My Honest Review: Chanel Boy Bag | With Love, Vienna Lyn

My Honest Review: Chanel Boy Bag

Here is my honest review of the iconic Chanel Boy bag, inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s true love, Boy Capel.

Karl Lagerfeld introduced the iconic Chanel Boy bag in the 2011 Fall/Winter collection. The Chanel Boy bag’s design was inspired by the love of Gabrielle Chanel’s life, Boy Capel. It was Boy Capel who helped finance Gabrielle Chanel’s first stores in Paris. Their relationship lasted nine years

Gabrielle designed “the Chanel look” inspired by Boy Capel’s tailored masculine style. According to Karl Lagerfeld, “Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses. She had this boyish attitude, in fact, it is the very spirit of Chanel.”

“Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses. She had this boyish attitude, in fact, it is the very spirit of Chanel.”

Karl Lagerfeld

I’ve had my eyes on the Chanel Boy bag for quite some time. I love the simplistic, modern design. Last year, I finally made the decision to bite the bullet and “invest” in the Chanel Boy bag in the old medium size. It was definitely worth it and now I’d like to share my thoughts on this iconic bag. Let’s get into it!

Chanel Boy Bag: Details and Style

I chose the Chanel Boy bag in the old medium size. It is a structured and modern boxy style handbag. It is made from black caviar leather with aged gold hardware. I love the chain link shoulder strap and unique square press lock. The interior of the bag includes a small open pocket which is large enough to house a few credit cards.

I love the Chanel Boy bag because of its functionality and versatility. It fits both a casual chic or formal style and can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody.

The old medium size is 10”L X 3 ”W X 5.7” H with a 11.5 – 20” strap drop. It is slightly smaller than the new medium dimension size which is 11” X 3.5”W X 7”H.

I’ve had the Chanel Boy bag for less than a year but I’ve worn it during many occasions. The caviar leather is pretty durable and can withstand many daily activities. The aged gold hardware is a bit vulnerable and is susceptible to scratches. I don’t recommend using the Chanel Boy bag for daily use. It’s a great bag to use for special occasions only.

What Fits Inside? 

A great perk of the Chanel Boy bag in the old medium size is that there is plenty of room. Here’s what fits inside:

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • Small Wallet
  • 1-2 makeup accessories (powder compact, a few lipsticks, etc.)
  • Small bottle of hand sanitizer 
  • Car and house keys

Even with all these items placed in my bag, I still had plenty of room for a few more small items.

Brand New or Pre-Loved?

Deciding to buy a luxury handbag brand new or pre-loved is personal preference. There are many great reasons to buy pre-loved luxury handbags. When you buy pre-loved, you pay a significantly lower price for a handbag with minimal signs of use. Limited edition and rare handbags are another great reason to buy pre-loved items.

I started following Julia Rose Boston on IG last year. I immediately became obsessed with watching her IG stories daily. Julia sells new and pre-loved luxury handbags, jewelry, accessories, shoes, and more. She has an amazing reputation, selling authentic luxury items in great quality.

I always knew I wanted to buy the old Chanel Boy bag in the medium size. When I saw a pre-loved version posted on IG stories by Julia Rose Boston, I immediately bought it. My bag was shipped within a few days and with great TLC. I’m incredibly happy with my Chanel boy bag and I have no complaints with buying pre-loved items. I also love the sustainable fashion aspect of buying preloved luxury items.


What are your thoughts on the Chanel Boy bag? What is your favorite Chanel bag or which Chanel bag is on your wishlist? I’d love to know, leave a comment a below.

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