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Original poster

Chanel chat thread

275 replies

AprillaCourt · 19/04/2023 17:06

As some of us really enjoyed talking about Chanel on my white bag thread I thought I'd start a Chanel chat thread here 🙂

I'm a lover of all things Chanel - the history of the brand, the life of Gabrielle Chanel herself, & of course the products. It would be great to have like minded others to share our knowledge & wares with 🙂

@highfidelity
@Snowite
@schmalex

I'm nametagging you as (I think) you said you'd like a chat thread/were very much involved in my white bag thread!

If anyone hasn't seen it, Justine Picardie's book on the life & work of Gabrielle Chanel is fantastic. This is a good link to learn a little bit more: www.chanel.com/gb/fashion/news/2011/03/la-vie-de-mademoiselle-une-biographie-par-justine-picardie.html

All welcome 🙂

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Original poster
AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:30

Noeggsontoast · 20/04/2023 20:23

@MummyJ12 I have the aged calf skin ballet flats and I'd say they are a quite narrow shoe. But the leather is soft so would offer some flex.

Size wise absolutely spot on to my typical shoe size. I've had mine over 10yrs now and still look good as new. I used to wear them every day for work so have definitely been well worn (and loved)

That's amazing wear @Noeggsontoast As I said before I am very heavy footed & walk a lot so I've always assumed Chanel shoes would be even more of a disaster than a white bag for me 😉 But now I might have to re-think 🤔

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Original poster
AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:32

notanicepersonapparently · 20/04/2023 20:04

What a fab idea for a thread. There are some lovely bags on here.

I have a 2.55 in black which It’s not a terribly practical bag as I can’t fit much in it. It’s pushing it to get my purse and iPhone in never mind anything else. I got mine as a gift about 15 years ago. I know there was a bit of a wait until they came into stock and it seemed very expensive at the time. The one with the double C clasp (is that the Classic flap?) was the more popular choice then but when I saw the 2.55 in the boutique and heard the history of it I decided that was the one for me.

It's still the same @notanicepersonapparently the Classic with the interlocked CC is the most popular, but I'm exactly the same as you - once I learnt the story of the 2.55 I became a 2.55 girl 🙂

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LadyEloise1 · 20/04/2023 20:34

AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 11:54

@VooVooV Good work on the shortlist 😀

In the Mini I can comfortably get:

The purse I bought at the same time
My iPhone (think it's a 12 but I'd have to check)
Mini tin of L'Occitane Shea butter that I carry everywhere as lip balm!

I can also get my Launer key holder in if I want to.

I always keep a nail file, couple of plasters & two paracetamol in the zipped pocket for emergencies 😀

When I get chance I'll fill it & upload a photo for you if you like? 🙂

I have a small Chanel Boy bag but it fits very little.
My phone, a lipstick, a very teeny tiny flat purse and a single key.
🙄🙄🙄
Still love it though.

Original poster
AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:34

MariaRemindsMeOfAWestSideStory · 20/04/2023 20:15

Ah, Chanel. I have the most painful story to share.

My parents came to the UK in the early 1980s. My mum bought several Chanel quilted bags and one of my earliest childhood memories actually involves being in a Chanel store with the bags on display whilst my mum looked at them. Clearly as a young child I recognised what they were!

Except my mum didn’t know what Chanel was. She just thought they were pretty good quality bags. So in the mid 90s, as a family friend was heading back to their home country, she packed a huge suitcase of all her old clothes and bags to give to her sister and sisters in law, which included all of my mum’s Chanel bags.

Chanel wasn’t even known there so gradually they all disappeared (binned after being worn out a little, etc).

I look at old photos of my mum with her bags and can’t help but weep that I could have had a decent selection of vintage Chanel bags!

Oh @MariaRemindsMeOfAWestSideStory I'm feeling your pain 🤦🏼‍♀️

I bet the photos are fab. Lovely to have memories of your Mum buying the bags, even though it doesn't make up for them not being around anymore!

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MummyJ12 · 20/04/2023 20:35

Noeggsontoast · 20/04/2023 20:23

@MummyJ12 I have the aged calf skin ballet flats and I'd say they are a quite narrow shoe. But the leather is soft so would offer some flex.

Size wise absolutely spot on to my typical shoe size. I've had mine over 10yrs now and still look good as new. I used to wear them every day for work so have definitely been well worn (and loved)

I agree! My feet are too big for Chanel shoes really (the reason I’m a bag person rather than a shoe person 😆) but I have a couple of pairs in a size 42. They’re narrow and not that comfortable even though they’re made in lambskin! Apparently they do a 42.5 but I’ve never seen a pair in the boutique……

Original poster
AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:36

@LadyEloise1 I bet I'll be saying something similar about my Mini soon. "It's white, shows up every mark, it's tiny & I can't get a lot in it. It cost me far too much money. I still completely love it though." 😀

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Original poster
AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:37

@MummyJ12 I'm also a 42, so perhaps I'll be saved from more spending 😀 Though I do have very slim feet so perhaps not 😬

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MummyJ12 · 20/04/2023 20:38

AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:28

Ah you mean they don't do a single flap in 2.55 in small or above? That makes sense now 👍🏻 😀

Show quote history

😘

Martinisarebetterdirty · 20/04/2023 20:45

Thank you @Noeggsontoast I may risk it, I’ve wanted some for ages.

MummyJ12 · 20/04/2023 20:46

AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 20:37

@MummyJ12 I'm also a 42, so perhaps I'll be saved from more spending 😀 Though I do have very slim feet so perhaps not 😬

You are literally my Chanel twin! 💗x

moonspiral · 20/04/2023 20:54

MummyJ12 · 20/04/2023 17:55

Double flap….

Oh! Double flap is particularly gorgeous. The work that must go into it!

BoysBagsShoes · 20/04/2023 21:51

Oh my, I have found my people! Love, love, love this thread! I am currently toying with my first Chanel purchase, considering a black WOC as it’s practical and love a crossbody. Then thinking of a pre-loved medium double flap. I need the ‘Chanel experience’ for my first purchase but not sure I can justify the price😬 any advice/recommendations would be welcome!

Original poster
AprillaCourt · 20/04/2023 22:25

Hi @BoysBagsShoes 👋🏻

I actually did it the other way - got a preloved bag first, I was too nervous to spend X thousand so went in to the brand at a lower level. I don't actually use that bag much, in fact I'm thinking if selling it to fund another brand new purchase! But it helped me realise what I did want (a double flap rather than single, a 2.55 rather than a Classic etc)

The Chanel boutique experience is not to be missed though! Enjoy it when you do it, & report back to us 😀

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VooVooV · 20/04/2023 22:59

BoysBagsShoes · 20/04/2023 21:51

Oh my, I have found my people! Love, love, love this thread! I am currently toying with my first Chanel purchase, considering a black WOC as it’s practical and love a crossbody. Then thinking of a pre-loved medium double flap. I need the ‘Chanel experience’ for my first purchase but not sure I can justify the price😬 any advice/recommendations would be welcome!

I’m the same @BoysBagsShoes hence my shortlist! I was looking at pre-loved bags yesterday. But then I thought for not that much more, I think I’d rather buy new.
I looked at WOC on-line, but I think I need to see them in real-life.

I am loving this thread 👍🏻

Neverhappyalwayshopeful · 21/04/2023 06:28

MummyJ12 · 20/04/2023 09:31

Thanks @Ireolu My red is from the 14C collection. A good red is hard to find! Other than this one there’s are only two other good reds IMO, from collections in 2010 and 2012.

I echo this! I have the 12A red and it's such a gorgeous true red! I love your chevron mini. 😍

Neverhappyalwayshopeful · 21/04/2023 06:40

Thank you for sharing the link to this thread @AprillaCourt .

I remember when I was younger, I used to say that a Chanel classic flap was my holy grail bag and once I'd got one of those I'd be complete. 20 Chanel's and almost a decade later I say the same about Hermes- that once I've ticked off specific colours on my list, I'll be complete. 😅

Worldgonecrazy · 21/04/2023 06:48

I’ve never owned a bag but I have always loved learning about Coco Chanel and her influence on fashion. Does anyone remember her quote about men in tuxedos? I read it once but never found it again. I was the owner of a beautiful pair of brown sil ankle boots but just sold them!

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 21/04/2023 07:28

MummyJ12 · 20/04/2023 20:35

I agree! My feet are too big for Chanel shoes really (the reason I’m a bag person rather than a shoe person 😆) but I have a couple of pairs in a size 42. They’re narrow and not that comfortable even though they’re made in lambskin! Apparently they do a 42.5 but I’ve never seen a pair in the boutique……

Show quote history

I am a 38.5 and i think Ive worn my ballet pumps once. I don’t find them comfy,but reluctant to let them go as they look perfect with one of my fantasy tweed jackets.
The leather espadrilles and camelia sandals are comfy though.

Original poster
AprillaCourt · 21/04/2023 07:43

@Neverhappyalwayshopeful You're welcome 🙂

@VooVooV Glad you're enjoying it 🙂

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notanicepersonapparently · 21/04/2023 07:47

i see a few posters have mentioned favourite perfume and make up items. I thought I’d add mine to the list too. I love Gabrielle perfume and I did buy some moisturiser once just so the pot could look fab on my dressing table. I don’t think the contents claimed to do anything particularly special for my skin. I’ve had the eyeshadow quatre in the past and nail varnish too and really enjoy using them for the packaging as much as anything.

Original poster
AprillaCourt · 21/04/2023 07:49

Worldgonecrazy · 21/04/2023 06:48

I’ve never owned a bag but I have always loved learning about Coco Chanel and her influence on fashion. Does anyone remember her quote about men in tuxedos? I read it once but never found it again. I was the owner of a beautiful pair of brown sil ankle boots but just sold them!

Hi @Worldgonecrazy 👋🏻

Is that the one about how manners on a man are like an exquisite suit, they never go out of style?

Like you I find Chanel the woman quite beguiling, I think I said on my last thread that I don't imagine she was an easy woman to get on with or work for, but her charisma, talent & drive are undeniable. To think that one woman effectively invented/popularised everything from a handbag with a strap, trousers on women, nautical stripes, the little black dress - there has never been anyone who could match her. And her overarching aim was to make women comfortable as well as stylish. Fabulous 🙂

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notanicepersonapparently · 21/04/2023 08:16

I also had,many years ago, No5 Bath oil which was gorgeous. It separated into about three subtly different layers in the bottle so it looked so pretty.
On my wish list are two tone heeled pumps, but I think they had the grosgrain ribbon on the toe last I looked which put me off as it didn’t seem practical. And of course I ‘need’ a classic tweed jacket to wear casually with a pair of jeans, when I have somewhere particularly lovely to go.
Now that I’ve been on this thread I realise that a smaller bag for the evening would probably be just what I need and I will start saving up now. I hope someone will be along to recommend something.

Neverhappyalwayshopeful · 21/04/2023 09:27

notanicepersonapparently · 21/04/2023 07:47

i see a few posters have mentioned favourite perfume and make up items. I thought I’d add mine to the list too. I love Gabrielle perfume and I did buy some moisturiser once just so the pot could look fab on my dressing table. I don’t think the contents claimed to do anything particularly special for my skin. I’ve had the eyeshadow quatre in the past and nail varnish too and really enjoy using them for the packaging as much as anything.

My favourite Chanel scent is the men's aftershave Chanel bleu! I love wearing unisex perfumes and whilst this one isn't intended to be unisex, I like it!

Bluebellwood129 · 21/04/2023 09:43

I’ve had the eyeshadow quatre in the past and nail varnish too and really enjoy using them for the packaging as much as anything.

This season's limited edition range is sublime. I couldn't resist treating myself to everything.

Original poster
AprillaCourt · 21/04/2023 10:18

All this make-up chat is inspiring me to finally get on with wearing some at age 47 😀

I need to explore Chanel scents more too. I'm sure Gabrielle said that a woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future 🤨🤔😀

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