Thank you all very much for your input. You've raised very important points I need to consider. I LOVE the look of the jumbo and like that the CC looks a bit more discreet than GST. Functionally, I'm just so used to a tote. Decisions decisions. I've been mulling over this for quite some time now. My bday is later this week and will be visiting a Saks and NM chanel boutique to try them on. I am so excited!!!! Will keep u posted.
Thanks ladies!!!
Hi there and welcome!
Honestly, I think the answer lies within your question. It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself to get a flap, because it is, quintessentially, "the" legendary, iconic Chanel style to get, but you're not a flap girl by nature. You love the look, as do I, but you're not a flap girl.
Get the bag you'll actually use. Get the GST. You're a tote girl. The GST is an awesome bag, and you'll use it all the time. It'll be more convenient for your lifestyle, from the sound of it, and the flap -- well, you'll probably end up admiring it in your closet, but you won't get enough use out of it, and end up saving it for "special occasions" or those brief moments when the flap won't drive you nuts.
I have a PST (Petite), and I adore it. And I have a woc, which I also adore. Those are the only 2 Chanels I'll probably own anytime in the near-to-distant future. I'm thrilled with both of them.
Welcome to the world of Chanel. It's addictive, exciting, gorgeous, and...expensive! lol.
Tell us what you decide!!! And make sure to do a reveal!
Thank you all very much for your input. You've raised very important points I need to consider. I LOVE the look of the jumbo and like that the CC looks a bit more discreet than GST. Functionally, I'm just so used to a tote. Decisions decisions. I've been mulling over this for quite some time now. My bday is later this week and will be visiting a Saks and NM chanel boutique to try them on. I am so excited!!!! Will keep u posted.
Thanks ladies!!!
Hello folks. Brief background: I was bitten by the high end designer bag bug in 2011, it all started with LV, then Prada followed by balenciaga. Now, chanel is calling my name (lol). I am about to make my first ever Chanel purchase and for the life of me, cannot decide on whether I should get the jumbo or GST. I know I want it in caviar leather. Here are my thoughts:
Jumbo: it's a classic, if I'm only going to own 1 chanel, I think this is it, it looks nicer to me (more lady like, KWIM?) and I can wear it casual or more formal. BUT, I'm not a flap girl, I'm a busy working mom and I do not own a single flap for this reason, although I must admit, I love the way they look. I don't know why I think this way, for those flap girls here, can you help convince me that going in and out of a flap isn't inconvenient?
GST: its convenient bec of the pockets, I can use it more of an everyday bag, I'm used to totes. It can hold more. And call me crazy, if I get this bag, I can rationalize me getting a WOC also bec of the price difference (2 Chanels for the price of 1, lol). But a part of me says, I have so many other totes already! LV neverfull mm and gm, cabas mezzo marylebone gm, prada tote.
Lovely ladies and gents of tPF, please help and enable a fellow tPFr make her first chanel purchase! Thank you all.
Okay, I'm going to take the stance to help you (enable) to see the virtues of the classic flap. I have many flap bags (as well as totes), and because I don't snap the inner button, it's really not that hard to just open a clasp (the turnlock CC or mademoiselle) and reach in for what I want. There are also many little pockets that you can use, from the outside one on the back (perfect for a phone, and easier to get to than any pocket inside a tote), to the inside one(s) in the bag itself. Then you have the front one that runs the length of the bag, as well as the one behind the inside of the bag that also is the length of the bag. Then you have the little zipped one on the inside flap to slip small things into. So you end up with an organized bag with a place for everything.
With a tote, and especially the GST which is open on top, think of having to hit the brakes and your bag falling onto the floor, and all of the contents save for those in the zippered pocket falling out on the floor. That's one part of open totes that has driven me bats since I first used one. I much prefer one that closes better, such as a full zipped top or some other way to prevent everything falling out. Then there is the jumble of things that ends up in a tote bag. Yes, the GST has 3 compartments, but as two of them don't have pockets, you end up with that pile in a big space. Additionally, you already have scads of totes; do you really need another one? Perhaps it's time to buy something else that you might get some use from.
The decision really comes down to you, what you see that you love, and what you will use. I have both the GST and flap bags, and I've used my GST once. I think that says a lot for what my needs and usage are, but you need to look at yours. I've just done a little explaining to help you see that you can carry more than you think (and organized) in a flap that's not hard to get in and out of.
I'm usually on this LV part of the forum, but i've been looking into buying my first Chanel bag for a while now. (IMO the quality of LV has gone down, while the prices keep rising rapidly..not worth it) Also, i've been looking for a leather bag for a while since all of my purses are canvas.
I know questions like these get asked all the time, but I just wanted some opinions from you all.
I am 19, 5'1" and about 114 pounds. At first I wanted the GST in black with SHW but my parents told me it looked like an old lady bag so I showed them the Jumbo flap and they liked that one a lot better. I still love both of them, but of course both is not in my price range
The only reason I am a little more inclined towards getting the GST is because the price is a little less painful, and the bag seems to be a little more useful for my life ( I carry a lot of stuff in my bag.)
Thanks very much, sorry to bother you with this long post!