How do you feel about settling for a Chanel Flap Alternative?

[Sa26]

A few days ago i was watching a YouTuber who was talking about how she stopped buying Chanel due do the price increase however she said if you really love the classic flap don’t settle for a similar Alternative even if it’s going into the same high end circle.

she said if you want the flap better save for it than going for the Lou Lou from YSL or the Dior version of that bag.


so I’d like to ask you just out of curiosity what do you think about this?

personally I disagree with the Youtuber I’m all about setling for an alternative even going with contemporary brands. you can get the Chanel flap look for less spending the ridiculous amount of 6,000 dls on the classic chanel bag one you can get the Gucci Marmont for 2,000 or the YSL envelope.


so im more in favor of setling for less expensive bag of that style.

 

[Ellie243]

I'm on both sides; I think if you only like the Chanel classic flap then it would waste money to settle for less. For example, if you bought the Ysl Loulou but then still wanted the classic flap, you would have spent ~2000 but still wanted the classic flap, so in the end you would end up with both (probably) and be in 8000 instead of the original 6000. On the other hand, if you just want the classic flap for the style, I think it makes more sense to buy a different bag that's the same style but costs less.

 

[papertiger]

^ & ^^ agreeing with both of you

Never settle...unless it's just the look you're going for -

and some people can't afford, or do not want to carry about, that kind of money all at once. There are some lovely alternatives around out there now, it's a great time to buy a CF type.

 

[foxgal]

I understand the whole debate about “settling”...I’ve been combatting this thinking about an Hermes Kelly for YEARS! But imho, prices lately have just gotten so out-of-line ludicrous that I no longer even want to support these companies. Why should I save for a decade just to hand it over to someone living on a yacht!?! (Okay, before I get flamed, I understand about the whole paying for quality and fair wages argument, etc...but realistically even with all that taken into account doesn’t explain the huge margins these companies are charging). It feels like now it is just about a status symbol to line the pockets of the already-rich.

So, excuse the rant, but I’m just trying to express why I’m now more often buying from more reasonably-priced premier and new contemporary designers. Or if I absolutely HAD to have a Chanel or Dior or Hermes, I’d go the pre-loved route.

 

[Mariapia]

I understand the whole debate about “settling”...I’ve been combatting this thinking about an Hermes Kelly for YEARS! But imho, prices lately have just gotten so out-of-line ludicrous that I no longer even want to support these companies. Why should I save for a decade just to hand it over to someone living on a yacht!?! (Okay, before I get flamed, I understand about the whole paying for quality and fair wages argument, etc...but realistically even with all that taken into account doesn’t explain the huge margins these companies are charging). It feels like now it is just about a status symbol to line the pockets of the already-rich.

So, excuse the rant, but I’m just trying to express why I’m now more often buying from more reasonably-priced premier and new contemporary designers. Or if I absolutely HAD to have a Chanel or Dior or Hermes, I’d go the pre-loved route.

 

[leechiyong]

I don’t believe in settling, but I don’t believe that buying a less expensive alternative to a known, popular designer bag is necessarily settling.

I do believe in not buying anything more often than not. Just because I can appreciate something and/or afford it does mean I need to possess it.

 

[anna2b2]

Nope, I don't believe in settling for anything. If you want the Chanel, get the Chanel, just don't get a handful of them lol A one "bag of your dreams" (not saying you OP, just in general) is worth so much more than 10 bags you settled for.

 

[anna2b2]

I don’t believe in settling, but I don’t believe that buying a less expensive alternative to a known, popular designer bag is necessarily settling.

I do believe in not buying anything more often than not. Just because I can appreciate something and/or afford it does mean I need to possess it.

yes! I love what you said about not needing to possess everything. I, too, feel the same way.

 

[Amazona]

As it was mentioned before - it might not be settling, it could just be a matter of finding a better alternative.
I lusted after a H Evelyne for SO many years, but the price even for cheap preloved was outrageous. I found a similar style from Decadent Copenhagen and never looked back. The same thing with a D Book Tote. I love the style, but the price...don't even get me started. Coach Field Tote 40 was a better investment. If I ever get a craving for a LouLou or a C flap I will probably turn to RM, TB or DKNY.
This works for me since I appreciate the relation of price/quality of contemporary brands.

It's always about what the person purchasing the bag wants. If you need to have a C nothing but C will probably satisfy you. You need to think what matters to you; brand, price, style or something else? New C is not worth the prices they ask for IMHO, so a preloved/vintage would make more sense (in my head anyways).

 

[foxgal]

As it was mentioned before - it might not be settling, it could just be a matter of finding a better alternative.
I lusted after a H Evelyne for SO many years, but the price even for cheap preloved was outrageous. I found a similar style from Decadent Copenhagen and never looked back. The same thing with a D Book Tote. I love the style, but the price...don't even get me started. Coach Field Tote 40 was a better investment. If I ever get a craving for a LouLou or a C flap I will probably turn to RM, TB or DKNY.
This works for me since I appreciate the relation of price/quality of contemporary brands.

It's always about what the person purchasing the bag wants. If you need to have a C nothing but C will probably satisfy you. You need to think what matters to you; brand, price, style or something else? New C is not worth the prices they ask for IMHO, so a preloved/vintage would make more sense (in my head anyways).

Well said! I more often am interested in the look and function of a style versus the brand. Like you said, the price/quality ratio is much better with some contemporary brands. This is called value! Since I don’t have a bottomless bank account, this allows me to then enjoy things like travel and early retirement.

 

[me0wlola]

I so badly wanted a Chanel bag. I actually went into the store and tried them on intending to drop a large coin and the quality really disappointed me. I didn’t buy it and looked for other classic options. I actually got a lady dior on eBay. for I kid you not 378$ I took it to leather surgeons and had it restored. Because it had a good amount of edge wear. So if you didn’t wanna settle you could get a preowned Chanel and send it off for the restoration service for me it was 480. Im completely happy. I don’t feel like I settled at all. And I’m glad I didn’t spend thousands at Chanel. I feel like they have borderline Hermès prices without the quality.

 

[Tinagirl11]

The reality is that no one will really know if a certain bag works for them until they actually 'use' it.
Prior to owning anything Chanel, I thought that the classic was my HG. When I finally got the jumbo, I absolutely disliked using it. The styles that I liked but didn't actually love, such as the reissue WOC and Cerf tote - worked for me better, and I got a lot of mileage from them. I think most people buy Chanel thinking it's a workhorse type of bag due to the price point. It's not. It's still subject to wear and tear just like any bag you use, and the more often you use it, the more it shows its age (unless you really baby it).

I don't believe owning an alternative comparable bag is necessarily settling. It's actually a great way to know if the more expensive version is the right one for you. For the longest time, I wanted to own a Kelly. I got a generic dupe years ago and carried it around the house for a day. Needless to say, I'm glad that I didn't get one because if I did, that would have been another costly mistake.

However my opinion is this: if you use the next closest thing and love it for whatever reason, the size, the style, etc. then you'd still covet the one you originally wanted.

 

[Sa26]

As it was mentioned before - it might not be settling, it could just be a matter of finding a better alternative.
I lusted after a H Evelyne for SO many years, but the price even for cheap preloved was outrageous. I found a similar style from Decadent Copenhagen and never looked back. The same thing with a D Book Tote. I love the style, but the price...don't even get me started. Coach Field Tote 40 was a better investment. If I ever get a craving for a LouLou or a C flap I will probably turn to RM, TB or DKNY.
This works for me since I appreciate the relation of price/quality of contemporary brands.

It's always about what the person purchasing the bag wants. If you need to have a C nothing but C will probably satisfy you. You need to think what matters to you; brand, price, style or something else? New C is not worth the prices they ask for IMHO, so a preloved/vintage would make more sense (in my head anyways).

you make a wonderful point, ask yourself why you want that bag, many of us just want the style and quality not the name and in case we won’t pay that ridiculous amount and we are okay even going with contemporary brands.

i Have my bag inspired on the classic flap and I’m very satisfied with it. And feel so happy wearing it.

dont you even feel smarter that you got that style you love not spending a huge amount of money?
just out of curiosity
the Evelyn from Hermès is the boxy crossbody one or the big Soft bag which has the H in a circle with little holes?

 

[Sa26]

As it was mentioned before - it might not be settling, it could just be a matter of finding a better alternative.
I lusted after a H Evelyne for SO many years, but the price even for cheap preloved was outrageous. I found a similar style from Decadent Copenhagen and never looked back. The same thing with a D Book Tote. I love the style, but the price...don't even get me started. Coach Field Tote 40 was a better investment. If I ever get a craving for a LouLou or a C flap I will probably turn to RM, TB or DKNY.
This works for me since I appreciate the relation of price/quality of contemporary brands.

It's always about what the person purchasing the bag wants. If you need to have a C nothing but C will probably satisfy you. You need to think what matters to you; brand, price, style or something else? New C is not worth the prices they ask for IMHO, so a preloved/vintage would make more sense (in my head anyways).

another great point. It’s not really settling going for a similar it’s just maybe you found something you liked better and it’s not really that bag you like but you realized you just like the style.

 

[Sa26]

I understand the whole debate about “settling”...I’ve been combatting this thinking about an Hermes Kelly for YEARS! But imho, prices lately have just gotten so out-of-line ludicrous that I no longer even want to support these companies. Why should I save for a decade just to hand it over to someone living on a yacht!?! (Okay, before I get flamed, I understand about the whole paying for quality and fair wages argument, etc...but realistically even with all that taken into account doesn’t explain the huge margins these companies are charging). It feels like now it is just about a status symbol to line the pockets of the already-rich.

So, excuse the rant, but I’m just trying to express why I’m now more often buying from more reasonably-priced premier and new contemporary designers. Or if I absolutely HAD to have a Chanel or Dior or Hermes, I’d go the pre-loved route.

yes true to all that. and The Kelly has way too many dupes in the contemporary world so bet you found your Kelly without paying the crazy ammount and I bet you are very happy with it.