So, is it worth spending so much money on a bag? Or are there alternatives that look great for much less? To find out, I did my research, interviewed RetailMeNot Goyard Tote owners and crunched comparison numbers. Here’s what I found.
The History of the Goyard Tote
To understand what makes Goyard so special, you need the brand’s
background. Pierre-François Martin founded the House of Martin in 1792,
specializing in box-making, trunk-making and packing prior to what’s now
considered the golden age of the great trunk-makers of the late XIXth
century. House of Martin was a real trailblazer!
In 1845, the House of Martin and Morel hired 17-year old apprentice François Goyard, who passed the business down to his son Edmond Goyard in 1885. Edmond turned the now iconic store on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris into a shopping destination for the elite. The House of Goyard was bought in 1998 by Jean-Michel, who turned the privately owned company into an internationally renowned brand. Within 10 years, the Goyard brand was re-established with timeless elegance, craftsmanship and exclusivity.
How Much Does the Goyard Tote Cost, and Where Can You Purchase It?
It’s pretty impossible to find the current Goyard Tote prices online, at least directly from the brand. Goyard doesn’t list them on its website, and Goyard does not do online sales. In fact, the brand doesn’t disclose the price (via email or phone, either) except when you purchase at the Paris boutique.
So, the only way for shoppers to get their hands on Goyard bags (if you don’t have big connections like the royal family does) is at high-end boutiques, select department stores or through resellers. The. U.S. has stores selling Goyard in New York City, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Beverly Hills. Prices will differ across all these options.
The three most popular Goyard totes are the Saint Louis, Anjou and Artois, and their current retail prices vary by a lot. The totes comes in two sizes: PM and GM, with GM being the larger size and the most-expensive option. The bags also each come in many colors, but all with the signature striking chevron canvas design.
You can see all three bags and the price variations below:
Goyard Saint Louis Tote: $1,200–$2,450
Goyard Anjou Tote: $1,995–$3,550
Goyard Artois Tote: $1,595–$2,625
How Can You Tell It’s a Goyard Knockoff?
Because the Goyard Tote is so hard to find and costs a pretty penny, there are lots of knockoff options available, especially online. There are options that really look authentic—and they’re great options if you don’t want to spend a ton. But there are also knockoffs that are trying to pass as real with the same high price tag. To tell the difference between a legitimate Goyard Tote, there are a few key things to look out for.
- Texture. Goyard bags are hand-painted, which leaves a slightly bumpy texture on the surface of the painted areas.
- Resin-coated linen. The tote is lined with cotton or linen fabric. Knockoff Goyard bags are not made from such expensive materials, making them heavier.
- Packaging. Goyard bags do not come with any sort of plastic on their handles, and the handles don’t have any leather tags attached to them.
- Accessibility. Shopping for Goyard products online requires a lot of research to ensure you are getting an authentic product. If you found it at an unusually low or high price, chances are that retailer is selling a knockoff.
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