Chanel Classic Flap quality

[natalie2022]

Hi everyone! I need your advice. I'm considering buying a Chanel Classic Flap bag, but I’ve seen many YouTube videos where bloggers say that the quality of Chanel flap bags is poor. I also had a vintage Chanel bag from the 1980s, and it wore out very quickly. Today, the bag costs €9,900 small size and €10,300 medium size in Europe, which is a significant amount of money. Can a bag that costs this much really be of poor quality? I’m also debating which leather to choose – lambskin or caviar? And is it really worth buying Chanel classic flap bag today?

 

[Christofle]

Hi everyone! I need your advice. I'm considering buying a Chanel Classic Flap bag, but I’ve seen many YouTube videos where bloggers say that the quality of Chanel flap bags is poor. I also had a vintage Chanel bag from the 1980s, and it wore out very quickly. Today, the bag costs €9,900 small size and €10,300 medium size in Europe, which is a significant amount of money. Can a bag that costs this much really be of poor quality? I’m also debating which leather to choose – lambskin or caviar? And is it really worth buying Chanel classic flap bag today?

I think the issue is that expectations balloon when prices balloon.

It’s a very personal decision and if you are in love with a seasonal edition (colour / leather / fabric) then buying new is really the best option.

They aren’t poor quality by any stretch of the imagination however they don’t use any of the artisanal construction techniques that I would expect from bags at this price point. (But they never did so the point is moot when comparing vintage vs current)

Lambskin is softer and feels more luxurious than caviar. It is also tougher than most people give it credit… The best thing to do would be to go to your local store and see if anything excites you!

 

[Swanky]

I’ve never had a quality issue and I’ve been buying Chanel for about 20 years. I have had probably about 20 or so bags.
I prefer lamb or smooth calf when available.

Nothings perfect, have a look over the bag before purchase.
If you look hard enough, you’ll likely find something wrong with anything!

 

[880]

Agree 💯 with @Christofle (re adjusting expectations) and @Swanky re consistent quality.

My first two Chanels were from my mom around 1990. One was a mini bag attached to a belt with a defective clasp. (Chanel tried to fix it multiple times and finally changed the lobsterclasp hardware. The leather components were soft sided and normal. If they were examined today with the same level of scrutiny (magnified 10X and stitches and quilts counted, they would have failed). The belt bag was always lopsided from the moment my mom purchased but we didn’t care bc it was a soft sided bag.

I started buying Chanel RTW and bags myself in 2001. I didn’t have any problems, and I preferred lamb skin and seasonal bags. I’m not a fan of caviar leather, which is a minority viewpoint on TPF. When the prices started rising, I switched to Hermes, but my last boutique bag was an so black chevron mini reissue in 2021 or 2022. There is no real difference or diminution in quality. But, I don’t expect a Chanel bag which is generally machine and factory produced lasting as long as a Hermes bag, some of which are manufactured by a single artisan.

I also think that people remember older bags as lasting longer perhaps bc they saved these bags for special occasions. Unlike today, where someone might use a CF daily and load it up. That will cause more and faster wear and tear. Personally, I just don’t want to pay today’s prices for a CF, and I don’t think that they are worth it in terms of my cost per wear, but if i loved one that much, i might consider buying one.

 

[Grande Latte]

A classic flap at outrageous prices is still a handbag, there will be imperfections. It's not an iPhone that comes in a box without fingerprints or dust.

If you see one that you really like and you examine it well with your SA at the store, I think that's good enough.

It's newbies who are comparing their CFs and trying find who's is better. Leathers can never the same. If there is a defect somewhere, say a turnlock that goes faulty. They have a 5 year warranty.

Or try vintage first, if you see a good deal. And see if you even like the Chanel classic flap.

 

[citykitty24]

Despite what some people say online, I personally have not had any quality issues with Chanel. While the prices have gone up a lot, my classic flaps are some of my favorite and best-loved bags.

My black caviar jumbo in particular has been basically indestructible and is great quality. The caviar leather is very hardy, and being black hides any minor wear from being used regularly.

I wear my lighter-colored or more sensitive bags (ie tweed) less often to keep them in great condition but have had no issues with them at all either.

 

[Misha333]

Like others here, I haven’t experienced any quality issues with Chanel. My most recent purchase was a classic flap last January, and it’s perfect to me, I didn’t notice any imperfections.

Whether it’s worth it or not really depends on your perspective. At the end of the day, it’s just a bag, so its value is subjective. Keep in mind that while it may hold some resale value, it’s unlikely to retain its full value over time. The secondhand market is saturated with classic flaps, and selling through a reseller usually comes with a 20-30% commission. I know many bloggers suggest that it’s a good investment, but I personally wouldn’t view it that way. If you truly love it and know you’ll use it, then it might be worth it for you, but I wouldn’t buy it with the expectation of making a profit.

I love the look and feel of caviar leather. I own both lambskin and caviar, and no surprise, caviar is much more durable.

 

[AlexandriaThen]

Chanel makes beautiful bags and the price we pay is more on buying the prestige than quality. And like the other members, I have not encountered any quality issue. The CF and Reissue are timeless. If u like it, just buy it.

 

[periwinklepenguin]

I've seen some wonky looking pieces in boutiques, but nothing that I've purchased has any noticeable quality issues. My classic flap in caviar has been super durable and has held up well. I bought it in a seasonal color that I was obsessed with because I knew I wouldn't be able to find it again, but if I was getting black or another classic color, I'd probably buy from a trusted reseller to get a better price. Just personal preference though - obviously there are lots of reasons why people prefer to buy directly from the boutique!

 

[A bottle of Red]

I was at a Chanel counter in a department store yesterday and saw a very wonky flap on one of the bags, but thankfully my Chanel bag is not a problem.
It is very expensive though so you need to be sure you really want one to minimize buyers regret

 

[Swanky]

They're pretty stuffed in the stores, a wonky flap can be from stuffing or a chain caught. I'm so OCD about shelves and pictures being straight that as an SA, I'd be fixing bags all day lol

 

[Tina1010]

There's imperfections and then there are defects, like a crooked CC turnlock or popped stitches. Imperfections will be there. Just take your time and inspect it carefully. I purchased a seasonal color earlier this year and it was perfect! No issues at all.

 

[Nobmaceur13]

You should always ask to compare two of the same handbag as the caviar texture can vary between classic flaps, I have seen 3 in a row before and each one looked completely different, matte, shiny, the texture different, some feel firm others more soft.