Help! I bought my first Chanel & feel like I made a mistake on the hardware color :(

[imaddictedtoshopping]

I went to the boutique a few days ago and bought my first Chanel bag! I got the double flap jump in caviar with silver hardware. I knew I wanted the caviar before I got there because it's more carefree, but the hardware was the toughest decision I've ever had to make on a purchase. I'm not even being dramatic. I've read many posts of people saying to choose the color of the jewelry they wear. Although I wear two gold necklaces + two gold Cartier bracelets everyday that don't come off, I do mix metals very often. I have some white gold jewelry as well as silver that I throw in to complete my edgy look when I go out. I'm a casual person and wear sneakers most of the time. Clothing wise, I'm always in leggings with an oversized graphic tee. When I was in the boutique, the gold looked extremely yellow & dressy, so I thought silver would be better for an everyday bag. However, all I see is photos of people with gold hardware, so I feel like I made a mistake. I'm worried the silver hardware makes the bag less classic. Another worry I had was that the gold hardware would chip overtime. I have another 10 days to decide if I want to exchange since they have a 14 day policy. Please help, I'd love your opinion! Xo

I’ve attached a few photos of myself & my style so you have a better idea of my vibe:

 

[Lookelou]

My first Chanel was Black caviar with silver hardware. I too chose silver over gold, even though I wear gold! I remember thinking- first reaction- silver looked more youthful to me. Looks like you are a younger Chanel girl- I think your first pick of silver is what you should stick with!

 

[nashpoo]

my jumbo is black with silver. Silver is more fresh and edgy while gold is really classic looking! I feel like the silver would suit you. Honestly you can't go wrong

 

[imaddictedtoshopping]

My first Chanel was Black caviar with silver hardware. I too chose silver over gold, even though I wear gold! I remember thinking- first reaction- silver looked more youthful to me. Looks like you are a younger Chanel girl- I think your first pick of silver is what you should stick with!

Thank you so much for your feedback! I never thought it would be this hard to decide. I was starting to drive myself crazy at the store. I hope you’re loving your bag. Any wear & tear on the hardware so far?

 

[imaddictedtoshopping]

my jumbo is black with silver. Silver is more fresh and edgy while gold is really classic looking! I feel like the silver would suit you. Honestly you can't go wrong

Thank you! It’s definitely more edgy. I hope you’re loving your baby ✨

 

[dwang018]

Beautiful pictures !and I get what you are going through. I got my ml cf in silver hardware eventhough everyone around told me to get gold, so I doubted myself after I made the purchase. But overtime iam glad I went with silver. It's a lot more casual and since it is already a very classic bag the silver makes it a bit more modern, imo. Based on your pictures I would say silver would work better, bit if you really have doubts maybe go for the gold. Also depends on what else is in your collection...do you already have gold or silver ?

 

[Kayceedee88]

I have the black CF with GHW but I rarely wear it cause gold is quite dressy and no an every day looking bag... I still love my choice, but I have the mini with SHW which I reach for more often because silver is less dressy and more youthful looking. Looking at the style you dress which is casual and edgy, I’d say, you made the right choice with the SHW. But you can’t go wrong either way.

 

[imaddictedtoshopping]

I have the black CF with GHW but I rarely wear it cause gold is quite dressy and no an every day looking bag... I still love my choice, but I have the mini with SHW which I reach for more often because silver is less dressy and more youthful looking. Looking at the style you dress which is casual and edgy, I’d say, you made the right choice with the SHW. But you can’t go wrong either way.

Aw, thank you! I appreciate your response. Not wearing the gold often due to it looking too dressy was definitely a concern. I would love to have one of each as well eventually

 

[Lookelou]

Thank you so much for your feedback! I never thought it would be this hard to decide. I was starting to drive myself crazy at the store. I hope you’re loving your bag. Any wear & tear on the hardware so far?

I have worn the bag often since I bought it in early 2016 - and it looks brand new. No scratches, still as shiny as the day I bought it. And I do not baby that bag...it even get thrown in larger bags when I am in a hurry at the airport! Indestructible !

 

[Four Tails]

The hardware color has little to do with how a bag is worn. Silver hardware is every bit as elegant as gold if that's what makes you feel comfortable. That said, elegance does not seem to be the "vibe" here. If you need to post this bag in instagram photos, you may as well get the hardware color that gets the most likes.

I got a silver hardware black caviar Maxi flap in 2010 (when I was 22) and have never questioned the choice of hardware because I know that I wear the bag and not the other way around. I also own a caviar Jumbo flap with gold hardware and can authoritatively say it doesn't matter what color you pick for the hardware on a classic black bag.

 

[imaddictedtoshopping]

I have worn the bag often since I bought it in early 2016 - and it looks brand new. No scratches, still as shiny as the day I bought it. And I do not baby that bag...it even get thrown in larger bags when I am in a hurry at the airport! Indestructible !

That’s AMAZING! Good for you. I always baby my bags, but I want to make it a point to stop this year. It’s too stressful! Lol. My mom is the exact opposite of me. I got her a LV Artsy Monogram MM for Christmas a few years ago & there’s so many stains on the handle

 

[ccbaggirl89]

I didn't read other replies but looking at your style I'd pick gold for you. It does tend to look dressier on some women but you've obviously got a way with dressing and style where you're not gonna look old-lady in it.

 

[Milosmum0307]

If you like the silver better, enjoy it and try not to stress. I prefer silver. Personally, I think silver looks cleaner and more youthful, and it ages better in terms of plating wear and surface scratches. The only gold hardware I have on any Chanel is the light gold - on a medium Boy and m/l chevron double flap, both black bags - and even though it’s not the bright gold I still think it makes both bags look too dressy for most outfits. I don’t like the darker/brighter yellow gold, personally. I think it shows scratches much more than SHW. I think it looks older, too, and more formal, and once it starts to wear and show rubbing, the metal underneath the gold-colored plating becomes visible and drives me nuts. I had a maxi CF with bright gold hardware but sold it and don’t miss it. I fixated on the plating wear, and I thought it looked too flashy for daytime. I also wear yellow gold jewelry everyday (it looks better with my skin tone), but I wear platinum rings (engagement ring, wedding band and celebration ring for my son’s birth), and I often mix metals as well. I think silver looks better for daytime, but it can still transition to evening if you want to get more use out of your bag. I know people often argue that “the most classic” look for Chanel is black with GHW, but for me SHW is an easy choice. I might consider light gold hardware again for a beige clair or burgundy bag, but otherwise I’m a SHW devotee. Consider your personal style and go with your gut. A Chanel jumbo is beautiful and classic with any hardware - gold, silver, black, ruthenium, aged gold, champagne, whatever!

 

[SpicyTuna13]

SHW — crisp, modern

GHW — classic, luxury

I have both — Black Jumbo Caviar GHW and Black Jumbo Lambskin SHW. I like them both for different moods/looks. Given your beautiful photos, I don’t think you can go wrong either way (I mix jewelry metals, too). You initially picked SHW for a reason — don’t second guess it. Perhaps get another style black chanel bag with GHW as your next? Something to look forward to.....

 

[jenlee8751]

I know I am probably the outlier here, but I am the anti-GHW person. In fact, I have passed on a couple pieces that I really loved because they were gold and not silver. IMO, the gold doesn't go with every colorway, whereas silver really does. Of course, with a black bag you can't go wrong with either one. My only black piece is a So Black, but would have still probably opted for SHW if I had chosen something else.