Gray Chanel Flap or Etain Hermes Kelly?

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Metrowestmama

Metrowestmama

Lover of Bling
Jan 15, 2013
934
348
#1
TPFers, I could really use your thoughts on this. I'm torn between two bags for my next purchase:

A Chanel pre-loved calfskin gray jumbo flap - but it does not have a card with it and will need to go to the Chanel spa (but expected to look good as new after), or a Hermes Etain (Gray) Kelly 35cm in Clemence that is practically brand new, but more expensive than a boutique (for obvious reasons.)

I've been dying to have a gray in my handbag rotation. And these are my favorites.

If I picked the Chanel, it would free up some money to get another bag down the road (a Rose Tyrien (hot pink) Kelly perhaps or a Bamboo Bolide!), but concerned about the lack of an authenticity card with the Chanel. Getting an Etain Kelly is a classic but it would be my last bag purchase for awhile (no hot pink kelly or green bolide).

I have jumbo flaps and a couple of Kellys so the style wouldn't necessarily fill a void if you know what I mean.

Appreciate your thoughts.
 
#3
I'm sorry, I lost all train of thought when I read Bambou Bolide!!! :love:

Seriously though, since you already have jumbos and kellys, which one do you love/use more? And would getting the Kelly make you happy/fulfilled enough to be on ban island for a while? Just something to take into consideration when deciding.

I'd also love to have a gray bag in the future, but so far my favorite is a 226 reissue with gray distressed calfskin and ruthenium hardware. But a bambou bolide 31, picotin 18, lindy 26 or all leather garden party 30 is before that on my wishlist! ;)
 
#5
I'd buy the Kelly; it is brand new while the Chanel needs to go to the spa. Plus, I'm hesitant when it comes to bags without authenticity cards... I think the Kelly is the best option for you.
 
#7
Eva1991 said:
I'd buy the Kelly; it is brand new while the Chanel needs to go to the spa. Plus, I'm hesitant when it comes to bags without authenticity cards... I think the Kelly is the best option for you.
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I know. My hesitation too. Though I know the cards can be easily faked, it is still nice to have all the 'paperwork'.

skyqueen said:
Both fabulous but I'd go with the Kelly! Too many "ifs" with the Chanel...............
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Good point.

SHHMOM said:
I wouldn't buy a bag without the authenticity card.
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Yeah. That seems to be the consensus. It is a pretty big missing piece of the puzzle!
 
#8
Rharris1 said:
I get the feeling that you are leaning towards the Chanel. It seems that you'd rather get the hot pink Kelly. Can you find another gray Chanel that is in better shape?
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It is in pretty good shape, especially for the $, and knowing it can be easily spruced up at the spa. But I'm having a hard time thinking ahead, say, 10 years, and wondering what would suit me then, as it does now.

I would LOVE a hot pink kelly, but the only ones I see are resale (totally fine) but in Epsom leather, which many of the Hermes TPFers aren't fans of, hence my hesitation there...
 
#9
PrincessCypress said:
I'm sorry, I lost all train of thought when I read Bambou Bolide!!! :love:

Seriously though, since you already have jumbos and kellys, which one do you love/use more? And would getting the Kelly make you happy/fulfilled enough to be on ban island for a while? Just something to take into consideration when deciding.

I'd also love to have a gray bag in the future, but so far my favorite is a 226 reissue with gray distressed calfskin and ruthenium hardware. But a bambou bolide 31, picotin 18, lindy 26 or all leather garden party 30 is before that on my wishlist! ;)
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I know! Bamboo Bolide is lovely! :hbeat: My favorite size is the 35cm. Suits my frame a wee bit better. Why would you get a Bamboo before a gray?
 
#10
Metrowestmama said:
I know! Bamboo Bolide is lovely! :hbeat: My favorite size is the 35cm. Suits my frame a wee bit better. Why would you get a Bamboo before a gray?
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The main reason I would get bambou before gray is the love factor! Bambou makes my heart pitter-patter and I'm really "in love" with the color. With the gray reissue, I admire the beauty of the bag and I would love to have it in my collection because I think it's such a pretty bag, but it doesn't get me all giddy like bambou. Maybe in the future I will fall in love with it, but for now I admit that I am not.

I think because my wardrobe is mostly neutral and I tend to gravitate towards smaller bags, the pop colors just seem so "me". Last year, the pitter-patter bag for me was the Chanel fuchsia lamb mini! It still makes me sooooo happy to carry her! :love:

I have to keep reminding myself that I should try to only get bags that I'm truly in love with, because otherwise I could get carried away! I "love" a lot of bags, but I'm not "in love" with them all. :smile1:
 
#11
I'm not sure how I feel about bright colored Hermes bags. If you already have many Birkins/Kellys then go for it, but, if not, I think a neutral color that's classic, timeless and you can wear it even in your 80s, is a better option. These bags cost a fortune so I think you should go with a timeless color first (i.e. etain before bamboo or hot pink). Just my 2 cents.
 
#15
I would go with the Chanel: more versatile and chic. I would not pay over retail for the Hermes. Authenticity cards are no guarantee of anything. That stuff can be easily copied. (I rarely keep that stuff myself.)
 
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