It would usually be hyperbolic to call a handbag an “instant classic,” but that’s exactly what the Chanel Boy Bag seems like. Since its Spring 2012 debut, the Boy has become as sought-after as the brand’s other famous flaps, mostly by using a similar formula to the originals: versatile flap shoulder bag structure + distinctive lock = handbag magic.
The Chanel Boy Bag debuted at exactly the right time; young shoppers had taken an interest in the brand, but most of its signature bags skewed toward older shoppers with more formal wardrobes and personal styles. The Boy, with its more casual feel and array of seasonal variations, was the perfect design to bridge the gap while staying true to numerous Chanel signatures. The bag may only be in its fourth year of existence, but it feels like it’s been part of the handbag landscape forever.
Oh, and another fun fact before we dive in to the sizes, prices and comparisons: the Boy was named after Boy Capel, the love of Coco Chanel’s life.
The Chanel Boy Bag
Year Created: 2012
Sizes Currently Available: Small, Medium, New Medium and Large Shoulder Bags, Clutch, Shopping Tote
Availability: Chanel Boutiques and Leased Departments Only; Some Versions May Require a Wait List
Sizes
Chanel Boy Bag – Small
7.9″ W x 4.7″ H x 3.1″ D
Leather Prices Start at $4,300 for Quilted Calfskin
Chanel Boy Bag – Medium
9.8″ W x 5.9″ H x 3.5″ D
Leather Prices Start at $4,700 for Quilted Calfskin
Chanel Boy Bag – New Medium
11″ W x 7″ H x 3.5″ D
Prices Start at $5,200 for Quilted Calfskin
Chanel Boy Bag – Large
11.8″ W x 8.3″ H x 3.9″ D
Leather Prices Start at $5,500 for Quilted Calfskin
Image via The Real Real
Chanel Boy Bag – Shopping Tote
14.2″ W x 9.8″ H x 6.7″ D
Leather Prices Start at $5,000 for Quilted Calfskin
Chanel Boy Bag – Clutch
10.6″ W x 5.3″ H x 2.4″ D
Leather Prices Start at $3,600 for Smooth Calfskin
I do love this bag. I think I will make the purchase this year. I do however love the look in the small and old medium sizes much more than the larger options.
EliCaroline
8 years ago
This is one of my favorite bags of all time. Weird to think that it hasn’t been around that long tho.
Smithy
8 years ago
Yes it’s a classic, but it’s just too expensive, too pedestrian and too showy for me.
Pedestrian doesn’t mean what I think you think it means. It’s quite difficult to be showy and dull (the definition of pedestrian)? You probably mean plebeian (common, commonplace or vulgar), which is something I’ve heard from a few Chanel devotees about these new styles (which is a criticism lobbed at many designers from time to time). Call me common if you’d like but I love the Boy as much as I love my Evelyne!
gpc
8 years ago
I have a maxi flap classic, but I just can’t go there on this one. Price? Cloth interior? Really?
Mya Wilkes
8 years ago
sigh! The price!
Jen
8 years ago
Thanks for this! This was pretty much like porn
Yoshi1296
8 years ago
I LOVE the Boy bag!! I only own 1 Chanel bag and its the Herringbone Boy from Pre-Fall 2014. My absolute favorite bag in my collection!! I don’t think I will ever be able to get another Chanel, but I think 1 Chanel bag is all you really need!
Freya
8 years ago
I really wanted a Boy bag and it was so difficult to track one down as they have always been sold out when I visited the boutique. Then I finally found one and was convinced that I will buy it straight away. It looked nice on my shoulder, but the minute I opened it and saw the interior I was so disappointed. It just didn’t look like a 4000 Euro bag should look like. I own bags which cost only a fraction of a Boy but are made with more love to the detail. I still admire the look of a Boy, but I don’t want to have one anymore. Now the Reissue is back on my list, though.
Totally agree with the interior situation. I have a few Chanel bags and I would say the interior of the Boy bag is the most disappointing. I personally dislike the fabric lining and the fact there aren’t many compartments within the bag. Even he GST has a much more luxurious feel. Just sharing my opinion though 🙂 x
You didn’t look at the interior of the bag, before you bought it?
Sparky
8 years ago
This year I’m buying my first Chanel – and it will be a new medium Boy. I tried them on in store.
I know everyone says ‘get a CF for your first Chanel’ but it doesn’t suit me. It didn’t feel right. I’m too sporty for a CF. LOVE the Boy!!! Can’t wait to get it.
Katrina
8 years ago
I was not aware that the interior was fabric. All this time I thought that the inside was the same as the classic flaps. I’ve tried a few Boys in store, including the woven one you show a patch of, and they are lovely. But I never thought to look inside since I wasn’t seriously considering purchasing one just yet. That’s such a let down.
I only looking inside the bag after I had purchased one! haha! the fabric interior is VERY disappointing. I love the bag and the way it looks – my favorite size is the small and the medium but I wouldn’t buy another boy bag solely on the fact that the interior is way too simple and I kind of feel ripped off for the price tag.
Pamela
8 years ago
$4300 is so much for a simple bag.. there are cheaper chanel bags that are nicer.
LL
8 years ago
Love it but just can’t seem to pull the trigger. Not fond of the price.
Scottsdale Kim
8 years ago
Loved the Boy WOC but it seemed to come and go quickly. More of a reissue girl otherwise. Does that make me old?
hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda
8 years ago
The bag actually debuted the March 8 2011 at the fall winter 2011-12 ready to wear show not in 2012
Miki
8 years ago
I actually really love the look of the Boy bags and am kind of obsessed with the gold and black one. The large sized ones seem a bit big on people who are petite. I feel like going for the shopping tote would be a good choice, too.
Miki
jyohal
8 years ago
Thanks Amanda – this is great! Thanks for the pictures with how the different sizes look when actually on a shoulder!
Jacqueline Yee
8 years ago
The comparison was great with the different sizes. Still too boring and expensive for my taste. Prefer something a little younger.
Nafisah Anafi
8 years ago
can you include/ is there another blog where i can find a guide to the types of patterns Chanels makes for the Boy’s flap? I mean like besides quilted & chevron, what else can I choose from if I’m interested to get one? Recently I’ve seen some that are quilted only in the middle, were they fakes?
No, the first season Boy Chevron was quilted in the middle.
DivaD
8 years ago
I just bought my first Boy bag in Heathrow airport and the price was fantastic! I’ve received nothing but compliments! I also own a GST black with SHW in caviar leather; a black easy carry flap with SHW and a black patent leather classic clutch with chain in SHW. I love them all and now that I have SHW sorted I’m going for a jumbo CF in GHW next month! Can’t get enough Chanel!!!
how much is it in Heathrow? I’m visiting London, Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam next month
TFJAUREGUI
8 years ago
Does anyone know what style this is that Jules of Sincerely jules is wearing?!?! I’ need it!
Katie
8 years ago
Why are some Le boy caviar leather (black, small) have grey fabric lining inside instead of black
Lytton Lee
8 years ago
i got my replica at snavone.com….they have great quality
but you need to email them…..they dont show pics on the website which is kinda annoying
got mine there
Yeah of course its fake….just got another one, their quality is amazing. I paid for the small leboy 230€ . got a valentino now for 350€ – the real one is like 2000€
serene lee
8 years ago
Hi
serene
8 years ago
Hi I m buying a le boy in old medium in caviar but am afraid that I might be a fake 1. I have the pics of the authenticity card and the bag but still can’t tell if its real stuff. Can anyone out there can help me if there are ways to see its authenticity?
They do! They have a really nice light gold hardware! 🙂
Ltres
6 years ago
On the picture of chanel boy chevron small pink and medium light pink why the details of the arrow are not the same? The light pink one the arrow doesn’t sit right on top the lock? And I prefer this one actually but mine is like exactly sit on top of the lock.. but both look nice?always love chanel boy?
Katie Le
4 years ago
Can you please help to name the hardware colours on the comparison photo on the article? Thank you
I do love this bag. I think I will make the purchase this year. I do however love the look in the small and old medium sizes much more than the larger options.
This is one of my favorite bags of all time. Weird to think that it hasn’t been around that long tho.
Yes it’s a classic, but it’s just too expensive, too pedestrian and too showy for me.
Pedestrian doesn’t mean what I think you think it means. It’s quite difficult to be showy and dull (the definition of pedestrian)? You probably mean plebeian (common, commonplace or vulgar), which is something I’ve heard from a few Chanel devotees about these new styles (which is a criticism lobbed at many designers from time to time). Call me common if you’d like but I love the Boy as much as I love my Evelyne!
I have a maxi flap classic, but I just can’t go there on this one. Price? Cloth interior? Really?
sigh! The price!
Thanks for this! This was pretty much like porn
I LOVE the Boy bag!! I only own 1 Chanel bag and its the Herringbone Boy from Pre-Fall 2014. My absolute favorite bag in my collection!! I don’t think I will ever be able to get another Chanel, but I think 1 Chanel bag is all you really need!
I really wanted a Boy bag and it was so difficult to track one down as they have always been sold out when I visited the boutique. Then I finally found one and was convinced that I will buy it straight away. It looked nice on my shoulder, but the minute I opened it and saw the interior I was so disappointed. It just didn’t look like a 4000 Euro bag should look like. I own bags which cost only a fraction of a Boy but are made with more love to the detail. I still admire the look of a Boy, but I don’t want to have one anymore. Now the Reissue is back on my list, though.
Totally agree with the interior situation. I have a few Chanel bags and I would say the interior of the Boy bag is the most disappointing. I personally dislike the fabric lining and the fact there aren’t many compartments within the bag. Even he GST has a much more luxurious feel. Just sharing my opinion though 🙂 x
You didn’t look at the interior of the bag, before you bought it?
This year I’m buying my first Chanel – and it will be a new medium Boy. I tried them on in store.
I know everyone says ‘get a CF for your first Chanel’ but it doesn’t suit me. It didn’t feel right. I’m too sporty for a CF. LOVE the Boy!!! Can’t wait to get it.
I was not aware that the interior was fabric. All this time I thought that the inside was the same as the classic flaps. I’ve tried a few Boys in store, including the woven one you show a patch of, and they are lovely. But I never thought to look inside since I wasn’t seriously considering purchasing one just yet. That’s such a let down.
I only looking inside the bag after I had purchased one! haha! the fabric interior is VERY disappointing. I love the bag and the way it looks – my favorite size is the small and the medium but I wouldn’t buy another boy bag solely on the fact that the interior is way too simple and I kind of feel ripped off for the price tag.
$4300 is so much for a simple bag.. there are cheaper chanel bags that are nicer.
Love it but just can’t seem to pull the trigger. Not fond of the price.
Loved the Boy WOC but it seemed to come and go quickly. More of a reissue girl otherwise. Does that make me old?
The bag actually debuted the March 8 2011 at the fall winter 2011-12 ready to wear show not in 2012
I actually really love the look of the Boy bags and am kind of obsessed with the gold and black one. The large sized ones seem a bit big on people who are petite. I feel like going for the shopping tote would be a good choice, too.
Miki
Thanks Amanda – this is great! Thanks for the pictures with how the different sizes look when actually on a shoulder!
The comparison was great with the different sizes. Still too boring and expensive for my taste. Prefer something a little younger.
can you include/ is there another blog where i can find a guide to the types of patterns Chanels makes for the Boy’s flap? I mean like besides quilted & chevron, what else can I choose from if I’m interested to get one? Recently I’ve seen some that are quilted only in the middle, were they fakes?
Thanks.
No, the first season Boy Chevron was quilted in the middle.
I just bought my first Boy bag in Heathrow airport and the price was fantastic! I’ve received nothing but compliments! I also own a GST black with SHW in caviar leather; a black easy carry flap with SHW and a black patent leather classic clutch with chain in SHW. I love them all and now that I have SHW sorted I’m going for a jumbo CF in GHW next month! Can’t get enough Chanel!!!
how much is it in Heathrow? I’m visiting London, Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam next month
Does anyone know what style this is that Jules of Sincerely jules is wearing?!?! I’ need it!
Why are some Le boy caviar leather (black, small) have grey fabric lining inside instead of black
i got my replica at snavone.com….they have great quality
but you need to email them…..they dont show pics on the website which is kinda annoying
got mine there
how much is it? Bags on the website are really cheap, is it fake?
Yeah of course its fake….just got another one, their quality is amazing. I paid for the small leboy 230€ . got a valentino now for 350€ – the real one is like 2000€
Hi
Hi I m buying a le boy in old medium in caviar but am afraid that I might be a fake 1. I have the pics of the authenticity card and the bag but still can’t tell if its real stuff. Can anyone out there can help me if there are ways to see its authenticity?
Hi, do chanel boy have a shinny gold hardware?
They do! They have a really nice light gold hardware! 🙂
On the picture of chanel boy chevron small pink and medium light pink why the details of the arrow are not the same? The light pink one the arrow doesn’t sit right on top the lock? And I prefer this one actually but mine is like exactly sit on top of the lock.. but both look nice?always love chanel boy?
Can you please help to name the hardware colours on the comparison photo on the article? Thank you
Good Quality!!!