Chanel handbags

[RockaLock]

If you have a Chanel handbag, how often do you use it?

Do you use it most days, or do you save it for "best" / nice days or evenings out?

And are you ever worried about being mugged for it when you do use it?!

I almost bought one last week, but chickened out at the last minute - went in thinking of getting a wallet on chain, and came out considering a classic instead but unsure as to whether I'd use it enough to justify the cost(!)

Lovely choice OP. I absolutely have bag envy

Not keen on the classics or WOCs (too small) but LOVE my boy bag (the so black version) and wear it as much as possible. Couldn’t care less if people think it’s fake. If I buy another it would probably be the reissue.

Congratulations @RockaLock on your new bag.
I thought the WOC was too small for my needs. I went for a Boy in the same leather as yours because I mix it up - wearing it for "good" and just out and about. It's more hard wearing.
I am wary in case I get mugged and in "dodgier" places I wear it with the CC facing inwards.

I have a boy too @LadyEloise1! I bought mine in blue for the purpose of it going with jeans - I use it all the time and love it.

Beautiful!! It’s on my list (for the distant future).

The one issue I have is that it's very rigid and a tad too small for my needs. Phone, lippy, tiny purse etc

@RockaLock what size did you go for ?
It looks fab.

@wetjumpsuits** what colour hardware is your blue bag?

I think it’s good to be wary re mugging etc… I got mugged after being followed off a train in Croydon at about 6pm years back. The people that mugged me got on the train with me a few stops earlier and were nudging each other about my Chanel bag and were making comments etc. I felt uneasy but the train was packed and it was busy etc. But as I got off the train and walked along (another main road) I felt them behind me and they suddenly grabbed my bag and ran off with it. Luckily I had a sort of sixth sense they might do that so I’d sneakily hid my mobile and purse in my coat pockets a while before I got off the train. I’m now extremely cautious about having nice things etc which is sad (shortly after that happened I actually moved to Norfolk because I felt so upset and the crime levels in Croydon etc were worrying me).

Oh gosh, bagel, that's awful, I'm so sorry that happened to you. Mind you, people will probably look at me and assume it's fake I'm not planning on wearing it into the centre of Croydon - I try to avoid going in Croydon ever anyway (I live in the borough of Croydon, but not the town itself).

It's the small classic flap. I was going to get the medium, but would have had to wait a bit longer until they had one. It's only a fraction smaller anyway, and with the money I saved I may have bought a card holder as well...

The thinking is to use it for nights/ days out, the sort where I wouldn't have to carry much other than phone, cardholder, keys.

I loved the look and feel of the lambskin, but the salesperson talked me out of it, so I went for the calfskin instead. Which is probably for the best given the state of some of my other bags.

Poor calf

I've been eyeing Chanel bags for a long time but am struggling with balancing practicality with looks. Are any of the Chanel shoulder bags big enough for an ipad?

That is a beautiful bag op and I am insanely jealous. Enjoy it and use it often!

@TheOpenRoad I'm sorry, I don't know very much about Chanel bags really. Certainly none of the classic bags i was looking at would fit an iPad, although I think they do do a bigger size that I didn't look at. They aren't very roomy inside, though, really.

They do other styles that might work - hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along and be able to advise!

Nice bag OP. The small is a very popular size. You chose well. Enjoy your new bag!

Congrats OP. I have a medium classic, and use it about 3 times a year. I live in C London, and haven’t really worried about being mugged. I thought about taking it out today, but felt uncomfortable having it on display given that so many are struggling financially. It is, unfoundedly, a beautiful bag but I don’t think mine will get much use any time soon.

My classic black buttery soft lambskin flap was £2100. It’s a large. They are now £7000! Mine goes to Ascot and to posh restaurants. It never goes on public transport. It lives in its box wrapped in tissue. I keep it stuffed with tissue and don’t put anything heavy in it. It’s been quite a good investment!

@RockaLock

I've finally done it! And it's beautiful.

Thank you for all the helpful comments and for totally enabling me to take the plunge

Your bag is beautiful! Can I ask where you bought it and was the process straightforward? Hearing so many stories about how the SAs make people jump through hoops and I was wondering whether to buy it new or preloved (I’d prefer new as long as it wasn’t too complicated a process). I don’t have other high end bags/clothes and no “history” with Chanel so feeling a bit nervous about walking into a store.

Hello @5329871e

It was my first Chanel buying experience too

The first visit to the store (Bond St), we sat and waited about 45 mins before someone was free. DH was not impressed! (they log everyone coming in and work down the list).

The Sales Assistant was great, took loads of time with us, showed me lots of different bags. I wasn't quite sure which one to go for then, but the SA gave me his WhatsApp and said just text him when I knew. He was very good on giving me info about how long it might take different styles/sizes/finishes to come into stock and had lots of advice on finishes etc.

A couple of weeks later, I texted to say I'd made a decision, and he was straight on the message and replying and checking stock. I was a bit lucky that the one I wanted, they had in stock, so he saved it for me and I arranged with him to come in later that week.

This time, when I turned up at the store, I said I was here to see the SA and that there was a bag ready for me to pick up. She bumped me straight to the top of the queue and I was seen about 5 mins later. Tried the bag on again, said "yes please!" and that was that! Worth noting that you do need to show ID if you are spending over a certain amount, I think £4k.

So I would say, the initial visit is a bit like hard work, and be prepared for the bag you want not to be available. But after that, it all seemed very straightforward. I don't know if I was lucky with the SA, though! - he was great, and very very helpful.

Don't be nervous about walking into the store - I was a bit, because I am by no means super rich/confident/stylish, but it was actually a really nice experience

Thanks for posting that @RockaLock - what a lovely experience! Congratulations again. Hope you enjoy using the bag :)

I have one - my ExH bought it for me on our honeymoon in Italy. I use it occasionally but it's small so only used as an evening bag,

I use my 2.55 daily as it's made of quite hardy leather and it's black so nice for work. I've had it ten years now and it's worth more than I paid for it.
I also have a purple boy but it's quite bright and also more showy with the CC logo so I don't wear that as often. Love it when I do though!