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM ($2,200–$2,500): coated canvas tote with side laces and a pouch. Buy it if you want one tote for work, weekends and travel.

Also consider the The Row Park Tote Large ($2,700–$3,200): unlined grained leather tote that fits a laptop. Buy it if you want logo-free quality for work.

Buyer tip

Coated canvas totes (Goyard, Louis Vuitton) take daily abuse best and keep resale value; buy leather totes in darker colors, which hide marks from denim and rain.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT (around 20%), while US prices exclude sales tax, so a bag can look cheaper in Paris or Milan than it really is. Visitors from outside the EU and UK can often claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU, which is why many Americans buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès while travelling.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.