What makes YOUR heart sing more in the long run? Your Classic black or colorful special bags?

[DamierEbene]

here’s a picture. It still looks good as new! Though I suggest regular leather (not metallic).

Oh my.... now this really is a special bag!
Great first bag choice. I can see what pulled you in on this one!
so it is wearing well then! (I am afraid of wear and tear on non-classic leathers/colors)
...for example the Boy is always suggested to be bought in caviar only for regular use and not lambskin. But what about distressed calf on the jacket boy bags? They are so unique with the chain detail on the flap.

 

[ilovelattes]

Oh my.... now this really is a special bag!
Great first bag choice. I can see what pulled you in on this one!
so it is wearing well then! (I am afraid of wear and tear on non-classic leathers/colors)
...for example the Boy is always suggested to be bought in caviar only for regular use and not lambskin. But what about distressed calf on the jacket boy bags? They are so unique with the chain detail on the flap.

I do have to say.. I don’t use the classic flap as much as I should. I end up wearing it out on date nights, weddings, events.. but not everyday. I do baby this bag as well so that’s probably why its wear and tear is good.
I can’t speak for other leathers, but I say, go with what makes you happy! I have a lambskin wallet, which I picked over caviar, and it makes me happy every time I use it. Caviar is More durable but lambskin is good as well.

 

[rutabaga]

Don't overthink things. You'll know when you see the bag.

My first Chanel was a vintage black lambskin because I wanted one with 24k gold plate hardware, but I don't intend on getting anymore black Chanels. My next one will probably be in beige caviar, but it has to be the right shade (not too white, not too pink, not too yellow... prefer the camel-ish beiges) and I know I'm partial to gold hardware. I also prefer less mainstream styles/colors, like lizard, camera bags, and green.

 

[heytheredelilah]

If you are only going to buy one Chanel bag and cost is an issue, I would get it in a neutral color in a seasonal piece that looks similar to a classic flap. I see a lot of beautiful and unique pieces that are seasonal. If you get the color and style right, even though the bag is not a typical Chanel classic, it can easily be a timeless bag for you. Good luck! Hope to see your reveal soon!

 

[umamanikam]

My first Chanel bag was a black preloved lambskin medium flap .It is 10 yrs old before I purchased it last year .Its in extremely good condition and I love it to be bits .I don’t baby it as it’s already a used bag ,but I carry it around without a care in the world .I have many Chanel bags after that but it’s still my favourite out of all my bags .Think black would be best to buy as a first bag but that’s only my opinion .

 

[Egel]

I think it's best if you just go to a store. You still sound overwhelmed. I do get that you're afraid of an impuls purchase, letting all that money sit in your closet, but do you often have buyers regret? Because if you know who you are and what your style is, I don't think you have to worrie about that.

You also did a lot of research. The thing with doing that is that someone can loose track. Forget what they want, read to many opinions, can't work out what is the core and keep on expanding their idea's. If you go to a store you can see the colours, feel the leather, try it on and that also might change your perspective on things.

Don't loose yourself in what if's because if you do, every bag will have just as much pros as cons and you will never be satisfied with whichever colour and bag you choose.

 

[asa_89]

Help me out please!
I am about to buy my first Chanel.

After researching the heck out of this forum and the internet and watching tons of youtube about „buying first Chanel“ or „Chanel buying tips“ etc
.....I no longer know what I want. Or to be more exact: I no longer know what to buy first (due to ongoing price increases and the constantly changing availability on the preloved market)

It drives me nuts to the point where ... I guess I lost myself in researching the perfect bag for me... I am so terrified to make the wrong decision for the money of -lets say three Louis Vuitton bags.

I am basically torn between - on the one hand- a classic color, brand new from the store with all the experience and -on the other hand- preloved from past seasons in special leathers/colors which you can find so many preloved. Some are good deals, some priced close to retail.

I always thought my first Chanel must be
-a forever bag (like my Speedy I will never part with)
-brand new from the store
-a typical Chanel look with the classy black/ghw. And best value for money! (Haha... at Chanel! Sure ... I know)

And I am not sure anymore.

Should I get a preloved/ rather special bag for a good (Chanel-) price and its unique (for example jacket boy or gabby iridescent) ..yet so NOT classy Chanel... Maybe too different and a little too extra as „forever“ bag?
Or should I stick to classic combo black/gold on a Coco or Mini or Boy or even Gabrielle ....

I have to say I am dressing in completely neutral colors with some red and navy, mostly classic blouses, plain shirts, Blazer and ballet flats in all colors all the time...

You could argue that a special bag would totally make my wardrobe more interesting or one could say I should stay with classic, neutral design. (my LVs are almost only classics Alma, Speedy, Noe...)

I already know that this will not be my only Chanel but I want my first to be a forever bag, something that I can wear for years. I admit that the classic flap in black/gold does not make my heart sing at the moment.

Please let me know about your first bag and if you love your classics more or your „special“ bags in special colors or leathers or hardware etc... (I am not talking about completely seasonal bags in shape- I mean only classics in special appearance (gabby, reissue, boy, mini, coco handle etc...)

Did you regret to have bought a somewhat special bag rather than a classic black/gold in a more classic style?

pictures appreciated!

THANKS

I’ve always wanted a boy bag as my first chanel(Black, Caviar, GHW) then we went to hunt it during our honeymoon but no luck with the size I wanted(old medium). But my husband suggested we get the classic flap(m/l, black, lambskin) to take advantage of the tax refund and it didn’t make my heart sing but we made the right choice as I love it to death and it’s my most frequent used bag to dates, wedding, quick errands, etc. vs the boy or Coco Handle that I rarely reach for.

But it depends on you. Most important take away is that don’t be too stressed out and still have fun!

 

[DamierEbene]

Don't overthink things. You'll know when you see the bag.

Yep... overthinking is the key word! I hope I will feel it is „my bag“ when I see it..

@Yumslan
Cost is to be considered, definitely. I am saving for my handbags and for a Chanel it takes three times longer than for most LVs... but it is my hobby, obsession, addiction or whatever and I like to do that- there will be more Chanel I already can tell
But I found a preloved boy for 1000€ less than retail in almost prefect condition and that is worth a thought.... But a brandnew Coco Handle I can choose from the store costs the same. Decisions .... decisions ....

I think it's best if you just go to a store. You still sound overwhelmed. I do get that you're afraid of an impuls purchase, letting all that money sit in your closet, but do you often have buyers regret? Because if you know who you are and what your style is, I don't think you have to worrie about that.

You also did a lot of research. The thing with doing that is that someone can loose track. Forget what they want, read to many opinions, can't work out what is the core and keep on expanding their idea's. If you go to a store you can see the colours, feel the leather, try it on and that also might change your perspective on things.

Don't loose yourself in what if's because if you do, every bag will have just as much pros as cons and you will never be satisfied with whichever colour and bag you choose.

you are so right... I should stop the research and focus on what I want ... I had a terrible impluse purchase with Lv before ... so I know I can fall for something that does not work out for me ...

Thank you @asa_89 that sounds nice. I hope something like this happens to me if I can not find something

 

[ashin121]

Go with what you want.

I've always wanted a royal blue chanel bag and when I first went into the chanel store, they didn't have it. My second choice was a black caviar jumbo but they didn't have it so I put myself on the wait list. I got a seasonal piece that looked like a classic flap in the meantime. I saw the boy (it was a brand new launch in 2011/2012), but my SA told me it was seasonal and to get classics. I returned the seasonal piece and got another seasonal piece, then returned that for a GST. It was love at first sight. However, I still craved for a black caviar jumbo, so I bought one 2 weeks later when it became available at the store. Ultimately, I wanted my holy grail blue royal purse...so 5 months later , when a blue royal came out , I bought it. I was content for a while, but with chanel you get so addicted, I went on to buy more like a boy but at double the price from when I first saw it in 2012. Lesson: just go with what you love and want, don't go with what others tell you to get. You won't be satisfied until you get what you really want and you'll keep wanting more until you get your holy grail.

I started with chanel and just started buying LV this year since I'm at purse peace with chanel and I wanted more casual carefree bags . Plus LV never appealed to me but the reverse pochette metis was calling my name!! I'm backwards haha. It's nice because LV is much more affordable than chanel so the prices don't seem as bad! I've been doing alot of research on LV. It's different from chanel in that the limited editions are more coveted in LV than chanel. LV tends to come out with lines/designs and limited supply that is drastically different than any other line like the escale, or giant green LV, or graphite map, or multicolor etc. I noticed that those tend to be sold much higher prices on preloved sites. I feel like chanel isn't like that as much..there's coveted colors but it generally repeats or a shade of that red or blue eventually comes out. Seasonal bags don't hold value as well. The only chanel line I've seen only come out once that was a drastic change from previous colors/design was the iridescent line with rainbow hardware. I would say that was the biggest difference in color I've seen in a decade. So those tend to be marked up. Other than that, designs stay and the colors eventually repeat.

Go with what you really want. Don't settle.

 

[DamierEbene]

Go with what you want.

I've always wanted a royal blue chanel bag and when I first went into the chanel store, they didn't have it. My second choice was a black caviar jumbo but they didn't have it so I put myself on the wait list. I got a seasonal piece that looked like a classic flap in the meantime. I saw the boy (it was a brand new launch in 2011/2012), but my SA told me it was seasonal and to get classics. I returned the seasonal piece and got another seasonal piece, then returned that for a GST. It was love at first sight. However, I still craved for a black caviar jumbo, so I bought one 2 weeks later when it became available at the store. Ultimately, I wanted my holy grail blue royal purse...so 5 months later , when a blue royal came out , I bought it. I was content for a while, but with chanel you get so addicted, I went on to buy more like a boy but at double the price from when I first saw it in 2012. Lesson: just go with what you love and want, don't go with what others tell you to get. You won't be satisfied until you get what you really want and you'll keep wanting more until you get your holy grail.

I started with chanel and just started buying LV this year since I'm at purse peace with chanel and I wanted more casual carefree bags . Plus LV never appealed to me but the reverse pochette metis was calling my name!! I'm backwards haha. It's nice because LV is much more affordable than chanel so the prices don't seem as bad! I've been doing alot of research on LV. It's different from chanel in that the limited editions are more coveted in LV than chanel. LV tends to come out with lines/designs and limited supply that is drastically different than any other line like the escale, or giant green LV, or graphite map, or multicolor etc. I noticed that those tend to be sold much higher prices on preloved sites. I feel like chanel isn't like that as much..there's coveted colors but it generally repeats or a shade of that red or blue eventually comes out. Seasonal bags don't hold value as well. The only chanel line I've seen only come out once that was a drastic change from previous colors/design was the iridescent line with rainbow hardware. I would say that was the biggest difference in color I've seen in a decade. So those tend to be marked up. Other than that, designs stay and the colors eventually repeat.

Go with what you really want. Don't settle.

I get what you are pointing out here and I totally agree.
BUT: My my heart is not set on a particular bag at the moment. There are several I like and want to purchase now or in the future.
So sadly I don't have this one bag in my mind anymore that I can go for. (And with preloved it is not that easy)

I know it should be ghw! That is safe.
I know it should be a rather classic design (for example boy, gabby, Coco, mini....)
But that is about it.
I am not sure anymore if I need the in-store experience since that can be a hit and miss as we all know.
I don‘t know if I want a nice red/blue/light pink bag or if it has to be black. I don‘t even know if I want caviar anymore. After researching I start to like lambskin more- and lets be honest: I am not going to take my 4000€ bag to dangerous crowded places on purpose So why not lamb?
Btw... Pochette Metis in Reverse was my unicorn for over 2 years! Now I have it and use it every chance I get! (Groceries, garden center, visiting friends... every single day!)
I am at purse piece with LV and it feels SO good! There are things I see myself buying in the future from them but for now I am fine and content.
Funny that you did it the other way around

thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

 

[ashin121]

I get what you are pointing out here and I totally agree.
BUT: My my heart is not set on a particular bag at the moment. There are several I like and want to purchase now or in the future.
So sadly I don't have this one bag in my mind anymore that I can go for. (And with preloved it is not that easy)

I know it should be ghw! That is safe.
I know it should be a rather classic design (for example boy, gabby, Coco, mini....)
But that is about it.
I am not sure anymore if I need the in-store experience since that can be a hit and miss as we all know.
I don‘t know if I want a nice red/blue/light pink bag or if it has to be black. I don‘t even know if I want caviar anymore. After researching I start to like lambskin more- and lets be honest: I am not going to take my 4000€ bag to dangerous crowded places on purpose So why not lamb?
Btw... Pochette Metis in Reverse was my unicorn for over 2 years! Now I have it and use it every chance I get! (Groceries, garden center, visiting friends... every single day!)
I am at purse piece with LV and it feels SO good! There are things I see myself buying in the future from them but for now I am fine and content.
Funny that you did it the other way around

thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

Haha I get that. I always saw chanel like skittles and pringles: taste the rainbow and once you pop, you can't stop. Hahahha. You can check the chanel shopping site for availabilities in boutiques as well.

Good luck!

 

[demicouture]

Interestingly enough, my first chanel is a classic flap in black lamb skin size small (I think that’s what it was called) bought 20+ years ago.
I love it and have since then only bought another “classic” black reissue in a larger size.
Then in terms of classic blacks I got the so black chevron (which I sold cause I had no use) and the woc and rectangular mini.
Since then, all my other loved Chanel have been various “non classic” bags, ranging from the graffiti backpack, a cuba khaki cloth tote to the Deauville and the 19 amongst others.
I really think one should go with what they will use most. I seem to reach out for the not so heavy bags by Chanel as they are way more practical for me (Boy also included)

 

[september1985]

I agree to visit the boutique to see the options in person!

I use to feel the same about black being plain and always available, so I got a cf in light pink patent that makes my heart sing; as well as other fun colors and leathers. finally, I decided to go for a jumbo in black lamb with gh to complete my cf collection, and just WOW! it too makes my heart sing!

 

[eckw]

Don’t worry about “forever”. Your bag tastes and maybe lifestyle will change so it’s best to buy for right now. Choose something you will want to use today, this week, this month, this year. Go with what makes your heart beat fastest when you see it. Good luck!

 

[resplendent]

I try to buy luxury items as upgrades to what I naturally used and gravitated towards on non-luxury items. If I'm not sure about a potential new luxury purchase, I try to first buy a cheap variant of it and see if I like it.

For me, my preferred bags are black, navy, or brown. I like wearing red clothes, but I realized I don't like red accessories (bags or shoes) on me. I think it's my introverted personality. So my only Chanel flaps have both been black.

Similarly, I do not buy any luxury heels. I rarely wear non-luxury heels...so I know it would be a lot of money wasted for me to buy a luxury heel shoe.

At the boutique, almost everything will look beautiful! Beware...protect your credit card.