Chanel WOC vs. YSL College | Help Choose

[Goodison]

Ladies,
I need your help!

I want to buy a designer handbag for my girlfriend, and I was looking at Chanel at the beginning as, I guess, the most popular and the most desired brand (after Hermes obviously, but we're not there yet).

She currently owns bags from Coach, Michael Kors, etc., but no high-end luxury, so I was thinking about getting her Chanel WOC as the 1st timeless classic in her collection. But then I looked at other brands just for comparison, and it turns out that you can get a medium YSL College for ~$2,600 in the US, while Chanel WOC is around $3k - talking about brand new, not pre-loved obviously. So, it's pretty much the same price when it comes to amounts like these, but College is way more spacious than the WOC and has more compartments.

The reason I pick College out of the YSL bags is that she currently has a cheap crossbody bag of a very similar size and design, which I noticed she wears a lot when she goes out, so I think she'd love a designer option of the same style to replace it.

So basically, my question is - would you pick a space/usability of the YSL College, or does the brand beat it all for you, and I should simply go with Chanel WOC?

I'm just scared she wouldn't be able to enjoy the WOC often as it doesn't fit a lot, while I can get her a better option for that money. On the other hand, Chanel is Chanel, and their prices keep going up so who knows how much even WOC would be in the near future... So maybe it's better to catch it now and save the YSL ideas for later. What do you think? Which one would you prefer as a birthday gift considering the fact the girl has no designer bags right now?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ladidalola]

You are too sweet! Your gf is very lucky to have a partner who cares and gives a lot of thought into the purchase.

I have both purses. I got the Chanel WOC first (2016) and got the YSL college bag just earlier this year. I definitely use the college back more because my everyday items will not fit the WOC. However, I do use the WOC when I travel for certain activities or when I know all I will be needing is my phone, cash and cards.

For a first bag, Chanel is just so timeless - and can be worn night and day so more versatile. If she doesn't bring a lot of things every day and can get use out of it, go with the WOC. I love my college bag but it's more of a day time purse.

 

[Goodison]

You are too sweet! Your gf is very lucky to have a partner who cares and gives a lot of thought into the purchase.

I have both purses. I got the Chanel WOC first (2016) and got the YSL college bag just earlier this year. I definitely use the college back more because my everyday items will not fit the WOC. However, I do use the WOC when I travel for certain activities or when I know all I will be needing is my phone, cash and cards.

For a first bag, Chanel is just so timeless - and can be worn night and day so more versatile. If she doesn't bring a lot of things every day and can get use out of it, go with the WOC. I love my college bag but it's more of a day time purse.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with both bags. It's good to know that WOC is actually more versatile as an evening/night purse, which makes sense. I think I'll just go with WOC then as you can't go wrong with Chanel.

 

[Antonia]

Ladies,
I need your help!

I want to buy a designer handbag for my girlfriend, and I was looking at Chanel at the beginning as, I guess, the most popular and the most desired brand (after Hermes obviously, but we're not there yet).

She currently owns bags from Coach, Michael Kors, etc., but no high-end luxury, so I was thinking about getting her Chanel WOC as the 1st timeless classic in her collection. But then I looked at other brands just for comparison, and it turns out that you can get a medium YSL College for ~$2,600 in the US, while Chanel WOC is around $3k - talking about brand new, not pre-loved obviously. So, it's pretty much the same price when it comes to amounts like these, but College is way more spacious than the WOC and has more compartments.

The reason I pick College out of the YSL bags is that she currently has a cheap crossbody bag of a very similar size and design, which I noticed she wears a lot when she goes out, so I think she'd love a designer option of the same style to replace it.

So basically, my question is - would you pick a space/usability of the YSL College, or does the brand beat it all for you, and I should simply go with Chanel WOC?

I'm just scared she wouldn't be able to enjoy the WOC often as it doesn't fit a lot, while I can get her a better option for that money. On the other hand, Chanel is Chanel, and their prices keep going up so who knows how much even WOC would be in the near future... So maybe it's better to catch it now and save the YSL ideas for later. What do you think? Which one would you prefer as a birthday gift considering the fact the girl has no designer bags right now?

Thanks in advance.

View attachment 5434593View attachment 5434592

I'm really loving that YSL bag....it looks more substantial and I love the 2 way carry option! Let's face it, with Chanel especially, you're paying for the name. Hope this helps!!

 

[lovieluvslux]

Quoted: "The reason I pick College out of the YSL bags is that she currently has a cheap crossbody bag of a very similar size and design, which I noticed she wears a lot when she goes out, so I think she'd love a designer option of the same style to replace it. "

For this reason, I suggest the YSL college bag. This is the one bag that I would attempt to sell, then I decide not to sell. Even though the payout offer was good, the bag is cute and multifunctional. I love the WOC, but the size is only for the bare essentials.

 

[Swanky]

I don't like the top handle bags at all right now, I prefer the WoC. Chanel makes a top handle cross body as well, if you're wanting Chanel.

 

[lill_canele]

Hmm, that's a hard decision and they're pretty different bags.

I'd go for YSL mainly because:
- more practical: she can fit more, and use it more on a daily basis
- more affordable: you're a wonderful boyfriend but IMO you're setting the bar pretty high starting off with a Chanel WOC. Nothing wrong with that of course, buy what you like, but it would be a little much for me during my dating days.
(I know nothing about your relationship of course, this is just generally speaking. I remember when my future MIL gave me an Hermes scarf, my first gift from her, when my husband and I were still dating, and I felt a little stressed at the time , because I was like, oh gosh, what kind of gift am I supposed to give her, when she started off with Hermes!)

I see the WOC as more of an evening bag. I don't have the Chanel WOC but I had a wallet on chain with similar dimensions and it was just a tad too narrow for me to fit my 6 ring key holder with my car fob.
I remember when I was in my 20s, I preferred a more practical bag that would fit my essentials (card holder, keys, phone) and then some (lip balm/lip stick, sunglasses/prescription glasses, packet of tissue, maybe a pen, hand sanitizer etc.)

Just my thoughts of course. Regardless of what you decide to get her, I'm sure she will love it!

 

[Amazona]

I'd go for the College bag because she has a similar bag she likes to use - you know that's the type and size she has use for.
A WOC might not be her groove at all. If she has never owned one it's a fifty-fifty bet if she will find use for it - it's big for a wallet and small for a handbag. It's nice for evenings out and travel if you want just the barest essentials like phone, keys, a lip product, cards and cash. For everyday life she will have to carry another bag with her other items if she wants more than what the WOC can fit.

 

[Goodison]

I'm really loving that YSL bag....it looks more substantial and I love the 2 way carry option! Let's face it, with Chanel especially, you're paying for the name. Hope this helps!!

For this reason, I suggest the YSL college bag. This is the one bag that I would attempt to sell, then I decide not to sell. Even though the payout offer was good, the bag is cute and multifunctional. I love the WOC, but the size is only for the bare essentials.

Hmm, that's a hard decision and they're pretty different bags.
I'd go for YSL mainly because:
- more practical: she can fit more, and use it more on a daily basis

I'd go for the College bag because she has a similar bag she likes to use - you know that's the type and size she has use for.
A WOC might not be her groove at all. If she has never owned one it's a fifty-fifty bet if she will find use for it - it's big for a wallet and small for a handbag. It's nice for evenings out and travel if you want just the barest essentials like phone, keys, a lip product, cards and cash. For everyday life she will have to carry another bag with her other items if she wants more than what the WOC can fit.

Thank you all for the replies and for sharing your opinion. I guess I'd have to think about it one more time. It's not an easy pick, but thankfully, I still have enough time before her B-day. It's a valid point that YSL is more practical and more of a daily use bag, which means she can enjoy it more often, and it's a less risky bet in my case as she already has a non-designer bag similar to that. On the other hand, I feel like getting a Chanel gift would make her feel more special (which is the ultimate goal) since it's a classic designer piece. We shall see.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

Take her with you and allow her to choose for herself. Proven fact that people prefer to pick items out rather than be surprised. If you're totally against allowing her choice then at least pick the bag that looks like 90% of the bags she typically wears.

 

[cdm322]

I agree with ccbaggirl89. Let your girlfriend pick. I would love it if my fiance bought me a Chanel though! I'd pick the chanel because they could increase in value and she will feel very special!