Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Bag Guide

Can you believe that the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis bag has already been around for full 10 years? Right, the time flies! Celebrating its tenth birthday in 2022, the Pochette Metis made its debut in 2012, quickly becoming one of Louis Vuitton’s most sought-after bags. Now coming in three different sizes (yes, there are currently three different sizes of the Pochette Metis bag out there) and multiple materials, incl. Monogram Empreinte Leather, Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis is a staple in every Louis Vuitton lover’s collection. It goes without saying that with so many options of the bag out there, it’s sometimes really difficult to make the choice. That’s where a complete guide to the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis comes in very handy.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis History

Not so many people know this, but the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis is actually a modern-day interpretation of the Louis Vuitton Monceau Bag. One of the most classic pieces from Louis Vuitton, the Monceau Bag, was introduced in 1986 and just like Pochette Metis, it featured a satchel-like silhouette with an S-lock closure, a short top handle and a detachable shoulder strap. The bag used to come in two main sizes, the Louis Vuitton Monceau 26 and the Louis Vuitton Monceau 28. Though, over the years, the Monceau has also been introduced in other sizes. Most recent version of the bag – the Louis Vuitton Neo Monceau came out in 2019, but has since been discontinued. Well, just like all other sizes of the bag. I guess Louis Vuitton has decided to fully discontinue the Monceau in favor of Pochette Metis. And it looks like they made the right choice, as the Pochette Metis right now is one of the most popular bags from the brand. However, you can’t really say that the bag was an overnight sensation.

Long-time Pochette Metis fans will remember that the bag has remained largely under the radar for the two-and-a-half years of its life. The bag’s popularity started to grow exponentially when around 2015, a lot of influencers and celebrities were spotted wearing it. That’s when the Pochette Metis really took off, becoming the icon that it is today. Actually, the classic Pochette Metis bag in Monogram Canvas became so highly sought-after that for some time it was nearly impossible to get your hands on. The bag was even accumulating waitlists at many Louis Vuitton boutiques around the globe. As far as I can remember, you had to wait for up to nine months to get the bag in some boutiques! Crazy, right?! Needless to say that the Pochette Metis bag in classic Monogram canvas remains a hot commodity till this day, often being sold out in both LV boutiques and online.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Bag Design

One could argue that the main reason behind the success of the Pochette Metis lies exactly in its design. Modeled after a satchel, the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis is an extremely functional and versatile bag. Though compact if judging purely by its appearance, the Pochette Metis opens up to a spacious textile-lined interior with two main compartments and one slip pocket. There is also a zipped pocket on the rear of the bag, allowing you to have all of your most important essentials at easy access.

Accented with the iconic S-lock found on Louis Vuitton’s historic trunks, the Pochette Metis features a stylish top handle and a longer, removable strap for comfortable shoulder and cross-body wear. The length of the removable strap can be adjusted, which means that the bag should look good on anyone, regardless of their height.

The original (monogram canvas) version of the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis also features vachetta leather trimming. I know most people like the look of the aging vachetta, but it’s worth noticing that darker vachetta can sometimes make the bag look older than it actually is.

The new Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis East West Bag

Earlier in September this year, Louis Vuitton has released the new Pochette Metis East-West Bag, which is an elongated version of the beloved silhouette. Just like the original Pochette Metis, the East West version comes in Monogram canvas with vachetta leather trimming and features three interior compartments and a detachable shoulder strap.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Sizes & Materials

As per time of writing this blog post, the Pochette Metis comes available in three different sizes and an array of materials, incl. canvas and leather. The three different sizes of the Pochette Metis are: the Original Pochette Metis, the Pochette Metis East-West and Micro Metis. The Original Pochette Metis measures 25 x 19 x 7 cm (9.8 x 7.5 x 2.8 inches), while the East-West version sports dimensions of 21.5 x 13.5 x 6 cm (8.5 x 5.3 x 2.4 inches). The Micro Metis – the smallest version of the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis bag to date, measures 14 x 11 x 3.5 cm (5.5 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches) and is a true micro bag. You won’t be able to fit many things into it other than your most important essentials, smartphone excluded (unless you are a user of one of those flip-smartphones). However, if to put the Micro Metis aside, the Pochette Metis is indeed a very roomy bag. Even the new East West option is large enough to store an iPhone 13 and other essentials, such as cards, keys and sunglasses.

Over the years, the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis has been produced in many variations and materials. Originally launched in Louis Vuitton’s classic Monogram Canvas, today, the bag also comes available in an array of other makes incl. Monogram Reverse Canvas and Empreinte leather. By the way, ever since the Pochette Metis Bag in Reverse Monogram Canvas was released in 2015, it has become a hot favorite among those who dislike vachetta leather.

The Pochette Metis is also frequently included in Louis Vuitton’s seasonal and limited edition collections. Just recently, the bag was spotted in the brand’s Since 1854 Collection where it was revoked in jacquard. Actually, if we are going to talk about the seasonal and limited edition versions of the Pochette Metis, we should mention the Pochette Metis with a braided top handle.

Revealed in 2018, this version of the bag remains highly sought-after till this day, but it’s no longer being produced. Well, just like the mini size version of the Pochette Metis in Epi leather. The bag was introduced for Fall 2017 and discontinued a few seasons later.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Prices

So, how much should you expect to pay for the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Bag going into 2023? Well, if you are after the original version of the Pochette Metis and your preferred material is canvas, then you should expect to set aside at least $2,570 plus tax, if you are planning to purchase the handbag in the United States, or €1,900 if you are going to buy it in Europe.

The Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis in Monogram Empreinte leather currently retails for $2,840 in the U.S. and €2,100 in Europe. In Monogram Empreinte Bicolor leather the bag is slightly more expensive, coming at $2,980 retail plus tax. Actually, the price for the Original Pochette Metis Bag in leather is pretty close to what the new Pochette Metis East West Bag retails for. Coming in Louis Vuitton’s classic Monogram Canvas, the Pochette Metis East West Bag will set you back $2,910 plus tax in the U.S. and €2,150 in Europe.

The cheapest of all Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis bags is Micro Metis, which currently retails for $1,900 plus tax in the U.S. and €1,400 in Europe if purchased in Louis Vuitton’s classic Monogram canvas. In Empreinte leather, the Micro Metis is going to cost you $2,030 plus tax in the U.S. and €1,500 in Europe.

Disclaimer: prices in this blog post are listed for information purposes only. Actual prices in boutiques may vary.

I hope this blog post was helpful!