Longchamp’s iconic Le Pliage tote has never truly disappeared—but its latest resurgence feels different. Once the go-to bag for college girls, travel moms, and dance-class kids, it’s now making a comeback among Gen Z, fashion editors, and TikTok influencers alike. Equal parts nostalgic and functional, this understated staple is proving that true style has staying power.
A new generation discovers an old favorite
It started with a visit from my partner’s teenage sister. She and her best friend had just arrived in New York, and I was curious—not just about their sightseeing plans, but their outfits. Both wore cropped trench coats, baggy jeans, and slung over their arms: the unmistakable medium-size Longchamp Le Pliage tote. It was a look I hadn’t seen in years—and yet, it looked strangely current.
The girls weren’t just dabbling in a throwback trend; they were deep in it. Each of them owned multiple Le Pliage bags in various sizes and colors, mixing and matching the way we once did with charm bracelets. At first, I chalked it up to coincidence, but suddenly the Le Pliage was everywhere: on subways, in offices, even at fashion events. The unassuming tote I once used as a college weekender was back—and this time, it wasn’t just practical. It was cool again.
A classic built for comebacks
First launched in 1993, the Le Pliage bag was designed to be both elegant and utilitarian. Its signature look—a recycled nylon body that folds neatly into a compact square, paired with a leather flap and handles—has remained mostly unchanged. And that’s kind of the point. In a fashion world obsessed with reinvention, Le Pliage thrives on consistency. It’s washable, wearable, and starts at just $165—a rarity in the luxury market.
The bag’s fanbase is as wide-ranging as it is loyal. From royals like Kate Middleton to off-duty models like Alexa Chung, Le Pliage has spent the past three decades quietly commuting, traveling, and trend-circulating its way into wardrobes worldwide. My own Le Pliage—a gunmetal grey XL version—was a staple during my semester abroad. My mom uses hers religiously for travel. I even carried a (probably fake) one to dance class as a kid.
But now, it’s not just practicality bringing it back. It’s a wave of nostalgia—and a sense of fashion maturity.
The Gen Z revival, powered by TikTok
Data backs the phenomenon. According to Noelle Sciacca, associate director of fashion and strategic partnerships at The RealReal, demand for Le Pliage totes has surged 235% in the past year. Searches for the mini styles alone have jumped 64%, and Longchamp is seeing more first-time buyers than ever before. “As summer-intern season kicks off, we’ve seen demand for this style skyrocket,” she says.
TikTok, as always, is the engine behind the aesthetic. Influencers are posting ASMR-style “what’s in my bag” videos, neatly packing planners, claw clips, and lip gloss into their Le Pliage totes. Some rate the different sizes, comparing color combinations and keychain decorations. Others, like @iristimpe, wax poetic: “I feel as if switching from my high school backpack to a Longchamp Le Pliage is a sign of emotional maturity.”
And that’s the charm—while other Gen-Z-led trends tend to polarize (think micro miniskirts or excessive coquette), this one feels almost wholesome. It’s about growing up, not showing off.
Function over flash—and why that matters
Fashion’s recent lean toward understatement has certainly paved the way. “In recent years, pared-down, logo-less styles like the Row’s Margaux and Toteme’s T-Lock have replaced statement It bags in popularity,” says Sciacca. “Le Pliage is part of that same style sensibility at an even more affordable price.”
In other words, we’re craving bags that do the job and do it well—without screaming for attention. The Le Pliage is roomy but sleek, feminine without being fussy. It slips into daily life with ease, not unlike a great pair of jeans or a classic trench. And unlike trendier, sculptural purses, it doesn’t require a stylist to make it work. It just does.
There’s something refreshing about that in 2025, when fashion cycles seem to move faster than ever and trends can feel like short-lived gimmicks. Le Pliage, with its minimal branding and maximum usefulness, manages to sit outside that churn—and yet feels perfectly timely.
A tote worth returning to
Just last weekend, I pulled my Le Pliage out of storage and packed it for a quick trip upstate. As I zipped it shut—well, almost, the zipper tab’s long gone—I remembered the many places it had taken me over the years. Despite the wear, it still worked. Better yet, it still looked good.
Now I’m considering adding another to my rotation. Maybe something smaller, in classic black, with a new keychain for a modern twist. Like the teens in New York or the TikTokers making packing videos, I want to re-engage with the bag that’s always been there—but now feels fresh again.
In a fashion landscape where even heritage brands are racing to reinvent themselves, Longchamp’s Le Pliage proves you don’t always need to change. Sometimes, the secret to staying relevant is simply showing up—durable, practical, and unexpectedly stylish—as you always have.
