One aspect that Chanel perfects is updating its core timeless designs with each new season’s fashion show theme. If you’ve ever watched one of Chanel’s shows, you know that the theme is not just taken into account but an entire world is created with no detail left-out to transport the audience into that specific Chanel world. There are countless shows that I specifically remember, after all, Karl Lagerfeld was the master when it came to giving the audience an experience to remember for the rest of their lives.
The theme of course includes everything from the invitation to the interactive set design, but it translates, rather on the nose, to the collection itself. Many of the novelty bags quickly become the hottest items of that season, selling for well over double on the resale market. While the classic staples in typical leathers and colors are always available, if you want to be bold, the season’s latest designs are the way to go.
While this bag isn’t as much a novelty bag as the Bird Cage Minaudière, I know there are plenty who will love the pizazz of this rendition of the Chanel 2.55, which I am calling the Mermaid bag.
The 2.55 is one of the most sought after Chanel staples and this version features goatskin in multi-color metallic hues of pink, yellow, blue and green. This is a bag for a collector, or someone who doesn’t stray away from adding something entirely different to their bag collection. Living in South Florida, I know of many people who would go crazy for this bag as it suits the palm trees, beaches, and Miami scene to a T. There is also a Wallet on Chain option if you prefer (which costs $2,900). I like the WOC version better as it has brushed gold metal hardware versus the shiny gold hardware on the 2.55, which makes the already flashy bag a bit more toned down.
This bag isn’t for everyone, in fact it’s probably not even for most people. If I still lived in Ohio, I could never imagine buying a bag like this. But there is something about this multi-color metallic leather that makes me happy. It feels like a fun and far away vacation destination, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and sometimes that’s exactly what I want in a bag (even if I am not going to buy it). Price for this bag is $6,500 via Chanel.
Omg I love it but could never pull it off….. oh I don’t know… maybe I can. It’s so shimmery!!
You can pull it off! Just jeans, a tee, and this bag would make an outfit!
Sure you can, wear and buy what you love. It is a very nice and unique bag.
This bag is so pretty in person. I saw a woman at the mall carrying one and just had on regular clothes.
It’s sad that we’ve relegated our fine bags to mall-walking….
YES! My SA just sent me a video of the bag and it is GORGEOUS. I didn’t think I’d feel so strongly about this bag until I saw that video, now I’m obsessing a bit
Ha Ha Megs, I saw your stories on Instagram. I saw you looking at the bag and then I saw the Chanel shopping back ?. Please share what you bought with a review!
Love it!
Posting about it this week!!
I like it too, but am having trouble finding it. Most stores ordered the small or the WoC and it’s sold out. I do not know where to locate one.
??? please dont let me see…rainbows my total weakness…the only bag il break my birkin budget for! Ive never been more in love… im thinking about getting the woc its the cheapest and i badly need that style in my collection because i dont have a small little clutch bag type where i dont need to bring a wallet or cardholder
Oh boy! I’m not going to help because my Chanel SA just sent me a video of the bag and it’s even better in person – such a stunner!
Do you think this is better than the chanel boy rainbow cuba that came out in 2017/2018? ?????????? I dont know which one to choose i want both ??
Ha! They are very different, but both are truly stunning. The Boy Rainbow is a bit more pastel though and this is metallic. So two different vibes!
I love it, but even if I had the money, I wouldn’t spend this much on it.
I love it, but it’s too trendy. I hat to pay that much money for a bag that will only last me for 3 months. Anything metallic doesn’t really last long.
Metallic needs to be treated a bit more cautiously, but man it’s beautiful!
How does it need to be treated more cautiously? Thx!
From my experience the finish rubs off. That said I’ve never bought high end bags in metallic. Maybe the finish on their bags is more durable.
You are taking apples and oranges here. All different levels of quality and all different levels in both metallic leathers and exotic skins. Treatments (curing) of leathers/skins are all different and relate to final costs. Not trying to be snobby but often you get what you pay for and finishes are different than tanning. I have exotic metallics and metallics and exotic non metallic bags—even some of my grandmother’s and they are still beautiful—no cracks, no lifting. Alot depends on how you treat your possessions. Warnings that say keep out of sunlight or away from heat mean just that!
That’s what I said. It might depend on the quality of the bag.
My Chanel metallic-finish bags and SLGs are much less-forgiving than Chanel’s other finishes. You are wearing them, not just storing them, so unless you want to babysit your bag during wear, it’s difficult to not have some mishaps or rubbing that removes the finish. Given my experience with expensive metallic bags, I’d agree with Megs on this one.
It is so beautiful…
No way.
Pretty for tropical climes…. not so practical for northern ones. And metallic is much harder to maintain.
I just love it and 2020 has been so grey and dreadful we all need some sparkle and shine and glitz. I actually want the wallet on chain version but it is not at our boutique yet. For me the drawback is so much pink—-I would be fine with lavender or red but I am just not into pink. I have other
Chanel and Hermes and YSL handbags in metallic and no difference in maintaining as long as you store in the protective bag. And chevre (goat) is very soft and durable in my experience. And perfect vacation or evening bag.
Each to her own. In my experience, my metallic-finish Chanel 2.55s (silver, bronze & turquoise) scratched/scuffed/discolored much more easily during wear and are nearly impossible to refurbish (most reputable Chanel restoration shops will tell you they wouldn’t guarantee they could restore scratched metallic finishes). Not sure exactly where to wear such glitz anyway, given COVID-19…parties or gatherings where anyone would care seem like a pipe dream at this point.
So agree 🙂
Sooo tacky. Fits Miami or similar.
Not any tackier than the Loubs in your avatar. ?????
LOL! ?
…colorful whimsey….goes well with small, black doggie…?
I bought the WoC and it is absolutely insane in person. I went back and forth since it’s my first Chanel piece but then again if it’s my first.. why not have a knockout?
Question: why are people saying metallic is harder to maintain? I’ve read the goatskin is one of their most durable leathers.
Anyways, super sick bag and is definitely different (ps. I live up North so no Miami vibes here).
I was offered the WOC, but I’m on the fence since it may be too small for me. I’m 5’10” and my weight is proportionate. My SA is in another State so even though she sent pictures I really don’t know. What are your thoughts about the size? Thx!
I was facilitating between the WOC or the 4 mini’s online, but my SA said those were $27,000, which is a big price for four small bags. Oh, well! I’m sure someone can afford and enjoy them!
chevre us great and durable leather. My metallics all do fine. As newbie, may I suggest to you, let your bag air out overnight and NEVER STORE IN PLASTIC. Use the protective fabric bag and put some clean tissue paper in it the next morning/day and then put it on your closet shelf—NOT in closet with your water heater or heating pipes—-you said you were up North and I have no idea but in hotter climates only old t shirts get stored in water or heating closets. Enjoy!
“… water or heating closets” for storage? Really? You said in a different post you were “trying not to be snobby” ….
Your point? This was this woman’s first metallic Chanel purchase so I was trying to be helpful regarding care and storage. It is a BIG mistake to put away shoes, handbags, hats or really anything you have worn without letting them air out and even slightest dampness dry out. My entry hall closet also has my water heater in it and the heating unit. So I was trying to say NOT to store bags where closets have this inside—-too humid and too hot. Everyone has different climates and different household layouts. Same thing for not leaving your handbags in hot sunlight for too long—-common sense usage but few people have common sense. I was lucky to have mother and grandmother who taught me and I worked for over 35 years in fashion and home decor businesses so I know I know more than the average person on how to treat fabrics and metallics and leathers for longer life. ‘Not being snobby’ refers to my ‘you get what you pay for’ remark—-a metallic bag from Primark is not the same as a metallic bag from Chanel. And perhaps you should check your attitude before you log in to comments.
I think you are well intended, but I feel that many people know not to put their bags near or around heat. Also, I have to disagree with your comment that “few people” have common sense. I feel that “some people” lack common sense, but the word “few” unfairly pulls a lot of people into that category. I’ve been reading comments on PB for years and the majority of posters are well educated re: the care of their bags. This is the only comparison that I can make because outside of this blog I see people carry bags, but have no information re: how they care for them. I feel that PB readers, and those that contribute to this column, are buyers that appreciate quality and care for their bags. Also, I know there are first time buyers, of designer bags, that seek information re: the care of their bags and for this reason PB is a great resource. Lastly, my Chanel SA informed me that this bag comes with the enclosed microfiber towel, that of course comes with all Chanel bags, but the enclosed care booklet explains specifically how to maintain this metallic bag. Again, I’m not trying to throw shade on you or your comments, but to discuss my point of view. Thx! ?
“Check you attitude.” Look in the mirror and repeat… You clearly KNEW your comments could be construed as snobby, as you said as much yourself. You were correct about that. Cheers. Oh, and no one CARES about your “career” in fashion & home decor (so impressive to no one except yourself). I think people have enough common sense not to store expensive leathers next to heat and water sources or (as you so elegantly put it) where they would store “only old T-shirts.” Truly condescending. Waste of time.
Really. She’s offering helpful advice. i.e. If you put a bag in your water heating closet etc the humidity and uncontrolled heat is horrendous. Its differentiating between a closet and a hot water closet, so that a mistake won’t be made between the two. For goodness sake, don’t pick and look purposely for some kind of faux outrage and offence where not warranted.
Most people know to avoid heat and water sources when storing their expensive leather goods. She’s being condescending. My opinion. You don’t have to agree.
Thank you for your support. I appreciate it because there was no reason for her nasty comment.
Or your arrogance. Cheers.
Agreed. I read it as helpful, well intended advice without malice. Perhaps, it can be interpreted that everyone knows not to put bags near heat, but it reminded me of the Motherly advice that Mom’s feel they need to inform their children (even when they are adults and they know their children know). It’s just a Mom thing. ?
Thanks so much! Currently it’s in fabric bag and in Chanel box but I’ll take it out to breathe. Appreciate it.
Fabric bag from Chanel is great and then in Chanel box it came in. You’ll be fine. Just give it a little airing once in a while. And toss your hair darling….flaunt it all.
Thank you!
Very beautiful; I foresee the mermaid trend ebbing and flowing from fashion and being huge every few decades… This is tasteful; I had a rather cheap mermaid wallet last year and it just looked too juvenile.
I love it but the chain strap is a deal breaker.
I saw the pictures of this bag and it didn’t strike my fancy until I saw it up close, stunning!
Exactly how I felt about it too!
I agree! I saw it on the Chanel website and I thought “hmmm”, but then my SA sent me pics of a WOC and I was smitten with the colors, but didn’t want a WOC. So, she worked very hard to find me a 2.55.
I love the brushed gold hardware on the WOC. Very pretty and feminine.
Ok looks quite cheap and don’t see any value at all. Nice to carry it for this Summer and that’s it.
Sure you can wear it with any style but nothing special feeling i am afraid.
Another over priced from Chanel.
There are so many quality bags out there but seems like we are blind. Lol
I love this one. Would love to buy one but I can not afford it. But it is beautiful
I loved this bag so much I chose to style it on my blog https://theluxaholic.com/chanel-2-55-reissue-metallic-multicolour-2-ways/
This bag is not as hard to style as you might think! I have ordered this metallic print in the o-case version and am so excited to share when it arrives, the colours are out of this world!
What does “o-case” mean? Thx!
Oh it is like a big pouch! It is flat until you put items in.
I inquired about what you were referencing and you gave me a thumbs down? I found it humorous, but also an odd passive aggressive response, don’t you think? Cheers!
LOL no that was an accidental key press sorry!
This screams & looks SOOOOOO CHEAP!
I thought it might too, but in person it is stunning and happy!
Yes, it’s beautiful by itself but without the right person, outfit, and charisma, I suspect it’ll read tacky and look like it’s from Claire’s, especially since only those in-the-know would know that it’s a Chanel bag. Not many people will be able to pull this off–you really have to have a good sense of style and fashion.
Absolutely beautiful ? ? ? ?