Kate clearly favours the Longchamp Le Pliage bag. She has carried the bag in a number of sizes and colours during her time in the public eye. Below, Kate carrying the bag during the 2012 Olympics and at Brisbane Airport:
In the video below, you can see Kate carrying the bag at Lahad Datu Airport in Malaysia:
And again, Kate carrying the bag at another airport. This time in Sydney after the 2014 tour:
If we rewind the clock almost 20 years, we can see Kate carrying a Longchamp tote on her graduation day, back in June 2003. You can just about see it in this video (or click here for a better picture).
Kate Middleton’s Longchamp Le Pliage bags:
We’ve seen Kate carry various iterations of the bag. We know she owns the large and short-handled styles in black, plus other Longchamp bags in brown and red:
LONGCHAMP LE PLIAGE CUIR MINI IN BROWN
Kate carried a small brown tote to her graduation ceremony in 2013. I believe it was from the leather Le Pliage ‘Cuir’ collection. (For a photo, click here.) I don’t think you can buy this in brown anymore. Shop it here in other colours.
LONGCHAMP LE PLIAGE LARGE IN BLACK
I believe Kate carried the large shoulder tote in black to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. (See photos above).
LONGCHAMP LE PLIAGE LARGE IN RED
During the North America tour in 2011, photographers snapped pictures of airport staff removing William and Kate’s luggage from a plane (you can see the photo here.) Included, was this large red Le Pliage tote.
LONGCHAMP LE PLIAGE TOP HANDLE MEDIUM IN BLACK
I believe Kate carried the medium-size top-handle tote in black during an airport layover in 2014. (See the video above). Here’s the same version in blue.
About the Longchamp Le Pliage bag:
The Le Pliage bag, apparently, was inspired by the Japanese art of Origami. It is made from nylon, trimmed in Russian leather and comes in a wide variety of colours to suit all seasons.
Here’s how Nordstrom describe the large Longchamp Le Pliage bag:
Smooth, sleek nylon and embossed leather trim make this spacious tote a no-brainer for everyday versatility and elegance.
Bloomingdales describe the bag as follows:
With a nod to timeless French style, Longchamp’s spacious nylon tote perfects the carryall. Its packable design is primed for your daily commute or overseas adventures.
· Double handles
· Zip closure, snap tab closure; lined
· Interior slip pocket
· Foldable design; comes folded with the option to be expanded to full size
· width: 12.25″
· depth: 7.5″
· height: 11.75″
· 8″ handle drop
· Nylon; trim: cowhide leather
· Imported
· Web ID: 641314
Where to buy …
- Nordstrom – Free shipping & returns in the USA*
- Bloomingdales – Free shipping for loyalty cardholders; or over $150 for everybody else
- Selfridges – Free UK Delivery with code FREEDEL at checkout
- And, of course, Longchamp.com.
Note: All four stores offer international delivery, but research if you’d be eligible to pay taxes if ordering from outside of your own country.
*Details correct at the time of writing (May 2020). All subject to change. So, do your homework and check delivery options/prices to ensure you get the best deal!
Longchamp: a favourite with celebrities:
In late 2015, the Daily Mail wrote that Kate’s Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag is “fast becoming a celebrity must-have”. In addition to Kate, photographers have snapped a number of stars with the bag, including Alexa Chung, Mary Berry and January Jones.
According to WhatKateWore.com, both Kate’s assistant and nanny both carry Longchamp Le Pliage bags too.
