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Megs · Jun 22nd, 2009, 11:56 PM

In all honesty, the Chloe Paddington is probably why I’m here today. It was the first designer handbag to totally capture my attention when I started to become interested in bags circa 2005, and although I never had the funds to buy one back then, I searched eBay daily, hoping for a good deal on my elusive cream-colored Paddy. And I wasn’t the only one that caught the Paddington fever - fashion magazines dubbed it the fastest-selling bag in history and our Purse Forum, then in its infancy, talked non-stop of ways to acquire one.
And now, approximately four years later, I saw a Paddington on Nordstrom’s website today and it got me thinking - how does the purse world feel about this historic handbag a few years down the road from its peak popularity?

When I look at it, I feel mostly nostalgia - it reminds me of the period in fashion where an It-Bag was the most important thing in the world and waitlists were a mile long for almost anything worth buying. Bags are certainly more available now in general and the Paddington, once impossible to find, is now fairly common. Does the bag stand the test of time? I think so, although looking back, I like some of the other variations better than the original (the ginormous Paddington Tote comes to mind). The big lock is still really cool, the colors and the leather that they use are still great, and the bag is still fairly functional, if notoriously weighty. And even if you’re not a fan, or just not a fan anymore, you’ve still got to admit that it holds a fairly unique place in modern handbag history. The biggest difference between the Paddington of yore and that of today, though? The price.Buy through Nordstrom for $1875.

Post by Amanda

sammydoll · Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:23 AM

didn't like it then, don't like it now. the lock is just a bit too literal for my taste.. never seemed particularly special or interesting to me.

daisyrockyrosie · Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:42 AM

Mischa Barton was the sole reason I didn't like the paddington in it's peak of popularity... I am a huge chloe fanatic now - and must admit - I love the look of the paddington in most of it's variations and colors. I have owned several and currently own 2...

I think the style of the paddington is instantly recognisable, and was a really great boost to bring the Chloe label back into the spotlight.

I love the paddington - and am still on the quest to finding the perfect one!

lorihmatthews · Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:45 AM

I always liked the Paddington, but it was too heavy for me to carry, especially with the lock. Otherwise I'm sure I would have had more interest in owning one.

Compass Rose · Jun 23rd, 2009, 05:23 AM

That lock. That heavy, heavy lock. I still can't feel the love.

ashtray-girl · Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:33 AM

loved the paddington back than and now but the real reason I never owned one is that they are just too heavy for me.

gacats · Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:53 AM

The weight of it is too much, I never could get interested in that bag.

brigitte0810 · Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:33 AM

Still love the paddington, and I don't mind the weight....

qwerty234 · Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:51 AM

The paddington is the first designer bag I ever fell in love with and just had to have, and the very reason I joined up at TPF was to get paddington bags authenticated!

Although I didn't get the paddington until 2007, it's still my first and favourite designer bag.. I don't mind the weight too much, I think I've gotten used to it!

iLuvBagsnChocs · Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:55 AM

I absolutely love the paddington, I prefer the baby paddington over the regular as they're just so cute, infact I've bought my third one this morning in the sales! To me the paddy is a classic, I've liked them for years & have bought other designer bags but theres just something that keeps drawing me back to them.

i_wona · Jun 23rd, 2009, 08:30 AM

I'm the same - I'm here because of the paddington. I look back on it fondly now, and I still feel a swift weakness whenever I see a really good 2005 leather specimen. I have a few sitting in my closet still; every time I take them out to sell them, I get all cold-footed and put them back in again!

On a side note, I think the newer paddingtons have had a lot to do with lost love for the paddy...

sianii11 · Jun 23rd, 2009, 09:50 AM

^^Absolutely - the Paddington is so overproduced now that it's lost its appeal somewhat. I'm a Paddy fan, i've been through about 12 and still got a few - mostly 05 because of the leather. The weight has never bothered me since i'm used to carrying weighty bags but actually, i sometimes find myself a bit embarrassed by the lock. If i lived somewhere where people cared about bags it wouldn't be so bad but to be asked constantly "Why does it have that enormous lock?" - well it gets a bit old! So much so that i now just take the lock off completely - which really defeats the purpose of the bag, no?!

They'll always be iconic imo, but they should have stopped producing them after the first couple of years to keep the love for them alive - some of the new style/colour variations are just plain horrible.... :-)

ssc0619 · Jun 23rd, 2009, 10:03 AM

I was one of those people chasing after that bag when it first came out. Everyone wanted it and it was no where to be found. I finally got one and was in heaven. I couldn't believe my luck!

It turned out to be my first case of buying a bag and never using it! When I discovered how heavy it was, even empty, I couldn't carry it. But, I couldn't get rid of it because I had worked so hard for it! It is only this year I finally decided enough is enough and I let it go!

There is something about the look that still calls to me. Any time that I'm in a store that has a Paddington I go over, pick it up and look at it!

Juda · Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:50 PM

IMHO, the Paddington did a revolution in the handbag industry, its impact cannot be ignored.
I didn't like it back then because it was very popular and every woman was carrying one, I got tired seeing it everywhere.
It is a beautiful and iconic handbag but I don't think it is timeless or classic.

dragonette · Jun 23rd, 2009, 01:16 PM

absolutely LOVE paddingtons! and because of that, i deal with the weight. the weight doesn't bother me that much because i'm used to carrying heavy leather bags.

i don't think i will get over them anytime soon - they're definitely here to stay in my life... and i will expand the collection in different colours!

Jun 22nd, 2009, 11:56 PM	#1
Megs OP Administrator Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 26,685	Do we still have love for the Chloe Paddington? In all honesty, the Chloe Paddington is probably why I’m here today. It was the first designer handbag to totally capture my attention when I started to become interested in bags circa 2005, and although I never had the funds to buy one back then, I searched eBay daily, hoping for a good deal on my elusive cream-colored Paddy. And I wasn’t the only one that caught the Paddington fever - fashion magazines dubbed it the fastest-selling bag in history and our Purse Forum, then in its infancy, talked non-stop of ways to acquire one. And now, approximately four years later, I saw a Paddington on Nordstrom’s website today and it got me thinking - how does the purse world feel about this historic handbag a few years down the road from its peak popularity? When I look at it, I feel mostly nostalgia - it reminds me of the period in fashion where an It-Bag was the most important thing in the world and waitlists were a mile long for almost anything worth buying. Bags are certainly more available now in general and the Paddington, once impossible to find, is now fairly common. Does the bag stand the test of time? I think so, although looking back, I like some of the other variations better than the original (the ginormous Paddington Tote comes to mind). The big lock is still really cool, the colors and the leather that they use are still great, and the bag is still fairly functional, if notoriously weighty. And even if you’re not a fan, or just not a fan anymore, you’ve still got to admit that it holds a fairly unique place in modern handbag history. The biggest difference between the Paddington of yore and that of today, though? The price.Buy through Nordstrom for $1875. Post by Amanda
Megs OP Administrator Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 26,685	__________________

Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:23 AM	#2
sammydoll i'm a.. Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 2,735	didn't like it then, don't like it now. the lock is just a bit too literal for my taste.. never seemed particularly special or interesting to me.
	__________________ !visit my fashion blog! http://dollhousechic.blogspot.com Everything is an acquired taste

Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:42 AM	#3
daisyrockyrosie Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,233	Mischa Barton was the sole reason I didn't like the paddington in it's peak of popularity... I am a huge chloe fanatic now - and must admit - I love the look of the paddington in most of it's variations and colors. I have owned several and currently own 2... I think the style of the paddington is instantly recognisable, and was a really great boost to bring the Chloe label back into the spotlight. I love the paddington - and am still on the quest to finding the perfect one!
daisyrockyrosie Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,233	__________________

Jun 23rd, 2009, 05:23 AM	#5
Compass Rose Opie, My Schmopie!! Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 8,573	That lock. That heavy, heavy lock. I still can't feel the love.
	__________________ Teddie says......"They'll never find me in here"! My jewelry creations at: www.greenfeatherdesigns.com

Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:33 AM	#6
ashtray-girl Member Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 344	loved the paddington back than and now but the real reason I never owned one is that they are just too heavy for me.
	__________________ monika My humble collection: Vuitton Lock it Horizontal Vuitton Galliera pm Vuitton monogram Speedy 35 Balenciaga City 05Rouge Theatre YSL Muse I in a very dark brown(almost black) Miu Miu St. Cocco and lots of vintage 1950 - 1970 evening bags and clutches by Vuitton, Bottega Veneta(metallic pink), Dior and Fendi. . . Holy Grails: Electric Blue Giant Brief or Vert Gazon GGH Work

Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:45 AM	#4
lorihmatthews Fall is here! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 10,887	I always liked the Paddington, but it was too heavy for me to carry, especially with the lock. Otherwise I'm sure I would have had more interest in owning one.

Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:53 AM	#7
gacats love me some bags! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 7,008	The weight of it is too much, I never could get interested in that bag.
	__________________ GaCats Proud Navy Mom 2010 Wishlist: 1 Chanel bag - still thinking LV Damier Neverfull I'm editing, folks!

Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:33 AM	#8
brigitte0810 Member Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 3,812	Still love the paddington, and I don't mind the weight....

Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:51 AM	#9
qwerty234 aka. Mica Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 3,536	The paddington is the first designer bag I ever fell in love with and just had to have, and the very reason I joined up at TPF was to get paddington bags authenticated! Although I didn't get the paddington until 2007, it's still my first and favourite designer bag.. I don't mind the weight too much, I think I've gotten used to it!
	__________________ Mica is on a ban with her bag ban buddy!! Last bag purchase: 26th October 2009 No more until 2010! Current record to beat - 3 and a half months without buying a bag My Wedding Pics on TPF

Jun 23rd, 2009, 07:55 AM	#10
iLuvBagsnChocs Member Joined: Feb 2009 Location: East Sussex UK Posts: 225	I absolutely love the paddington, I prefer the baby paddington over the regular as they're just so cute, infact I've bought my third one this morning in the sales! To me the paddy is a classic, I've liked them for years & have bought other designer bags but theres just something that keeps drawing me back to them.
	__________________ My Bags Mulberry Ledbury - Oak, Mulberry Roxanne - Lipstick, Chloe Baby Paddingtons - 07 Gallet, - 09 Brown/Chocolate? - 09 Ink Blue, Jimmy Choo Riki - Patent Bordeaux, Mulberry creased leather wallet - Lipstick, Various Mulberry n Chloe keyrings My Wishlist Mulberry Bayswater - Chocolate or Rouge Noir,, Mulberry small Alexa? - Oak? Mulberry Oak Bayswater pumps, Balenciaga twiggy - tempete/storm,

Jun 23rd, 2009, 08:30 AM	#11
i_wona like two plums Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 6,783	I'm the same - I'm here because of the paddington. I look back on it fondly now, and I still feel a swift weakness whenever I see a really good 2005 leather specimen. I have a few sitting in my closet still; every time I take them out to sell them, I get all cold-footed and put them back in again! On a side note, I think the newer paddingtons have had a lot to do with lost love for the paddy...
	__________________ boo... on a ban until the house is done

Jun 23rd, 2009, 09:50 AM	#12
sianii11 Member Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Buckinghamshire Posts: 1,969	^^Absolutely - the Paddington is so overproduced now that it's lost its appeal somewhat. I'm a Paddy fan, i've been through about 12 and still got a few - mostly 05 because of the leather. The weight has never bothered me since i'm used to carrying weighty bags but actually, i sometimes find myself a bit embarrassed by the lock. If i lived somewhere where people cared about bags it wouldn't be so bad but to be asked constantly "Why does it have that enormous lock?" - well it gets a bit old! So much so that i now just take the lock off completely - which really defeats the purpose of the bag, no?! They'll always be iconic imo, but they should have stopped producing them after the first couple of years to keep the love for them alive - some of the new style/colour variations are just plain horrible.... :-)
	__________________ Looking to complete my RAINBOW of colours! Dreaming of Vert Gazon...or another green bag... Check out my collection as of 22/07/09: Sianii11's rainbow of bags - still searching for the pot of gold... :-)

Jun 23rd, 2009, 10:03 AM	#13
ssc0619 Don't Tell Ricky!!!! Joined: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 5,564	I was one of those people chasing after that bag when it first came out. Everyone wanted it and it was no where to be found. I finally got one and was in heaven. I couldn't believe my luck! It turned out to be my first case of buying a bag and never using it! When I discovered how heavy it was, even empty, I couldn't carry it. But, I couldn't get rid of it because I had worked so hard for it! It is only this year I finally decided enough is enough and I let it go! There is something about the look that still calls to me. Any time that I'm in a store that has a Paddington I go over, pick it up and look at it!

Jun 23rd, 2009, 12:50 PM	#14
Juda Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 876	IMHO, the Paddington did a revolution in the handbag industry, its impact cannot be ignored. I didn't like it back then because it was very popular and every woman was carrying one, I got tired seeing it everywhere. It is a beautiful and iconic handbag but I don't think it is timeless or classic.
Juda Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 876

Jun 23rd, 2009, 01:16 PM	#15
dragonette spideymommy Joined: May 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,093	absolutely LOVE paddingtons! and because of that, i deal with the weight. the weight doesn't bother me that much because i'm used to carrying heavy leather bags. i don't think i will get over them anytime soon - they're definitely here to stay in my life... and i will expand the collection in different colours!
	__________________ j e s s i c a - v a l my spideykids my coach & chloe! completed! http://drag0nette.livejournal.com

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