Chanel 19 Bag Review and Why I Chose it Over the Classic Flap
I have loved Chanel for as long as I can remember. I was obsessed with Paris, fashion, handbags, and those iconic double Cs growing up. Honestly, not much has changed in my adult life, though I don’t have Eiffel Towers in my home decor like I used to have all over my bedroom! I’ve always considered the Chanel flap bag the ultimate goal handbag for myself, the holy grail of bags, but when it finally came time to buy a Chanel bag, I ultimately chose the 19. This was a big investment that I know isn’t feasible for everyone, but if you’re considering purchasing a Chanel bag, hopefully this review will help you make your decision! I’ll also compare the 19 bag to the wallet on chain and the classic flap bag. Chanel prices are just going up and up, so the time to buy is now (or 5 years ago, but here we are)!
Chanel 19 Bag Details
Measurements: I got the small size, which is actually quite a generous size for Chanel standards. It measures 6.3 x 10.2 x 3.5 inches, which is somewhere in between the small and large classic flap bag.
Hardware: The chain is gold, silver, and ruthenium (a gunmetal color), and the CC clasp is gold and lambskin. I didn’t think I would like the mixed metals at first, but I’ve found that I really do love it. It makes it go with literally everything, so I don’t have to worry about switching bags based on what I’m wearing.
Leather: My bag is lambskin, and it seems to be coated with something because it has a slight sheen to it, unlike other lambskin bags I’ve seen at Chanel, and it doesn’t have the same buttery soft feel either. I think it makes it more durable though, and so far, I don’t have any scratches or scuffs in the leather. I also love the oversized quilting on this bag. I think it makes it feel more modern than the smaller, classic quilting.
Features: One of the biggest downsides I thought this bag would have is that the chain isn’t adjustable, and you can’t wrap it like you can with the wallet on chain, so you’re just stuck with the fixed length. This might be a problem for some people, but for me, the strap is a good length for shoulder or crossbody wear, so it doesn’t bother me (I’m 5’3″ for reference). Some people have complained about the chain being really heavy, which it is, but I don’t notice it when I’m wearing it. My bag has the classic red fabric interior, and just one zipper pocket inside. The outside back pocket on the bag is a really generous size, and has a magnetic snap closure.
Overall structure: This bag is very soft and pillowy, but it doesn’t lose its shape when it’s full. At least not yet! Another thing I love is that the top doesn’t cave in when you carry it by the top handle chain.
Why I Chose the 19 Over the Classic Flap
As I mentioned, I always thought I wanted the classic flap bag, but I ended up choosing the Chanel 19 bag instead, and here’s why:
The price. The constant price increases have priced me out of the classic flap. It’s approaching the price of an Hermès bag, which is out of my budget. Even if I could pay the current price, I wouldn’t.
The size. The Chanel 19 in the small size is bigger than the small classic flap. I also think the softer, more relaxed structure of the 19 makes it feel much more spacious.
The back pocket. The exterior back pocket on this bag is pretty big, and that’s something I need in a daytime bag. I like to keep my phone there for easy access, and it’s not easy (or maybe impossible) to do that in the classic flap back pocket.
I have a wallet on chain. I think the WOC has a very similar vibe to the classic flap. With the small quilting, caviar leather, and rigid structure, the WOC is basically a mini flap bag. In fact, it holds about the same amount as the mini classic flap.
It doesn’t have a double flap. I really think the double flap on the classic handbag would annoy me. It’s harder to get into the bag, and for me that just doesn’t work. I have small children, and I feel like my hands are always full, so I need a bag with fairly easy access. The 19 has a single flap, and it’s soft, so it’s really easy to get into.
The oversized quilting. I mentioned this earlier, but I love the larger quilting on the 19 compared to the small, classic quilting on the flap bags. I just think it’s fresh and modern, and makes the bag a little more casual in my opinion, but it can still be dressed up to an extent. It’s a more versatile piece in my wardrobe than the classic flap would be, which was important to me when spending this much on a bag! Again, I also have a wallet on chain in black, so I use that as my evening bag when I need a dressier option. If you don’t have a WOC, and you want something that can be day or night, I would stick with the classic flap, as I don’t really consider this a formal evening bag.
Overall Impression
All in all, I absolutely love this bag. There really isn’t anything I would change about it, except maybe the price! It’s soft, spacious, beautiful, and can be dressed up or down. The only negatives I can see for some people would be the fixed chain length, and the fact that it can’t really be used as a formal evening bag like the classic flap can. For me though, it’s perfect, and I’m currently using it as my everyday bag! Leave a comment below if you have a favorite Chanel bag, I’d love to hear other opinions!
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