Chanel Handbags

ShopBop continues to bring us a small, eclectic group of vintage handbags. What are we digging the most? The Chanel bags. Chanel vintage handbags show us that the brand is not only timeless but also that their designs continue to be relevant. The newest addition to the vintage collection at ShopBop is a Chanel Vinyl Bag which features signature chain straps with a clear vinyl body and interlocking black letter Cs at the front and back.

The reason this bag doesn’t do much for me is because I have never loved vinyl bags. If I wanted to own a vinyl bag, this could be it. I can picture pairing this bag with large oversized sunglasses and a casual outfit of jeans and a tee. In my mind it looks good. The other thing about a clear bag is to make sure whatever is showing through is not entirely awful. I would opt for oversized colorful pouches to be the innards which will show through with a little pop of color. Dimensions are 12.5″H x 16.5″L x 4.5″D. Buy through ShopBop for $2,860.

I’m having a vintage moment lately. Last weekend, I spent 3 hours on Friday afternoon looking for vintage art deco costume jewelry on eBay. I really want a 70s faux fur jacket. The Stephen Sprouse collection for Louis Vuitton won me over long ago. And then this morning, I was lucky enough to find the utterly charming Chanel Vintage Le Train Bag.

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Sighted tonight in the cold rain, New York City, 5th Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman. Even though it’s just a prop, it’s worth noticing.

How one could not notice it, is the question.

Like the rest of Chanel’s Spring 2010 collection, the bags that we saw walk their runway (barnway?) were more rustic-chic than classic Parisian. Whether that’s your thing or not, Karl Lagerfeld certainly seems to believe in it.

The problem with Chanel, though, is that for better or for worse, they have a lot of aesthetic history to consider when a new collection is designed, and Lagerfeld usually chooses to acknowledge that history. What that means is that mostly, Chanel doesn’t innovate. They do something different here and there, and a lot of their bags are quite lovely, but rarely do we see them starting new bag trends.

I don’t know if that’s a positive or a negative – it just sort of is. If you like their aesthetic, then I’m sure you’re completely fine with what they do and how they do it. If you don’t, there are plenty of alternatives on which to spend your money. There are a few unexpected things in this accessories, but mostly it’s just the same bags we’ve seen with slightly frayed edges. I can totally understand if that’s what they want to send to retail, but I also can’t help but wish Lagerfeld & Co. would embrace the fantasy of the runway a little bit more in the accessories department.

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I must disagree, strenuously and vociferously, with the reintroduction of the wood-bottom clog to the high fashion lexicon. Even when these particular wood-bottom clogs are from Chanel Spring 2010. I will not stand for it.

What I do like, however, is smiling. Models smiling. When was the last time that you saw model after model, looking reasonably happy and human, in a major fashion show. In the fashion show of Paris Fashion Week? And do my eyes deceive me, or was supermodel Sasha Pivovarova talking on a cell phone on the runway?

And is that hay? Did Karl Lagerfeld turn the Grand Palais into a barn?

Yes and yes.

Quite honestly, regardless of the clothes (which were reasonably fabulous, but not the best of the week. Like I said in a previous post, Alexander McQueen already won), Chanel’s show appeared to be the most joyful. At my college, we had a saying: our team may occasionally lose a football game, but we’ve never lost a party. And that’s exactly what Chanel did this week: they won the party. I mean, they even had a live band! With Lily Allen! Was there a keg? If there was a keg, I bet it was really nice beer.

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When asked about one of the most classic handbags ever, Chanel comes to mind. The Chanel Classic Flap is synonymous with timeless. If you have the budget to splurge, this is a staple for your collection.

Chanel bags are also known for their high price tags. Many of us can not afford a nearly $3,000 bag. If you are looking for an option for a Chanel look for less, Urban Outfitters has an option.

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Look at this clutch. Look at this clutch. Not only is it vintage Chanel, but it is beautiful, gold, and best of all, not tacky in the slightest. Could we ever expect Chanel to be? I think not.

But via vintage powerhouse What Goes Around Comes Around, Shopbop is again bringing in some unbelievable vintage Chanel with which to fill our closets. And this beautiful, queenly, sophisticated Vintage Chanel Gold Bar Clutch is absolutely no exception. Now, besides the fact that it oozes 50’s glamour more than a sponge oozes water, the size is of particular note.

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We brought you information on the Chanel Coco Cocoon line featuring Lily Allen earlier this month. If you have a registered email address with Chanel, you can access the Chanel Coco Cocoon website and be the first to own a piece of the line.

Now we see more of this line, which includes handbags, travel bags, and small leather goods. Prices start around $400 in the small leather goods for a lambskin keycase and go up exponentially for the handbags and travel bags. The Chanel Coco Cocoon line offers nylon and lambskin on most of the bags which have a puffy finish, think fluffy down jacket for skiing. The line is a departure from classic expectations of the brand. But the casual finish and high ticket prices for the products, including the nylon, has this line a miss on our list.

More pictures of the Chanel Coco Cocoon line below...

The fall/winter 2009/2010 collection from Chanel is now available in Chanel boutiques. Channeling the winter months, Chanel brings in heavy materials, tweed, and a splash of color with the perfect green and pink.

The leather shoulder strap on the green and pink tweed bags is a departure from the classic chain strap, yet I find myself wanting to see the tweed bag with a chain strap rather than smooth leather strap (like the last photo below). My pick for Fall/Winter is the Chanel Extra Large Tweed Flap with the chain shoulder strap. The tweed is reminiscent of Chanel classic suits as is the quilted finish and chain strap. There is also the classical flap with interlaced ribbons which continues to bring dimension to the bag while offering a horizontal pattern rather than the expected diagonal. To view the collection visit Chanel online.

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Lily Allen is the face of the new handbag line, Chanel Coco Cocoon, which is set to debut in October of this year. The line brings a fun twist to Chanel handbags as the bags are reversible. And straying from the expected, the Coco Cocoon line sports puffy leather.

Lily Allen rocks the bags in the photos shot by Karl Lagerfeld. Only question is what the Chanel enthusiasts will think of this line.

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