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

[floatinglili]

It’s about identifying with the brand IMO, not a matter of finding a cheaper substitute. That kinda demeans us all lol.
FWIW I love YSL because I, a Middle Aged woman of dumpy stature, really adore the greyhound-skinny Uber-tall euro-rock party-girl-slightly-trashed look of YSL.
This is who I am in my dreams.
A fellow fashion lover bailed me up the other day to talk bags (which I love to do) and immediately brought up Chanel to compare. I can totally understand why she would do this. Casually, the brands look slightly similar and of course the next thought is that YSL is cheaper.
It’s still not ‘tha’t cheap and by the way the aesthetics and ‘feel’ of the brand are quite different my view.
I’m with the party girl.

 

[DreamingBeauty]

I love my RM flaps, I have 2 Love (original size, old medium Chanel Boy look) 2 Medium Affair (Chanel medium classic look) 2 Large Affair (I think similar to Chanel Jumbo). Also have a few MAC. Mine are all probably 5 years old or more, but the Black Love is still my go to bag and probably most used (I bought black and burgundy color on a Nordy Anniversary sale because I couldn't decide which color to get, I think they were about $200 each). I like RM because they are sturdy, decent leather, pretty colors, don't show wear, practical sizes that fit a lot of items but still look like a small bag, lightweight, minimal logos (I like a logo but sometimes I want to be more low key, or I don't want to wear too many logos at once). Both the Love and Affair have a very large pocket on the back that is very handy for phone, sunglasses, papers, anything really. I like the strap on the Love with the leather insert on the shoulder, much more comfortable than a full metal chain when wearing a bare shoulder top or dress.

 

[Sa26]

It’s about identifying with the brand IMO, not a matter of finding a cheaper substitute. That kinda demeans us all lol.
FWIW I love YSL because I, a Middle Aged woman of dumpy stature, really adore the greyhound-skinny Uber-tall euro-rock party-girl-slightly-trashed look of YSL.
This is who I am in my dreams.
A fellow fashion lover bailed me up the other day to talk bags (which I love to do) and immediately brought up Chanel to compare. I can totally understand why she would do this. Casually, the brands look slightly similar and of course the next thought is that YSL is cheaper.
It’s still not ‘tha’t cheap and by the way the aesthetics and ‘feel’ of the brand are quite different my view.
I’m with the party girl.

I love both Chanel and YSL Chanel is more Jenny Humphrey Serena while Chanel is more Blair or YSL represents more the reboot Gossip Girl while Chanel is old version

 

[electricbluerita]

Personally, I would not settle for a bag that looks very similar to a Chanel Classic Flap or a seasonal flap from a different brand -- not anymore. Getting a different-looking bag, with a few similar qualities, that I still adore is another thing. However, I would not be able see it as a substitute for the original bag that I wanted. It would still be on my mind.

I think I have a pretty good example of a past "settling":



I bought this Prada bag a few years ago on Rebag because I wanted the Chanel look. It's actually very reminiscent of some Chanel seasonal flaps, especially the ones made out of denim. I ended up selling it. Every time I wore it, I felt like I was trying to imitate being of a higher status or something like that. I felt much better carrying my other Prada bag that looked nothing like a Chanel.

I now own a seasonal flap bag from Chanel after doing some saving. Classic Flap or seasonal, I just wanted a piece from Chanel with Chanel's heritage qualities (the quilting, caviar, style, etc.). From the Prada bag lesson, I won't settle for something again. I would save for it or just get a different bag that I still love, because, personally, a similar bag just doesn't get rid of that original bag itch for me.

I think a lot of this also has to do with how similar a bag is to the desired bag. To me, a YSL LouLou looks nothing like a Chanel Flap, so I would never feel like it's trying to be a Chanel Flap if I had it. It would have felt better to me than the Prada bag I showed. But like I said, I wouldn't see it as a substitute. I would just see it as beautiful in its own way.

 

[880]

To me, a YSL LouLou looks nothing like a Chanel Flap, so I would never feel like it's trying to be a Chanel Flap if I had it. It would have felt better to me than the Prada bag I showed. But like I said, I wouldn't see it as a substitute. I would just see it as beautiful in its own way.

❤️

 

[Joule]

I think Chanel's flap bag silhouette is beautiful, but I am put off by carrying something so instantly recognizable. I'm more likely to carry Céline or a BV Olimpia when an occasion calls for a flap.

Similarly, I love my Hermès bags, but would always choose a Delvaux le Brilliant or Tempête over a Birkin or Kelly.

The more iconic handbags just tend to attract a little too much attention for my comfort level. They are lovely, though.

 

[Etincelle]

I think it really depends on why you want the Chanel flap to begin with. If it’s the bag itself that you love as well as the brand’s history etc. I don’t think an alternative would do and you might eventually end up spending more money on other bags without ever getting over the Chanel one. If on the other hand it’s just the style you like then totally, no need to spend a crazy amount of money just for the flap look as there are other great options out there. The Chanel Jumbo was always my holy grail and I’m so glad I got it when I did even though I don’t wear it anywhere as much as my YSL Loulou!

 

[Gimmethebag]

The Chanel 2.55 reissue is my dream bag. I love it. But now it's going into Cartier money... or what I call "French Bulldog Money." I just paid $6500 for an eye surgery my dog needed. Oof.

So I have my vintage GST and my YSL LouLou's and I'm okay with that, because I have an amazing handbag collection. It's just wrapped up in 30 pounds of snorts, farts, and fur.

 

[Joule]

The Chanel 2.55 reissue is my dream bag. I love it. But now it's going into Cartier money... or what I call "French Bulldog Money." I just paid $6500 for an eye surgery my dog needed. Oof.

So I have my vintage GST and my YSL LouLou's and I'm okay with that, because I have an amazing handbag collection. It's just wrapped up in 30 pounds of snorts, farts, and fur.

I agree, the Reissue is beautiful. And more stealthy than the Classic Flap. Yay, Reissue.

Those LouLous are lovely as well. But my favorite that you've mentioned is the Farty Furry Frenchie with the expensive eye.

 

[Kaykay15]

I think it really depends on why you want the Chanel flap to begin with. If it’s the bag itself that you love as well as the brand’s history etc. I don’t think an alternative would do and you might eventually end up spending more money on other bags without ever getting over the Chanel one. If on the other hand it’s just the style you like then totally, no need to spend a crazy amount of money just for the flap look as there are other great options out there. The Chanel Jumbo was always my holy grail and I’m so glad I got it when I did even though I don’t wear it anywhere as much as my YSL Loulou!

Agreed. Ive had louis, dior, gucci, ysl, etc etc and a “non classic chanel” as i didnt want to pay the chanel prices. Years later i still dreamed of the boy and classic flap and i ended up getting them for WAY MORE. If it will “always be a wish” then you absolutely cannot “settle” but if you think youll always be ok with never having it then just get other brands and be ok with that. For me I was trying to convince myseld i didnt need it but i actually really wanted it and then started to convince myself why I deserved it. Lol! I could have saved a lot of $$$ by getting it earlier on. Its the only bag ive had ZEROS buyer remorse as its timeless classic and holds value!! Cant go wrong with classic chanels