The Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag
With its distinctive cylindrical shape, rolled leather handles and refined hardware, Louis Vuitton’s Speedy handbag is globally recognizable and timelessly on-trend. This House icon made its debut in 1930 as the “Express.” It held the honor of being the very first handbag produced by the French fashion and leather goods empire to achieve instant success.
The Speedy is a smaller interpretation of another House icon, the Keepall. It pays homage to the increasingly faster modes of travel and the quickening pace of life in the early 1900s. A bag beloved by silver screen star Audrey Hepburn, the Speedy was designed for daily use. Decades later, it remains the popular go-to bag for royalty, celebrities, influencers and well-heeled sophisticates.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag
There is no denying the exceptional craftsmanship of a Louis Vuitton bag. With its origins rooted in trunk and luggage making, the legendary French House imbues all its luxurious handbags with this impressive century and a half heritage. The Speedy is no exception.
Close inspection of a Speedy bag reveals its meticulous composition, from its flawless stitching, leather handles and trim, to the polished zipper that moves seamlessly. Plus, each Speedy includes the signature Louis Vuitton hardware, specifically the iconic engraved padlock.
First crafted from the House’s canvas (cotton fabric coated in PVC), the Speedy is scratch-resistant, waterproof and able to bear considerable weight without tearing. This strength and durability sealed the early Speedy’s appeal as a versatile everyday bag, the perfect companion for city life.
While coated canvas versions in Louis Vuitton’s famous Monogram motif or beloved Damier Ebène or Damier Azur pattern remain hugely popular—and instantly recognizable as Louis Vuitton—the House continues to release the handbag in a variety of other luxurious finishes, including Epi leather.
Given the French brand’s love of creativity and innovation—and dynamic artistic collaborations—it will likely continue to develop new exotic leathers, finishes and limited-editions prints for its beloved icon. The tempting number of finishes available on the resale market, as well as at retail, mean you are spoiled for choice when selecting a Speedy to fit your own aesthetic, wardrobe and lifestyle.
Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Sizes
Collectors have plenty of sizing options to choose from when looking to invest in the Speedy handbag.
First produced at 30 centimeters wide, Audrey Hepburn asked Louis Vuitton to consider releasing a smaller version to better accommodate her petite frame. They obliged, and Louis Vuitton released the Speedy 25 in 1965.
Today, it’s available in a variety of sizes: 25, 30, 35 and 40 centimeters. The bag also comes in an even smaller, highly-coveted size—the BB or “Baby Bandoulière.” “Bandoulière” means shoulder strap in French, and it refers to the strap included in a later version of the Speedy, known as the Speedy Bandoulière. The Speedy Bandoulière debuted in 2011 and, with its introduction, elevated this already chic bag to a new level of versatility. The removable strap—usually adjustable, except for the Speedy BB’s chain strap—allows for the bag to be carried either as a crossbody or shoulder bag, boosting its attraction to city slickers and jetsetters worldwide.
Louis Vuitton Speedy Values and Collectibility
In early 2021, retail prices for a brand-new Speedy in Monogram canvas started at more than $1,000, with prices nudging up according to size, finish and carry options. The Speedy Bandoulière style costs a little more than the hand-carry version, beginning at more than $1,600.
The resale market offers a variety of price-points and a bevy of alluring options, whether you are a first-time investor or an ardent collector of designer handbags. Prices vary according to the condition, material, collection and size. Mint condition limited edition versions like the Monogram V Speedy 30, the Crafty Speedy Bandoulière 25 and the Stephen Sprouse Roses Speedy 30 fetched well over $1,500 at 2021 online auctions, as did some Graffiti examples.
A pre-loved Speedy 25 Bandoulière holds its value, so collectors should expect to invest accordingly at auction. Early 2021 pricing for this style in good condition was approximately $900. More luxurious renditions of the Speedy, such as the supple Monogram version in Empreinte leather, will set you back a bit more; at the start of 2021, Speedy Monogram Empreinte bags often earned more than $1,100.
Regardless of which Speedy bag you choose, rest assured you’re making a smart investment in a heritage handbag and true style icon that will add sophistication and serious functionality to your life and look.