30th Birthday Present - what to get?

[Ceeje89]

Hello TPFers, I’ve got a question for you: I’ve decided I want to gift myself with my first high luxury bag for my 30th birthday this summer. I have multiple Tory Burch, Burberry, and Mulberry bags but I’m ready for the next step!

I’ve dabbled in accessories from Chanel, YSL, Hermes and others, but I’m not sure what bag to get as my first “big one.” I live 4 hours from any boutique so most research has been done online.

My HG has always been a Chanel mini or small flap, black caviar leather with gold hw, but have concerns about some of the quality issues I’ve been reading about. If I’m spending $3-$5k on a bag I want it to be perfect AND reasonably durable. I also am aware its tough to just walk in to get one of these, esp in caviar.

Maybe a YSL flap bag would be a better buy? Up to half the price for (maybe) similar quality?

Or do I go with Hermes? I’m thinking maybe a Jige. Not a big fan of the Evelyn, which limits my H leather bag options ha

Or is there another ultimate bag I’ve perhaps not considered? I’d love for some input and opinions from our knowledgeable community!

Random relevant facts: Budget is up to $5k, will be traveling to a US city with any/all brand options for this purchase, don’t have a black shoulder bag, generally like bright colors, and not a fan of logo mania (e.g LV monogram, Gucci monogram, etc) but 1 logo per bag is fine. An ideal purchase would be able to transition from casual day wear to evenings out. I attend a lot of “nice” events but few truly formal/black tie.

 

[sonicxml]

IMO Chanel mini is perfect for what you need but I don't think they released any caviar this season. Small classic flap is probably just as hard to find in the US since not many stores carry small.
Coco handle may be another option but IMO it is not as classic as classic flap.
Jige is good too if you are ok with no shoulder strap.
Good luck searching

 

[Ceeje89]

IMO Chanel mini is perfect for what you need but I don't think they released any caviar this season. Small classic flap is probably just as hard to find in the US since not many stores carry small.
Coco handle may be another option but IMO it is not as classic as classic flap.
Jige is good too if you are ok with no shoulder strap.
Good luck searching

Thank you sonicxml! If I’m being honest with myself, a Chanel mini or small is really where my heart is, but I’m a little wary of some of the quality issues I’ve heard about. Do you have a recent Chanel? Have you seen any quality issues?

 

[sonicxml]

Thank you sonicxml! If I’m being honest with myself, a Chanel mini or small is really where my heart is, but I’m a little wary of some of the quality issues I’ve heard about. Do you have a recent Chanel? Have you seen any quality issues?

I say go for it since you really love chanel mini/small flap and it does suit your needs.

I have been on the ban island for a while so no I don't have any recent chanels. I came across complaints about quality issues for almost every designer (Chanel, LV, Hermes, etc.); while many of these are true I think a lot the complaints come from either high expectations (especially considering the ridiculous price increases some of these brands have over the recent years), or a misunderstanding in terms of high quality v.s. durability (delicacy doesn't mean lower quality; for example you can't say 24k gold jewelry has 'quality issues' if it doesn't maintain its shape).

With that being said I do believe that everyone should be happy with the bag they purchase with their hard earn money, so be patient, inspect thoroughly if you get your hands on a bag, return/exchange if necessary, and do not settle. A lot of times since these bags are highly sought after, and with the frequent price increases, people will buy any bag that comes up and later regret about that loose stitch/crooked flap/etc. This is especially true for special occasion gifts as people rush to meet that 'deadline', and the bag will be of sentimental value so it is less likely for one to resale it even they are not completely happy with it. Best of luck!

 

[Ceeje89]

I say go for it since you really love chanel mini/small flap and it does suit your needs.

I have been on the ban island for a while so no I don't have any recent chanels. I came across complaints about quality issues for almost every designer (Chanel, LV, Hermes, etc.); while many of these are true I think a lot the complaints come from either high expectations (especially considering the ridiculous price increases some of these brands have over the recent years), or a misunderstanding in terms of high quality v.s. durability (delicacy doesn't mean lower quality; for example you can't say 24k gold jewelry has 'quality issues' if it doesn't maintain its shape).

With that being said I do believe that everyone should be happy with the bag they purchase with their hard earn money, so be patient, inspect thoroughly if you get your hands on a bag, return/exchange if necessary, and do not settle. A lot of times since these bags are highly sought after, and with the frequent price increases, people will buy any bag that comes up and later regret about that loose stitch/crooked flap/etc. This is especially true for special occasion gifts as people rush to meet that 'deadline', and the bag will be of sentimental value so it is less likely for one to resale it even they are not completely happy with it. Best of luck!

Great advice, very much appreciated!

 

[Amazona]

My best advice is to get the exact bag you want to get. If you don't (f.e. if you want to save a small amount of money on purchase price and find the second best alternative) you might be making an expensive error because 99% of times your original dream bag is going to haunt you for the longest time. Then you'll still have that yearning for whatever you wanted but the the money was spent on something else that didn't make you happy after all.

Another thing to consider is this; if you want caviar, do you think preloved would be an option?

Plus; as with any luxury purchase, I recommend watching a few review videos, search and investigate on tPF and, if possible, get your hands on the bag you want beforehand. Sometimes you have an image in your head and when you see and feel the bag it just doesn't feel like the bag lives up to the expectations. When you're in the store with the money in your pocket critical thinking sometimes fails to show up for the event and that might also set you up for an expensive mistake.

 

[cncm]

Agreed you should get what you really want instead of settling because you’ll probably still want it after getting the second best option. I went with the Chanel reissue for my 30th birthday present and have no regrets. That was my dream bag and I’m glad I saved up for it even though it took awhile!

 

[Ceeje89]

All good thought processes. I have considered the resale route but admittedly I haven’t handled a Chanel bag before so I’m not sure which trade off I’m willing to make: is the in-store experience or the caviar more important to me? I can’t say until I handle both leathers. Definitely wish I lived closer to a boutique but it’s probably best for my wallet that I don’t [emoji38]

And right again, a YSL, or other brand, flap bag may be beautiful and a lower price but will I still want the classic flap? Definitely. So there’s my answer on that.

 

[leechiyong]

I highly recommend going for the exact bag you want. Sure, the YSL bag may be cheaper, but you'll still probably long for the Chanel and YSL hasn't been known for durability lately either (it might be worse if you look at the volume of complaints vs number of posters). I tend to go based on worst case scenario. In the Chanel scenario, you spend the money on it and it shows signs of wear early on, but it's your HG and there's a decent chance of being able to sell it for close to what you paid. In the YSL scenario, you spend the money on it, still want the Chanel, the YSL shows signs of wear and you sell it for 1/4 what you paid and wind up forking out for the Chanel anyway.

Also, since you're worried about durability, how have your Chanel accessories held up over time? How you use it and the climate in which you live will be two of the largest variables in how long it lasts.

 

[Ceeje89]

I highly recommend going for the exact bag you want. Sure, the YSL bag may be cheaper, but you'll still probably long for the Chanel and YSL hasn't been known for durability lately either (it might be worse if you look at the volume of complaints vs number of posters). I tend to go based on worst case scenario. In the Chanel scenario, you spend the money on it and it shows signs of wear early on, but it's your HG and there's a decent chance of being able to sell it for close to what you paid. In the YSL scenario, you spend the money on it, still want the Chanel, the YSL shows signs of wear and you sell it for 1/4 what you paid and wind up forking out for the Chanel anyway.

Also, since you're worried about durability, how have your Chanel accessories held up over time? How you use it and the climate in which you live will be two of the largest variables in how long it lasts.

Excellent points. I try to be careful with my bags but I don’t necessarily fixate on keeping them pristine either. It won’t be my workhorse but I don’t want it to be closet art! All/any bags I use will show some wear so might as well get exactly the bag I want. I live in a temperate climate, with short hot and humid summers but mild spring/fall with cold winters.

TBH I’ve not had great luck with my Chanel accessories, namely the sunglasses. Pearls falling out after 1 week, design flaws causing the arms to hit/damage the lenses, etc but I am giving them 1 more go because I do love them! I have also only bought from department stores, never directly from the brand, not sure if that matters.

 

[leechiyong]

Excellent points. I try to be careful with my bags but I don’t necessarily fixate on keeping them pristine either. It won’t be my workhorse but I don’t want it to be closet art! All/any bags I use will show some wear so might as well get exactly the bag I want. I live in a temperate climate, with short hot and humid summers but mild spring/fall with cold winters.

TBH I’ve not had great luck with my Chanel accessories, namely the sunglasses. Pearls falling out after 1 week, design flaws causing the arms to hit/damage the lenses, etc but I am giving them 1 more go because I do love them! I have also only bought from department stores, never directly from the brand, not sure if that matters.

Chanel's sunglasses are manufactured by a third-party. Do you have any SLGs? If so, I'd see how those have lasted.