An iconic brand in the fashion world, Chanel is often revered as a French fashion powerhouse that delivers the most sought after handbags. But, it isn’t just their purses that are incredibly well-made with the utmost attention to detail. Their ready-to-wear collections boast timeless looks and their beauty products and fragrances are well-known all over the world. So, it makes sense then that the Chanel 19 bag became an instant sensation when it was released in March 2019 in the last collection from Karl Lagerfeld after his death. The bag now stands on even ground with the classic flap bag, the 2.55 bag and other top models. Of course, it’s also a blogger favorite. So, is it the right bag for you? Read my full Chanel 19 bag review in today’s post to help you decide.
Chanel 19 Bag Review
Named for the year it was released (and an homage to the birthday of Coco Chanel), the Chanel 19 bag is one of legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld’s last gifts to us. Unlike other Chanel bags, the 19 bag has oversized quilting on the leather, a trio of metals on the chain strap and an extra metal top handle to use for the crook of your arm. These details are exclusive to this style, making them all pros in my book. But, I’ve broken down a full list of pros and cons later in this post.
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Handbag Review: Chanel 19
When the 19 bag was first released, I think most people weren’t sure how popular it would be or how long it would stick around. But, due to the extreme amount of interest in the style season after season, it’s now become a staple in the collections much like the Boy bag or the classic flap. One of the details I love most about the bag is the ornate interlocking CC logo on the clasp.
Chanel 19 Size
The Chanel 19 bag comes in a variety of sizes, including wallet on chain (WOC), medium, large, and maxi. Mine is the medium, which is comparable (just slightly larger) than the Chanel classic flap medium bag. However, since it’s less structured, you can fit a lot more in it!
The 19 bag is perfect for travel. You can easily fit your phone, wallet, makeup, hairbrush and a small camera inside.
MEDIUM SIZE
Height: 6.2”
Width: 10.1”
Depth: 3.5”
Chain Drop: 19”
Chanel 19 Price
Like all Chanel bags, pricing varies depending on material. Fabrics, like tweed, are less expensive. Leathers, on the other hand are pricier and shearling is on the highest end of the range. Of course, the reseller market will do what it wants when it comes to the seasons most-desired colors or styles.
Price: $5200-6400+
Oversize Quilting
The quilted pattern has become a distinguishing trait that makes Chanel’s known. But, the 19 bag has oversized quilting (8 cm x 8cm to be exact).
Trio of Chains
This bag has not one or two, but three different materials on it’s chain strap. It features silver, aged gold and ruthenium on it, which I happen to love. Mixing and matching metals is standard now which makes this bag even more versatile.
Metal Handle
Most Chanel bags have only one strap. But, the 19 bag has two. You can also hold this bag in your hand using the large gold curb chain or placing it on the crook of your arm like I did above. I love this chunky detail that makes this bag trendy and edgy compared to other styles.
Chanel 19: Pros
Where do I begin? There are so many details that make this bag a winner. First, it’s unlike most other Chanel bags with it’s puffy appearance. The 19 bag style inspired many other luxury brands to release something similar (like this YSL bag). But, as always, Karl was ahead of the curve! Read my full list of pro’s below:
- This is the perfect everyday bag! The casual nature of the puffy style with the slouch structure make this such a versatile piece. You can wear this with your favorite denim or a simple shirtdress with Golden Goose sneakers (I love this pair). But, you can also rock it with a flirty frock and heels. Honestly, even your joggers look good with this bag!
- Part of the chain strap is leather-enforced. To some, this might be silly. But, with the size of the bags (especially the maxi), the extra leather on the strap will be a blessing. It adds a level of comfort, even when the bag is completely full.
- The hardware gives it that “wow” factor. Sure, when you buy a Chanel, you’re buying quality. But, you’re also investing in a bag that will be seen and noticed. The Chanel 19 flap bag really stands out with it’s mix of metals and the dual strap.
- Best of all, the bag is functional! I mentioned above that this can truly be your everyday bag because it will go with everything you wear. But, it’s also practical. In some other Chanel bags you’re limited in what you can fit inside. This isn’t the case with the 19 bag. The medium size fits all your essentials. But, the Chanel 19 large fits even more (and the maxi fits the most).
Chanel 19: Cons
My love for Chanel doesn’t allow a lot of room for negativity towards the brand. But, with any purchase (let alone one of this magnitude) there are cons to the item.
- The shape of this bag is intentionally unstructured. It’s the characteristic that makes this bag a bit more casual and easy to wear everyday. But, it also means if you overstuff it, it loses it’s shape (and also gets heavy!).
- There are no footies. I guess that’s not a technical term. But, there is no hardware on the bottom of the bag (or most Chanel bags, for that matter). So, be careful where you set it down.
- As with any bag, the fabric could get scratched. Most of the Chanel 19’s are made with lambskin leather which is extremely delicate. Like I mentioned above, this bag lacks structure. So, you need to watch for creasing and folding. You should always stuff your bag when storing it to maintain it’s shape. All this said, I’ve worn my bag regularly (as you can see from all the pictures) and haven’t had any issues with scratching.
Chanel 19: Where to Buy
Firsty, I always recommend buying Chanel bags in the boutique with an sales associate (SA). But, often times the most coveted bags are sold before the inventory even hits the stores! What I mean is that there are wait lists for certain items. So, I also highly recommend you purchase on well-known reseller sites that authenticate their items, like Fashionfile, Vestaire Collective and What Goes Around NYC. I’m also a fan of the designer boutique at Shopbop. They curate their favorite items, including Chanel.
Chanel 19 Bag vs Chanel Classic Flap Bag
If this is your first Chanel bag, you’ll want to compare the Chanel 19 style to the Chanel classic flap. The bags have a handful of similarities – namely the quilted details and interlocking CC turnlocks. But, the game changer is in how much you can fit inside. See image below.
CC Logo
The first thing you’ll notice is that both bags have the timeless CC logo on the clasp. But, the 19 bag clasp is larger and more ornate, while the classic flap is solid.
Quilting Pattern
Net, you’ll notice that both bags share the quilted detail that’s become synonymous with Chanel. However, the size of the quilting pattern is larger on the 19 bag than on the classic flap.
Is the Chanel 19 worth buying?
So, is buying the Chanel 19 bag worth it? For me, it’s a resounding yes. This new fan favorite is so easy to dress up and down that the outfit options are endless. Buying designer is an investment. But, I promise the price per wear will be worthwhile when it’s your most-worn accessory!
Want more Chanel inspo? Check out my review of the 2.55 bag and outfit ideas posts!
