Agree on Real Real, I have only bought clothes on their site but have worked with them through my job and was impressed with their very qualified authentication staff.
Hi Grace!! Purchase update…. I ended up buying a new bag at the 57th St store and my experience could not have been better!
They even indulged my friend and I in a photo shoot in front of the pearl installation. Also, their price increase was Oct so the prices will be flat probably until later this year.
Thanks again, Sara. As well as the regrets as well to know what to look for. Thank you so much for this post. I love the tan Chanel.
Tres chic. This was a really interesting read! In general, do you use any sort of leather conditioner on your nice bags? Or just get them cleaned as necessary? I have gotten the cream one professionally cleaned but none of the others so far.
Such a great post, lady! In terms of bags, they really are a unique investment. Crazy to think that the retail price has doubled on the past ten years! This is super interesting, thanks for sharing! I know its not the same thing, but I bought myself a classic Burberry trench for my 30 birthday.
I was so nervous to spend all the money but its turned out to be so worth it. I went to Saks and told the saleslady I was thinking of taking the plunge and it was my first designer coat and she was super nice and excited to help. I feel the same away away about my trench!!! Bags and coats are worth the investment to me and shoes too, as long as you stick to classic styles and take good care of them!!! The salespeople were incredibly kind and helpful, they walked me through everything from how to store the bag to filling out official ownership paperwork.
If you have the opportunity to purchase it in Paris, it was definitely worth it because goods are cheaper in the country where they are produced and you can get a VAT tax refund mine came 10 days after purchase. Love this post! I am not a Chanel girl so thought maybe I would chime in on two other examples? I bought my Givenchy Antigona in oxblood around age 32 — my first big girl bag.
I bought my Givenchy on a whim wearing spin clothes well on a whim after thinking about it for years. I was a little reticent about the RealReal but recently bought my second investment bag on the site, a black Celine luggage tote, it is in spectacular condition, exactly as portrayed and a very good discount from retail. I love that!!!! I should have caveated that these bags are so subjective. But yeah, if you take proper care of your nice bags, they will increase in value over time.
Also that fall sounds scary — glad you and the bag! LOVE this post! I just got my first Chanel bag in the past year; bought it for myself for my 30th birthday. And excited for me too! The actual experience of being in the store and trying on the bags and finding the one that I loved was one of the best experiences ever, and a treasured part of getting my bag.
And yes!!!! They really do get so excited to help you. I loved and appreciated the honesty in this post! I see so many bloggers posting pics of their very beautiful, designer things which, is not a bad thing! Especially given the industry they work in but typically with no context. I am still in a Madewell phase of life could be forever tbh but I will appreciate your pics of your lovely purses all the more.
I love a good splurge from time to time but have learned the hard way hello pink velvet Chanel to make sure any investment piece is really well thought out and something that will stand the test of time! This was my email! Thank you for writing this post and going through each one!! Also, I am glad to know the caviar vs lambskin difference is so real. Thank you! Another reader commented that prices are going up in February, so maybe try to get it before then — or do The RealReal!
Thanks for this insight, Grace! Starting to think the big will be when I purchase for myself! My parents gave me a navy caviar wallet for my college graduation and at first I was thrown a little by the caviar.
Now, I absolutely love it! Also, my grandmother gave my mom a luxury navy wallet for her graduation. Love that it became a tradition For the next 2. And what a cool tradition!!! I too was thrown by the caviar at first if I had been left to my own devices when buying my first Chanel, I would have chosen lambskin but am SO happy with it — it really endures well, which is a must for something so expensive. Though I mix navy and black quite a bit.
I replied to another commenter with a longer response, but I sold it because it was from an ex. This is a great, truthful guide about buying your first Chanel. YES it absolutely is!!! Grace, I love this post! I recently turned 35 and have been wanting to treat myself to a Chanel bag, but have been hesitant to pull the trigger.
Glad to know about The Real Real! Hoping to get back to Paris in the next year and purchase it there!! Great post Grace!! Now I know what to look for my future anniversary gift! I really love this post! Thank you for giving us all the pros and cons. That would be so helpful. I own a few nice purses Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci but still found this very helpful am me insightful in thinking about my next purchase! If you have any insight on this, let me know. Thanks so much for this post Grace!
Sometimes they list the years that things were released happened with a dress I just bought! I wish I had better advice! What are your thoughts on a neverfull Louis Vuitton? I would definitely use it everyday, but is it worth it?
I am not really an LV girl! Similar to the Chanel boy bag, not for me but so chic for others! Grace, what a great blog post! Thanks for your sharing. I always wonder how a channel bag would turn out after years. Before bought my 1st channel, i searched several vlog about a channel bag after years, but only found 1 review after 7 years, and the others only 1 year review.
When i read your review, i breathe a sigh of relief because i got a right decision. I own a handful of designer bags but none of my friends or my sister are into that kind of thing, but I really love comparing notes and hearing what items people love and which ones they could have done without.
I bought my 2. I still love it and it makes me think of Paris every time I use it. The sales people at Chanel were incredibly nice. And, I have to agree with Grace — get the caviar leather. Thanks for the thoughtful post on this. Such an informative post, especially about the in-store aspect of shopping. It really just fits my essentials — wallet, phone, lipstick, business cards.
This is such a great post! Thanks for the tips and lessons learned! I just bought my first Louis Vuitton, but thinking about an even bigger splurge on a Chanel next. I was able to snag a pre-loved Chanel mini in crumpled calfskin black hardware and it is one of my most treasured handbags in my collection.
Thanks for the inspiration! Great read! Very helpful for purchasing any luxury bag, from doing the research on what style, leather, color, etc… Chanel is amazing though. Also love the whole outfit in the tan cavier pic. Adding to this: 1. An alternative — and this is what I did — is the Chanel wallet!
HAHA yes!!! I always say that I have all my handbags now. So if I get married, have a kid, etc. I feel like I already got all the big purchase out of the way! Thanks for this post! Would you consider writing a post on your experience buying from The Real Real vs other luxury consignment stores? And why you chose to buy the bags on consignment? And as for consignment vs. I really enjoyed reading this post!
I had a dream that I bought myself the black Chanel bag. This guide was perfect, and I loved getting to see your entire collection, and your thoughts on each!! I definitely love the classic flap in black.
So gorgeous and timeless!! These are all great tips! I loved reading this post as a fellow handbag enthusiast! You can never go wrong with Chanel bags — I always find myself constantly grabbing my Chanels on a daily basis. I am lucky enough to own a lot of nice designer bags and accessories, but my Chanel pieces I will include my brooches and flats here too are the pieces I love and use the most and never regret buying.
And I am evangelical about making everyone I know buy the caviar because it is just SO much more durable! One thing I will say though is that Heathrow is the best place to buy Chanel, but only on the basis it is a planned rather than impulse purchase. When my first Chanel bag was stolen, I bought the replacement at Heathrow the tax-free discount helped offset the amount it had increased in price since my first purchase , and I have bought a lot of my brooches there over the years.
And my best tip is that if there is something you know you definitely want, you can actually call them 48 hours before you fly and order it in and they will hold it for you. I was similarly sceptical about the maxi bags, but am also coming around to them for purely practical reasons and LOVE this tan one on you! Will stick with Louis Vuitton. Being nice goes a long way. Hello — what a great post! This was a great post!!! I bought my first Chanel in Paris over Christmas.
I had a great sales person actually bounced to a couple Chanel boutiques before I found a lovely person I was excited to work with and who was happy to help me with my selection. Hi Grace! A couple of questions for you —. No I have never used Tradesy, and I do not insure my bags! I am very impressed from this bags. I am searching on google for new design leather and i get your blog. I am really happy I have this information.
Love the post! Want to buy a Chanel bag. Is it best to buy it in Europe or buy it in the States? Been to Europe a couple of times with intentions to buy one but always chicken out because of the thought of having to deal with it through customs and the VAT return lines.
It sounds like Europe might be the better idea after having read through the comments! Hi Shannon, yes, it is cheaper in Europe. It was really easy to get the VAT back. You can get a good price indication on which country is the cheapest at handbag-prices. And your honesty. After going through a lot of thinking, reading reviews and etc. A little too old, yes. Yay — congratulations!!!! I just got a black jumbo in caviar as a push present and I am so addicted now.
I wonder if the blush pink will be just as difficult to keep clean. Thanks for the advice and the post! It is very helpful! Well said. Also, so cool and helpful of you to share your thought process around different Chanel styles.
Maybe this is just the beginning or my only Chanel investment, but exciting either way! Should I wait to find a caviar leather bag? Just bought my first Chanel bag as a 30th birthday gift to myself and this post was my bible! Thanks so much for giving your honest opinion of size, leather type etc. I was going back and forth between lambskin or caviar.
I got the classic flap in black caviar and cannot wait to slowly build a collection! Great post, I have a Chanel Woc but my dream bag is the medium classic flap caviar with silver hardware.
I also love the Boy bag. My question is are the flap bags always in stock and easy to get? I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on Chanel purses. I have purchased a different variety of purses for my wife.
Thank you. I read your article and thank you so much it was good advice. Through your opinion it was very helpful so thank you so much. Kudos to you for this truly honest and well written post!!
To the. Chanel seeker, best wishes on your search. Sounds like you did everything right leading up to this moment. Best wishes and Happy New Year to you both. Thank you for your candid thoughts! You can never have too many Chanel bags. They are investment pieces and great to carry no matter what you are wearing. I have a jumbo in Black and Tan and the small one in black lamb skin which I only use in the evening. I carry my other ones every day. I also have two 35cm Birkin Bags.
One in black with gold hardware and one in tan with silver hardware. I purchased them from the Hermes store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan and buying the bags was a fun experience in itself.
They brought me a glass of champagne which I drank and then asked for a refill. They are gorgeous. I buy them because they make me happy and the hell with what others think!! We will have a link trade contract among us. I have a vintage double flap Chanel bag that I would like to sell.
It has never been used. Where would be the best place to sell it? I totally agree with you. I have the same classic black bag in caviar. It holds up so well. I have many Chanels, but save the lambskin bags for nights out or perfect weather days. I find Chanel flaps in the various sizes and styles seem to work with just about every type of outfit. The purple leather interior.. I have others but it really is my favorite.. My Louis Vuitton bag was my limit. I might as well get the bag that I want, right?
I know the Chanel Flap bag would suit me well; I already have the perfect outfits to pair it with in mind. With that amount of money I could go shopping for a whole new wardrobe. Not just Chanel, but other expensive handbag labels like Balenciaga. The costs of these bags are similar to that of diamonds. What are your thoughts on Chanel? Thanks, in advance. Confirm your email. Your email was confirmed! Send me updates and discount info. New customer? Which Chanel Bag is the Best Investment?
Text by Suzannah Wilkinson. Chanel Timeless Small Calf Blue. Following the price increase in November Chanel Timeless Maxi Lamb Red. Chanel Deauville Medium Canvas Pink. Chanel Gabrielle Medium Calf Black. Chanel Backpack Python Yellow. Looking to sell your designer handbag? Sell your bag. More stories. Sign up to our newsletter. Be first in line for our latest arrivals, alongside journal updates, exclusive treats and more. Please view your inbox to confirm your subscription. Thank you!
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