Louis Vuitton Alma PM Review – Pros, Cons, What Fits, and Is It Worth It?

Louis Vuitton is one of the most timeless, world-renowned fashion houses, and their classic bags will never go out of style. From the Key Pouch to the Neverfull, the brand offers a wide range of items that can suit a variety of budgets. Today, I’ll be talking about one of Louis Vuitton’s most coveted, classic bags – the Alma PM in Monogram Canvas. You can also watch my YouTube review and unboxing here.

History

To give you a bit of background on the bag, the Alma was created in 1934 and was the second handbag ever created by Louis Vuitton. Rumor has it that the Alma was originally a custom order made for Coco Chanel in 1925. She requested a dome-shaped handbag, and permission was later granted to Louis Vuitton to produce this bag for the public.

Details

While there have been plenty of ongoing conversations about the quality of newly-produced bags from various fashion houses, I’m pleased to say that the Alma has held up excellently while it’s been in my possession for the last few years. This bag was purchased in 2021 and it still looks essentially brand new.

The design of the Alma is simple yet absolutely timeless; the dome-shaped, top-handle bag has been adopted by many fashion houses and has stood the test of time for close to a century, so it’s safe to say that this is a piece that you can pull out of your closet in 20 years and still have no regrets.

The Alma PM features LV’s signature monogram print, and ‘Louis Vuitton’ can be seen on various detailing throughout the bag. One of its best features is that it comes with a lock and leather clochette that holds two keys inside; you can secure the contents of your bag simply by placing the lock on the zippers, or you can choose to hang the clochette around the handles as an added accessory.

What Fits

This bag has a fairly large capacity and can fit a considerable amount, so it’s the perfect day bag! It features one spacious compartment and has a fabric pocket on the side for easy access to your keys or cardholder. Above, you can see how a tube of moisturizer, lip mask, hair claw clip, and dry shampoo bottle fit inside the purse. Even with these large items inside, there’s still a bunch of space left for a water bottle, book, large wallet, sunglasses, and other miscellaneous items. If you’d prefer more organization, I’d recommend this purse organizer from Etsy which offers more pockets and compartments for your items.

Pros

Timeless design – When you buy the Alma PM in Monogram Canvas, you can rest assured knowing that this design will not be outdated in just a few years. Top-handle bags are always considered classy, and the dome shape is a classic silhouette. I also love that the Alma is not nearly as common or mainstream as the Neverfull.

Durability – Since the bag is mostly canvas, it’s more durable and carefree compared to a bag that’s all leather. It also has four metal feet which protect the leather and help prevent scratching or stains on the bottom of the bag. The bag has maintained its shape incredibly well over the past two years; there’s no visible loss of shape at all, and I like to store it with air pillows (which can be found in most of your packages) to ensure the bag doesn’t slouch.

Lightweight – The Alma is not heavy to carry at all, so you can use it comfortably all day. It’s pretty easy to slide the bag on your arm and run errands or take it to lunch with friends.

Cons

No shoulder strap – While the top-handle design is classic, it’s not always the most practical if you want to be hands-free all the time. The most comfortable way to wear this bag is by hand carrying it (which is how it was designed to be used) or by carrying it around your forearm. The bag does not come with a shoulder strap, but you can purchase one here if you’d like the option to be hands-free throughout the day!

Leather will patina over time – The Alma is made with Vachetta leather which is known to patina over time. You can see a light-honey patina on the bag in the photos above. I personally like the patina because it shows character and helps differentiate the bag from replicas – most of which are made with faux leather, so they will not patina – but some people can do without it.

Price – The current MSRP for the Alma PM comes out to a total of ~$2150, which might seem like a steep price considering most of the bag is canvas with a few portions of leather. If you’re interested in buying one but don’t want to pay the sticker price, I do have this exact bag available to purchase for under-retail at my small business, Isabelle Vita New York, and you can feel free to message me on my Instagram or Facebook page if you have more questions or would like to purchase it.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re in the market for your first designer bag or are looking to add just one Louis Vuitton bag to your collection, I think the Alma PM is absolutely worth it. It’s an iconic bag with a rich history that has been around for almost 100 years, and it’s a great lightweight day bag that’s sure to be a wardrobe staple! The classic colors are neutral, so they pair well with many outfits.