In the world of high fashion, few handbags are as instantly recognizable or coveted as a Louis Vuitton. The iconic French brand has been crafting exquisite leather goods since 1854, known for their signature monogram print and unparalleled quality. A vintage Louis Vuitton bag is a true collector‘s piece—a symbol of luxury, refinement and timeless style.
So what happens when you take a classic LV and give it a laid-back, free-spirited makeover? You get the fabulous creations of Vintage Boho Bags. This California-based brand has made a name for themselves by upcycling 100% authentic Louis Vuitton handbags and adorning them with artisanal boho touches like leather fringe, braided straps, tassels and agate stone charms. The result is a perfect blend of haute couture and hippie—and I am completely obsessed!
As a handbag connoisseur myself, I‘ve been eyeing Vintage Boho Bags for a while now on Instagram, where they‘ve amassed over 335K followers. Customers rave about the stunning designs, excellent craftsmanship and top-notch service. I finally decided to treat myself to one of their bestselling crossbodies and experience the Vintage Boho magic firsthand. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!
About Vintage Boho Bags
Founded in 2017 by owner Michelle Miller, Vintage Boho Bags is a female-owned small business based in Santa Maria, California. Their mission is to give authentic Louis Vuitton handbags a second life by transforming them into one-of-a-kind bohemian works of art.
Every Vintage Boho bag starts with a carefully sourced Louis Vuitton handbag, tote or wallet. To ensure authenticity, the company has a rigorous authentication process and only works with reputable resellers. Many of the vintage bags come from the iconic LV Speedy, Alma and Neverfull collections. While some show signs of previous wear, any interior stains, scratches or scuffs add to the unique history and character of the vintage piece.
Once the LV bags are authenticated and refurbished, the Vintage Boho team hand-selects high-quality cowhide leathers and stones to create the signature fringe tassels, woven straps, whipstitched edges and agate charms. All of the boho embellishments are designed to complement the LV‘s original craftsmanship and instantly elevate the bag into an eye-catching statement piece. No two Vintage Boho bags are exactly alike.
One thing I really admire about Vintage Boho is their commitment to sustainable fashion. Extending the lifespan of previously loved designer bags is an eco-friendly alternative to buying new. With the fashion industry being one of the biggest polluters globally, upcycling is a small step we can take to reduce waste—without sacrificing our style!
Another highlight of Vintage Boho is their incredible customer service and community of raving fans. The brand has over 3800 reviews on their website with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Customers gush about the quality, fast shipping, beautiful packaging and amazing communication from the VBB team. As a small business, they really go above and beyond to make every purchase special. It feels good to support a company that cares about their customers as much as their craft.
Vintage Boho Bag Styles
Now let‘s dive into the good stuff—the bags! Vintage Boho has an impressive range of crossbodies, totes, shoulder bags, belt bags and wallets to suit every style and need. All of their designs feature upcycled Louis Vuitton monogram or damier ebene canvas with VBB‘s signature boho flair. Here are some of their bestsellers:
The World Traveler Crossbody
As Vintage Boho‘s most popular piece, the World Traveler is the perfect everyday bag. It features LV‘s classic messenger silhouette with an exterior slip pocket, top zip closure and adjustable braided strap that can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder. The bag is generously sized to fit all your daily essentials and then some:
- Medium: 7" H x 7" W x 2.25" D
- Large: 9.5" H x 9.5" W x 3" D
In addition to the beautifully braided strap, the World Traveler has a jaw-dropping agate stone charm and two leather tassels hanging from the front belt loop. Choose from a variety of leather colors like tan, dark brown, bone or black to suit your vibe.
This bag looks amazing with everything from flowy sundresses to distressed denim and a vintage tee. The World Traveler has over 130 glowing reviews with an average 4.9 star rating. One happy customer raved, "The perfect size! I love the dirty blonde fringe!"
The Megan Tote
If you‘re looking for a boho take on the classic LV Neverfull tote, look no further than the Megan. Made from an upcycled Neverfull MM, this bag is roomy enough to be your work, travel or diaper bag. It measures a spacious 15.5" W x 10" H x 5.75" D with a 7" strap drop.
The Megan is trimmed with gorgeous hand-braided leather straps on the sides and features an interior zip pocket and lobster clasp closure. The whipstitch edges and two 7.25" tassels add to the laid-back bohemian vibe. This is the perfect tote for the girl on the go who needs a bag that can keep up with her busy lifestyle and look damn good doing it!
Customers are obsessed with how stunning and functional the Megan is. "I have gotten so many compliments already! It‘s in perfect condition, and it‘s so pretty!" one reviewer exclaimed. At the time of writing, the Megan tote is on sale for $1600, down from $2400.
The Sami Belt Bag
Hands-free bags are having a major moment right now, and the Sami belt bag is the perfect combo of on-trend and timeless. Upcycled from an authentic LV fanny pack, the Sami has a adjustable braided belt strap, top zip closure and interior slip pocket. At 8.5" W x 5" H x 2" D, it‘s the ideal size for your phone, lipstick, credit cards and keys.
Rock the Sami around your waist or slung across your chest for a cool festival look. The rich two-tone leather fringe and matching agate charm elevate this bag into a true statement piece. One customer shared, "This is my 4th VBB purchase and I couldn‘t be happier! The Sami in gold is EVERYTHING!"
The Daphne Wallet
Of course, we can‘t forget about the wallets! Vintage Boho gives the classic LV zip-around wallet silhouette a chic upgrade with leather fringe and a stone charm. The Daphne is crafted from an authentic upcycled LV wallet with all original interior pockets and hardware.
At 7.5" L x 4" H, the Daphne is compact yet functional with 8 card slots, 2 interior pockets and an exterior coin pouch. Choose from a variety of leather fringe colors to suit your style—pick one that matches your Vintage Boho bag or go with a pop of contrasting color. The Daphne is the perfect little luxury to treat yourself or a loved one.
Quality and Craftsmanship
As a luxury handbag lover, I have a very discerning eye for quality and construction. I can confidently say that Vintage Boho Bags does not disappoint in this department. Because they start with authentic Louis Vuitton, you know the canvas is durable, the stitching is immaculate and the hardware is high-quality.
What really impressed me was the craftsmanship of the bohemian embellishments. Vintage Boho uses full-grain leather on the straps, fringe and trim—never cheap bonded or PU leather. The braiding is intricate and well-constructed with a luxe, well-made feel.
I was also pleasantly surprised at how substantial and weighty the agate charm is. Cut and polished by hand, the colorful stone has an earthy elegance that perfectly complements the LV monogram print. All of the embellishments feel securely attached and built to last.
It‘s clear that Vintage Boho takes great care in hand-selecting quality materials that honor the legacy of Louis Vuitton craftsmanship. Even the dust bag the handbag arrives in is made of thick cotton with a cute boho-inspired print. Every element of my purchase felt thoughtful, well-made and worth the investment.
Price and Value
Let‘s talk about the elephant in the room: the price tag. There‘s no denying that Vintage Boho Bags come at a luxury price point, with bags ranging from around $900 to over $2K. These are definitely investment pieces. However, I believe the quality and uniqueness are worth the splurge, especially when compared to buying a brand new designer bag.
Vintage LV bags hold their value extremely well and are always in high demand. By purchasing a pre-loved bag, you‘re getting the trendiest styles for a fraction of the original retail price. For example, a new Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM tote currently retails for $1620, while the Vintage Boho Megan tote (made from a Neverfull MM) is priced at $2400. Essentially, you‘re paying a few hundred extra for the boho customization and supporting a small artisan business—not too bad in the world of designer!
Another factor to consider is exclusivity. Vintage Boho bags are 100% one-of-a-kind and sold in limited runs. Most styles have a waitlist and sell out extremely fast. While you could rock a regular LV Neverfull or Speedy and look chic, the odds of running into someone with the exact same Vintage Boho bag are slim. There‘s something special about owning a bag that no one else has.
Of course, dropping four figures on a handbag is not accessible for everyone. Vintage Boho does offer Affirm financing on orders over $50, which allows you to pay in installments over 3, 6 or 12 months. They also have sales a few times a year and offer a 20% discount when you sign up for texts or emails. If you‘re on the fence, I recommend signing up for their waitlist and snagging your dream bag during their next big sale.
How it Compares
When it comes to vintage/upcycled designer bags, Vintage Boho is in a league of their own. There are a few other brands I found that sell pre-loved LV bags with modifications:
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LV Restorer (IG: @lvrestorer): They dye and customize LV bags but the overall vibe is edgier and less boho. Prices are similar to VBB.
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Meraki Wayuu (IG: @meraki.wayuu): This brand adds colorful hand-crocheted overlays to LV bags for a bohemian look, but the designs aren‘t as elevated as Vintage Boho. Prices are slightly lower.
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House of Cinderella (IG: @house_ofcinderella): Another brand that hand-paints LV bags, but they only do the artwork on the bags, no leather/stone embellishments. Price point is around the same as VBB.
None of these brands have the same extensive collection, polished web presence or glowing reputation as Vintage Boho. I also didn‘t find any brands upcycling other designers like Gucci, Chanel, etc. in the same way. In my opinion, VBB remains the leader in the vintage luxury boho space.
Conclusion
After all my research and first-hand experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend Vintage Boho Bags. The quality is top notch, the designs are stunning and the customer service is unparalleled. Yes, they are a splurge, but I believe they are 100% worth the investment for the right buyer.
Vintage Boho has built an incredible community of stylish, free-spirited women who appreciate slow fashion and exquisite craftsmanship. There is so much attention to detail and care put into every single bag. When you buy from VBB, you‘re not only investing in a forever piece for your wardrobe, but also supporting a female artisan business and choosing a more sustainable approach to luxury.
I hope this in-depth review gave you all the information you need to decide if a Vintage Boho bag is right for you! In case you need a quick recap:
Vintage Boho Bags Pros
- 100% authentic vintage Louis Vuitton
- High quality leather, hardware and craftsmanship
- Unique bohemian designs you won‘t see everywhere
- Excellent customer service and fast shipping
- Eco-friendly and sustainable approach to luxury
- Supporting a small female-owned business
Vintage Boho Bags Cons
- High price point (but affirm financing available)
- Very limited stock and waitlists
- Final sale on some items
At the end of the day, fashion is all about expressing yourself and having fun. A Vintage Boho bag is the perfect way to elevate your look with a nod to the past and a twist on a classic. Throw one on with your favorite sundress or vintage jeans and you‘re sure to turn some heads! Just don‘t be surprised if strangers start stopping you to ask where you got your fabulous bag.
To see Vintage Boho Bags‘ latest collections and be the first to know about new releases, follow them on Instagram @vintagebohobags or check out their website vintagebohobags.com. Happy shopping!
