Q: What can the Cartouchière PM hold day to day?
A: It is a compact crossbody designed for essentials. Expect room for a smartphone, small wallet or cardholder, keys, and a few small items like lip balm or earbuds. Larger long wallets, water bottles, or tablets will not fit comfortably. Please refer to the Measurements on this page to confirm what suits your packing style.

Q: Is the strap suitable for crossbody wear and can it be adjusted?
A: Yes. The flat leather strap is adjustable for shoulder or crossbody wear. For this piece, the strap drop is approximately 55 cm as listed under Measurements, offering a comfortable crossbody length for most heights. Adjust the buckle to find your preferred drop.

Q: How is the interior organised?
A: The PM features two internal compartments lined in brown cross‑grain leather, which helps keep essentials separated and easy to access.

Q: How secure is the closure?
A: The front flap fastens with a leather strap and buckle, providing a secure closure. As noted in the condition report, there is cracking on the buckle strap; we recommend gentle use and avoiding over‑tightening the strap to preserve the leather.

Q: How does the vachetta leather age and how should I care for it?
A: Vachetta is untreated natural cowhide that develops a honeyed patina over time. It is sensitive to water, oils, and colour transfer. Keep it dry, handle with clean hands, store stuffed in a breathable dust bag, and if it gets wet, blot immediately with a light, lint‑free cloth. Wipe the monogram canvas gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and avoid heat and harsh chemicals.

Q: Is PM the smallest size in the Cartouchière family?
A: Yes. PM is the most compact Cartouchière size, ideal for daily essentials. MM and GM offer progressively more capacity if you prefer a larger silhouette.

Q: Where is the date code and what if it’s hard to read?
A: On vintage Louis Vuitton, the date code is typically stamped on a small leather tab inside the bag and indicates factory and period of production. Date codes are not unique identifiers and, by themselves, do not prove or disprove authenticity. It’s common for older pieces to have worn or faint codes; this does not affect wearability or our authentication process.

Q: How do you authenticate this bag if the code is illegible?
A: Every item at A Retro Tale undergoes a multi‑point inspection of canvas, vachetta, stitching, heat stamps, hardware, glazing, and model‑specific construction. We evaluate the date code if present, but authentication is always holistic rather than based on a single marker.

Q: What exactly is included with this item?
A: Everything included is listed under the product information section for this page. For this piece, no additional items are included. If a dust bag, box, or extras were included, they would be specified there.

Q: What signs of wear should I expect on this specific piece?
A: Exterior: vachetta patina with some watermarks on the shoulder strap and cracking on the buckle strap. Interior: very good with light signs of use. Hardware: scratches and dullness. These details are reflected in the price and photographs and are typical for a well‑kept vintage example.