3.07.2011

love-hate luxury

the vintage Chanel classic flap (jumbo, black lambskin)

let me preface this post by saying that i've been thinking about this bag for a long time. this is the splurge of the year, not to mention the last bag (or sartorial item in general) that i'll buy for a long time.


i am very excited for it to arrive later this week. i agonized over purchasing it for two years, and stalked various vintage ones online before finally saving up for this one. now i feel both thrilled and guilty, partially because i grew up in a household where thrifty living was valued above all else. i sometimes wonder if my love for beautiful (and often expensive) things is some sort of moral failing. i certainly did my share of rebelling against my parents' values, but now that i'm no longer a teenager, i've slowly evolved my own style ideas to coincide with my tastes. simply put, my love for fashion and design is how i express my attempt to live an aesthetic life, and sartorial items are basically my only splurge.

in general, i don't go for logos and hardware on bags. none of my other bags have them. however, i've always liked the slightly outré details of the Chanel classic flap (compared to the 2.55). i also prefer the leather-and-chain straps rather than the all-chain 2.55. at first glance, this is a bit of an 'out of character' acquisition compared to the rest of my collection. however, partially due to those reasons, it has become a must-have for me. i have a love-hate relationship with this bag due to the status-symbol associations with the CCs and the numerous celebrities who wear it, but at the end of the day i love the vintage classic flap because it is such a brilliant and iconic design. 

so my love for this vintage Chanel bag is a complicated one. what about you? do you have any items in your wardrobe (or a wishlist piece) that embody this mix?

29 comments:

  1. Don't feel guilty. It's hard to explain why we like certain things. Sometimes the answer is simply, "It's beautiful." And this certainly is! Chanel bags belong to that rarefied group of objects that are incredibly well-branded. Paris Hilton carries them, sure, but so does Taylor Tomasi.

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  2. my mom gave me her LV damier bag, and i feel very weird carrying it around. it's a very structured small bag, and i don't feel polished enough to use it. i feel like your vintage chanel is more versatile and such a classic piece.

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  3. I splurged on a Céline mini shopper in January and at first, I felt rather awkward carrying such an expensive bag to school but then realised most people would see as a pretty bag than a designer, posh bag at first glance anyways; so now I feel much more comfortable with my bag and carry it everywhere.
    Congrats on getting such a beautiful Chanel bag, don't think too much, and enjoy! :) x

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  4. V: ah, thank you. :) you're right. and it feels funny that i am hoping to get some 'moral support' from my lovely fellow bloggers and readers on this. hehe. but yes there is something uniquely covetable about this Chanel bag. i really like Taylor Tomasi actually - she and Yasmin Sewell are two of my favorite stylish women who regularly show up on style blogs.

    erica: ah, that's the best kind of luxury - a hand-me-down from one's stylish mom. what size is your damier? i don't think you should feel strange carrying it around - it's actually the only monogram that i like from LV and quite versatile (and hard-wearing, from what i hear) to boot. from all the inspired outfits and items that you've blogged about over the years, i definitely think you can work it into your wardrobe! :)

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  5. i understand you 100%. but at the end of the day, you're not conflicted INSIDE about the bag, you're feeling pressure from outside NOT to like it because of the celebrities who carry it, etc.

    you - we - should never feel ashamed or conflicted about the things we love. we love what we love! carry it with pride. i can't wait to see how you work it into outfits!!!

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  6. OMG!!! I'm drooling. That's so a lovely, classic bag. I love that you got a vintage one, instead of a new one (I hear the quality has gone down in recent years). The size of this bag is so unique.

    I also often wonder if my love for beautiful/expensive things is a moral shortcoming. I also wonder how I will balance my love of fancy things with more "grown-up" responsibilities (kids, mortgage payments, etc.) in the future.

    Finally, I think I have this complicated relationship with all of the nice pieces in my wardrobe (which, at this point, I'd say 85% of my wardrobe is made up of "slow fashion" labels). To sort of echo K's point, I feel awkward carrying nice bags and wearing nice clothes to school. I hate it even more when my colleagues ask where I got a certain item of clothing from. Often, I give some vague answer like, "some small boutique in Brooklyn" to avoid feeling judged. That probably sounds super crazy, doesn't it?

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  7. K: thanks for stopping by! :) your Celine sounds lovely. would love to see it on your blog perhaps. i've really liked their designs (RTW and accessories) since phoebe philo got on board. i do intend to carry my Chanel everywhere. i'm most excited about how it'll be equally functional as a compact day bag that goes seamlessly into night.

    grechen: that's a really great way to put it. thank you! i'm just all too aware that my vice happens to be beautiful things, and bags are my particular weakness and i need to put a check on my 'fashion Id'! but - i agree with you completely. so long as you're getting it for the right reasons and not just to follow a trend it's all good :)

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  8. K: as an edit to my reply to your comment after jennifer's comment, i'd wear my Chanel bag *almost* everywhere. :P

    jennifer: thank you :) i had heard about the quality declining as well. i also dawdled about whether i should get the jumbo or the (discontinued) jumbo XL. but in the end i think the jumbo is the right size. big enough to be functional but not so big that it loses the Chanel elegance.

    we totally need to get coffee and bond over your last point, which doesn't sound crazy at all. ha! :) i know exactly what you mean, especially about the colleagues issue...i think this would be a little bit of an issue in many workplaces, as one doesn't want to be unnecessarily judged by others. it's a tricky balance as 'dressing appropriately' in a professional setting goes way beyond just wearing slacks and a blouse.

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  9. Fashion's holy grail! Great choice!

    http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.com/

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  10. Beautiful bag! It's interesting that you consider this an "out of character" purchase, because my first reaction was that this would fit into your wardrobe perfectly (at least what I've seen of it). I like this bag best when it's worn in a sort of casual way, and you have a knack for that interesting mix of laid back and luxurious.

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  11. I think it's beautiful, and I'm speaking as a fan of the 2.55. I'd been looking for a small day bag that wld also look chic for evenings and I'd come to realise that the quilted Chanel purse is really a good piece of design - not much has changed since it was introduced in the fifties, and so many modern bags are based on its design - it's a true classic, no matter how overexposed it is.

    Last year I went into Chanel and found myself in a trance-like state after I tried the re-issue 2.55 in navy - I still think Chanel is a little too glamourous for me but for just one moment, I understood why people paid that kind of money for it. I think you're going to have a lovely time using it, congratulations!

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  12. I agree that the Jumbo XL is probably a bit too big. Your bag is so versatile and will transition from day to night really easily!

    Aaaaand, yes! We really should talk about this sometime soon! You're right that it would be an issue in workplaces as well as in our departments (which we can sort of consider as a workplace, I guess).

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  13. pret a porter: it's really unfortunate that your friend's husband is so against the idea. i mean, if it's her $$ and she planned the purchase, why should he interfere? i'm lucky that my boyfriend is pretty chill and understanding of my sartorial obsessions. the mulberry bayswater is a fine bag in it's own right, but your friend should be able to get what she really wnats!

    alexandra: thanks! haha. i'm also very happy that it's a vintage 1990s Chanel. :)

    S: thank you! you are always so sweet with your comments. it's a bit 'out of character' i suppose because it's on the one hand a very glamorous bag, and of course the vintage styles have the larger CC clasps. i also personally try to steer clear of anything overtly 'branded', but i think the Chanel classic flap is a gorgeous bag that i can make an exception for. the CC clasp looks a bit like modern art and not just another logo. but i do intend to wear it with a mix of stuff from my wardrobe, so i am looking forward to styling it my way. :)

    lin: thanks! it's funny, isn't it, that the more you try to look for something different, you end up going back to the same 'originals'? i think the LV speedy is like that too. i think the popularity of the Chanel classic and the 2.55 is the fantasy element. it really is such an iconic piece of fashion history that one can own in that way. and of course pass onto your daughters!

    jennifer: yep. i have to de-program myself from time to time that not every bag needs to be able to fit an overnight stay's worth of stuff. but now i'm satisfied that i have a small but diverse collection of bags that suit every purpose.

    i'll email you about talking about larger sartorial/work issues soon! :)

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  14. Looks like a nice pick to me! As others said, what counts is whether it feels "right" for you regardless of other people's judgments and standards. If it's not because that others say it's great that you think is great and it's because you feel it's right, then that's the bag. I think quite often the bag feels "forced" or that the bag owns the women and not the other way around when the person has chosen the bag because they thought that's what they were supposed to have to fit a certain category. Be it Vuitton or Hermes or Chanel when the person has the bag as part of her style she stands out before the logo of the bag. I think you can pull it off =)

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  15. I think you should enjoy this fabulous purchase! Wear it all the time :-)

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  16. It's a lovely CC bag, you certainly make the right choice :>

    I got the same mixed feeling (love/guilty) when I finally pulled my trigger on a Chanel last Fall. Just could not ignore the fact that those money can be a decent foreign trip (more enlightening & less materialistic???) or a better investment in stock for retirement. Not to mention the amount could sponsor many children via Charity org (Errrh, I feel terrible right now typing this) Anyhow I bought the bag at my 3rd time boutique visit as it is a seasonal item & would not sitting there forever for me.

    I do not regret the purchase, whenever I take it out of the dustbag, I smile. Agree with the others: Enjoy & dun think too much. Wear it all the time!

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  17. Wow. This is a huge purchase, but I'm not sure anyone could ever regret buying something like this. I used to want a Chanel but have since realised it's not exactly my style and if I was buying it it would simply be because it is Chanel. Treasure it, I'm sure you made the right decision.

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  18. It's beautiful and you will use it forever, congratulations!

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  19. I really agree with S - you may feel it is an out of character purchase, but the way you wear it will ensure it slots perfectly in to your wardrobe. You'll wear it in such a way that it is a subtle addition - in an outfit where the Chanel element isn't what you notice first, but where you appreciate the person's style, and then clock the Chanel as the icing on the cake.

    Sometimes we just shouldn't fight these things - your fight with yourself over this purchase definitely comes across in your entry, but you've gone with your instincts over a long period of time - and that can only be a good thing. Enjoy your new bag - such a precious purchase! x

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  20. I think the jumbo flap is perfect! Great choice! I have been searching for the same bag, who did you go through to acquire it?

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  21. I think the bag is lovely and will last you a lifetime. Enjoy it. If anyone decides to question your choice, remind them nicely that purchases are personal and that you do not reproach or question theirs.

    My watch is my one truly indulgent piece (Hermes Cape Code w/black leather double wrap band). If someone questions me about it, I explain that while I have chosen not to own an engagement or wedding ring (another thing people love to judge), that this is my one piece of important jewelry and I've worn it daily for ten years and that I hope to never have to buy another watch again. They don't have much to say to that.

    Again, it is beautiful. Enjoy!

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  22. nanashi: yeah it's important to wear things with conviction :) sofia coppola and michelle williams both wear luxury comfortably and always look like they're being themselves. very inspiring!

    kristin: i will! kind of feeling like a kid waiting for christmas morning waiting for it to arrive! :)

    po: oh! i'd love to see your chanel :) which one did you get? i know how you feel - but there are many ways to give back, so a personal splurge once in a while is fine if it's balanced out!

    asha & ammu: thank you!

    Olivia: aw thanks for the really sweet comment. really can't wait for it to get here. i'm glad i took so long to decide to get it though. somehow makes it feel like a more well-considered splurge!

    Mess2Mrs: i got it from Portero - they specialize in selling gently used/vintage luxury goods.

    Lisa: thank you :) your Hermes watch sounds wonderful. that's the best kind of purchase - one that becomes a part of your own personal history. it's funny, because it's very tempting to think that you'll just scrimp on everything that you can, and an Hermes or Cartier watch seems so astronomical. but i think incrementally it's actually quite easy to spend a lot more over time buying cheaper, poorly made goods and i think the best is always to have fewer items that are exceptional, heirloom pieces.

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  23. I always feel (very) guilty with big purchases. But the best ones still give me that gleeful feeling whenever I use them, or even look at them, so I hope that’s the same for you with the chanel! It’s lovely, something to be handed down the generations :)
    As an aside, I was reminded by the workplace attire comments of something a friend said once: dress for the job you want, but don’t give them the impression they’re paying you too much.

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  24. son: what a brilliant saying! very wise words indeed :) i agree, there is *always* a politics to how you dress whenever you're in a professional environment. thank goodness that you can wear what you want during your off time. i'm sure i'll wear the bag so many times it'll be well worth the initial splurge. :)

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  25. oh yes, a girl can dream...

    http://shesays-susan.blogspot.com/

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  26. I've heard the quality of the vintage ones are much much better than those that the stores are selling these days. Congrats!! The more I look at at your bag, the more I want it.. I have never been a Chanel-girl but this bag is gradually growing on me..

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  27. fleurette: thank you! the bag is alluring, no? i never thought i was a Chanel girl either. i'm not terribly interested in a lot of the current RTW pieces, but the classic flap bag is my favorite. do update if you end up gettng one at some point! given your recent disappointment with the LV/SC clutch, a Chanel flap bag might just be a better alternative :)

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  28. Lovely bag. Congratulations. Wear and enjoy it in good health. Doesn't it feel good to save up for something that you love?

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  29. lindsay K: thank you!! it's a good feeling...that saying about good things coming with some patience is quite true! :)

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