If you haven’t heard of the trendy Goyard tote, you’re in for a treat. This coveted handbag is world-renowned as the ultimate luxury accessory and the holy grail of fashion lovers. Goyard is a 200-year-old Parisian brand, but it’s intentionally little known. That obscurity is intentional, and it’s what makes Goyard such a status symbol.
Mystery breeds desire, and Goyard’s business is largely driven by word-of-mouth from influential clients and collectors. Goyard pieces have been spotted on many celebrities, including Megan Markle, the Kardashians and Gwyneth Paltrow.
And the most famous and iconic piece is definitely the Goyard Tote. But it comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Be prepared to shell out upwards of $1,000.
Goyard store
So, is it worth spending that much money on a bag? Or are there cheaper and more stylish alternatives? To find out, I did some research, interviewed RetailMeNot Goyard Tote owners, and crunched the numbers. Here’s what I found.
History of the Goyard Tote
To understand what makes Goyard special, you need to have a little background on the brand. Pierre-François Martin founded the House of Martin in 1792, specializing in boxmaking, trunkmaking and packaging before what is now considered the golden age of the great trunkmakers of the late 19th century. The House of Martin was a true pioneer!
In 1845, the Martin and Morel family hired a 17-year-old apprentice, François Goyard, who in 1885 handed over the business to his son Edmond Goyard. Edmond transformed the now iconic store on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris into a shopping destination for the elite. The Goyard family was taken over in 1998 by Jean-Michel, who transformed the private company into an internationally renowned brand. In just ten years, the Goyard brand has been rebuilt with timeless elegance, craftsmanship and exclusivity.
How much does a Goyard tote bag cost and where can I buy one?
It is almost impossible to find the price of a Goyard Tote online these days, at least directly from the brand. Goyard does not display prices on their website, and Goyard does not sell online. In fact, the brand does not disclose prices (even by email or phone) except when you purchase them in their Paris boutique.
So the only way for shoppers to get their hands on a Goyard bag (unless they have a royal connection) is through high-end boutiques, some department stores, or resellers. In the United States, there are Goyard stores in New York City, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, and Beverly Hills. Prices vary across all of these options.
The three most popular Goyard totes are the Saint Louis, Anjou, and Artois, and their current retail prices vary greatly. The totes come in two sizes, PM and GM, with the GM being the larger size and most expensive option. The bags also come in a variety of colors, but all feature the signature eye-catching chevron canvas design.
Check out all three bags and their price differences below.
Goyard Saint Louis Tote Bag: $1,620 —$2,300+
Goyard Anju Tote Bag: $2,590 —$3,400+
Goyard Artois tote bag: $2,190 – $2,800+
How do I know this is a fake Goyard?
Goyard totes are hard to find and quite expensive, so there are a lot of fakes, especially online. There are some that look like the real thing, and they are a good choice if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. However, there are also fakes that try to look like the real thing for the same price. There are a few important things to look for when trying to distinguish a genuine Goyard tote from the real thing.
- group. Goyard bags are hand-painted, so the painted areas have a slightly uneven texture on the surface.
- Resin-coated linen. The tote bag is lined with cotton or linen fabric. The knock-off Goyard bag is heavier because it is not made of such expensive materials.
- packaging Goyard bags do not have any type of plastic on the handles, nor do they have leather tags on the handles.
- Accessibility. Shopping for Goyard products online requires a lot of research to ensure you are buying authentic products. If you find them at unusually low or high prices, there is a good chance that the retailer is selling fake products.
Affordable alternative to the new Goyard Tote
So where is the best place to buy a used Goyard tote bag or a Goyard tote knockoff?
Used goods
If you are interested in buying used Goyard pieces, you may want to check out sites like The RealReal, Fashionphile, and What Goes Around Comes Around. Also, eBay Fashion is a great option for buying high-end designer handbags, including Goyard.
FALSE
These sites, including Amazon, also sell fake Goyard Totes, so if the price is very low (under $1,000), it is not an authentic Goyard. However, if you are not interested in having the real thing and just want the look, these inexpensive totes are a good choice.
Buy Goyard at realreal
Goyard shopping at Fashionphile
Shop What Goes Around at Goyard
Shop Goyard on Amazon
Shop Goyard Fashion on eBay
What Genuine Goyard Tote and Dupe Bag Owners Say
Cheap Alternatives to Goyard Tote Reviews
“I found my item through an Amazon seller but the link/seller has changed so be sure to read the reviews… I remember paying around $35 for mine. I can’t tell the difference, but that’s just my opinion! I don’t own or have ever owned the real thing, but from what I’ve researched and seen of the real thing, at least to me, there isn’t much of a difference. The details and logos on my replica look very similar to the real thing, and unless you’re a bag expert, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference.” — Not a RetailMe employee
Buy fake products
Real Goyard Tote Bag Review
“I bought a Goyard tote three years ago. I was working in New York and at the time there were only a few stores in the US where I could see the bag in person, so I decided to stop by a store. I didn’t intend to buy it, but I had a Pretty Woman moment and decided to ‘treat myself’ with it.
The rush of excitement quickly turned into panic as I took a taxi out of the store, and began to accept that I had essentially spent the equivalent of a mini-vacation on a canvas tote bag. It wasn’t even leather. I eventually accepted that it had my initials on it and I couldn’t return it. I definitely experienced buyer’s remorse at first, but it turned out to be a good purchase.
I have used this bag as my daily purse, laptop bag, diaper bag, and travel bag for over 3 years and it has held up well! It has been worn many times but shows very little wear and tear. I love this model. It has a zipper on the top to keep my stuff out and it is large enough to hold a variety of items. Overall, I would say it is worth the purchase as I have used it daily for many years.” — Not a RetailMe employee
A cheaper alternative to the Goyard Tote
Saffiano Tote Made for Macy’s
price: $99.50 at Macy’s
Buy Now
Kate Spade Bleecker Large Tote
price: $248 at Kate Spade
Buy Now
Giani Bernini Pebble Tote
price: $99.50 at Macy’s
Buy Now
Kate Spade Stacy Medium Tote
price: $100 at Kate Spade Outlet ($359 value)
Buy Now
Tory Burch Ella Tote Bag
price: $248 at Tory Burch
Buy Now
My conclusion
After much research, here is my final thought. The Goyard Tote is durable, classy, classic, and has plenty of room for everything you need. Plus, it’s a symbol of every fashionista. However, it’s very expensive, the straps aren’t very comfortable when the bag is heavy, and there’s no top zipper to close the tote.
Personally, I would choose a fake that is almost identical in aesthetics and space, although not as durable. However, the real Goyard Tote is durable, long-lasting, and people seem to like it. Let me know what you think at editors@retailmenot.com!
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The post ‘Is the Goyard Tote Worth It?’ appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
