I’ve wanted a Chanel bag for as long as I can remember. Before I took the plunge into full-blown ownership (they don’t come cheap, after all!), I spent hours upon hours ruminating on which exact one would become my first.
As a true bag lover, I planned the exact moment I’d buy it months in advance. I had a trip to Paris in the works (unrelated to the bag) and figured it would be memorable to purchase a Chanel overseas versus back home in the States. Off I went to Champs-Elysées and the rest is history.
Here’s your first look at my new Chanel Caviar Quilted Camera Case, a bag I (shockingly) prefer over my Classic Chanel Flap Bag (more on that later). While this specific style isn’t currently available online, Chanel recently released a handful of similar versions which share virtually the same look, feel, and shape.
Aesthetics
As with many of Chanel’s bags, this specific Camera Case comes in caviar quilted leather, aka my favorite. (Sorry, smooth calfskin.) With that, the bag sports a timeless and classic “Chanel” look, something that can’t (and hopefully won’t) ever go out of style. As with the Classic Flap, the frontside features a silver double-C clasp with a convenient pocket. The chain is pretty standard for Chanel, and the zipper is adorned with a second silver-and-black double-C logo.
In terms of overall aesthetics, this bag offers the best of Chanel’s Business Affinity, Classic Flap, and standard Camera Bag. It’s simple to take it from “day” to “night,” given the hardware adds a decidedly dressier feel while the style and shape are more casual.
This particular bag, as well as many of Chanel’s Camera Cases, are ideal for those who don’t want to spend $5,000 or more on a Classic Flap, but still want the timeless essence of a Chanel. It also adds an effortless touch to just about any outfit – be it for girls’ night out, a professional lunch, or a weekend of travel.
Usability + Functionality
These two factors are major to me, which is why I frequently discuss the importance I place on a bag’s usability and functionality. If you’re not going to get substantial wear out of a bag, what’s the point? In most cases, we’re talking about a significant purchase, so the financier in me always calculates and compares the price of the bag against my expected wear and potential investment return.
In terms of functionality, the best kind of camera bag (which, in this case, is the Chanel) is small and chic but still holds a ton, namely a full-sized wallet and a water bottle. There’s a sturdy top zipper involved, and two interior pockets (one open and one zipped). The strap is perfect for crossbody as well as shoulder, and the front flap pocket is a welcomed bonus. It’s a great spot to quickly store your phone or keys.
While the bag may appear small, the inside is roomy and easy to navigate. A frequent criticism of top-zip camera bags is the challenge to place items in and out of the bag. That doesn’t apply here. Once unzipped, the bag opens wide, enough to even fit a 17-ounce bottle inside.
I’m about 5’4 and the bag sits nicely on my body at around my hip. Wearing it on my shoulder makes it a little longer but still doable. As with any camera bag without removable straps (sigh), the only way to wear this particular style is with its long straps. That makes it difficult to store when sitting at a coffee shop or restaurant, unless you place it on your lap.
All in all, this bag is the perfect counterpart to the on-the-go woman. You’ll have more than enough room to hold your valuables, and you may even forget you have the bag on. (It’s that comfortable!) It’s not in the slightest bit heavy either. Suffice to say, you’ll be turning heads (the CC logo has that effect) without even realizing.
Quality + Construction
In terms of quality and construction, this bag falls in line with what you’d expect from Chanel. Though there’s been discussion on whether or not Chanel’s quality has deteriorated over time, I have had nothing but positive experiences with it. To me, the quality and construction is as luxurious as a Classic Flap, with gorgeous hardware, fine stitching, and a well-built chain.
I’ve carried in through the rain and heat and thrown it around my apartment and car. By no means have I “babied” it. With about three months of almost daily wear, you can see (evidenced from the photos) that the bag looks virtually untouched.
No, it’s not some sort of illusion. The bag is just that sturdy, and the quilted caviar leather definitely helps. I can’t say it would be the same if the bag was made with smooth lambskin or suede.
The only issue I have with the construction is, due in part to the front flap and lack of “feet,” the bag tilts forward, especially when it’s close to empty. That means you have to be quite careful that it won’t completely tip forward when not in use.
Price + Value
Compared to Chanel’s line-up of bags and small leather goods, this one is a steal. When I purchased it (in April 2019), it retailed for just over $3,500. As I mentioned before, this specific style is not currently available. However, I’ve heard from SAs and insiders that it is likely to be resurrected in an upcoming season, similar to Chanel’s Business Affinity.
Anyway, I think given its design (reminiscent of a Classic Flap) and its functionality, the value speaks for itself. If you’re anything like me, you’ll get an unbelievable amount of use out of it. Just call it your new everyday bag.
Staying Power
Because this style is comparable to many of Chanel’s most beloved bags, and I don’t anticipate Chanel going anywhere anytime soon, having one in your arsenal can’t hurt. There’s a classic and timeless perception associated with most Chanel bags (I’d say all, but some of them are a little too funky for my liking), and this style surely fits the bill.
Worst-case scenario, Chanel never brings back this particular camera case style. You still have yourself a classic double-C bag in quilted leather with the signature chain. Let’s just say, there’s worse problems to have.
Overall Rating
Since I purchased this bag and the Classic Chanel Flap, I’ve used the former almost every day and the latter maybe twice. I don’t regret purchasing both (and I probably wouldn’t have been satisfied without the Classic Flap), but if I had to choose, I would undoubtedly go for the Camera Case instead.
The classic Chanel look and feel, coupled with its incredibly functionality and somewhat approachable price (for Chanel!) make this bag a no-brainer.
I’ll leave you with this, something I’ve said many times to friends and family since purchasing it: If something happened to this bag tomorrow, I’d without a shadow of a doubt find the nearest Chanel boutique and buy a new one, be it this specific style (if I could find it) or something similar. No bag fund. No second-thought. That’s how much I’ve come to love this bag. It will definitely be a major part of my collection going forward.
Check out Chanel’s current line of Camera Cases here. A word of advice: Check back often, as I’ve noticed styles are frequently updated.
Please proofread these articles!
“Anyway, I think given it’s design (reminiscent of a Classic Flap) and it’s functionality” should be “its design” and “its functionality.” This is a possessive pronoun, not a subject and verb…
I enjoy this website, but I’ve seen SO many instances of ‘it’s’ being used when it should’ve been ‘its’… It’s pretty pervasive. :-/
The grammar has now been fixed. Yay!
And written by a “nationally published writer” too. Cringe.
I thought it was a great article and summary.
To only comment to point out some minor grammatical errors and ignoring the content seems a bit harsh. Give her a break, guys! <3
A site as big as Purseblog should have proper spelling and gammer. Anything less is unprofessional. Period.
Absolutely agree! Typos and poor grammar undermine credibility. If you promote yourself as a writer or journalist, proof-read your articles and edit them after posting when you find errors. It’s SOOO much easier than when everything was in hard copy in print and you were stuck with the mistakes!
Can you explain what “gammer” is since you are requesting professionalism in journalism?
Funny, her critique didn’t mention her occupation. Writers and journalists have an obligation to be as accurate as possible. The posters who notice those mistakes, not so much.
Since when are we supposed to post or resumes in order to give an opinion? I have to be a journalist to comment on writing? That’s absurd. PB readers mouth off like crazy about handbag designs but I suspect VERY few are professional designers themselves.
Can you please edit your writing before posting? You said “post or resumes”, but I believe you meant “post our resumes”. If you can do this you will have more credibility! Thx!
You COMPLETELY mis-read my comment. Oh Well… the AUTHOR claims to be a professional writer. Those of us who make our livings by reporting, writing and editing SHOULD be held to a higher writing standard than the people who read our articles. In a newsroom environment, if a job candidate’s resume has a single typo or grammar mistake, it gets spiked (aka: filed in the trash can). Clear now?
Good Lord, the criticism never ends on here. This is a blog for goodness sake…a handbag blog LOL
It’s not a hobby blog. Purse blog is a company making money from this blog. It’s a product. They should have writing standards.
Sigh. Did I DESCRIBE this blog as a hobby? Whatever, I feel like certain people just want to argue about this subject & I’m done. Typos on this blog really gets your goat—I used to consider myself part of the grammar police but this seems snarky & mean at times. I guess your life depends on correct grammar! LOL It’s not like the writers are using profanity or committing plagiarism.
Yes! It is not our goal to treat this as anything other than professional. This is our profession, I’ve never claimed otherwise to anyone. But we make mistakes. I know this was brought up before, but I assume majority of people make mistakes in their personal and work lives.
That was my point below – delivery is key. There is no need to be mean and I always welcome criticism. I don’t think anyone can claim I’ve deleted their comment or shut down these types of conversations. I just wish they could be kinder and more constructive.
Totally agree! If this person’s life revolves around grammatical errors then this person needs to get a life. Time is too precious to waste on silly subjects. Movin’ on….
Why are you so mad? Can’t we have standards anymore? Because you don’t care about something doesn’t mean that we all have to stoop to your level. Some of us appreciate a well-written article and there is nothing wrong with that. Also, we occasionally criticize PurseBlog BECAUSE we love it and we care.
Because I am NOT upset over a handbag blogger’s grammar, you accuse me of being mad? Are you serious? It is YOU who is apparently mad. I care about things that, I suppose, are far more important than a handbag’s description and usability. The critics on this blog seem quick to bitch.
Standards matter. I agree 100%.
Spelling and grammatical errors are a recurring problem on PurseBlog these days. Don’t blame us!
I like the bag a lot, btw.
We defenetly could-a-should-a 4 sure make better.
I know we’ve had errors and of course if you see them, do call us out and let us fix it. But I think what the arguments over this stem from is delivery. I truly have no problem being told we have mistakes and it is something we want to fix but mostly don’t want to have happen. BUT, when you are going to let us know, the delivery doesn’t need to be personally bashing the writer either. You can alert someone and say, ‘hey, there’s a problem with this you missed’ versus something far more personal. Ya feel me? 🙂
Not OP, but I’ve done this before for the same error and nothing happened…
In the days of print, every article, every word was proofed and corrected BEFORE the piece went to print and reached the public. No reason why Purse Blog – or any blog – shouldn’t do the same. In any field professionals have to adhere to a set of standards. If not, then what defines a pro? You should consider uploading a story the same as going to print. The piece should be flawless. The immediacy of blogs is not an excuse for sloppiness…
Hey Sparky: Before you criticize and critique anyone can you correct your own grammatical and spelling errors? It would be greatly appreciated and then your message would have more validity! Thank you so much for adhering to the rules that you maintain the author, etc. should follow!
Get stuffed…seriously.
Agree.
My post said nothing about the writer:
“Please proofread these articles! ‘Anyway, I think given it’s design (reminiscent of a Classic Flap) and it’s functionality’ should be ‘its design’ and ‘its functionality.’ This is a possessive pronoun, not a subject and verb…”
As you see, I did not “bash the writer” and I was respectful. There was nothing “personal” in my comment. So, don’t lie and accuse me of things I did not do.
Thanks in advance.
I was referencing the you as in ‘you all,’ not you specifically in this one case. I apologize that you took it that way. But I did not outright call you a liar, please don’t be rash. I’ve been respectful in every single exchange we have ever had.
This entire comment thread has become combative, and that is what I was referencing. On top of that, I was stating the obvious – if you (as in you all) want to critique or call out issues, please do. I have never once deleted someone’s comment or attacked them for doing so. But I ask that it is done in a respectful manner. Firstly, I think everyone’s personal lives are tough enough in their own ways. Secondly, I think it will be met with less hostility all the way around. And thirdly, it’s just nice to do so. I always take that approach, and I think much of the back and forth in this long thread stems from those that feel like the writers on our site are being attacked and don’t like to see it. On the other side are the posters who feel let down by our mistakes. Both are valid, both should be heard, but delivery is always key.
Reading her remarks makes me wonder if she is more referencing your historical and typical negative responses against this blog. However, in this blog you also stated “we occasionally criticize PurseBlog BECAUSE we love it and we care”, but that’s not true. You don’t “occasionally” correct their remarks. You HISTORICALLY jump on every minor error and typically your delivery is unprofessional and rude. I believe this is what she is referencing when she wrote: “BUT, when you are going to let us know, the delivery doesn’t need to be personally bashing the writer either. You can alert someone and say, ‘hey, there’s a problem with this you missed’ versus something far more personal”. In other words, you typically often bash the writer and if you are being honest with yourself you know that you do. It seems to me that she has reached her saturation point, since she has addressed several of your rude remarks in past posts, and she is asking you to be nice moving forward.
I also believe that when articles are published they should be edited for form and content, but I also know that mistakes are made, which is human error. There is a nice way to tell them and it would be to your benefit. I would say that this remark: “don’t lie and accuse me of things I did not do” is not a good start.
Yes, that is what I meant! I was not specifically trying to call out one poster in this case at all!
I wonder if any of this frustration also stems from this blog being taken over by youngsters who don’t have a rich or sophisticated knowledge or understanding of haute couture/ high end items. My nieces and nephews are millennials, well-educated, but their grammar is atrocious. PB used to feature articles that SEEMED like the writers were somewhat embedded in fashion culture. Now, for the most part the writers here seem unsophisticated, giddy (yay!!! me score yay!!) and are in no way well-versed in high fashion and brand history. So MAYBE, maybe, it’s a little more than just the grammar.
Great point; agree. I’d add that somewhere along the proverbial line, technical accuracy in conveying the message (i.e., writing!) seems to have fallen by the wayside as well.
I’m a Millennial and not a fashion insider, and I still expect a to see *basic* correct grammar on professional blogs. Those things are mutually exclusive.
I hear you. I personally read every single comment and I take all of them to heart. It is incredibly important to me that our site remains the best place for handbag information on the web. It is no secret that Amanda was an incredible writer who wrote beautifully and covered the fashion world in a really meaningful and insightful manner. I simply can not write like her!
We have been working with more freelancers and continue to find more writers to fill different voids in our website. We have a great new writer with a really in depth piece on Hermès which will be posted soon!
We are trying to expand our breadth of what we cover and the voices that cover the handbag and fashion world. And of course we don’t want to make grammatical errors, we will continue to work toward making that happen much less!
TKS: That is an entirely new subject that lends itself to speculation. To say that “the blog is being taken over by youngsters who don’t have a rich or sophisticated knowledge or understanding of haute couture/high end items” is insulting, even to me, and I don’t even know these authors. To make a comment like that, IMO, means that you have spent time talking to these author’s and therefore you can intelligently make that assumption. However, if you are basing your response on something that they wrote it’s a premature response. If you want to know more about the author’s, and their knowledge and skill level, go directly to the source. Only when you do that will you have the right to your biased opinion. Or, if you have so much knowledge about haute couture please write for this blog. I would love to gain insight into your world perspective of haute couture.
I could easily write it. And 100x better. At least 100x. But I don’t need the money, and my actual profession requires much more analysis and depth than this. I would much prefer to continue writing actual dissertations. I used to come here to read for a break from the heaviness of my profession, but the satisfaction of doing so has evaporated. There is zero sophistication here – and there used to be. All the old writers that were so good left. And yes between the poor grammar, limited use of descriptors, superficial banal bag choices, you’re right. I can absolutely infer about these writers.
I responded to you above before reading this comment. I never claimed I am the best writer or x times better than someone else at doing so. This was my point I was trying to make above: delivery is key. I’m not sure how you expect me or anyone from our team to respond to something like this… What is the goal of leaving a comment like this? It just comes off mean.
We are continuing to work with new writers, and if you ever have something you’d like to cover, not because you need the money but because you’d like to write about bags because it’s lighthearted fun, let me know.
Megs I was responding to Char’s challenge not to you. I know you guys try, but I do miss the feeling that PB was a part of something special and unique. It may also be that IG has changed the layout here too. Even on TPF the subjects of threads and stimulating interaction has died down significantly. It might just be a sign of the times. I would love coverage of brands history, cultures and different consumption habits for different ones, topics that promote thoughtful discussion, EXPERTS!! Some experts would be amazing! Economics, changes of the helm of major players, bags of the week! (Remember that?) Writers who have enough of these luxury products to write with command of brands, topics that make people actually think and process. There are so many of us around that can shoot through every designer, every collection, every leather, every style and every issue. The blog has just gone “light”. I am sorry if any comments sounded mean. They were not intended as that. It’s frustrating for me to see such potential lost.
We are looking for more writers who possess this depth of specific brands and fashion in general that you are referring to. I mean it in every comment when I say if you have an interesting take and would be interested in sharing, let me know.
I personally have never claimed to be the most knowledgeable, there are so many people far more versed in brands than I am, but what I am is a lover of handbags. I always have loved them, and always will. My goal has been to share that with our readers.
The forum has changed over time, as any forum would. It’s really large but I do think that the change in the landscape of the web and the focus on social media changes how everyone communicates. I am not a huge fan of social media in this way and don’t love either facebook or Instagram, but to pretend it isn’t having an impact on us all would be a lie.
I can agree that “all of the old writers that were so good left”. I also enjoyed their writing styles and interesting articles. I’m a creature of habit and if I like something I expect it to last forever, but realistically know that it can’t. I was happy for them that their talent was recognized and they moved on and up in their career.
I remember so much clever and wit on some of these, don’t you? But yes I am happy they deservedly moved on, clearly they were special.
Clever and wit… that would be Amanda! Like I said, we miss her dearly!
Our main writer, Amanda, left for an amazing opportunity at the Atlantic! She is missed not just by you, but by us as well!
Suggestion: Pay your writers more, and you’ll attract better-quality contributors. Anyone who ever has freelanced knows quite well that some pubs (especially online!) pay only by the word — sometimes as little as $0.25/word — or offer a few bucks per post, sometimes as little as $25 for 150-200 words! That’s no avenue toward paying the bills or recruiting loyal contributors who CARE about the caliber of their product. Better pay = higher-quality, more-experienced writers.
What makes you think we don’t pay our writers well? You’re making assumptions right now that simply don’t hold merit.
You Assumed I said you didn’t pay your writers well. I said pay them MORE and they might stick around longer and you’ll be able to attract more seasoned and better contributors. If you read it any other way, then maybe that’s reflecting what you feel.
I feel like you are simply trying to pick a fight. I’m not trying to.
Nor am I. The simple economic truth in private industry is that higher pay attracts more experienced employees/contractors/freelancers, regardless of the field. If the columns are being critiqued for their lack of technical expertise and shallow messaging, then you should entertain the possibility that those writers either aren’t experienced enough in their fields or aren’t devoting enough time to developing them. Bump up the pay scale and it’s quite possible the writing would improve across the board.
I hear ya MG, and grammatical errors can get on my nerves too sometimes. But the “nationally published writer” bit from the other poster made it hard to not say something.
I think we’re all already hard on ourselves to begin with and everyone’s got tough stuff they’re dealing with.
P.s. Agreed – I also think this bag is cute! Classic and functional winner.
And girlfriend wears it well! 😉
But there is a point here though. For those of us that are not “professional writers” who could get this grammar 100% correct, don’t you think, as a profession, their expertise is at least of the layman level?
I agree. The grammar police are always cruising to find errors and providing their negativity.
Had anyone ever noticed grammatical errors in other professional writing arenas? Because I have. On the regular. Let’s get past this, please, for the love of handbags!
Agreed! Also, people are generally personally attacked for their opinion. There are some really mean people on this blog. Sometimes I just can’t read it for these reasons.
How true. The purpose is to enjoy and the meanness is ridiculous.
Enjoy your low standards and love for mediocrity. 😉
I don’t have low standards and don’t love mediocrity. I’m just more forgiving of human errors.
I love this bag – I saw it online at the RealReal in pink and it’s so cute!! I want it………I have it in black so you know its good if I’m considering a second!
I know this is a site about beautiful, expensive, and fantastic handbags but 3,500 dollars for small bag will always amaze me.
Sorry. Looks a bit cheap
I agree, these were horrifically made. The quality was gross. It came in this, a mini backpack etc. and I could not believe anyone would actually purchase this. Chains on cheap Chanel also get twisted too easily. The caviar on these as like a tarp you would cover firewood with. She could have done so much more for this amount of money. Even all my SA were like, PLEASE don’t even consider these, they are so bad.
I actually own it and it’s not cheap or horrifically made. In fact, I think it is well made and I would consider this type of bag a classic. It may change a little over the years but still a very popular piece. Anyone considering purchasing the bag should know that the strap does not twist and I love the caviar. The pouch in front is large enough to hold my larger phone. This bag came highly recommended to me so that’s the nice thing about handbags – we can all love what we love and be independent. This is truly a VERY nice piece.
To each their own. The quality in entry level Chanel and regular Chanel is very different. The leathers used are from completely different lots and made in different factories. These entry level bags are where Chanel makes the bulk of its profits on bags (Chanel bags cost 1/10th of retail to produce) so it needs plenty of the entry level buyers. I don’t personally want my bags to endure the apocalypse (rain, a hurricane, what have you) because that to me isn’t luxury. But the seasonals tier of Chanel isn’t considered luxury either so…I think function for a bag has ZERO to do with cost or designer. Anyone can make a functional bag at any price range. Luxury items stand out due to materials, method of construction (for the most part minus some of my high end Chanel they are all just machine made) and how much the leather has to be treated to be “presentable”. I would never spend this much on a bag with fabric lining either, which I consider such a cheat (and it is). This is what my SA had to say about this bag this very morning when I asked her just to make sure I wasn’t thinking of another bag.. “Of course it was gross. But it was inexpensive and a camera bag so people went Gaga over it”
Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s classic Chanel albeit in a smaller size, but it looks stunning!
I love it! I think my next bag will be a Chanel camera bag.
Really love it!!
It’s a nice bag and the larger size is probably more practical, but I still prefer the vintage Chanel camera bags. They just have a more classic vibe. I’d rather buy a vintage one in good-plus to very good condition, spend a few hundred more to send it to a bag spa or Leather Surgeons for some conditioning, and then carry that.
The real question is will it still be $3500 when it comes back out? I doubt it. If it was popular it will come back at $4000 or $5000 sadly.
I thought the same thing.
Why is it mean to correct someone’s grammar? From the comments below, Master Green is: mean, harsh, and negative. I’m amazed at how people overreact to help/constructive criticism. The bag is a nice alternative, but not impressive. It seems more like a day bag. I prefer my classic flap, since it works well with both day and evening looks.
It’s not mean to correct someone, it’s his approach to correcting people. There is no reason to personally attack someone for their opinion. For instance, in response to one remark he said “Enjoy your low standards and love for mediocrity”. Notwithstanding, he doesn’t know this person and this is a bullying remark. If you read this blog on a regular basis he personally goes after people for a remark he does not agree with. Due to his bullying behaviors people, in my opinion, kiss his ass so they are not subjected to his ridicule and sarcasm. This blog is meant to be fun and lighthearted, but he takes it in another direction. It’s very discouraging to read this blog, despite my love of handbags, since he, and other’s, attack people for their opinions. We live in a world of divisiveness, but I had hoped this blog ( and I’m speaking only of the posters) would set an example and rise above this meanness. The posters have a responsibility to make this blog better by being kinder; if they are not capable of doing this then they should be prohibited from posting, IMO. Enough is enough.
I have said this so many times on so many platforms and will keep saying it: delivery matters. You can of course disagree with someone, you can call out our mistakes we make (and I welcome that), you can say you don’t like something. The key here is how you deliver that message. The message of noting that we have grammatical errors on our site should be shared (and we are not trying to put out sloppy work, I assure you) but the message is the same whether you point it out kindly or rudely. And in my book, it’s far better to approach people with kindness. Thank you for your supportive words!
The camera bag is a perfect casual hand free style. We love this one from Chanel, a special in caviar leather.
Glad the author is happy with this bag. I love the caviar vs lambskin and the zipper top for security. I don’t care for the rounded top vs the square-shaped front flap pocket, as though the designer was trying too hard to be aesthetically geometric. To my eyes, it looks too large & sticks out from the body too much when carried crossbody. I also wonder why people put water bottles inside expensive shoulder/crossbody bags. They risk water damage and weigh down the bottom structure. But c’est la vie and it’s your wallet. Also, you can easily knot that chain strap to shorten it for sitting down or hanging on a purse hook . I’ve done that with my smaller Chanel slim crossbody chains and it doesn’t harm them. Finally, glad you managed to get the SA’s attention in the Parisian Chanel stores. They were far too busy accommodating underage priviledged brats accompanied by Daddy Warbucks lounging in the seatee when I’ve visited two of the stores in Paris. The Chanel fine jewelry store across had a clearly late-teen schoolgirl pleading to return an expensive piece of jewelry that she must have charged to Daddy’s account, unbeknownst to Daddy!
Hi! What is the size of your camera bag? Thanks! best, ZC
This is a beautiful bag.
Simple……PLEASE proof prior to publishing!!! Horrible.
Something else we missed? The “it’s” turned to “its” yesterday. Thanks!
Love ?? this handbag already! It has that classic & timeless look! ???
Quote: “I’ve carried in through the rain and heat and thrown it around my apartment and car. By no means have I “babied” it. With about three months of almost daily wear, you can see (evidenced from the photos) that the bag looks virtually untouched.”
Sorry to break the news but it looks worn out to me and initially i thought it’s a preloved. Leather bags especially Chanel (even their caviar) is not to be abused in the rain, it’d dull the leather in matters of seconds. Not to be in direct exposure with the sun for a long time either. i’ve seen deteriorated Chanel bags iust by a one time rain and/or snow. And my friend’s mother put her Lady Dior in a wardrobe that gets quite high exposure of sun and the colour fades terribly. You do need to exercise caution with leather bags if you want it to look ‘untouched’