Chanel RTW ~ Reveals, Chit-chat & Info thread

[Allisonfaye]

This is a chit chat thread, right? So anything can be asked? Well, I wanted to ask you guys how you feel shopping at a boutique vs. a boutique inside a department store? Yesterday I reached out to a NM SA, who is totally out of state, that I follow on IG. Those embroidered jeans are completely sold out in my size(s) at my local boutique. My local boutique SA tried getting them shipped to me from another boutique and my order got cancelled. On the other hand, my NM SA had both colors that I wanted and in different sizes. She said she was totally fine shipping me different sizes and colors to try on, but I think my boutique SA would not have done that for me because it doesn't look good when things are returned. Then my NM SA started texting me a bunch of stuff that I haven't seen from my local boutique, so now I'm starting to think if it's better to shop through a smaller NM because they have much more inventory than my very busy local boutique? My local boutique SA is definitely very helpful and I love her, but I feel like she has so many restrictions she has to work around because they just have more "rules." One last thing-- my impression is that Chanel boutique tailors (seamstresses?) are like magicians and are at the top of their game. What about alterations at NM?

I actually prefer buying at NM. The service is much better, IMO. They don't act like they are doing you a big favor by selling you something. They appreciate your business. I have a SA at NM and although Chanel is not her main area, she can help me with it. Her specialty is Brunello Cucinelli. I also like that you have 30 days to decide over 14, especially if you can't try on before you buy. As far as alterations, I think they are fine and if you had an issue, they would stand behind it because they sold it to you, IMO.

 

[lulilu]

I actually prefer buying at NM. The service is much better, IMO. They don't act like they are doing you a big favor by selling you something. They appreciate your business. I have a SA at NM and although Chanel is not her main area, she can help me with it. Her specialty is Brunello Cucinelli. I also like that you have 30 days to decide over 14, especially if you can't try on before you buy. As far as alterations, I think they are fine and if you had an issue, they would stand behind it because they sold it to you, IMO.

I do not have a Chanel boutique near me. My choices are NM or Saks. I prefer to shop at Saks for the same reasons as Allison. My Saks is small, the elevator from the parking garage goes right up to the Chanel dept. My SA is terrific and will track down stuff for me. Better return policy. The service is more personal at Saks than NM IMO.

 

[TankerToad]

You should shop wherever you feel comfortable esp for pieces where your local boutique SA cannot find for you! The jeans are adorable and I hope you can find them in your size!

I prefer trying on in person (due to weight and fit issues), and I personally hate returning things. Since covid, I have not been physically inside Bergdorfs or Saks, just local boutiques (mainly Hermes, Chanel and Brunello) bc I feel safer in smaller spaces. It probably makes no sense in terms of actual safety.

My chanel boutique SA sometimes has a hard time getting my size. My brunello SA can get my size, but Italy is recalling lots of the more unique pieces, so sometimes it’s like the hunger games getting what i want in the size i need. Someone here posted that people are shopping less, but I think people are shopping more bc they aren’t traveling or doing much else. Of course there is still plenty left for sale, but it’s pretty clear which things will go fast. JMO

This is a terrific post - agree about people shopping and like you I feel a bit safer in smaller boutiques with safety protocols - which may be ridiculous but there it is.
That said my local Chanel which has excellent protocols just doesn’t have much stock- or it’s reserved and I think they do have a lot of rules. I’ve been shopping for Chanel clothing mostly remotely from Nordstrom these days. My SA is fabulous. The service is spectacular.
I do like to stop in my local Chanel but feel like their service is being hampered by sales rules or limited stock.

 

[pigleto972001]

This is a terrific post - agree about people shopping and like you I feel a bit safer in smaller boutiques with safety protocols - which may be ridiculous but there it is.
That said my local Chanel which has excellent protocols just doesn’t have much stock- or it’s reserved and I think they do have a lot of rules. I’ve been shopping for Chanel clothing mostly remotely from Nordstrom these days. My SA is fabulous. The service is spectacular.
I do like to stop in my local Chanel but feel like their service is being hampered by sales rules or limited stock.

Your nordies SA is fabulous and herself has a wonderful collection of chanel rtw!!! I remember when I first met her she was wearing the black Paris in rome jacket. Luckily she was able to sell me someone’s returned unworn one a few weeks later ! It helps when they love the clothing. ❤️

 

[Jenni_Jenn]

Has anyone been disappointed by Chanel’s in-house alterations? I am going to take my two jackets in for more work. Not everyday you spend 12k

Am I crazy or are my shoulders still off?

View attachment 5022892

Hi! First, beautiful jacket Regarding the alterations, are you referring to the fit or the way the fabric from the sleeves meets the shoulder? I agree the latter looks a bit off. However, regarding the fit, how does it look buttoned? It’s a little hard to see the fit based on this angle.
IMO if you aren’t completely satisfied, I would take it back and have a conversation with the seamstress regarding the alterations. I did the same thing and was able to get great feedback from both the seamstress and SA!

 

[SPBiaes]

This is a chit chat thread, right? So anything can be asked? Well, I wanted to ask you guys how you feel shopping at a boutique vs. a boutique inside a department store? Yesterday I reached out to a NM SA, who is totally out of state, that I follow on IG. Those embroidered jeans are completely sold out in my size(s) at my local boutique. My local boutique SA tried getting them shipped to me from another boutique and my order got cancelled. On the other hand, my NM SA had both colors that I wanted and in different sizes. She said she was totally fine shipping me different sizes and colors to try on, but I think my boutique SA would not have done that for me because it doesn't look good when things are returned. Then my NM SA started texting me a bunch of stuff that I haven't seen from my local boutique, so now I'm starting to think if it's better to shop through a smaller NM because they have much more inventory than my very busy local boutique? My local boutique SA is definitely very helpful and I love her, but I feel like she has so many restrictions she has to work around because they just have more "rules." One last thing-- my impression is that Chanel boutique tailors (seamstresses?) are like magicians and are at the top of their game. What about alterations at NM?

Agree with everyone’s opinions! Shop at whichever locations that make you comfortable! I have always been more of a boutique person. I simply enjoy that experience. Had some terrible experiences with Bergdorf. Their actions upset me so much so that I ended my relationship and business with them for good, even if they do have special pieces that my boutiques don’t always carry. I can live without them and my wallet will always be happier haha. My stylist at Saks, on the other hand, can be a total sweetheart and I don’t even shop at Saks that often.

 

[880]

This is a terrific post - agree about people shopping and like you I feel a bit safer in smaller boutiques with safety protocols - which may be ridiculous but there it is.
That said my local Chanel which has excellent protocols just doesn’t have much stock- or it’s reserved and I think they do have a lot of rules. I’ve been shopping for Chanel clothing mostly remotely from Nordstrom these days. My SA is fabulous. The service is spectacular.
I do like to stop in my local Chanel but feel like their service is being hampered by sales rules or limited stock.

Thank you so much for your kind words @TankerToad! I love your style and your posts! Hugs

@Allisonfaye, re Brunello, i think it’s like @jennyy pointed out : supply chain issues. Or @TankerToad, pointed out, a stock shortage. Like you, I’ve gotten some amazing sale pieces, but also buy quite a bit of basics during the early part of the season. DH and I both love BC joggers (like the dress up version of vuori lol). We were told that Italy had recalled some of the olive and beige colors presumably for their own customer base. Our SA is requesting them back to our store, but we’re not sure we can get them.
@Tina_Bina, my chanel SA called for her favored cc seamstress who wasn’t available and we got another one. (I do think VV has constructed a more built up shoulder than KL did in some of my favorite past collections JMO). If you aren’t happy, agree with @Jenni_Jenn above that you should go back. (It’s hard to see the shoulders) good luck!

 

[London16]

London, I also got this pink cardigan shipped to me in my normal size. When I was at the boutique trying it on, I tried on a size 36 and a 42 because that’s what they had closest to my normal 38. Both fit ok, but the my normal size fit the best. It’s actually a very stretchy material, so it just depends! If I can recall, it’s $4100 @chaneljewel

@880 thanks! Yea, I also feel like people are shopping more, too! I definitely am as my discretionary spending is not going towards travel at this moment. Also, because of supply chain issues, it just seems like there’s a shortage of everything...including chanel boxes, chanel ribbons and chanel camellias

Thank you for the sizing info!

 

[chaneljewel]

Your nordies SA is fabulous and herself has a wonderful collection of chanel rtw!!! I remember when I first met her she was wearing the black Paris in rome jacket. Luckily she was able to sell me someone’s returned unworn one a few weeks later ! It helps when they love the clothing. ❤️

Agree how wonderful this SA happens to be!!!

 

[gracekelly]

I actually prefer buying at NM. The service is much better, IMO. They don't act like they are doing you a big favor by selling you something. They appreciate your business. I have a SA at NM and although Chanel is not her main area, she can help me with it. Her specialty is Brunello Cucinelli. I also like that you have 30 days to decide over 14, especially if you can't try on before you buy. As far as alterations, I think they are fine and if you had an issue, they would stand behind it because they sold it to you, IMO.

I also like that the NM shopper is able to source fro the boutique and Bergdorf Goodman.

 

[911snowball]

I could write volumes on why I no longer shop at my local boutique which is huge compared to my tiny (and much loved NM store)
but Allisonfaye, TT and GK have covered some of the more salient points quite nicely. I thought it was just me! My NM seamstress is amazing and would fall over backward to please me as many times as it would take for a garment to fit properly. For this kind of cash, a happy customer is the only acceptable kind!

 

[911snowball]

Real life example that just happened today. I could not sleep last night and was scrolling through another thread on this forum (the new C stock thread that focuses mainly on bags). I saw something I liked to use on my walks (enough to carry LARGE phone- I'm old after all, keys cc) but bigger than a WOC.
Perfect I thought! Snipped a pic sent it to her at 10 am, by noon item was located at another store and on the way for my approval- and can be returned without any evil side eye, should the item not meet my needs. That is the service I reward with consistent and loyal sales to this SA.

 

[Allisonfaye]

Real life example that just happened today. I could not sleep last night and was scrolling through another thread on this forum (the new C stock thread that focuses mainly on bags). I saw something I liked to use on my walks (enough to carry LARGE phone- I'm old after all, keys cc) but bigger than a WOC.
Perfect I thought! Snipped a pic sent it to her at 10 am, by noon item was located at another store and on the way for my approval- and can be returned without any evil side eye, should the item not meet my needs. That is the service I reward with consistent and loyal sales to this SA.

Same. I decided to try a smaller size in the purple jacket. Texted my SA. She checked it and ordered in within 2 hours. Came in today. I went over and tried it on. Needs some slight alterations. I started to put the jacket back on so the alterations lady could pin it and she said I don't need you to put it back on. I know exactly what to do and how much by just looking at it. Can't beat that, right?

 

[HAllDay]

Real life example that just happened today. I could not sleep last night and was scrolling through another thread on this forum (the new C stock thread that focuses mainly on bags). I saw something I liked to use on my walks (enough to carry LARGE phone- I'm old after all, keys cc) but bigger than a WOC.
Perfect I thought! Snipped a pic sent it to her at 10 am, by noon item was located at another store and on the way for my approval- and can be returned without any evil side eye, should the item not meet my needs. That is the service I reward with consistent and loyal sales to this SA.

I’m curious to see which bag you’re talking about! Would love it if you shared a pic!

Sooooo are there any benefits you would get from shopping at a boutique vs department store? Do you get more of those mailers they send you of current collections when you shop at a boutique?

 

[HAllDay]

Did any of you end up buying this tank? It looked great on Pigleto and I love how it doesn’t spell out chanel or have cc, except the colors offered do scream “hello!” It’s $1550 and it’s just a screen print on cotton. I’m so tempted, but $1550 seems a bit steep. I haven’t seen it in person or felt the quality yet. Any insight on weight of cotton fabric and the quality of the print would be appreciated!