Chanel Boy Bag Insights

There’s no doubt about it, Chanel’s new bag on the block has taken the world by storm. We are, of course, referring to the wonderful Chanel Boy Bag. The craze over Boy Bags has swept through the Chanel community over the last couple of years, launching this new design into Chanel folklore. So, at Baghunter we decided to take a closer peek at what makes this bag so appealing and why it has captured the hearts of Chanel fans worldwide.

If you are considering purchasing a Boy Bag, have already started your Boy Bag collection, or just need a Boy Bag education, this Chanel Bag Insights guide is for you!

History

Let’s start with the brief history of the Boy Bag. First introduced in Chanel’s Fall/Winter Ready-To-Wear collection a couple of years ago, the Boy Bag rapidly joined the ranks of iconic Chanel bags alongside the classic and re-issue flap bags. Already on its way to becoming a true classic, the Boy Bag was inspired by the cartridge bag, a style which is used for hunting. Upon launch, the Boy Bag took the world by storm, catching the attention of the fashion world and quickly becoming a favorite among Chanel and handbag lovers worldwide. The aesthetic appearance of the bag caught the imagination of millions of women and signified a revolutionary turn in Chanel’s collection.

Although Chanel already have a reputation for innovative and quirky bags, the Boy Bag is even bolder and edgier than other bags in the collection. For starters, the chain is wider than those found on any other Chanel bag. The hardware of the Boy Bag also stands out as it is more antiqued in appearance compared to the dainty and jeweler look of Chanel Classic flap bags. The actual bag itself features straight and clean lines, reflecting the intent of Chanel to produce a bag that is both modern and sporty.

The Look

The Boy Bag was inspired by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s tendency to play with masculine accent in her style. Karl Lagerfeld described it as such, “Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses; she has a boyish attitude, in fact it is the very spirit of Chanel. She got it from Boy Capel, the greatest love of her life, which, incidentally, explains why the new bag is called the Boy Chanel.”

However, the Boy Bag isn’t overwhelmingly masculine as one would suspect, although it does feature a distinctive utilitarian feel in comparison with the very feminine classic flap. The structure of the Boy Bag is boxier with straight lines and angular corners, making it look like a modern version of the Chanel Classic flap. It is the perfect blend of the chic timelessness associated with all Chanel bags and the boldness that Chanel is well known for.

The large front flap on the Boy Bag is one of the main features and allows Chanel to embellish a range of designs that they don’t have the space for on classic bags. This allows the Boy Bag to evolve season on season, with changes to designs, styles, and materials occurring regularly. In fact, the possibilities when designing a Boy Bag are endless and this is one of the main attractions for collectors and Chanel lovers. Add to this the functionality and versatility of the bag and it is clearly a winner. It can be worn over the shoulder or across the body, as a casual or a formal bag, and features enough interior space to fit in all your essentials.

Features

The Boy Bag most commonly comes in lambskin and calfskin leather, however, there are also special and limited edition bags in other materials available. There are a range of variations in the bag in terms of style, size, and color. The shoulder strap is extremely flexible, with the chain adjustable so the bag can be worn long or doubles to be worn short. The hardware comes in a form of silver or gold as standard, with other materials available on special orders. The main identifier for a Boy Bag is the rectangular border around the flap and the lego-like background featured behind the interlocking double Cs closure.

Sizes

The Boy Bag is available in four sizes, one of which has been discontinued but can be found on consignment. The sizes from smallest to largest are:

Smallest: 20 x 12 x 8 (cm)/7.9 x 4.7 x 3.1 (inches)

Old Medium: 25 x 15 x 9 (cm)/9.8 x 5.9 x 3.5 (inches)

New Medium: 28 x 18 x 9 (cm)/11 x 7 x 3.5 (inches)

Largest: 30 x 21 x 10 (cm)/11.8 x 8.3 x 3.9 (inches)

The new medium size was introduced by Chanel shortly after the Boy Bag was launched. The reason for the change in size is that the new medium is slightly roomier than the old medium, allowing space for more interior pockets and extra storage space. Although size is fully dependent on personal preference, the small Boy Bag is the ideal size for special or formal occasions where you do not need to carry much beyond the essentials. The largest size is a great size for travel as it provides ample room for a change of clothes and other requirements for an overnight stay.

Fun Facts

• The Chanel Boy Bag is the latest Chanel bag that is considered to be a mainstay. Other mainstay bags include the classic flap and reissue bags.
• The Boy Bag is named after Boy Capel, the love of Coco Chanel’s life.
• Celebrities such as Hilary Duff, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Miley Cyrus have all declared their love for the Boy Bag, showing it off on the red carpet numerous times.

Image Credits: Maegan Tintari via Flickr with Creative Commons License