The first best Chanel bag, CHANEL never let you down!
good! The first few weeks of 2019 have been a bit quiet on the blog, but I figured I’d post again about the best first Chanel bags to buy. First-time shoppers give me a lot of questions, often confused about what to buy for their first Chanel bag. Obviously, a lot depends on your personal situation, style and lifestyle, but even taking all of this into account, I still think this is some general advice, regardless of your preferences and circumstances. So, here are some tips and tricks for those of you considering trying it with your first Chanel bag!
style
Now, obviously, any bag you like can be found in good stock at Chanel, but in general there are some bags for someone looking to buy their first Chanel very popular. The most common ones I hear are Chanel WOC (Wallet-0n-Chain), Chanel Mini (square or rectangular), or M/L flap (sometimes called mid-flap). Prices vary widely between these styles, which I discuss in the next section.
All three styles can be a hit with your first Chanel purchase, but there are a few key things about each:
WOC: It’s a small bag, and the chain is pretty long, so it’s really only good for crossbody. It comes with multiple card slots and is practically designed for ditching your wallet. You can fit a phone, keys, lipstick, or other small items if you so choose, but nothing else. On the plus side, it’s a lightweight, easy-to-use bag that can be worn as both a casual everyday messenger and an evening bag. For those looking for WOC and Mini styles, I compare the two styles in this video.
Chanel Mini: The next size holds more and is one of my personal favorites for its cute looks and value for money. Square and Rectangular Minis are about the same, and Rectangular Minis hold slightly more (but only slightly). You’ll be able to put a small wallet, phone, keys, small things, and a product or two. The biggest difference between the two is that the rectangular mini has a much longer strap than the square mini. Therefore, the square mini is more suitable for wearing on the shoulder, while the rectangular mini is more suitable for wearing as a crossbody bag. For anyone still confused about the two, I have a video comparison of the two sizes here.
Chanel M/L Flap: This is the classic Chanel size and the size most people think of when they think of the classic flap. It’s certainly a beautiful size, and it transitions well from day to night as long as you’re happy to carry less. It can’t hold much due to the presence of the bi-fold panels, so your capacity will be about the same as the rectangular mini. The chain is much shorter in length though, and the style works best on the shoulder, too short for most people to wear as a crossbody bag.
Other Popular Options: There are, of course, two other popular styles: Jumbo and Petit Flap. The Jumbo is my absolute favorite style, and while it’s pricey, I think it’s worth it for its versatility. Many people gravitate toward the aforementioned styles because of their smaller sizes and more affordable prices, but if you know you prefer a tote, the Jumbo is an amazing option and I think it’s my favorite tote.
The small flap is rarely mentioned as I think many people would go for the M/L as it is slightly larger. Even though I do think the small flap doesn’t represent the best value for money, I love mine and it’s an excellent choice day or night as it’s a small bag so it’s minimal in terms of carrying. The straps are on the shorter side, so it’s practically impossible to wear this crossbody, but it’s the perfect length to wear on the shoulder. If you’re looking to save some money, and generally lean toward smaller bags, then I do think the small flap on the M/L is worth considering.
