Question:
What is the best first bag to buy at Hermès or Chanel?
Dear First Timer,
This is a very personal choice based on your lifestyle, the city you live in (large or small), your personal habits, how much you like to carry in your bag, whether you live in a commuter city or you travel in your own car, your individual taste, and your budget.
We recommend to start slowly and don’t invest a large amount of money on your first bag until you get to know the brand better and know what works best for you. Your budget, lifestyle, and tastes will likely change and evolve over time and there is no way to predict which way they will go. Start slowly, enjoy the process, and happy shopping.
At Hermès the non-quota bags are a great way to experience the luxurious workmanship, design, and look of their products without breaking the bank. The mini Evelyne is very popular for its size, ease of wearing, and amazing low price. The medium and large Evelynes are also good choices. In addition, the Picotin 18 (mini) bag and the new daisy versions are extremely popular and loved by Hermès afficionados. Again, some versions of this bag start under $3,000 and go up depending on size.
The Herbag is a popular choices and easy to use as a travel bag because it is partially in canvas. And don’t overlook the mini Lindy and its larger sisters. This bag has exploded in popularity. It will surprise you how much it holds and how easy it is to wear either crossbody or on the shoulder.
Those are a few suggestions to explore at Hermès but there are many more depending on your preferences. Your SA can give you all the options and let you know when they become available for you to purchase.
At Chanel, there are many options now. Depending on the size bag you are looking for and your budget, it is a good idea to explore the small leather goods first. Many of these items could double as a wallet or mini bag, have good starting price points, and give you the Chanel design and feel we have all fallen in love with. Each new season Chanel introduces new small leather goods with unique designs, so check them out before deciding.
Some other good choices are the Vanity bags which come in several sizes, and the Wallet on a Chain (WOC) is always a good first Chanel bag. In addition, you can never go wrong with the Mini Classic flap in square or rectangle or the Mini Classic Flap with a Top Handle. The mini classic flap bag is extremely popular and holds its value on the resale market year after year for a reason. It not only looks like a classic flap bag, it holds as much or more than the small classic flap, it can be worn on the shoulder or crossbody, it is easy to travel with, and it is just over $5,000 for both versions.
If you are looking for a larger sized bag to use for work, travel, or everyday, there are the Deauville Totes, the Chanel 22, and the Large Shopping Tote.
Don’t skip the Chanel Coco Handle flap bag, the Boy bag, the Gabrielle bag, the Gabrielle backpack, the Chanel backpack, the Chanel 19, the Chanel Trendy CC, and the newer Bucket Drawstring bag. All of these bags are an excellent first Chanel bag.
A few of our articles on luxury bags under $6,000 will give you some great ideas to start your journey.
Read:
5 Chanel Bags Under 5K – Fall 2023 Version
6 Hermes Bags Under 6K – 2022 Edition
photo courtesy @stellaw2021
- Pursebop posted 2 years ago
- last edited 12 months ago
