Chanel (or other 'investment) bag advice needed

[whoseafraidofnaomiwolf]

My DD is coming up to a milestone birthday (21) and I have been saving my pennies hard for many years to get her something special. I have settled on an investment handbag.

Now I don't know much about beautiful bags, most of mine come from places like independent stores, Cath Kinston, or Top-Shop so I need some advice please. I've cruised the net a little and think that a medium Chanel flap bag might fit the bill, but I don't want to give her something she doesn't like, so I would like surprise her on the day with a shopping day out to a Chanel outlet to choose a bag within my budget . I think I'll have about £2500 by the time it's her birthday - the most money i will ever have spent on anything that isn't a house or car (gulp).

Can anyone advise:

1. Anywhere near Leeds that sells Chanel bags?
2. Do you think I'm on the right track with this - or should I be looking to other brands/designers?

Chanel is beautiful and timeless, I can't think of a better 21st present.
The prices are crazy however , I'm not sure 2500 is enough, have you checked with the boutique?
The WOC ' wallet on a chain ' is nice too but not as nice a a proper flap bag.
Lucky girl .

I imagine Selfridges or Harvey Nichols will be your best bet

No advice but what a lovely, lovely thing to read. You must be a fab Mum!

I actually don't think that's near enough - they've jacked the prices up hugely in the last few years.

Tbh I would get her a Mulberry Lily instead. It's the same look but at a lower price point. And you can get good deals in outlets. And it's less flashy and less prone to being nicked in a nightclub.

Mulberry or Chloe handbags are well within your price range, maybe go to Selfridges in Trafford centre, I would have been thrilled with that as my 21st birthday! Chanel is beautiful but would depend on your DD style, as it's more classic than modern.
Ps. You sound like a fantastic mum, will you adopt me?

I think I can get a reasonable bag for the budget, I've looked at prices online and think it will be enough (I can go a little higher if I have to). I looked at Harvey Nicks Leeds online, but the only Chanel that I can see there is perfume & makeup.

Are there any Leeds Ladies out there who can direct me where to go (I am not in Leeds - my plan would be to arrive secretly and surprise her for the day)?

Flushed' thanks for the boost I'm not sure about fab though - I don't think anyone can get through 21 years of parenting without being made hugely aware of their parenting (and personal) shortcomings. I am the only Mum she's got though so she'll have to made do .

The Mulberry does look nice. I think you're right about it depending on her style ILikegin , that's why I thought it might be better to take her to a department store to look at alternatives as well as the Chanel. I hadn't thought of Selfridges - is there one in Leeds? Am off to google ...

First, I'm assuming your daughter is the sort of woman who knows how to look after a designer bag and will be really careful with it. Second, have you considered a vintage designer bag as that may be considered a lot cooler for someone of her age - there are plenty of specialist dealers. Third, if you're going to spend all that money, maybe it would be better to come down to London and go to some of the really big department stores or dedicated designer stores and make a day of it?

Good luck, I hope you find something that she really loves.

Shee lucky to have to you as a mum. I think letting her choose one would be a good idea then she has exactly she wants.

I'll be honest though though as much as I love handbags I don't think I could bring myself to spend that much on one and I'd be terrified of using it in got one as a gift. But I'm aware that's my issue.

That is an amazing idea. You are a lovely mum :)

Amazing gift idea and how special to get her something beautiful she can keep! I'm not familiar with Leeds unfortunately. However if no-one can suggest somewhere you could surprise her with an early morning train to another city which has a great department store choice. Good luck and I love the idea of you taking her to pick it together to make sure she loves it.

Chanel, Hermes, and LV retain their values best as investment pieces. But if your dd is actually going to want to use it day to say then Hermes' quality is def the best.

Chloes can be banged around a lot, I have a couple and they are great everyday bags. There are some Chanel bags you can buy for £2500 but not necessarily the classic quilted ones. See here for broad pricing.

A friend just got a big black YSL tote, much nicer than the LV Neverfull and looks classic.

You are very generous but you might ask her for input - her personal style and friends will influence a lot what type of bag she fancies.

Hi there, what a lovely idea. I recently bought a Chanel wallet on chain and it was the cheapest style (£1200), but I love it and use it every day. The classic flaps cost just under £4000 now. Chanel doesn't sell online and the only places in the UK that sells the bags outside of London is Manchester city centre Selfridges. The Trafford Centre and Harvey Nichols don't sell them.
For £2500 you could buy a bag from practically any other big designer - I think trying Harvey Nichols in Leeds or Selfridges in the Trafford Centre is a good idea, as anything she chooses will be within your budget.

£2,500 on a handbag that will be out of fashion in a few years?

Chanel handbags are better investments than property or gold.

I'd personally go with Mulberry based on much longing through shop windows and not actually byuing anything! Fab idea for a present.

Brings back gorgeous memories of my Mum buying me a beautiful Armarni suit for my 25th bday.....

For me, would rather have a more substantial size bag than a very small Chanel..I think if I had 2.5k I would go with a Mulberry or a Prada.

£2,500 on a handbag that will be out of fashion in a few years?
Chanel transcends fashion.
The classic flap dares from 1955.
They do indeed hold and increase in value.
Not everyone is passionate about high end bags but don't piss on her chips .

Armani! embarrassing spelling mistake!

Chanel bags never go out of fashion and, as a pp says, are a much better investment than many other things. But, unless you go vintage, you are unlikely to get a classic bag for £2.5k. A WOC is ideal for a young person. The only other brand that holds or increases its value is Hermes.
LV is ok, but imho too many knock offs around. And I'm pretty sure not such an investment.

If you do decide to go vintage, take great care you're getting a legitimate bag, not fake.

Just looked up the price of the chanel flap bags. Upwards of £5,000 brand new.

They are lovely though. And I agree with Jackie0 that they are one of the few items that is truly timeless. Still couldn't justify anything close to that for myself though.

I think that's the most wonderful present. I wouldn't go for a mulberry as an alternative, I don't think that they're as special or as beautiful. As an alternative have you considered a watch or diamond earrings. In the back of my mind I'm considering a vintage Cartier or good sized diamond studs for my DD along with a Chanel bag, none of which will ever date.

I spent my twenties putting together a wardrobe of "investment" pieces.

It hasn't turned out to be an investment at all. It ALL dates and the so-called investment actually depreciates. Even the pleasure individual items give you can often be fleeting.

I could have paid off a significant chunk of my mortgage with the money I wasted pretending to have a life I didn't actually have.

I completely understand wanting to buy something special to mark the occasion, though. Personally I'd be looking at jewellery or a watch or perhaps a painting - something that may not appreciate, but will give pleasure daily and won't date.

(Lolz for the "Chanel bags are a timeless classic" crowd who don't remember the late 1980s).