Longchamp vs. Tory Burch: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Longchamp is known for its timeless, understated French elegance, focusing on durable materials and practical, minimalist designs like the iconic Le Pliage tote. In contrast, Tory Burch embodies a vibrant, preppy-boho American style, with bold logo hardware, vibrant prints, and trend-forward accessories designed to make a statement.

Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right handbag for your style and needs.

Longchamp: The Epitome of French Practicality

Longchamp is a French luxury brand celebrated for its high-quality leather goods and, most famously, its foldable Le Pliage tote. The brand's identity is built on combining fine craftsmanship with everyday functionality. Their target customer values longevity, versatility, and sophisticated designs that transition effortlessly from the office to the weekend, without being overly flashy.

• Product mix: Primarily focuses on handbags, luggage, and small leather goods. The Le Pliage collection, made from durable nylon with leather trim, is its most recognizable line and serves as an entry into the brand.
• Price point: Ranges from accessible luxury to high-end. The classic Le Pliage totes start around $150, while full leather bags and luggage can exceed $1,000.
• Quality & Durability: Renowned for excellent craftsmanship. The coated nylon canvas is lightweight yet extremely sturdy and water-resistant, and their all-leather bags are made from supple, high-grade leathers designed to age beautifully.
• Style & Aesthetic: Timeless, elegant, and understated. The designs are minimalist and function-driven, intended to be versatile wardrobe mainstays rather than seasonal statement pieces.
• Return policy: Standard for luxury retail, typically allowing returns of unused items within a specific window for a full refund or exchange.

Longchamp is the perfect choice for someone seeking a durable, practical, and sophisticated bag that offers understated luxury and will remain stylish for years.

Shop Longchamp: longchamp.com

Tory Burch: The Preppy-Boho Icon

Tory Burch is an American lifestyle brand that perfectly marries a preppy, classic American sportswear feel with bohemian, eclectic details. The brand is famous for its Double T logo medallion, which prominently features on many of its handbags, shoes, and clothing. Tory Burch appeals to a fashion-conscious consumer who loves color, vibrant prints, and polished yet relaxed pieces.

• Product mix: A full lifestyle brand offering handbags, shoes (especially the iconic Reva flats), ready-to-wear clothing, jewelry, and other accessories.
• Price point: Positioned in the accessible luxury market. Handbags typically fall between $200 and $600, making it a popular choice for a first designer bag.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes a range of materials, including leather, suede, and coated fabrics. The quality is solid for the price, though the focus is often more on aesthetics and trendy designs than on lifelong durability.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, colorful, and expressive. Characterized by vibrant patterns, prominent logo hardware, and a polished, preppy-bohemian vibe that feels both classic and contemporary.
• Return policy: Offers a flexible return policy, with online and in-store returns typically accepted on unworn merchandise.

With its vibrant designs and accessible price point, Tory Burch is ideal for those who want a fashionable, logo-centric accessory to add personality and polish to any outfit.

Shop Tory Burch: toryburch.com

Longchamp vs. Tory Burch Comparison

Price Comparison

While both brands sit in the luxury space, they target slightly different price segments. Longchamp offers a lower entry point with its Le Pliage nylon bags starting around $150, making it very accessible. However, its full leather collections can quickly climb to over $1,000, placing it in the premium luxury category.

Tory Burch generally occupies the middle ground. Most of its popular leather handbags are priced between $300 and $600. For shoppers wanting a structured leather bag, Tory Burch is often more affordable than Longchamp's all-leather options.

Quality & Materials

Longchamp built its reputation on durability. The signature Le Pliage nylon is famously resilient, lightweight, and perfect for daily wear and travel. The brand's leatherworking heritage means their full leather bags feature high-quality skins and meticulous construction intended to last decades.

Tory Burch handbags are well-made with quality leathers and hardware, but the brand’s main focus is on style and design. The quality is consistent with its accessible luxury price tag, but longevity might vary more than a Longchamp bag, which is often engineered for years of hard use.

Style & Aesthetic

The aesthetic difference is the most significant factor. Longchamp is the definition of understated French chic. Its bags are minimalist, functional, and logo-discreet, designed to complement an outfit rather than define it. It’s perfect for professional settings, travel, and anyone who prefers a timeless look.

Tory Burch is about making a stylish statement. With its prominent Double T logo, bold color palettes, and use of trendy shapes and patterns, a Tory Burch bag is meant to be noticed. It embodies an energetic, polished American style that is instantly recognizable and adds a pop of personality.

Product Selection

Longchamp is, first and foremost, a handbag and accessories specialist. While they offer some ready-to-wear, their core business is their extensive collection of totes, travel bags, and small leather goods. Their focus is narrow and deep, particularly with the vast number of colors and sizes in the Le Pliage range.

Tory Burch is a comprehensive lifestyle brand. You can build an entire head-to-toe look from their collections, including dresses, blouses, shoes, jewelry, and handbags. This is a major advantage for shoppers who love a coordinated aesthetic and want accessories that pair perfectly with other pieces from the brand.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are making progress in sustainability. Longchamp's core value of creating durable, long-lasting products is inherently sustainable, as it discourages a throwaway mentality. They have also started to incorporate recycled fabrics into collections like the Le Pliage Green.

Tory Burch has initiatives focused on responsible sourcing and supporting social causes through its foundation. The brand is committed to improving its environmental footprint, though its more trend-driven model may lean less on the "buy it for life" ethos associated with Longchamp.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style, priorities, and how you plan to use your bag.

Choose Longchamp if:

• You prioritize durability and practicality above all else.
• You need a versatile and lightweight bag for work, commuting, or travel.
• Your personal style is minimalist, classic, and elegant.
• You prefer understated luxury without prominent logos.

Choose Tory Burch if:

• You love making a fashion statement and enjoy bold colors and prints.
• You are drawn to recognizable designer logos and signature hardware.
• You want an accessory that is trendy but still has a classic, preppy feel.
• You're shopping for your first designer bag in an accessible price range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Longchamp or Tory Burch cheaper?

Longchamp has a cheaper entry-level product with its nylon Le Pliage starting around $150. However, Tory Burch's leather bags are often more affordable than Longchamp's leather collections, which can cost upwards of $1,000. For a mid-range leather bag, Tory Burch is generally the more budget-friendly option.

Which brand is better quality?

Both brands offer good quality for their price points, but Longchamp is almost universally recognized for its superior durability and craftsmanship, especially in its simple yet robust designs. It is engineered for longevity. Tory Burch focuses more on stylistic details and aesthetic appeal, offering solid quality that holds up well with regular use.

Is Longchamp considered a luxury brand?

Yes, Longchamp is considered a French luxury brand. While the Le Pliage is very accessible, the brand has a long history of fine leather craftsmanship and offers a full range of high-end leather goods that command luxury prices.

What is Longchamp's most popular bag?

Without a doubt, the Le Pliage is Longchamp's most popular and iconic bag. Loved for its lightweight, foldable design and incredible durability, it's a favorite for travel, work, and everyday use worldwide.

Is Tory Burch considered a designer brand?

Yes, Tory Burch is an American designer brand known for its distinctive preppy-boho style. It operates in the "accessible luxury" or "contemporary" market segment alongside brands like Kate Spade and Michael Kors.

Which bag is better for work, Longchamp or Tory Burch?

Longchamp's Le Pliage tote is a top choice for a work bag due to its lightweight construction and roomy interior that fits a laptop, making it suitable for any professional environment. While many Tory Burch totes also work well, their heavier hardware and bolder styling may be less versatile for conservative workplaces.

Do Longchamp and Tory Burch bags go on sale?

Yes, both brands have sales, typically at the end of a season. You can find discounts on their official websites, at department stores like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, and at their respective outlet stores.

What is the Tory Burch logo?

The Tory Burch logo is a graphic Double T designed in the shape of a cross, enclosed in a circle. This emblem, known as the T Medallion, is a key design element on a majority of their products.