Louis Vuitton Alma: Our Full Review! LV’s Most Ladylike Bag?
Read everything you need to know about the classic Louis Vuitton Alma. Is it still worth buying in 2023?
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Louis Vuitton has made a lot of bags in its 150-plus-year history. Some have come and gone, while others have stood the test of time. The Alma belongs to the latter group.
Originally designed as a custom order for Coco Chanel in 1925, the Alma was released to the public in 1934. Since then, it’s garnered praise for its classic ladylike shape and timeless styling.
Check out this article for more information!
Louis Vuitton Brand History
Louis Vuitton founded his eponymous label in 1854 when he opened his first store on rue Neuve-des-Capucines in Paris, France. Within a few short years, the trunk maker had plenty of fans thanks to his lightweight, airtight trunks.
Over the next 150 years, the brand made an even bigger name for itself by expanding into other markets including perfume, small leather goods, and pret-a-porter.
Since 1987, Louis Vuitton has been a part of the LVMH luxury conglomerate along with Moët et Chandon and Hennessy. This move greatly increased profits and helped Louis Vuitton reach a wider global market.
Louis Vuitton Alma History
First called the Squire, then the Champs-Elysées, the Alma is an Art Deco-inspired bag created by Gaston-Louis Vuitton in 1934.
The Alma was the second handbag Vuitton created, following the Speedy. Allegedly, it was first created as a custom order for Coco Chanel in 1925. In 1934, Chanel gave permission for Vuitton to sell the bag to the general public.
This model gets its name from Place de l’Alma, a picturesque square in Paris where the exclusive Avenue Montaigne meets the Seine river.
Louis Vuitton Alma Description
The Alma features a domed trapezoidal shape, bold architectural lines, and iconic leather Toron handles.
But more than anything, the Alma is a functional handbag. To that end, it has plenty of interior storage, a double zip closure, and two interior compartments.
Metal studs protect the bottom of the bag from scratches, while a microfiber lining protects the inside.
Newer Alma bags come with a leather key tag, padlock, and detachable shoulder strap.
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Louis Vuitton Alma Sizes
Louis Vuitton has produced the Alma in six sizes: Nano, Mini, BB, PM, MM, and GM. The GM has been discontinued, but you may be able to find one on the preloved market.
We’ve put together a table to help you compare the dimensions of each size side by side.
| Louis Vuitton Style | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (centimeters) |
| Alma Nano | 6.7” x 4.7” x 3.1” | 17 cm x 12 cm x 8 cm |
| Alma Mini | 8.3” x 6.3” x 3.9” | 21 cm x 16 cm x 10 cm |
| Alma BB | 9.8” x 7.5” x 4.7” | 23.5 cm x 17.5 H x 11.5 cm |
| Alma PM | 12.6” x 9.8” x 6.3” | 32 cm x 25 cm x 16 cm |
| Alma MM | 14.2” x 11” x 6.7” | 36 cm x 28 cm x 17 cm |
| Alma GM | 15.3” x 11.4” x 7.3” | 39 cm x 29 cm x 18.5 cm |
What Fits in the Louis Vuitton Alma?
Nano: Fits a card case, lip balm, keys, and a phone.
Mini: It fits a phone, a small wallet, keys, and a few makeup items.
BB: Can fit a phone, a wallet, keys, makeup, and a few more small items.
PM: Holds a small notebook, a wallet, keys, phone, and makeup bag.
MM: It can fit an eReader or tablet, a book, a wallet, keys, a phone, and a cosmetic bag.
GM: Large enough for use as a carry-on or a small weekend bag.
Which is the Best Size Alma?
The most versatile Louis Vuitton Alma is the Alma BB – it holds your daily essentials so it’s a great bag to take to run errands or brunch. Due to its small size, the BB transitions perfectly to an evening bag, especially if you choose an epi or Vernis option.
If you’re looking for an everyday bag but you need more space, the Alma PM should work great. It fits quite a lot without being overwhelmingly big.
Louis Vuitton Alma Materials
Monogram canvas, epi leather, and vernis are the most commonly used materials for the Alma bag.
Let’s take a closer look at each material.
Canvas (Monogram, Damier Ebene, Damier Azur): A lightweight, coated canvas that’s treated to look like leather.
Epi Leather: A textured vegetable-tanned leather famed for its durability.
Vernis: Meaning ‘varnish’ in French, this is a smooth patent leather that’s often embossed with Louis Vuitton’s monogram pattern.
Special editions of the bag may feature exotic animal skins such as ostrich or crocodile.
Alma Colors
In addition to the understated monogram patterns in brown and beige, the Alma also comes in a range of metallics and neons.
Special editions of the bag have featured everything from floral details to racing stripes.
Louis Vuitton Alma Prices
We sourced these prices directly from the Louis Vuitton site, so unfortunately not every size was available. Prices we couldn’t verify are marked with a dash (–).
Please note that these prices refer to Monogram Canvas Almas. Other materials and special embellishments are more expensive than the basic model.
| Louis Vuitton Style | Price (USD) | Price (Euros) |
| Alma Nano | – | – |
| Alma Mini | – | – |
| Alma BB | $1,760 | €1,400 |
| Alma PM | $1,960 | €1,550 |
| Alma MM | – | €1,700 |
Preloved LV Alma
Louis Vuitton Alma Outfits & Inspiration
Pros and Cons of the Louis Vuitton Alma
Pros:
- A classic bag with a beautiful silhouette
- More affordable than similarly-sized LV bags
- Metal feet protect the bottom of the bag
- Lightweight (canvas edition)
Cons:
- Shoulder strap is thin and non-adjustable, making it uncomfortable to wear
- Tapered top limits how much you can fit into the bag
- Zipper becomes misshapen if too much is put into the bag
- Loses its shape if not adequately filled
Is the Louis Vuitton Alma Worth Buying?
We hope you enjoyed reading our Alma review and you’re now closer to take an informed decision if the Alma is worth it for you.
We definitely think that the Alma is an amazing, classic bag that is worth buying.
There’s a good reason the Alma has been around for as long as it has–it’s a classic. With its unique shape, beautiful construction, and timeless styling, this is the kind of bag you’ll use every day and keep for a lifetime.
We also appreciate the fact that the Alma is relatively affordable when compared to other similar Louis Vuitton models. If you want an even better deal, the secondhand market is full of competitively-priced Almas.
