Starting My Obsession
Okay, so this whole thing started when I kept seeing that damn red Chanel purse everywhere – Instagram, TikTok, even my dentist had one. I thought, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a red bag.” My old fake leather clutch from the mall was falling apart anyway, so I decided: screw it, let’s find out if Chanel really is worth the crazy price. I started saving like mad, skipped coffee for months, and finally bought the classic red flap bag. My credit card cried.
Testing Other Cheaper Options First
Before even touching the Chanel, I played dirty with other brands for weeks. Went to Marshalls and TJ Maxx, grabbed random “designer-inspired” red purses under $50. Also hit Macy’s and got a Michael Kors red satchel on sale ($150), and splurged on a Coach red shoulder bag ($350). Used each one hard for a whole week:
- Dragged them through crowded subway turnstiles
- Dumped all my junk inside – keys, phone, makeup, even a leaky water bottle once
- Scraped them against brick walls accidentally-on-purpose
- Left them in my hot car all afternoon
By day 3, the Marshalls bag looked like it fought a lawnmower. Stitching popped, corners frayed, red color faded weirdly where I touched it. The Michael Kors? That shiny gold logo started peeling off after catching on my sweater. Coach lasted longest, but the leather got nasty scratches that wouldn’t buff out, and the strap stitching started giving me side-eye.
Finally Using the Real Chanel
Honestly? I was scared to death taking that Chanel out of its dust bag. First time I used it, I treated it like a newborn baby. But after a week of careful carrying, I got pissed. This is supposed to handle real life, right? So I stopped babying it. Did exactly what I did to the others:
- Rammed it into metal subway seats repeatedly
- Overstuffed it till the clasp groaned (still closed perfectly)
- Knocked it off my kitchen counter onto tile floor – twice
- Spilled coffee on it (panicked, wiped it off fast… coffee just slid off the leather?!)
Months later, here’s the shocker: no loose threads, no peeling hardware, no scratches deep enough to see. The red leather still looks slick, like it’s mocking me. Even the stupid chain strap hasn’t ripped my clothes. Feels heavy though – seriously, are they hiding lead weights inside?
Why It Actually Wins
Listen, I love a bargain. But seeing these bags die side-by-side? Painful. That cheap plastic felt disgusting instantly. Coach/Michael Kors got beat up way faster. Chanel? It feels solid. Looks exactly the same now as the day I bought it, even after my abuse test. Resale value? Checked Vestiaire Collective – mine could sell for nearly what I paid. Try that with a peeling MK bag. Yeah, the price sucks. But comparing them yourself… kinda gets you. It’s annoyingly good.
