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¤