Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Borrow Designer Bags and Accessories on Your Terms with Vivrelle
I just discovered a new brand that can save you time and money and help you reach your sustainable fashion goals, and it’s called Vivrelle. Discover how Vivrelle makes luxury accessible with its unique membership program. Borrow designer bags, jewelry, and accessories from top fashion houses on your terms—no commitment, no limits. Elevate your style without the splurge and enjoy the freedom of fashion that fits your lifestyle.
Vivrelle Discount + Certified Used Luxury Bags
Get 50% off your first month of Vivrelle using my code CAROLYNBRADEN50 at checkout at Vivrelle.com!
See my outfit details in this post in my Amazon Shop here. I made my butterfly hat from a thrift store find and you can see how I did it here.
Did you know that Amazon and Walmart sell pre-owned certified luxury fashion? Check out these luxury certified bags:
My Expensive Inspiration
I’m not ashamed to admit that I have expensive taste. Put a row of shoes in front me and I’ll almost always pick the most expensive one to be my favorite. Not that I always buy the most expensive (I know expensive isn’t always better!) but it’s just a part of how my brain works.
With my extensive background in art and design, I am drawn to unique style, and I know that’s why my eyes send the message to my brain “now, that’s it” when looking at design. I do it with cars, houses and more too. So, when Vivrelle reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try their luxury rental services for 3 months, my design centered eyes and brain said yes and here’s all about my experience.
How Vivrelle works in easy terms
What Is Vivrelle?
Step into luxury without the price tag. With Vivrelle, you can borrow designer bags, jewelry, and accessories from iconic brands whenever you want. Enjoy the freedom of fashion that fits your lifestyle—swap pieces monthly, keep them as long as you like, and elevate your style effortlessly.
I’ve always wanted a designer bag, but as a budget conscious shopper, I’ve never had that kind of cash to put towards a bag as the ones I really like, of course, run $2,000 and more. Knowing luxury rental services are out there, I’ve always been a bit scared to try them, thinking “What if I break it, tear it, loose it, get a stain on it, etc…..I’m sure if you are reading this, you’ve had those thoughts too.
My first Vivrelle choice: The Louis Vuitton Palm Springs Backpack
However, Vivrelle has calmed my nerves on borrowing luxury items (you get insurance with your membership and can pay for even more if you think you need it) and I think luxury rentals are going to become more and more common as luxury items are the first thing to go in many households in a uncertain economy. Vivrelle’s trademark is “Luxury, On Your Terms” and I can say I know for a fact from my own experience that this is true!
A cute way to style this LV bag for a concert
Who and What Is Vivrelle Perfect For?
Vivrelle is perfect for fashion lovers who like variety, and if you love sustainability in fashion, Vivrelle is great too! If you’ve ever perused a flea market or thrift store, you see how much waste is in our world and Vivrelle can help your efforts in not contributing to waste be more successful.
Have a special event like a wedding, prom or other fun life adventure coming up? Try renting the outfit, jewelry or bag instead of buying something you’ll only wear or use once. I read that Ginger Zee rents and borrows many outfits to help fashion sustainability (she needs a lot due to being on Good Morning America as a Meteorologist) and I love it. I simply like the everyday luxury that Vivrelle brings to my wardrobe. Seeing that bag sit on a stool in my closet makes me smile.
My first designer subscription choice
It also helps me understand that if I choose to buy a luxury bag, I will learn via Vivrelle what will work for my life. When and IF I buy a luxury brand purse one day, seeing these bags up close and using them helps me understand their quality and which style will be a good investment for my lifestyle.
This backpack can be styled casually too
The Benefits of Borrowing Over Buying
Vivrelle gives you access to a rotating luxury wardrobe without the high prices. The cost savings vs. buying retail if you like to switch out purses a lot is huge. I did the math and I’d have to save $139 for 18 months (plus money to cover taxes) to buy the first bag I borrowed, the Louis Vuitton Palm Springs Backpack PM. It retails for around $2,500 and with the Classique membership at $139 a month, that’s 139x18 = $2,502…see….18 months!
I love this look!
By the time many save up enough to buy the bag they truly want, it may be off the market, or minds get changed (is that bag still in style or was it a trend you wanted to hop on?) or life calls and the money has to go to something else. Vivrelle can step in when the higher budget isn’t all there.
Flexibility to Swap or Keep Items
With the ability to pay a membership fee once a month, borrow a luxury item and send it back when you are tired of it, Vivrelle is awesome. I also love that you can BUY the item you borrow via getting a quote from Vivrelle. I have been very leery of buying a used bag online, but if you have it in your possession, and see it has great quality and you get a quote that you can afford, buying a used bag could be worth it.
I like this bag and it was in great shape!
Top Designers Available Through Vivrelle
You can borrow items from luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, YSL and more. They are adding in more and more options all the time. You can also borrow luxury jewelry like from Cartier, Hermes, and more. They are even adding luxury fashion.
Free AI Stylist: ELLA
Their new AI stylist, ELLA, free with each membership, helps you piece together items and with the Premier level, you can borrow two items, making this stylist even more helpful! Have an event coming up and need to have ideas to go with the bag or jewelry you chose? Try Ella!
How the Membership Works
The Vivrelle membership model works like this:
Fill out the application on the Vivrelle website here, deciding which tier you want to be in. I was gifted the Classique tier, which allows you to borrow jewelry and bags at currently $139 a month. Premier is $49 a month and includes some jewelry and select bags. You can browse the site before choosing which tier would be good for your needs. Check out this page on the Vivrelle website to understand how each tier works.
I made my own version of a “Birkin” (a very high-end bag) and you can see it here or in my 1-minute video tutorial below via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Next, you wait on application approval. The brand will run a background check and then when cleared, you will become approved. I had to reach out to the brand due to my application taking several weeks (I knew my background was clear!), but their customer service quickly replied to my email. It was an oversight as their brand is growing quickly and I understand these things happen.
When approved or while waiting approval, you can browse their extensive catalog, using their filter to search by tiers, brands, what is available and more. I favorited the bags I liked, then selected my first by clicking “Add to Closet”.
I then checked out, and within days a box was sent to my house (I had to sign for it) and it was like unwrapping a present. Opening the box displayed a well-packed box with tissue paper and a branded seal and a beautiful cloth bag opened up to reveal my first bag selection. Inside the box was a handwritten note from Vivrelle and instructions on how to mail it back after 30 days with a prepaid mailing label.
The bag was in really great shape and appeared almost new. I did notice a slight thread issue, but this is on Louis Vuitton and their own quality, not Vivrelle. Some of the stitching was out at the top of the backpack, but I really was paying attention like I do to all the things I buy or rent.
If you currently live in New York, Vivrelle has a showroom you can swap, pick up or return an item and you can also do a FaceTime Virtual Styling Session with their product experts. They also have pop-up shops in various locations sometimes.
The cutest little backpack purse!
Any Downsides to Vivrelle?
Vivrelle is set up for 3 months of subscription. This could be a downside if you only want it for one month, however, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed after month one. If you are unsure if you want to commit to a higher tier for three months, I recommend starting with the first membership level at $49 a month, see how it goes and upgrade if you like it.
You can freeze a membership for $10 a month after three months, which could also be a downside if you don’t have the money for 3 months so make a budget friendly decision that works for you before signing up.
Bottom Line
Vivrelle gives you flexibility, affordability, luxury lifestyle in an easy to use rental service and I have been loving it. It’s eased my fears in borrowing luxury fashion and I already know the Louis Vuitton backpack is cute, but I really like a tote and will attempt trying that next. It’s also really fun to look at all the cute bags and more in my free time. It brings a little bit of joy to my life, and I think it could do the same for you. I recommend you try Vivrelle and redefine how you enjoy designer fashion.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.