I loved this, found it so helpful. It features the same beautiful quilted leather and logo but its not always visible, for those of us where the very visible purse may not be ideal. As I mentioned above, I really wasnt sure about the maxi or the jumbo but theyve really grown on me. It even came out unscathed from a recent trip and fall on Bostons cobblestones AND a time I hit a cab with it after the cab nearly ran me over, ha! They package the shipment very well and offer free delivery. Its such a good resource! It really just fits my essentials wallet, phone, lipstick, business cards. 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). We were joking around (completely joking, LOL) that Chanel is a better investment than most stocks! Thanks for this post! So it may well show up in stock when someone checks but that doesnt mean its available as it could have sold and hour ago. Thank you for sharing! I bought my 2.55 on a trip to Paris with my mom. Im really considering buying my first Chanel bag. I love it.i have other Chanel bags but this is my first brand new one. Its actually the mens one which is a little bit less dainty than the womens one. I just bought my first luxury bag (a LV never full) on a trip to Paris and couldnt be happier about it. I couldnt agree more with the idea that you should enjoy the luxury. I finally understand Chanel is a category of luxury on its own. The data polls after the stores shut to a centralised database and refreshes overnight. Through your opinion it was very helpful so thank you so much . Im a classic type and i love the timeless thing and infact, i use my 2 loved bags all days. And what a cool tradition!!! Love the post. I always wonder how a channel bag would turn out after years. Hi Alana, Keep buying your bags I live through you maybe one day I can afford one or hell just be in a room with one,it will be like meeting Mr Obama I would go crazy keep posting!!! At 62 my husband bought me the larger then life black caviar. The app has not been updated to coincide with the new Metiers dArt collection so we can browse the products and often times (VERY OFTEN) the videos do not load! I wish I had better advice! Thank you so much! 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. Im deciding to buy my first Chanel classic black flap bag on my own. Id saved for months and have used it every day since so I feel pretty good about my cost per wear already. Explore the CHANEL universe through fashion news, the latests shows, products and collections.Enter the world of the House with the CHANEL Fashion App.- Step behind-the-scenes of CHANELs creation with videos, photos and latest news- Unlock the savoir-faire of the House in the Haute Couture, Mtiers dart and Ready-to-Wear collections- Explore a detailed view of looks, bags, small leather goods, shoes and more- Save your favourite Ready-to-Wear looks and accessories into wishlists- Try on sunglasses from the latest collections- Get notified about upcoming shows and events- Be informed about the arrival of collections in boutiques The CHANEL Fashion app is updated regularly.Download the latest version to discover its new improvements and functionalities. Love the maxi tan, Ive never seen it before! Would love to see a follow-up guide on how to make luxury purchases on sites like The RealReal, etc. Any help would be great :). It took about 2 months, and that was pre-covid. , Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog Grace, I love this post! Having said that, now we are still in pandemic if not the whole world, at least half still are in, the stocks for their handbags are so so low even the classic one have to wait. It wont be new and it was discontinued in 2013 but I do like the look. Miki x. Maybe I should have gone for classic but I feel everyone has classic so my purchase is more special and unique for me. the salesperson was SO nice and I TOTALLY agree if they are not extremely extremely nice to you move on they should not be judging you! Now, I absolutely love it! Any suggestions? They will most likely be really excited to help you out and share their expertise. I have been on the hunt for a square faced watch, I looked through the post but couldnt find that item tagged-do you mind sharing details on that watch? Thanks. But Im definitely not opposed to buying new! But recently, it feels as if no one had been paying attention to the app. This is my newest addition to the fam and quite possibly my favorite next to the classic black flap. No I have never used Tradesy, and I do not insure my bags! This was a fantastic post; thank you so much for your help. My daughter is thrilled. Thanks for the thoughtful post on this. Thanks, Brittany! every time I look at it it brings me a little smile thinking about our vacation! Starting to think the big 3-0 will be when I purchase for myself! The CS inventory may show something as "in stock" and the store may have it on reserve for a customer. Looking forward to more helpful articles like this on your site. Is there really a rumor about another price increase in November?? So if I get married, have a kid, etc. Are the bags heavy? Being nice goes a long way. The price increase helped justify some of my purchases because I could now sell my classic flap for almost what I paid for it 6 years ago. 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! I suspect that people who buy the fake bags buy them to impress others whereas those who buy the authentic bags from Chanel and Herms buy them for the sheer joy of owning such beautifully crafted bags. Yeah I thought about waiting until my next paris conference trip but it might not be for a while due to Covid travel restrictions.sigh. 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. I have experienced this during the first 2-3 weeks of a new collection launch. Im making a trip to Dallas in 2 weeks, and XO. If you have any insight on this, let me know. The campaign pictures for the Paris-Hamburg collection dont load and are blank screens. Im 35 and thinking of buying my first Chanel piece. An insightful post would be great!. Sounds like you did everything right leading up to this moment. I think your early/mid thirties are the best time to treat yourself to something like this. They usually do a price increase in January or the first week of February. Great story Grace.. Started as a hobby with 2 small kids at home and became more of a business while I was pregnant with #3. Kara | Politics of Pretty I dont work so Im often in jeans or work out clothes but as long as I have my bags I feel that redeems my otherwise dressed down look. Is it best to buy it in Europe or buy it in the States? I love 3 hours from my closest Chanel and have never tried any on. I found one that is a Mauve color (kinda pink kinda beige) and it is a large one in Caviar with the Ruthenium hardware (my favorite kind). I can read simple posts on how to buy a Chanel (flap vs boy etc) but what I really want to know is Is it worth having those kinds of purses? I read your article and thank you so much it was good advice. Adore your collection, your honesty, and you! for secondhand bags and I can usually find the bag I want. xx Its nice to read your thought process behind buying your lovely Chanel bags. I would definitely use it everyday, but is it worth it? Hi, love this post but I was also wondering based on your experience the 2009-2010 Petite Shopping Tote is worth buying now? LearnMore, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese. Depending on where Im going I dont carry them as often as the Chanels because I like to have my hands free and you must carry a Birkin in your hand or on your forearm. I finally bit the bullet and sold it and decided Id buy myself something else (was originally thinking Id get the gold nail bracelet) but then I saw the bag. Buy the bags. Love that it became a tradition) For the next 2.5 years I will continue to save for the bag while debating navy to match the wallet or black to go with everything?! This was my email! Im a little older for a first, almost 33. I was 33 and so excited! Im looking to buy my first Chanel bag, but I have 3 others that I received as gifts. I am still debating on the hardware. Im on the hunt for a boy bag now. There isnt a ton of extra room but I love the size its neither too big nor too small and encourages me to regularly clean out my bag! And yes!!!! I am 6ft tall so I tend to want larger bags. I am searching on google for new design leather and i get your blog. Very helpful post! I love your review! Written by Grace Atwood, The Stripe aims to leave you feeling like you just had coffee with a great girlfriend: savvier, more confident, and always learning something new. Every little bit helps Also, Im curious to know how much can fit your black classic flap? The latest seasons mini flap bag with top handle is a must purchase and suits your style perfectly! And how crazy is it the way the prices increase!? Love this post! CK. And a lot of people feel that way about Givenchy + Celine (or Fendi and Gucci for that matter!). 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. was a BIG mistake. I feel if you can afford it get it you only live once,life isnt a dress rehearsal, Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you actually recognise what youre speaking about! They even indulged my friend and I in a photo shoot in front of the pearl installation. (If you do, let us know what you get!) So it shows up as available when actually it isnt at all. until I turned 33. Well everyone not anymore. If the SA reserves an item then theyre meant to register it on the system as Reserved but they dont always do this and may just be holding an item anyway for a client. I bought my Givenchy Antigona in oxblood around age 32 my first big girl bag. I really dont know! Did the NM offer to check other locations etc? Id hold out for the caviar it holds up so much better! I currently have a black Ruthenium Medium Boy Bag sitting in a dust bag in my drawer because I just dont want to mess it up. After getting debt-free, building an ER fund, and 401King like crazy, it was finally time for my first vintage classic flap in my thirties and its a pretty liberating feeling. is this normal? I bought my Givenchy on a whim wearing spin clothes (well on a whim after thinking about it for years). It was really easy to get the VAT back. Hi Grace just wanted to be clear, your classic black is th medium size? Love the post! One of my favorite memories from my trip was when I showed my bag to French customs to get a tax refund slip, the customs agent literally said oh la la! I bought my first Chanel in the late 80s.. Its a black caviar tote. When I compare pictures of both I cant seem to tell the difference. gold or silver? Warm wishes, Amy. I know its not the same thing, but I bought myself a classic Burberry trench for my 30 birthday. I carry my other ones every day. Btw have u ever tried for a birkin in Paris? My lambskin mini was not my smartest purchase, as its gotten quite dirty and the leather shows more scratches. So gorgeous and timeless!! I love your advice and defiantly your bags. Excellent article. I was so nervous to spend all the money but its turned out to be so worth it. Such a great post, lady! You have to get in touch with a sales associate in store and have him/her put you down onto the waitlist. I was recently given a vintage Chanel and cant find the same one on line. I dont buy them to impress others. The Givenchy at first I didnt wear very much at all only on special occasions, now I will wear it for a week or two, then put it away for a bit and repeat the cycle it makes it still feel special and will hopefully increase its life it is so sturdy that it looks brand new after a few years. Thanks for your inputs! Such an informative post, especially about the in-store aspect of shopping. The salespeople were incredibly kind and helpful, they walked me through everything from how to store the bag to filling out official ownership paperwork.