Chanel is one of the most prominent brands in the luxury goods industry, not just from a product perspective but with regard to the trends and design innovations that were introduced by the brand’s founder, Coco Chanel.
Many buyers today recognise that owning any authentic Chanel bag is akin to owning a piece of history. From the revolutionary shoulder strap of the Chanel 2.55 bag, which was inspired by the satchels worn by men at war, to the invention of the Little Black Dress and her iconic claim that “simplicity is the keynote to all true elegance”, Coco Chanel’s spirit can be found in every collection, model, and product.
And it’s her legacy that continues to be threaded through even the more modern designs and pieces, such as the Chanel Boy bag, which was initially launched in 2011.
The Launch of the Chanel Boy Bag
Despite only being released and launched in 2011, it is believed that the Chanel Boy bag was named after Coco Chanel’s lover, Boy Capel (though the name could also be linked to the fact that the Boy bag has a much more masculine shape and structure).
From the outset, one cannot argue with the timing of Karl Lagerfeld, who spearheaded the release of the Boy bag and engineered its success amid a resurgence in interest in Chanel as a brand.
The Boy bag instantly struck a chord with younger potential customers when it was released – particularly as the former models were all more formal in design and lent themselves to older wearers and fashionistas. By comparison, the Boy bag’s first unique feature that we need to recognise, consider, and ultimately decode is its shape – which is much more structured, and so immediately feels boxy and masculine.
In essence, the shape and structure of the Boy bag feels less “formal” but still retains the hallmarks of a classic Chanel bag, thereby connecting the brand’s innovation and new direction with the traditions of Coco Chanel’s spirit and ideology.
And the proof is in the pudding, as, since its 2011 launch, the Boy bag has gone from strength to strength on the market.
Standout Features of the Chanel Boy Bag
Let’s take a closer look at some of the features of the Chanel Boy bag and what makes it so popular.
Sizing
Like most luxury brands and their iconic handbags, the Chanel Boy bag is available in a range of sizes.
The most popular are the small, medium, new medium, large, and extra-large – although there are seasonal releases of the Boy bag mini, in light of different and ever-changing trends.
Flap Styles
When we talk about the classic Chanel Flap, you are probably picturing the iconic black quilted fabric with the chain strap, perhaps woven with a strip of leather or perhaps left plain and simple. The flap on this bag mimics the shape of the bag and is fastened by a small lock, which in modern iterations has been formulated with the double interlocking CC logo of Chanel.
The flap on the Boy bag, however, is a little more complicated than that. This is because different variations of the bag exist with different shapes and sizes of flap – all boasting their own name and selling points.
The Boy Messenger bag is rounded at the bottom, while the Boy Flap bag is squared, the Top Handle Boy has a small handle on the top of the bag, and the Boy Clutch exhibits the shape and size of a purse but with an added shoulder strap.
This diversity is further emphasised by the plethora of colours and textures available in the Boy bag fabric. These include lacquered and shiny as well as matte finishes and more.
The Handle
Most of the Chanel Boy bag pieces come with a long shoulder strap – and all of these must be attributed back to the 2.55 bag of 1955, which was designed and released by Coco Chanel herself.
Recognising her own need for a bag that could be held and used while leaving both hands free for other tasks, Chanel took inspiration from men’s satchels from the war and transformed them into a stylish solution for the handbag market.
Suffice to say, the market has never been the same.
The Chanel Boy Bag as an Investment
Now that you know a little more about the Chanel Boy bag and what makes it such a prominent bag in the Chanel collection, is it worthy of an investment?
For one thing, as anyone who spends time around luxury goods will know, any authentic Chanel bag is coveted and in high enough demand that getting your hands on a genuine model is likely a good investment. Chanel bags increase in value over time and, with the right protection and care, often appreciate in value as soon as they leave the store.
Because the Boy bag is so closely linked with the ideas of Coco Chanel herself and was designed by Karl Lagerfeld, interest in and demand for this particular collection has only continued to increase with time – with both the classic models and the limited-edition pieces collecting high prices at auction and among second-hand buyers and sellers.
A wide array of hardware and colour tones means that the Boy bag is incredibly versatile for trend and fashion lovers. And, while set colours and finishes are of course in extremely high demand and rank as the most valuable, for the most part any Boy bag is recognised on the investment market as a solid and tangible direction of funds.
Remember though, if you want to invest in tangible goods and luxury products, it’s crucial that you seek the right valuation advice and ensure that you see certificates of authentication before purchase. This protects you, your money, and your investment.
Book an appointment with the Love Luxury team for reputable advice and an unrivalled selection of the best bags on the market!
