With a closet full of possibilities and a rather ambitious handbag wishlist, putting together the perfect outfit and maintaining a responsible budget don’t always see eye to eye. Enter Vivrelle: a rather fabulous arrangement to borrow designer handbags, experiment with new styles, and return them before the finance department starts collecting receipts. And because every Doll appreciates a good deal, use code DOLLHOUSE for 80% off your first Vivrelle order. Keep reading for the full scoop, a little girl math, and why borrowing designer handbags might just be the smartest thing in your closet.
I have a confession. I love designer handbags. Shocking information, I know.
But here’s the thing. I also adore changing outfits. And sometimes the bag that makes an fit a showstopper isn’t necessarily the bag I want to spend thousands of dollars owning forever.
Enter Vivrelle. If you’ve ever wanted to carry a Chanel bag for a season, try a different designer, or experiment with a color you’d never actually commit to buying, this one’s for you. I’ve been exploring the world of designer handbag borrowing, and I have thoughts. Naturally.
So let’s talk about how Vivrelle works, what it costs, and whether it’s actually worth adding another subscription to your life.
Because between streaming services, beauty appointments, and everything else, a girl needs to know where her money is going. Preferably while carrying Chanel.
Thank you to my dear friend and talented photographer, Molly Grace for capturing these images. Hair and makeup were both by the lovely Francesca.
What Is Vivrelle?
Vivrelle is a luxury accessories membership that lets you borrow designer handbags and jewelry instead of purchasing every piece outright. Think of it as a rotating designer wardrobe.
You choose a membership, browse available pieces, and borrow an accessory within your membership tier. Depending on your plan, you can exchange pieces as your style, schedule, or mood changes.
The designer selection includes names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Fendi, Dior, and Saint Laurent. Even Hermes. And for someone who considers getting dressed a creative outlet, having access to different designer bags is a very fun concept.
One month you’re carrying a classic neutral. The next, something colorful and completely impractical for everyday life. Which, frankly, is sometimes the best kind of handbag.
My Vivrelle Experience: A Little Chanel Moment
I’ve had the opportunity to try different Chanel bags through Vivrelle, and one of my favorite things about the experience is getting to experiment with pieces I might not otherwise purchase.
Case in point: this mint-green Chanel. I styled it with a chocolate-brown blazer and matching mini skirt, a romantic floral corset, and sparkly heels. The whole outfit feels polished but playful. A little businesswoman, a little garden party, and apparently someone who takes her handbag selection very seriously.
The mint-green bag makes the look. It’s unexpected against the chocolate brown, but the floral corset ties the colors together beautifully. And that’s what I love about borrowing designer accessories.
Would I necessarily walk into Chanel and purchase a mint-green handbag as my next major investment? Probably not. Would I absolutely plan an entire outfit around borrowing one? Obviously.
There’s something fun about trying a piece without feeling like you need to justify wearing it for the next ten years. Fashion should be fun. Not every handbag needs to be a lifelong commitment.
How Does Vivrelle Work?
The concept is pretty straightforward. First, you apply for a Vivrelle membership and choose the tier that works for your budget and the accessories you’re interested in borrowing.
Once you’re approved and your membership is active, you can browse the available collection and select a piece. You borrow the accessory, enjoy it, and can exchange it according to your membership’s rules.
Vivrelle has different membership tiers, so the available inventory and number of pieces you can borrow depend on your plan.
Availability also changes, which is worth keeping in mind if you have your heart set on one very specific handbag.
And yes, there’s a minimum membership commitment. Vivrelle’s published terms have included a three-month minimum, so I would review the current agreement before joining.
This isn’t quite the same as renting a bag for one weekend.
It’s more like adding a rotating designer-accessory wardrobe to your closet.
Shop my Look: Hourglass Blazer | Floral Corset Top | Faux Suede Mini Skirt | Chanel 19 Sequin Bag
Girl Math: Is Renting a Designer Handbag Actually Worth It?
Okay, let’s talk money. Because I love a designer handbag, but I also love making a smart financial decision. Preferably while carrying Chanel.
Here’s the thing: I love changing my outfits. And sometimes the bag I’m obsessed with in October isn’t necessarily the bag I want to carry in December. Buying a new designer handbag every time my wardrobe develops a new personality? An expensive hobby. Enter girl math.
Vivrelle’s Classique membership has been listed at $139 per month. At that price, that’s $417 over three months or $1,668 over a full year, before taxes, optional coverage, and discounts.
For comparison, purchasing a Chanel handbag can cost several thousand dollars. But here’s the important distinction: when you borrow a handbag, you’re paying for access, not ownership. You don’t get to keep the bag forever, and the membership fees don’t automatically become equity in a handbag collection.
So is it worth it? That depends on how you actually use it.
- Rent the statement bag: The fun colors, seasonal trends, and bags you absolutely love but aren’t sure you’ll want forever.
- Buy the forever bag: If there’s a classic handbag you know you’ll carry constantly and it’s within your budget, buying it might make more sense over time.
- Think about cost per wear: If you’re borrowing pieces regularly and genuinely enjoying them, the membership can offer meaningful wardrobe variety. If your borrowed bag sits untouched for weeks, the math becomes less appealing.
- Remember that renting isn’t owning. You’re paying for access to beautiful things, not building a collection of assets. And honestly? I think that’s perfectly fine as long as you understand the difference.
My mint-green Chanel is the perfect example. I love it. I love how it looks with this outfit. I love that it feels different from the bags I normally reach for. But I don’t necessarily need to own it forever. Sometimes the smartest luxury decision is knowing what not to buy. And sometimes girl math is just regular math wearing a very cute outfit.
Is Vivrelle Worth It?
For me, the appeal is variety. I love fashion, I adore experimenting, and I obsess over the way one accessory can completely change an outfit. A handbag is never just a handbag when you’re planning a look around it. But I also think it’s important to be realistic about whether a membership fits your lifestyle.
If you love changing your accessories, have events throughout the year, and enjoy experimenting with designer pieces, Vivrelle could be a fun addition to your wardrobe.
If you’re someone who carries the same handbag every single day for five years, you might be happier saving toward a bag you can actually own.
But imagine starting your Vivrelle membership now.. You would have a new-to-you designer bag for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and even Valentine’s if you timed it right! Swoon.
Neither approach is better. They’re just different relationships with fashion. And I fully support finding the one that makes sense for you. We’re all Dolls here.
What I Love About Borrowing Designer Handbags
One of my favorite things about fashion is the freedom to try something new.
Sometimes it’s a silhouette. Sometimes it’s a color combination. Sometimes it’s a handbag that makes you look at everything already hanging in your closet a little differently.
Borrowing designer bags gives you the chance to experiment without committing to every single trend.
It’s also a fun way to test whether you actually enjoy carrying a certain size, shape, or style before deciding to purchase something similar.
Because there’s a big difference between loving a bag in a photograph and loving it when you’re trying to fit your phone, keys, lipstick, and approximately seventeen other things inside it.
The glamorous reality of being a woman with a handbag.
A Little Dollhouse Perk: My Vivrelle Discount Code
If you’re interested in trying Vivrelle, I have a little perk for you. 80% off your first Vivrelle order with code DOLLHOUSE.
Explore Vivrelle with code DOLLHOUSE
Make sure to review the discount, eligible membership, minimum commitment, and full terms when you sign up.
And if you do try it, I want to know which bag you choose.
Especially if it’s something completely impractical and fabulous.
The Final Verdict: A Little Girl Math, A Lot Luxury
Here’s how I look at designer handbags.
Some are investment pieces. The classics you save for, cherish, and carry year after year.
Others are simply too fabulous to pass up, even if they don’t make sense as a permanent addition to your closet.
And that’s where Vivrelle comes in.
You can still save for the designer bag you’ve been dreaming about while having fun experimenting with colors, trends, and styles you might never actually purchase.
As someone who has never met an outfit she didn’t want to accessorize, I appreciate having options. And as a business owner, I also appreciate not having to justify every handbag obsession to the finance department.
And with 80% off your first order using code DOLLHOUSE, the girl math gets even more interesting.
Explore Vivrelle with code DOLLHOUSE
Because having fabulous taste and making smart financial decisions aren’t mutually exclusive. Sometimes you really can have your Chanel and carry it, too. 🎀