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The Chanel Boy Bag: A Sizing and Style Guide

The Chanel Boy Bag: A Sizing and Style Guide
While The Chanel Boy Bag is not considered to be one of Chanel’s classic bags, it is still one of the most infamous of all time. The Chanel Boy Bag wasn’t introduced until 2011, but the bag was an instant success, gaining the attention of fashionistas and celebrities such as Hilary Duff, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Miley Cyrus who have all declared their love for the bag.

The Chanel Boy Bag is a timeless piece that is uniquely perfect for any occasion, whether you are going to the store, the office, or out for a night on the town. The Chanel Boy Bag is the perfect accessory, adding a chic touch to any outfit. In this guide you’ll learn more about the Chanel Boy Bag, its history, design, sizes, and most importantly, how to wear it.

Who designed the Chanel Boy Bag?

The Chanel Boy Bag was first introduced in 2011 by Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld was a German fashion designer and photographer that is best known today as the creative mind behind the modern revival of Chanel. The Chanel Boy bag is named after Boy Capel, the love of Coco Chanel’s life, who inspired many of her designs as well as the way she dressed herself. Tragically Boy Capel, died in a car crash. The original boy bag was made from lambskin leather and featured a small flap with a CC turn-lock closure.

How to Spot a Chanel Boy Bag:

The Chanel Boy Bag Graphic Clasp

A signature detail and one of the most recognizable features of the Boy Chanel is the graphic clasp. Unlike the interlocking CC logo clasp on other Chanel bags, the Boy bag has a unique double C fastening mechanism. The color of the clasp will match the other hardware. A lot of the bags now use the antique gold or champagne gold hardware that mixes and matches well with silver.

The Chanel Boy Bag’s Structure and Design

The Boy bag is also unique because of how structured it is. The piping on the boy bag gives the bag a bit more definition and the rectangular shape and boxy silhouette make it different from the slouchier classic flap bags.

Lastly, one way to tell if a Chanel bag is a Boy or not, is by looking at the bottom of the purse. On the Boy Bag, all four corners are equally squared off. Whereas on the Classic Flap, two of the corners are slightly rounded giving it more of an hourglass silhouette when viewed from above.

Chanel Boy Bag Materials

The small Boy bag is made with caviar leather, and is said to be the most durable. But, the Boy bag also comes in calfskin leather, metallic, velvet, and tweed materials. The front flap designs on Boy bags will vary from a classic quilting to a more edgy chevron pattern. The bag will have either a chunky chain or a simple leather strap that adds to the bag’s slightly masculine look.

How to spot a fake Chanel Boy Bag?

-The stitching on a Chanel bag should be straight, even, and close together
-The hardware (zipper, turn-lock) should be weighty and feel substantial
-The leather should be soft, supple, and have a nice sheen
-The lining should be made of thick, luxurious fabric

If you’re ever in doubt about the authenticity of a Chanel bag, bring it to a boutique or authorized dealer for examination.

What Are The Different Chanel Boy Bag Sizes?

The original Boy bag was available in three sizes, small, medium, and large. Over the years, there have been six or seven size options of the Boy bag: wallet on chain, mini (rectangle), mini (square), small, medium, large, and jumbo. However, right now it looks like only 5 are available in boutiques.

Chanel Boy Bag Measurements

Mini (rectangle) – 3.9 × 5.9 × 2.3 in
Mini (square) – 6.2 × 7 × 3.3 in
Small – 4.7 × 8 × 3.3 in
Medium – 5.9 × 9.8 × 3.5 in
Large – 6.8 × 10.9 × 2.9 in

How to Wear A Chanel Boy Bag

One of the reasons the Chanel Boy Bag is so beloved is because of how versatile it is to wear. The Chanel Boy Bag is perfect for everyday use, as it is both stylish and functional. It is large enough to fit all of your essentials, but not so large that it becomes cumbersome to carry.

The adjustable strap on the Boy bag has a leather piece that makes it more comfortable to wear across the body and for longer periods of time. You can also double the chain to carry the bag on one side, under your arm.

The Chanel Boy Bag brings a refined and sharp look to just about any outfit. The Boy bag in black, beige, or camel colors, can bring a sophisticated look to business (and business casual) outfits. The beauty of the Boy Chanel is that the same bag you wear to the office can be just as chic as part of your favorite streetwear look.

With brighter colors like pink, white, or red, you’ll be the best dressed guest at any spring or summer event. Shorten the strap and pair a smaller sized Boy bag with a summer dress, or you can take it as a clutch to accompany your evening cocktail dress.

Tips on How to Wear a Chanel Boy Bag:

-Wear it with a dress and heels for a night out
-Pair it with jeans and a tee for a casual look
-Throw it over your shoulder with shorts and sandals for a beach day
-Carry it as a clutch for a formal event
No matter how you choose to style it, the Chanel Boy bag is sure to make any outfit look extra chic!

How Much Do Chanel Boy Bags Cost?

Nearly every season, new and interesting versions of the boy bag design are released, sometimes ranging into the five-figure range. The price of the Chanel Boy Bag increases in boutiques every year. As of early 2022, the price range of most Boy Bags is $4,900-$5,600 depending on the size of the bag.

Does Chanel Still Sell Boy Bags?

The Chanel Boy Bag continues to actively sell, and sell fast, inspiring a lust in consumers all over the world, nearly ten years after it was released. Because of this demand, Chanel has continued to produce the boy bag in a wide variety of colors, sizes and novelty materials.

While Chanel Boy Bags are available at the fashion house’s boutiques, the pre-owned market is also a great place to find one of these luxury bags for less. Shop expertly authenticated, genuine Chanel Boy bags on luxury reseller sites like Buyma, with more than 1,000 Chanel Boy Bags and clutches listed by resellers, all with free shipping.

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