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?

Salma can you cite where you got the "better than property or gold" information please?

Handbags are rarely a good investment financially unless they have rarity value or are top end, but that's not the point. Presumably you want her to use it and enjoy it not keep it under wraps as an investment.

Don't waste your money on a bag. I'd invest in diamond jewellery that will last for the rest of her life and she can hand on to her children.

A decent modern, antique, vintage/deco diamond ring would retain its value, like these

Otherwise that money would be more usefully put towards a deposit on her first property.

I bought my dd a stunning piece of jewellery for her recent 21st. I bought a vintage solitaire diamond ring from an auction house , and then used an independent jeweller to set it in a platinum chain, throat length so the diamond necklace just fits her perfectly . Total cost £2500, and she adores it . A classic item that will not date . Worth thinking about as an alternative ?

Chanel handbags are better investments than property or gold.

Chaneconomics

I purchased Medium Classic Flap (Black lambskin/silver hardware) in 1999 for 650 GBP. Today (new) it's around 3,380 GBP. Whilst I appreciate the effect of inflation, and it truly is a gorgeous dream bag, that is nuts and it's frankly a huge rip-off. The bags have not changed, the quality has not changed, it's a massive price hike to elevate it as a status symbol. Honestly. They're never on sale. I also live in hope that people will assume it's a fake and not snatch it as I walk down the street

An alternative I'd recommend considering is Cartier who use very good leather e.g. www.cartier.co.uk/en-gb/collections/accessories/leather-goods/hand-bags/c-de-cartier/l1001862%20c%20de%20cartier%20bag,%20medium%20model.html#. You might also like a Hermes Picotin Lock within your budget.

By the way, I also have lots of Chanel jackets collected over 2 decades and absolutely timeless. These have not increased in excess of inflation but have stayed the same-ish. I wear them at every opportunity and it is great to always have a really fabulous jacket to wear for a job interview, wedding, nice dinner, theatre and so on. Chanel used to make these so they could be let out at least one dress size if necessary. Sales are good and IMHO these would make an amazing heirloom gift too.

www.chanelprices.com/

What a lovely thought, I'm sure your daughter will be very touched indeed. You sound so lovely. I just wanted to give you something else to think about. In 'The Lanes' in Brighton, there are loads of upmarket second hand jewellers. I've bought beautiful items there, and you would be sure if a good choice with your budget. Would she like a ring, or a watch, or necklace! There are many classic and beautiful items. And you don't pay vat in second hand jewellery, so more bang for your buck.

This could be an amazing day out for you both. Luxury shopping, lunch (I know an upmarket tapas place) and cocktails too!

Hmm, well I was wanting a bit of both. I was hoping for something she could use should when she'd like to /occasion warrants it AND something that will retain it's value - really a one off piece that will last her lifetime (not wanting much am I? ).

I take on board what people say about vintage pieces, but I would be too anxious about being ripped off, plus I'd really like to have the whole 'going-to-a-shop experience). I might need to re-check the prices of new though.

I do agree it's a lot of money for a bag (personally have never spent more than £50 on any bag for myself) but in my mind it's a bag-for-life (not to be confused with Sainsurys ). A one off special gift to set her on her way into womanhood.

She's in Leeds (I'm not) so I might look at travelling from Leeds to Manchester to shop at the Trafford Centre and also look at Hermes, Mulberry & Prada bags as mentioned upthread by Queen', MissTeri' and others.

I did consider a jewellery piece/watch, but she has a lovely watch already and I feel a beautiful bag is more in keeping with who she is somehow.

Thanks so much for all you ideas and opinions - it really helps to get a sense of where to go/what to do and to clarify exactly what it is I'd like to give her.

W8woman - Hi there, I can't recall which article I read first as it was a while ago, but there have been quite a few about it recently. It was Chanel, Hermes and Goyard. I think it may have been on the 'Business of Fashion' site.

Here are a few recent ones from google:

lifestyle.one/grazia/fashion/news/chanel-bag-better-investment-house/

www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/fashion/553406/chanel-bag-value-increased-by-70-in-the-last-6-years.html#index=1

www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/fashion/fashion-news/news/a37405/investment-potential-of-a-chanel-handbag/

baghunter.com/pages/hermes-birkin-values-research-study

www.harpersbazaar.com.au/news/fashion-buzz/2016/6/investment-potential-chanel-handbag/

If you're going into Manchester, the city centre may be a good idea as there is the Selfridges bag floor, but also Harvey Nichols and standalone shops for Louis Vuitton etc.

You can see prices for a lot of the styles on their site: www.chanel.com/en_GB/fashion/products/handbags.html

My chanel bag stats just for interest:

1999 = new 650 GBP
2016 = second hand sales value 2200 GBP
Relative APR = 19% (from new to second hand)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that looks pretty good to me, even accounting for inflation.

p.s. it's in good condition, i have to say - gently used, polished and hugged every 3 months or so.

Sorry WelTidy - Brighton's Lanes ARE lovely to shop in, but she's in Leeds so it's too far for my purposes. Trains to Manchester only take an hour from Leeds so that might be my new plan. I'd like to turn up on her Birthday morning (Surprise!!), whisk her off for a day of lunch and shopping then home for a nice dinner out with boyfriend (or possibly leave her to celebrate with her friends if that's what they've planned - will have to co-ordinate with them) before I head home. Manchester sounds like my best bet for what I want.

If you haven't got the money for her to choose a proper Chanel bag, have you considered £1k for jewellery (some fantastic modern pieces if that's more her style - trip to Hatton garden/jewellery quarter) and then £1.5k on a great experience or trip, may be the two of you? One of my best memories is being early 20s and my mum getting some very hard to come by theatre tickets and us having an amazing time together. Can't remember stuff I was bought.

Did actually makes a really good point. Best thing my mum has ever bought me was take that tickets. We went together and I can't help but smile and feel all warm inside when I think back to that night it was so special for both of us.

Oh God, now I'm confused - that sounds like such a lovely thing to do. Argh .. need to go and eat chocolate to help me think...

Woooow, my 21st it's coming up.... Could you please adopt me?

Is not it's

It's a lovely idea. I gave DD a Mulberry bag for her 21st, not quite the same as Chanel but she loved it. Making it a wonderful day together is the best gift of all though!

A Chanel bag is certainly an investment piece, and is if looked after properly an investment.
I have lots of Chanel bags and if i sold them tomorrow i would gain significantly more than i have done in other investments recently!

If you are considering a Hermes bag i would say im afraid that you dont have enough money again at the £2500 mark. Certainly for what i would class as the main investment pieces you are looking at £5k and up.

I Would say consider Mulberry for your daughter, not as expensive and probably more wearable everyday for a younger woman.

That's a lovely idea - making a day of it. Maybe you could check out the theatre listings or spa days etc in Manchester? And still have enough for a lovely handbag. Lots of fab restaurants there too.

Have a look on the finer things Aberdeen. I went on there after another MNetter recommended it to me. They have a few Chanel bags on there. Some are brand new or hardly worn.

Okay, I will, Thanks Cellar

I love that so many of you seem to think that Leeds it out in the sticks or something.

OP, for that price you could probably take her to Paris or New York for a couple of nights. The memories would last a lot longer than the bag probably will.

When you say a one off piece what do you mean? As Chanel bags are not one offs, lots are made? Jewellery you could get designed as a one off piece. Vintage may be an option for something more one off.

'One off' as in I will probably never spend that much money on one item again in my life :D

Well in that case spend it on something sensible, like a 10% deposit on a first flat. Or driving lessons.

For a bag to retain its value and you won't get what you paid for it if you sell unlike jewellery - you need to keep it in the cupboard.