To those that said "With the increases, I'll just save for Hermes"

[Celia_Hish]

Interesting Thread. I wuld not compare Chanel & Hermes together since they have different look.

Hermes is way too far for me to have one (which is my HG and hopefully to save up and own one in future). therefore, chanel will be my choice and i'm not as lucky as the rest of the gals who can get their 1st hermes bag immediately and the next one and more to come. Same to some of the gals, i came from a moderate/simple family background, i work rather hard to achieve and buy what i want. So it's not easy for me to jus want to buy a bag like Hermes which is so EX.

No way i can do a comparison with them since they are in different quality, leather and the unique workmanship for Hermes. I will separate them out in two different categories. That is LUXURY lifestyle or USUAL LIFESTYLE!!

 

[Luccibag]

Again I state: Hermes is more than the Birkin and Kelly. Kellys can get up to 10k but most of them are cheaper. It depends on the leather or skin. Many bags are 4k or less, in the range of Chanel. If someone came onto this forum and said 'EW, the Chanel flap is GROSS and not even that special of a bag' and talked about Chanel as if they only had one thing to offer, you would probably want the person to learn that there is much more to Chanel than one iconic bag! Right? I mean, I would...there is much more to Chanel that is beautiful.
Everyone wants to focus on the it bags but the truth is, while they have begun to define the brand, the companies have much more to offer.

I encourage people to at least learn more about H and the other products they have to offer before they start tearing down the Birkin (which is NOT for everyone, trust me!!!!)

The women that have H and use it, definitely USE it. They store their bags nicely and don't drop them in a puddle or anything, but once they get over the initial 'OMG this bag is so nice', they use them just as we use whatever other bags we have.

As far as I'm concerned, Chanel vastly surpasses Louis Vuitton, honestly I'm not sure why everyone is so impressed with LV. Maybe I should ask the ladies and gents on the LV forum to explain to me what is so fab that I may have missed!
I'm not in any position to own Chanel or H yet, but I'm getting there, and I'd much rather save for a Chanel than an LV.

I just think when talking about H vs Chanel we are talking about apples and oranges.
Luxury brands, yes, but with totally different niches to fill. I don't think it necessarily has to do with age, but more like the style of the people that carry them. Many do own both brands and wear them with panache, but some people may only fit into one style and stick with it, that is totally fine.

Me, I'll end up with everything from Coach to Chanel to H by the time I'm through, and yes I'll put my Coach wristlet in my Lindy or Sharpei!

Very well said. While I am a Chanel flap freak, I also find time to carry my Kelly and Birkin as well. It depends on the mood and occasion. (I carry my LV denim key cles inside my H and Chanel bags)

 

[candace117]

I am also a big fan of 'it isn't what you wear, but how you wear it.'

Case in point:

I may only have Coach right now, but I wear it well and get many compliments.

There's a photo of Britney Spears with a black croc Kelly and she looks like....well you know.

Money cannot and does not buy class and taste.

 

[purly]

Unless you like the Birkin and it fits with your personal style, the status of owning one doesn't really mean anything...

 

[ValleyO]

I think people are willing to pay more for Hermes because:

Exclusivity- Hermes doesn't have anywhere near the number of point-of-sales that Chanel does. Chanel has their boutiques plus all their department store carriers like Saks, Neiman's, and even Nordstrom hawking their goods; Hermes has fewer boutiques and only offers their wares at 3 non-H locations nationwide. Chanel slaps their name on cosmetics and fragrances sold at every Macy's from coast to coast in tiny markets; selected Hermes fragrances are only available at higher-end stores with the full line only sold at H boutiques. It's the little things that coumt as well- when I was looking for a card case, and SA at Chanel plunked down a small box packed with unprotected cardcases, compared to Hermes where each was presented to me from a shrinkwrapped, excellently packaged orange box.

Quality- Hermes has better quality, period. Just the fact that Chanel had to recall an entire production of bags because of shoddy quality chain link straps is testament to that. There have been so many posts in this forum of how poorly made some the latest Chanels have been and how people are switching to vintage for better quality. If an Hermes SA spots a snag in a scarf or a glaring flaw on a bag the problem piece is immediately whisked away to be repaired or destroyed.

Timelessness- everything Hermes sells is meant to be used year after year, season after season, and trend after trend. They stick to classic, high quality materials and elegant shilouettes, as opposed to Chanel's increasing use of plastic and vinyl on trendy, impractical bags.

History- the majority of Hermes is owned by the original family and methods of production are still carried out by trained leatherworkers and artisans as they have been for the last century. Chanel is owned wholly by a family who screwed Gabrielle Chanel herself out of the majority of No. 5's profits, and who are now inflicting often and extreme price increases on mass-produced, easily obtained bags.

 

[missisa07]

^I see your point. I wouldn't go so far as to call them easily obtained though. I agree that some of the bags are lower quality than others, which is why I tend to stick to the classics that I know won't go out of style (i.e. classic flaps).

 

[fieryfashionist]

Very interesting thoughts! For me, it isn't about "graduating" or "moving up" from one brand to another, which implies that Chanel is in some way, shape or form inferior to Hermes (based on cost, craftsmanship, or whatever), but rather about buying what fulfills your personal wants and desires (which is subjective). Regardless of whether or not Hermes is more appealing based on rising Chanel prices, what difference would that in and of itself make if one cannot afford to spend the 7K (or whatever price) on the bag? It's all relative IMO.

Sure, if I sold all my Chanel's, I could have one hell of a nice Hermes collection, but I don't want that, because it isn't for me, and doesn't suit my personal taste/needs (again, coming back to personal preferences). For me, Chanel flaps/reissues are the ultimate bag, so purchasing a Birkin, Kelly, Lindy, Jige clutch, Kelly Pouchette, Evelyne, Massai, etc. would not fill the void created by not owning the Chanel's that I could have purchased instead (if that makes any sense).

I love classy, timeless, beautifully crafted bags, and those bags for me are Chanel's (particularly the flaps and reissues). If I get to a point where I feel my Chanel collection is complete and/or nothing interests me for whatever reason, then maybe, maybe I would consider a Birkin, who knows. However, I would do so only if I felt it suited my style/needs and most importantly wants at the time, and not for any other reason... in any case, it's highly unlikely, because Chanel suits my personal style and taste perfectly and is my true love.

 

[Liberté]

As far as I'm concerned, Chanel vastly surpasses Louis Vuitton, honestly I'm not sure why everyone is so impressed with LV. Maybe I should ask the ladies and gents on the LV forum to explain to me what is so fab that I may have missed!
I'm not in any position to own Chanel or H yet, but I'm getting there, and I'd much rather save for a Chanel than an LV.

But in terms of pure quality, like the quote in your post it doesen't seem to be a great difference between the two (C and LV). A LARGE number of LV bags is in plastic coated canvas, untanned leather and pretty simply made (the speedy, or neverfull being great examples). When you arrive at the lines that are similar to chanel, the price gets pretty equal (like the mizi, motard biker and so on). I totally agree with the one that you quoted, but I also agree with you that hermes in a category of it's own, mostly becuase of the way it's made and because of the no doubt harsher quality control.

If you want to know what's so fab about LV bags, then it just shows that the designs and the concept are not for you which is totally okay. All designs and brands aren't for everyone.

In the end we do not at all pay for quality after a certain point. The crazy price increases of chanel shows that pretty clearly and I think that's why shakes people up so much. It's definetly shows "quality" is no justification for getting a luxury handbag.

As the so called "handbag status order" shows, price is important for the consumer to determine what's desirable and not, especially since most consumers aren't able to tell good from bad quality before something falls apart. I'm pretty sure that's the main reasn for these increases. If you were to launch a new brand, price and sales channels would be the main point to determine which clientelle you were aiming at, quality only to a certain level...

 

[cjj]

So many well written posts; it's wonderful to read all of them. Regarding the above ^ post about the simple construction of some of the LV's:

100% correct, but.... (and this is one of the points I think sometimes gets lost), some of these LV designs fit a need and the simplicity is perfect. For example, I've been searching for a "book bag" for my laptop, numerous files, books, client files, and other grad school needs for years (I have been in school forever, lol) I've gone through so many leather, canvas, fabric bags, it isn't funny. One day, I noticed a fellow student carrying a LV (huge bag) and asked her about it. I wondered why someone would use such an expensive bag for books. She told me she had had it for almost 10 years and that it wore like iron. Like me, she had gone through numerous other bags until she received this one from her family.

I purchased the Neverfull and wow, it is perfect. No bells, no whistles, no bling and it holds everything and wears, yep, like iron. The moral to the story is: All of us will buy what fits our needs, our style, our look, our income. Some do want a bit of status, some do want a bit of history; who knows. In the end, I think we ALL appreciate the the fact that there are so many choices out there. The true shame would be if those choices were removed.

 

[candace117]

So many well written posts; it's wonderful to read all of them. Regarding the above ^ post about the simple construction of some of the LV's:

100% correct, but.... (and this is one of the points I think sometimes gets lost), some of these LV designs fit a need and the simplicity is perfect. For example, I've been searching for a "book bag" for my laptop, numerous files, books, client files, and other grad school needs for years (I have been in school forever, lol) I've gone through so many leather, canvas, fabric bags, it isn't funny. One day, I noticed a fellow student carrying a LV (huge bag) and asked her about it. I wondered why someone would use such an expensive bag for books. She told me she had had it for almost 10 years and that it wore like iron. Like me, she had gone through numerous other bags until she received this one from her family.

I purchased the Neverfull and wow, it is perfect. No bells, no whistles, no bling and it holds everything and wears, yep, like iron. The moral to the story is: All of us will buy what fits our needs, our style, our look, our income. Some do want a bit of status, some do want a bit of history; who knows. In the end, I think we ALL appreciate the the fact that there are so many choices out there. The true shame would be if those choices were removed.

Very well put!
And the fact that we all like a lot of different things and some the same, guarantees there will be enough (well...enough of some things right?) for all of us!
You can have all the LV that I don't want, and I can have...well...whatever you don't like that I do? hehe

 

[candace117]

I think people are willing to pay more for Hermes because:

Exclusivity- Hermes doesn't have anywhere near the number of point-of-sales that Chanel does. Chanel has their boutiques plus all their department store carriers like Saks, Neiman's, and even Nordstrom hawking their goods; Hermes has fewer boutiques and only offers their wares at 3 non-H locations nationwide. Chanel slaps their name on cosmetics and fragrances sold at every Macy's from coast to coast in tiny markets; selected Hermes fragrances are only available at higher-end stores with the full line only sold at H boutiques. It's the little things that coumt as well- when I was looking for a card case, and SA at Chanel plunked down a small box packed with unprotected cardcases, compared to Hermes where each was presented to me from a shrinkwrapped, excellently packaged orange box.

Quality- Hermes has better quality, period. Just the fact that Chanel had to recall an entire production of bags because of shoddy quality chain link straps is testament to that. There have been so many posts in this forum of how poorly made some the latest Chanels have been and how people are switching to vintage for better quality. If an Hermes SA spots a snag in a scarf or a glaring flaw on a bag the problem piece is immediately whisked away to be repaired or destroyed.

Timelessness- everything Hermes sells is meant to be used year after year, season after season, and trend after trend. They stick to classic, high quality materials and elegant shilouettes, as opposed to Chanel's increasing use of plastic and vinyl on trendy, impractical bags.

History- the majority of Hermes is owned by the original family and methods of production are still carried out by trained leatherworkers and artisans as they have been for the last century. Chanel is owned wholly by a family who screwed Gabrielle Chanel herself out of the majority of No. 5's profits, and who are now inflicting often and extreme price increases on mass-produced, easily obtained bags.

Very nicely said, it seems like you try to do your homework on brands you use...
I was born in Sacramento, btw!

 

[Swanky]

why do people automatically assume that just because someone doesn't like Hermes, they need to take some time and learn more about it?
I know about it. . . it doesn't change my taste for it.
Not everyone cares if a bag was made from start to finish by one person, not everyone thinks or cares if the history is romantic, not everyone wants or needs one specific leather over another. . . .
doesn't mean we're ignorant, just means we don't share the love.

Chanel IS handmade whether people want to believe it or not. Each craftsman/woman is a specialist in what they do and it's ALL they do. If someone's speciality is quiting, that's all they do, they quilt leather all day.
I personally don't think they're "mass produced and "hawked at every mall".
Mass produced to me insinuates they're not handmade and they flood the market - neither is corrrect.
In Dallas, one of the nation's largest cities Chanel is available in somewhat small amounts from only 3 shops.
Ask the Ladies who've been searching high and low for an original 2005 Reissue, a PNY Flap a red classic flap, a specific color GST/PST, etc. . . . if they think they're mass produced.

I agree, you just can't compare Chanel to Hermes, the only thing similar is they have a lot of loyal customers and are expensive! LOL!
The bags, misc pieces and company's are just too different to compare.

 

[IntlSet]

why do people automatically assume that just because someone doesn't like Hermes, they need to take some time and learn more about it?
I know about it. . . it doesn't change my taste for it.
Not everyone cares if a bag was made from start to finish by one person, not everyone thinks or cares if the history is romantic, not everyone wants or needs one specific leather over another. . . .
doesn't mean we're ignorant, just means we don't share the love.

Chanel IS handmade whether people want to believe it or not. Each craftsman/woman is a specialist in what they do and it's ALL they do. If someone's speciality is quiting, that's all they do, they quilt leather all day.

I agree.


I find nothing special about the fact that "one person" makes the one single Birkin from start to finish. It's still one Birkin of half a million other Birkins to co-exist in this world, if not more. The man who made it is still a leather worker, not Donald Judd or Frank Stella.

So much of the prestige and cost of an Hermes Birkin or Kelly seems tied with whomever makes it (hence those who develop expertise on the craftmen's "stamps"). I frankly could not care less who made that bag, what his background is, what country he's from. The finished product is the only thing that matters to me, and if it's good enough for me so long as it's beautiful, durable and made by someone who is fairly paid.

I guess I just lack the inherent reverence that seems necessary to be a true Hermes devotee... not because I don't know enough about the brand.

As for the history of Hermes? I find nothing compelling about a saddle-making, leather-goods company.

That's just my opinion.

 

[candace117]

why do people automatically assume that just because someone doesn't like Hermes, they need to take some time and learn more about it?
I know about it. . . it doesn't change my taste for it.
Not everyone cares if a bag was made from start to finish by one person, not everyone thinks or cares if the history is romantic, not everyone wants or needs one specific leather over another. . . .
doesn't mean we're ignorant, just means we don't share the love.

Chanel IS handmade whether people want to believe it or not. Each craftsman/woman is a specialist in what they do and it's ALL they do. If someone's speciality is quiting, that's all they do, they quilt leather all day.
I personally don't think they're "mass produced and "hawked at every mall".
Mass produced to me insinuates they're not handmade and they flood the market - neither is corrrect.
In Dallas, one of the nation's largest cities Chanel is available in somewhat small amounts from only 3 shops.
Ask the Ladies who've been searching high and low for an original 2005 Reissue, a PNY Flap a red classic flap, a specific color GST/PST, etc. . . . if they think they're mass produced.

I agree, you just can't compare Chanel to Hermes, the only thing similar is they have a lot of loyal customers and are expensive! LOL!
The bags, misc pieces and company's are just too different to compare.

I'm not sure if you were referring specifically to something I said, because I did mention people educating themselves about something before they make blanket statements to help their arguments.

I don't assume people don't know anything about something or other when they say 'I don't like it'. The thing that was aggravating me slightly was when others would talk about H as if it were only about Birkins - "I don't want to buy a 10k handbag or get on a silly wait list" etc...when there are tons of other things that cost as much as Chanel and you don't have to waitlist for. I'm just saying, people do not act like they are aware that H does not equal Birkin and nothing more, and they were using the fact that some Birkins cost 10k or more and are an annoyingly 'it' bag to help their argument that Chanel is their choice and they won't leave it due to price increases. When in fact: both brands are beautiful and offer something different to the consumer - and however we want to take home a piece of luxury, we have options and that is what is important.

I'm coming from a different angle because I don't own ANY of the brands we've been talking about, but I study and pay attention to what I enjoy about each particular brand and I can usually provide a reason for why I don't like it , just as much as I can for ones that I do.
Sorry if this seems nitpicky and you don't want to hear it, I studied philosophy in college and we're detailed and annoyingly devout to explaining things beyond what most people really care to hear. I'm used to discussing things with people that educate themselves on things they don't even agree with so we can all have a crazy good discussion that is complete and fulfilling and doesn't neglect one side of the story in favor of the other. It's something I will probably never shake

Swank, I agree that Chanel is not mass produced and shoved in every mall - mass produced is something like American Eagle. There is nothing wrong with buying mass produced things, but calling Chanel mass produced is definitely imprecise. Their makeup/skincare is the only thing that comes close to being mass produced, but not every department store where I live carries it. I can tell you that I can only think of one or two places in the entire state of Oregon that sells Chanel handbags/shoes, and it's at the northernmost part of the state so most people have to travel for half a day to get up there to shop! ush:

 

[candace117]

I agree.


I find nothing special about the fact that "one person" makes the one single Birkin from start to finish. It's still one Birkin of half a million other Birkins to co-exist in this world, if not more. The man who made it is still a leather worker, not Donald Judd or Frank Stella.

So much of the prestige and cost of an Hermes Birkin or Kelly seems tied with whomever makes it (hence those who develop expertise on the craftmen's "stamps"). I frankly could not care less who made that bag, what his background is, what country he's from. The finished product is the only thing that matters to me, and if it's good enough for me so long as it's beautiful, durable and made by someone who is fairly paid.

I guess I just lack the inherent reverence that seems necessary to be a true Hermes devotee... not because I don't know enough about the brand.

As for the history of Hermes? I find nothing compelling about a saddle-making, leather-goods company.

That's just my opinion.

I find Chanel's history much more appealing to me personally! H has a great foundation but much in the way of Coach - started with one idea and became this bigger...thing. Coach and H are not the same, I'm just saying that each started with a certain kind of ideal and it's fun to see where they ended up.

But ah, Gabrielle Chanel. Yeah, there really aren't words.