If you follow me on Insta, you know a couple weeks ago I splurged on a Chanel Reissue bag. If you’re not familiar with Chanel, a Reissue bag is based on the original design of the Chanel flap bag by Coco Chanel in 1955 (that’s where 2.55 comes from). The Reissue design has a different clasp (not the interlocking CC’s that were designed by Karl Lagerfeld) and a different chain (no leather intertwined in the chain). If you more details or history about the bag you can read about it here.
I had always wanted a Reissue bag because I’ve had the classic style bags before (with the CC’s) and thought the Reissue was more subtle. It didn’t scream “CHANEL” as much as the classic. But I never really pulled the trigger because 1) retail price on these bags are high (and seems to get higher each year) and 2) I never found a used one in excellent condition and a reasonable price point. Well point #2 was met last month when I found this Chanel Reissue bag in excellent condition from Fashionphile (my most trusted source for secondhand bags), that included the box, dustbag, and authenticity card. And it was about 50% off the current retail price (which can you believe is $8000!?!). It was also in the largest size (227) which I actually didn’t mind because I wanted a bag larger than my current Chanel classic M/L (the one you see in all the comparison pictures).
To compare the Reissue 227 in aged calfskin to the Classic M/L to black caviar leather: The Reissue measures 12.5” x 8” x 3.25” while the Classic measures 10” x 6” x 2.5”. As you can see the Reissue is muuuch larger than the classic and it fits a lot more than the Classic does. In the Classic, I can only fit my regular wallet or sunglasses with case but not both, but I have no issues with that in this 227 Reissue. Yet the Reissue weighs only a tad more at 1lb. 12oz, while the Classic weighs 1lb. 10 oz. This is because the Caviar leather on the Classic is heavier than the aged calfskin of the Reissue, and the Classic chain with the intertwined leather is heavier than the all-metal chain of the Reissue. I’ve always disliked that I couldn’t carry my M/L Classic bag crossbody (I mean I can, but it’s a really awkward short length as you can see in the pictures below). So I was excited that carrying the Reissue crossbody was perfect. For reference the chain on the Classic when doubled has a 9” drop and 16” when worn as a single crossbody. Compare that to the Reissue where the chain doubled has a 11” drop and a 19” drop when single. That extra 3” makes all the difference. And comparing the two leathers: the Caviar leather is definitely more durable and sturdy, but the aged calfskin isn’t as delicate as you would think (it’s much better than say lambskin). But what I tend to see happening with the aged calfskin (and this is especially true of the largest 227 size) is that over time, when the bag is consistently weighed down, the aged calfskin will soften and start to scrunch down. Thus the bag starts to loose its rectangular shape. What I loved about the bag I got was that the owner took such great care of it that the bag still held its shape.
When I got the Reissue it was better than I expected, and I was initially very excited for the bag (though I did feel a tad guilty for spending way more on a bag than I wanted to—but I figured I could sell a couple bags to make it fit within my budget). But my initial excitement wore off when I tried to think of when I would carry this bag. I usually only carried Chanel on nights out or to weddings. But most of my friends are married so my wedding guest days are over, and my nights out are also numbered due to the pandemic (currently) but also generally because of a toddler. So I feel like I wouldn’t be using this bag a whole lot. And for me personally, I feel like it’s too flashy to take to Target or a grocery run (also TBH I’m a tad too afraid to wear such flashy things these days when it seems like a lot of Asians in the Bay Area are being targeted for muggings 😱).
But I also realised that my style and taste has changed over the years. I loved Chanel in my 20’s and early 30’s. And my idea of style back then would be some trendy fast fashion outfit with a Chanel purse (no offense to those who use this style formula, not trying to make a judgement call). But these days, after 5 years of writing a blog that tries to feature “ethical” fashion (or at least small businesses owned and operated by women), I’ve come to think of style more than the just handbag. Style is in the choice of fabric, silhouette, colors, and then the accessories. I’ve seen too many drool-worthy outfits by very creative people (often with thrifted clothing) who didn’t include a bag in the shot, or if they did it was something that was from a small brand or unbranded. Sure a nice bag is nice, but I no longer think it can make a plain outfit stellar.
Another thing I have come to realize is that buying into and paying thousands of dollars for a Chanel bag has a tinge of colonial mentality. I mean why are some of us paying these ridiculous prices? Because it’s deemed an elite brand? What makes this French brand better than an American one? A Black one? An Asian one? An up-and-coming small brand? For some brands I get it, like Hermes or Valextra (for those brands, artisans make one bag start to finish and the materials are of the best quality). But have you seen how they make Chanel bags? It’s an assembly, much like the production of any other bag (with one person doing the same thing for each bag that comes off the line).
Also another thing I can’t completely ignore is the fact that the history of Chanel is one of anti-semitism (Coco Chanel was a longtime lover to a Nazi officer and rumored to be a Nazi spy). Sure that’s all ages ago and a Jewish family owns Chanel now (and actually bought out Chanel back in the day), but would I support a brand founder who was a far-right supporter today? But the more important thing is that for the amount of money I spend on one Chanel bag I could support many more smaller BIPOC-founded brands. I mean I still have two Chanel bags (one a bday gift from my mom and one a travel souvenir), which I plan to keep because of the memories and sentimentality. But I’m definitely thinking twice about paying for yet another Chanel bag even at used prices. And lastly the price increase on Chanel bags have been particularly insane. The bag my mom purchased for my bday cost $4500 back in 2013. Today the same bag is $6800. The Reissue 227 bag is currently $8000. For $400 more you can get an Hermes Kelly 25 (which to me would seem to hold up better than some of the Reissues I’ve seen). This seems to me like a bubble. Much like the Tulip mania in Amsterdam, when will people start saying it isn’t worth it?
I guess for me personally, I’ve drawn the line. My lifestyle and tastes have changed. I do not plan on purchasing another Chanel since I’ve probably let go of the best-priced (and the best-quality) Chanel bag-of-my-dreams. I definitely don’t want to knock those who still love Chanel because I know that feeling too. Who knows, maybe this is all just a rationalization to persuade myself I did the right thing for returning the Reissue (it was definitely the right thing for my wallet lol). And we’ll see if I have any Returner’s remorse, in which case I’ll be sure to update this blog with those feelings.