Chanel Boy Bag Review

It’d be a stretch to say that I was one of those girls who always dreamed of owning a Chanel bag one day. As fickle as I am, I spent many years feeling certain that Chanel just wasn’t for me, and looking back now, it’s a reminder to never say never. The classic flap might be timeless, but it was the Chanel Boy Bag that made me change my tune. It was 2011, and it felt modern and young, and it was enough to invigorate my interest in the fashion house (which hasn’t faded since).

So after saving for what felt like an age, I decided to finally bite the bullet and “invest” in a Chanel Boy Bag in late 2017. Given I’ve now been in possession of this bag for over a year, I wanted to pull together some thoughts on what the wear and tear is like and ultimately, whether it was worth the purchase. So, let’s get into it.

Chanel Boy Bag: The Details

The Chanel Boy Bag is a simple, structured rectangular bag, with a chain/leather strap combo and a single flap closure. The interior is an open compartment, with a small slip pocket small enough to house a couple of cards.

I opted for the small size, which is a ‘mini’ bag style. It’s just large enough to fit all the essentials for day-to-day and not much else. The leather is the caviar leather in a beautiful chevron pattern, and the hardware is an aged silver, or ruthenium hardware, which I think gives the bag a slightly rock chic vibe. The interior of the bag is lined in a grosgrain fabric.

Wear & Tear

I bought my Chanel Boy bag approximately 16 months ago now, and have to admit, it’s not been practical enough to wear as my daily bag for much of that time. I’d hazard a guess that I’ve worn it somewhere between 60-90 times.

I’ve been pretty open about the fact that I don’t like to baby my bags, however I will say that I do find myself placing a lot more care in how I handle my Chanel Boy bag. While I wouldn’t say that I baby it, I’m careful to avoid getting it scratched, I avoid overstuffing it, and I store it in a dust bag when not in use. And if I’m eating at a restaurant, I’ll rest the bag on a chair, table or my lap rather than place it on the floor.

With all those things in mind, I have to say, it looks pristine. There’s not a single scratch to the hardware, the leather remains plump and unmarked, the corners haven’t worn at all, and even the interior lining is in perfect condition. It’s observations like these that make me feel glad that I chose the caviar leather over lambskin for my first Chanel bag, as it’s infinitely more durable.

One thing I will point out, is that I have noticed that the bag of the bag does bubble inwards slightly when emptied, and when the flap is opened, ripples form where the leather is bent. These are the sorts of things that I think could become more severe over time if proper care isn’t applied.

What Fits Inside?

Admittedly not the roomiest bag by any stretch but I find I can fit all the essentials inside that I need for day to day, including:

• iPhone 8 Plus
• Cardholder
• Key case
• 3x Lipsticks/Lip balms
• Foundation compact
• Small perfume

Final Thoughts

For the most part, I think it’s a fallacy to buy a bag on the assumption that it’ll only go up in value, the longer you hold on to it. But with brands like Hermes, or more specifically in this case, Chanel, classic styles are often the exception to the rule.

I’ll admit, I was pretty surprised when I spotted that the price of the Chanel Boy Bag had risen more than $1000 since I purchased it 16 months ago. It’s just one example of the obscene price hikes that are commonplace with luxury goods.

If you were to ask me now whether I’d pay full price, my answer would be a definitive no. Perhaps it’s a reflection of how much my priorities have changed in the last 12 months, but more so, I can’t fathom spending the current retail price – which is upwards of $6,000 – on a small bag that I’m not wearing every. single. day. To me, that’s the cost of a holiday abroad, or at the very least, a sizeable chunk of my overall wardrobe budget for the year. I’m glad I made the decision to buy it when I did, and if I had my time over, I’d do it all over again. The bag has brought me a lot of joy, and I still absolutely love the style, the shape, and its function 16 months later.

Should I find myself on the market for a second Chanel, I’ll be opting to purchase it pre-loved, either from a friend, or via a pre-loved marketplace like The Real Real or Vestiaire Collective.

While it’s not officially a ‘classic’, the Chanel Boy Bag is considered by many to be part of the staple collection of accessories year round, and I’ve loved seeing it reimagined each season.

I personally adore the simplistic design. The flap closure is easy to open and access, and the small yet structured look of the bag really appeals to me, and I think works well paired with slightly more feminine silhouettes. At 5’8” or 172cm tall, I can’t say I’d be inclined to go for a larger size; the ‘small’ boy bag feels just right against my frame. I’ve heard complaints that the small gap on the sides of the bag (at the top) have caused lipsticks and lip liners to go missing, but personally, I haven’t found this to be an issue. If you aren’t over stuffing the bag, everything fits in there quite neatly and doesn’t roll around. The only thing I find lacking is a small pocket on the back, which I think would be really useful for storing something like an Opal card.

The bag has worn exceptionally well; so much so, to me it looks pristine. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it justifies the price (as a lot of what you’re paying for is the heritage of the Chanel brand), however I am pleased to see that the value does seem to be reflected in its current state.

Do you own a Chanel Boy Bag? Would love to hear your thoughts on this one! x