Welcome back to my new blog series addition: ‘TRIED+TESTED’ – where I go into the depths of specific items I have fallen for, bought, – and recommend. This is a space reserved for items that are a SPEND [pls note the use of all caps] and today’s chat falls on the Chanel 25 bag [I appreciate this was in the title & with a massive photo of it below this doesn’t come as a surprise – I apologise]
The Chanel 25 bag came into my life in December 2024.
I had spied a little photo of it online that peeked my interest and swiftly messaged my SA to ask for the deets. [btw, in case helpful: SA = Sales Associate: someone that works at a designer store & assists you in finding desired items. Note: as wild as this may seem, you cannot always walk into a Chanel/Hermes/LV etc store, show a photo of an item you wish to purchase, and have it available to purchase there & then. I know, I know. Major eye-roll etc].
She replied to say that they had one of the bags in question in the store – it was a ‘hobo bag’, and it was available in black. No-one was interested in it. It didn’t have a name. Did I want it? I said yes pls, wrap her up, swipe that card & that’s my end of year mega treat to myself.
A few weeks after I had been loving life with my trusty bag by my side, my SA messaged to say that Dua Lipa had been named as a new face of the brand & my little hobo bag had been named the ’25’ – it was about to be a big.big.hit & Chanel was gonna throw some serious cash at campaigning it.
As someone that has bought [and also sold] a number of Chanel bags over the years, this is undoubtedly one of my more wise – and also practical – Chanel purchases.
With a large middle section that opens with a drawstring & the classic CC logo, imo it’s a perfect size for an everyday going-about-life bag. Plenty of space for: my phone [iPhone Pro Max 17] keys, small make-up pouch, small umbrella, hair clip. There’s also two useful side compartments on each side of the bag with magnetic closure & complete with gold CC detail. I find these side compartments [specifically on the small 25 bag size] to be super useable and handy: a great stash of lip balms in there currently. Another practical noteworthy point : I love the shoulder drop length. ‘Tis the season for 372830 layers & bulky coats – many shoulder bags need not apply. The 25 fits over nearly all of my coats & jackets, retaining the ‘shoulder bag’ quality that many don’t come winter months.
An element I do wish it had, is feet. I appreciate this is a shoulder bag, but damn – she needs some feet when resting & I will always feel this way about bags [I bet it would have been made with feet had it been designed in the 90’s & been called the ’98’ – oh, those cost-cuts].
As this continues to be a strong seller for the brand, purchasing one in store isn’t always possible. There are a plethora to choose from on the resale market [I have linked some below] with heightened prices if waiting is just not your game. I don’t feel this will be one that has major financial staying power by any means – not that I personally buy bags with that in mind, but something to note.
If you are in the market for a spendy-spendy shiny new bag, I consider the Chanel 25 to be a highly worthy contender. This has been a very steady love for the last year [ + 1 month to be precise] & I do just adore her usability combined with charming looks. A winning combo.
Is this a bag that gives you heart eyes? Has it been over-seen in the luxury bag world [is it therefore ‘over-hyped?’ ] Would you wear it?
SHOP THE 25 BAG:
It is EVERYWHERE now but nobody wears it as well as you đ¤
Absolutely love the bag + your review of it! đ¤
Such a beautiful bag! And soo practical, if I ever went for a designer bag this would probably be what I would go for, just by how much use it would get! The way it would also look so good with so many different outfit options!! Thank you for another lovely ‘Tried and Tested’ review- love love this blog idea!