It’s often a bit of stretch to call a handbag an instant classic, but when Chanel debuted the Boy Bag back in 2012 that’s exactly what it became. The Boy Bag was introduced during a crossroads period for Chanel. The brand was aiming to reach a younger consumer base with the release of the Boy Bag and at the same time millennials were beginning to gravitate towards the classic brand. It was this so called ‘perfect storm’ that made the Boy Bag an instant hit. Since its launch, the Boy Bag has been reinterpreted a million different ways. With its expansive offering of sizes and colors to new seasonal variations, there’s a Boy Bag to suit every outfit.
Prior to the Boy Bag’s release, Chanel’s lineup mainly consisted of classic styles that fit into the wardrobes and lifestyles of it’s mostly older clientele. It was this hole in the brand’s offerings that allowed the Boy Bag to amass classic status incredibly fast. And it wasn’t until the release of the Chanel Gabrielle Bag that another bag launch was pushed as hard by Chanel’s corporate structure.
The Chanel Gabrielle Bag was first introduced for Spring 2017, and like the Boy Bag, it targeted Chanel’s younger customer base. Though the fanfare around the launch of the Gabrielle line was impossible to ignore, the Gabrielle was not an instant home run with Chanel fans and received mixed reviews from all of you too. I myself was sort of on the fence about it, and I wondered if it would stick around for long. Two years later and it seems that the Chanel Gabrielle isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The bag eventually picked up steam among celebrities and influencers as well as everyday handbag lovers like you and I. I’ve even lusted after the backpack version from time to time.
Though it’s not a newbie to the handbag scene anymore, two years is not that long in handbag years, and it will be interesting to see what’s to come of the Chanel Gabrielle in the next few years. With the resurgence of the hobo, I could see this bag hanging around for at least a few more seasons, but I’m not sure if the Gabrielle will ever truly reach the cult classic status that the Boy Bag has. Check out some of my favorites below.
Chanel Gabrielle Small Backpack ($4,100)
Chanel Gabrielle Iridescent Small Hobo ($4,100)
Chanel Gabrielle Large Hobo ($4,800)
Chanel Gabrielle Small Hobo ($3,800)
I don’t think so. Partly because the multi colored hardware.
No
No. Also, I initially liked it, but lost interest since it didn’t have feet and wore too quickly. Within two years the price has increased dramatically, which is crazy, since the market doesn’t justify the price. IMO.
The market doesn’t justify for any of them realistically. No repairs past 5 years, quality control isn’t the same nor is it increasing or plateauing with the price, no more exotics… among many other things. I’ve always wanted a medium boy bag but at $5,000 I’d rather just spend $4k more and get a Kelly 25. Chanel really cannot go much higher than this because it’s product just doesn’t demand that price. It’s not gold, the quality doesn’t match, customer service has been hit or miss… just not worth it.
I agree with everything you said about Chanel! I also love the boy bag, but can’t pull the trigger due to the quality and price. I take my money across the street (literally) to the Hermes boutique. I know that I’ll pay more, but get superior quality. Another perk is that I can bring in any Hermes bag to receive spa treatment regardless of the age!
I liked it originally and if the price at launch would’ve stayed, it would’ve been a lot better but now? No. I’m so disillusioned with Chanel. I used to be hesitant to use the resale market for bags but now with Chanel, I’d say that’s the only place that’s WORTH getting Chanel. Even if you were a multimillionaire, your money senses would tell you “hey girl it’s not worth it, getcho self some stocks instead of that saggy Gabrielle bag”
Someone get Bryan a column.
I got one right away because I loved the straps & thought it would be so practical –but –because the shape is smaller at the bottom –it constantly tips over –& no feet either to protect the bottom –I got tired of the hassel & now have it for sale.
….handbag lovers like you and I. Should be stated like you and me……..
I went to Chanel to look at one when they first came out and was totally horrified when the SA pulled it out and the bag was all scrunched up and wrinkly. She literally had to unfold it and try to flatten it out. Quite frankly it looked like she was embarrassed. And then I saw that smooth leather had no feet (seriously, how does a decent handbag designer not put feet on that leather?!) and decided it would be a total waste of money. So no, unless they change the quality, it won’t be a classic.
Never have been a fan. I like it on other people, but it was a hard pass after watching several reviews on YouTube. It’s not functional or practical. After seeing it in person, my thoughts were confirmed. Also, one of my favorite YouTubers said that the bottom of it looked like a maxi pad. Now, I can’t unsee that.
sophie shohet!!! love her!!!
Wow, can you let me know what YouTube review that was. I’d like to watch it!
i think Lena is talking about Sophie Shohet babe…go n watch her videos..i love her!
Thanks. I will. ?
I hated this bag at first, but I recently saw a friend carrying it, and my impression totally changed. I like it. I like the slouchy, wrinkled, aged look of the leather on the top part of the bag, andvthe casual vibe of the multi-colored hardware. I don’t think it’s a classic, though, and for that reason I won’t buy it at retail. If I see one at a reputable consignment for a good price, I’ll grab it, but since Chanel’s last price increase was my breaking point, and my collection of classics is complete, I won’t pay retail for Chanel again.
The blue Gabrielle is from the Chanel website. I know this because I called them about the crappy stitching around the smooth leather. If you have the ability to zoom in on the stitching, check out the uneven lengths and missed stitch. They don’t even seem to care about their quality anymore. I wanted a small Gabrielle, but I think I’ll pass because of the quality and price.
HOLY COW!!! Yes! I zoomed in and sure enough, on the left of the base it’s glaringly obvious. Amazing you caught that. Impressive!!
This bag is really popular in Asia. I don’t like it. Straps are dumb.
Horrible! I am shocked to see that! If I had seen this bag somewhere else and had not known it was from Chanel website, I would have thought it was a fake. What terrible stitching, specially as it is machine stitched!
How can they use the photo of such a bag for their website! Either there is no quality control whatsoever, either they don’t care.
Chanel quality used to be great. I still use Chanel bags my mother gave to me and that she bought as a young woman, and they still look fantastic after all this time and so much use. I am more a Hermès girl and I do not buy much Chanel. The most recent Chanel bag I own is a Boy. It looks good quality but I am not sure if it will stand the test of time like the other ones have.
I do not like the Gabrielle. To me it looks cheap and I have never been tempted to get one.
You’re right. That’s awful!
OMG…u r sooo rite babe! i can see that! horror!
I’m pretty sure that it should read “… as well as everyday handbag lovers like you and ME.”
I am waiting for my small black Gabrielle hobo to arrive – I hope I love it! What grabbed me is the cute shape, the fact it’s not a flap which generally I don’t care for the opening and closing of bags with flaps, plus I love the multi-tonal chains. Fashionably Amy has a couple good videos on this bag (check them out if you’re curious about this bag).
No. When it launched it immediately reminded me of a binocular case. My financially practical side said “you could save thousands carrying a binocular case”, but my fashion side said “it wouldn’t be a good look”.
I can’t get on board with this bag….the base is the exact same shape as a maxi pad….
It was hate at first sight for me. Just couldn’t get myself to like the hard stiff bottom.
I was used to hate it but now I have two of them. It just comfortable, but also a fun bag. It makes me look young. Even my husbad like it. At the same time is also elegant and i can feel the Chanel 😉
At first, I don’t like it, but after I saw it IRL, I love it. I own two now and am thinking about another one. I love the way I can carry it on one or two shoulders at the same time.
On the contrary, I love the Boy since it’s first release with no quilt and big tacky Chanel on the “spine” and everything. But the old medium was too small and every other size includes the new medium don’t look good on me. I end up hating it.
I guess it’s just for different group of people. Of course, I wish it to stay. I hope to see and get to own more colors in this bag.
Not sure what it is, but they look cheap to me. As another commenter pointed out ,the blue bag seen here has uneven stitching around the base, too, but even the leather and hardware look chintzy.