Chloé is the most underrated brand right now

[Jaime]

Ssense is not preloved it's new, legit and have good sales.

I agree, I love Chloe, but I promised myself I would only buy bags that have resale value and Chloe does not seem to hold it's value. But we are supposed to buy a bag that we love and adore, NOT based on whether or not we can sell it in 3 years, right? I'm trying to justify my purchase of the pink mini Marcie satchel. I was not buying another Chloe but then I came across this little pink beauty. I broke down. For the price of these bags, we have to adore them and love the way they look, not worry about if you can sell it down the road. Am I right? LOL

I agree to an extent. When I had to sell bags in the past to fund new purchases resale was important now I don't need to do that and so I don't care. I buy what I like without the intention to sell it regardless of how "in style" it is as long as I like it.

This year I have bought a few old "It" bags that are no longer in demand as they were once and I'm sure even new I'd only get a fraction of what I paid. But they're bags I love and want in my collection for good not just for a few years to cash in on later. So I guess it depends on the intention. I wouldn't buy Chloe if I expected to get close to my money back when I wanted to sell it. I bought a small Marcie this year that I love, got a good discount on it. I still wouldn't even get a third of what I paid if I sold it but I won't be doing that so resale doesn't matter at all to me.

 

[Bagatha Christie]

Let's forget what Gabriela Hearst is doing to the brand and focus on currently available Chloé styles...

I've seen a lot of luxury YouTubers pass on Chloé for making trendy bags that get oversaturated and "out of style" quickly (example 1, example 2, example 3). The same influencers will sing the praises of Saint Laurent and claim it is better value for money than Chanel or Dior due to price increases. Now luxury influencers aren't always the best authority on fashion or finances as they often have sponsorships with Farfetch, Luisa Via Roma, etc. (who conveniently exclude Saint Laurent from all coupon codes), but they do influence what people will think is good value for money and oftentimes what they ultimately purchase.

Don't get me wrong, I love Saint Laurent but I disagree with the idea that Chloé is not a brand worth investing in. In fact, I think they're the most underrated brand right now in price, quality and design.

PRICE

If you look through the current premier designer brands, almost none of them offer an actual handbag under $2,000 USD. I am not counting WOCs or mini bags as I feel an SLG with a chain is not a handbag. With Chloé, nearly everything is under $2,000 USD retail. Unlike Saint Laurent, Chloé is always eligible for discount codes. I've seen YouTubers frame this as a bad thing, but isn't this actually a good thing? It means you can almost always count on getting a trendy bag on sale! 24S has flash promotions anywhere from 15-30% and Chloé is never on the list of exclusions.

As an example, the structured canvas tote bag is a big trend right now. The Chloé Woody Tote is $950 USD. Similar styles are much more expensive, such as the Dior Book Tote ($2,700-$3,000), LV On The Go Tote ($2,800-$2,900) and the Loewe Cushion Tote ($1,350 USD).

Chloé also has a fantastic diffusion line, See by Chloé. The price is not only much better (under $500) but there isn't a huge difference in quality or style from Chloé. In fact, a lot of the same colours (Motty Grey) and designs are available under both Chloé and See by Chloé.

QUALITY

Chloé sometimes gets a bad rep on quality as initial bag designs feature suede or smooth calfskin, which show wear very easily. I find that later iterations for their bags don't feature these leathers and are a lot more durable.

I recently got a Mini Tess Day Bag and have been so impressed with the leather. Look at how THICCC this leather is. It is by far the thickest leather out of all my bags, which includes Dior lambskin, Celine box calfskin, and Loewe smooth calfskin. Chloé's leather quality is nothing to sniff at.

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DESIGN

A frequently cited reason for not buying Chloé is that they often churn out trendy bags which go out of style quickly and lose resale value. I'd argue that if you're dropping $2,000 on a bag because it's trendy, it's not a really good reason to buy the bag! Not to mention, I've noticed many people have no issues dropping $2,500+ on "trendy" bags from Chanel, Dior and Bottega Veneta.

Chloé consistently comes out with bags that are different to what other brands are doing. They may not be always everyone's taste, but I can't recall people saying Chloé was copying someone else when they came out with the Drew, Faye and Nile bags. The same applies to Natacha Ramsay-Levi's designs like the Tess and Kiss. Even the bags that are following current trends, such as the Marcie basket and Woody tote, have a distinctly "Chloé" vibe.


That's my little rant on Chloé (and I suppose influencers who dare to shade Chloé!). Thank you for listening to my TED talk I'd love to hear your thoughts and whether you agree or disagree!

This is a great tedtalk.
Count me interested!

In a way, I feel chloe’s great diffusion line is a hinderance to its own success. (Though I do commend them for it.)

As much as the luxury community protests it loves quality and design over labels: I think people can worry their 2k status symbol might be taken for its £500 cousin. I’m not ashamed to admit that’s crossed my own mind when I’m weighing up the options.

Businesses like Chanel, BV and Hermes make no secret of the fact they are expensive and there is no affordable option with them so you either have to buy the premium or of course buy a fake. I think in a perverse way this feeds Chloe’s relative invisibility.
As economically why would you pay £300 for a super fake Chloe when you can by a see by Chloe whereas if you want a Chanel for £300 you need to buy a fake. (I’m not condoning fakes but realistically a fair few of the bags we see on the street, online or in influencers hauls have to be fake) fake or not they add to the brand’s visibility and visibility make it more profitable for influencers to post about certain bags over others.

I personally think Chloe and YSL are apples and oranges. Though I think some of Gabriella Hearst’s stuff is like Maria Grazia Churi’s Dior I do think Chloe has a very distinct boho aesthetic and has done for a long time.

Also 100% agree that ‘trendy’ only applying to Chloe is very true. No one complains that LV being ‘trendy’ even though vernis bags are too next to nothing now.

 

[stcstc]

Ssense is not preloved it's new, legit and have good sales.



I agree to an extent. When I had to sell bags in the past to fund new purchases resale was important now I don't need to do that and so I don't care. I buy what I like without the intention to sell it regardless of how "in style" it is as long as I like it.

This year I have bought a few old "It" bags that are no longer in demand as they were once and I'm sure even new I'd only get a fraction of what I paid. But they're bags I love and want in my collection for good not just for a few years to cash in on later. So I guess it depends on the intention. I wouldn't buy Chloe if I expected to get close to my money back when I wanted to sell it. I bought a small Marcie this year that I love, got a good discount on it. I still wouldn't even get a third of what I paid if I sold it but I won't be doing that so resale doesn't matter at all to me.

I agree with you on every word. I purchase handbags because I am going to use them not because I am going to sell them later. So I would love to pay for the bags that make my heart sing, and I learned to stay in the "right price zone" for me. If a bag is out of my league, then I will just appreciate the beauty rather than selling things I own to fund it. I am not saying that considering resale value is wrong or anything. It is just not something I care too much about.

I love my faye and mini darryl, and I have been eyeing on a preloved black c bag for a long time. Never liked a black bag before. It is just so gorgeous. Aww.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

I must Chime in on this thread. I agree that Chloe bags are superb quality and under the radar.
I actually now own two Edith that I use as throw around carry everywhere bags they are my 'alternative Birkin' I can take them to the beach or on the subway.
I also have a VERY old large Masie bag that I wore and wore and wore with no fear or it getting scratched-It was a toss everything in and wear it to work and on holiday bag very carefree.
In cost per wear my Chloe bags definitely work out the cheapest bags in my closet because I can throw them around and they dont date (I have original Edith bags and my Masie (I think thats the name of it...) is over 10years old!
I own Hermes, Chanel, Loewe and Celine bags but The Chloe although the least expensive are by far the most carefree in terms of attracting unwanted attention and durability of the leather.

 

[dodso012]

Late to this thread, but just had to chime in! Chloe is hands down my #1 favorite designer of handbags. I own an embarrassing number of them. The quality is amazing ... I’ve NEVER had an issue w any of my bags and they are all on heavy rotation. They are all beautiful and I think the designs are a great mix of classic but unique. I feel that most of my bags have gotten even BETTER w age/wear. Most of all, they don’t scream designer. I love how understated they are.

My most repeated purchase is the Marcie. Not gonna say how may I own.

 

[Cloudburst2000]

I am also late to the thread. Chloe style just speaks to me. I enjoy a very casual, boho-esque aesthetic and most of Chloe's bags fit that to a tee. Occasionally, another brand will put out a bag that fits the boho style but Chloe puts out many bags that fit that style which is why I gravitate to them. I personally find Chanel very boring, overdone, and definitely not that great of quality anymore. Same with LV. I do like some Hermes items as many of their bags are actually fairly simple and not logo-ed out the wazoo. However, I refuse to pay Hermes prices.

 

[Addy]

Late to this thread, but just had to chime in! Chloe is hands down my #1 favorite designer of handbags. I own an embarrassing number of them. The quality is amazing ... I’ve NEVER had an issue w any of my bags and they are all on heavy rotation. They are all beautiful and I think the designs are a great mix of classic but unique. I feel that most of my bags have gotten even BETTER w age/wear. Most of all, they don’t scream designer. I love how understated they are.

My most repeated purchase is the Marcie. Not gonna say how may I own.

I want to know how many Marcies you own!

 

[Addy]

Vent: Why not have a strap length that can be shortened for shoulder wear AND lengthened for crossbody? The new Mini Edith's strap length was a total deal breaker for me which is saying something given how much I love that bag.

 

[Cloudburst2000]

Vent: Why not have a strap length that can be shortened for shoulder wear AND lengthened for crossbody? The new Mini Edith's strap length was a total deal breaker for me which is saying something given how much I love that bag.

This was also an issue that I have with the mini (or was it baby) Marcie satchel that I bought years and years ago. The longer strap was not adjustable. It set at an awkward spot when using as crossbody (a bit too short) but was too long for my tastes for shoulder carry. I have never used the strap that came with it. I have either carried it top handle (my preferred carrying option) or added a crossbody chain when wanting to wear it crossbody. Chloe isn't the only brand who does this sometimes. Not everyone is the same height so options for shortening/lengthening the strap is very useful.

 

[B.the.attagirl]

I want to know how many Marcies you own!

+1

 

[Roie55]

I frequently attach my own adjustable straps, or i have added a circle ring to the clasp attaching the strap to the bag, gives 5-6 extra cm. Did this on my large Faye. Recently found a black 'vintage' Edith with its own long strap - or is original release better? Never clicked BIN faster on any bag than that Edith. I too cant believe how many Chloes I have, but they really are forever designs.

 

[monipod]

I moved away from LV earlier last year because I think the brand is over-hyped. Instead, I took interest in Hermes and bought myself a Picotin for formal outings. I love that bag but to be honest, there's nothing else in their current range that would be my ultimate day bag. Even if I could afford a Birkin, they don't tick all my boxes.

Funnily enough, Chloe bags suit my aesthetics to a tee and have the best functionality but I just never considered them until now. Even Loewe don't have anything that ticks all my boxes :| I'm probably going to pull the trigger on a secondhand Faye Day and/or Marcie to see how they work for me. I kinda like that they are underrated but clearly designer.