As regular readers may remember, I had my beloved Chanel 2.55 bag stolen back in May and was completely devastated.
Well, after putting myself on a spending diet this year, and thanks to a nice little duty-free discount at Heathrow, we’ve finally been reunited (and my wardrobe again feels complete). I couldn’t be more thrilled – not even a long-haul flight filled with a throng of screaming babies wiped the smile off my face.
And isn’t she lovely?
I’m not going to lie, a Chanel bag does not come cheap. I’m by no means laden with spare cash, but (provided it is not stolen) I see such a piece as a lifetime investment to save up for – something which will be constantly worn and loved and classic for decades to come. On a cost-per-wear basis, this means it is far cheaper than a repeated high street purchases which fall apart after a year or two, yet will always look infinitely more chic and special and have the power to transform an outfit.
Indeed, I can be wearing nothing more special than a worn-in old tshirt and jeans, but as soon as I put on my Chanel, it looks deliberate and chic and casual, rather than sloppy and boring. It might not be a Chanel 2.55, but every woman should have a piece with transformative powers in their wardrobe at some stage in their lifetime.
Do you have a piece you dreamt about and saved and saved for until it could be yours?
Love, Miss B xx
I absolutely adore the 2.55, I think it is the most beautiful handbag. There is something effortless chic about it, and it is unique – well many other bags copy the style now, but it was the first. Congrats on your purchase, beautiful, and I am sure well worth the saving! xx
I am so glad you got it!!! We’re bag twins! I was lucky to buy it back in 2005 when the prices weren’t crazy high as they are today. I can’t wait to see more of it in the future. I love mine, but I don’t wear it often.
Thanks Emmy! I bought my original one in 2005 too, but had it stolen this year and so had to replace it at current prices sadly. I adore it, but just wish I could fit more in it!
B xx
I have been completely obsessed with Kooba bags for such a long time. I love the clean design of the bags: no bling, no flash. Just gorgeous, high quality leather. And, though I may be in the minority in the fashion world, I really am just not a fan of anything with an extremely visible logo (Louis Vuitton bags make me cringe) and I love that Kooba’s branding is just a single, simple golden nameplate.
But I have always resisted buying a Kooba bag because the price was much too high and instead kept buying nice but not high quality bags at Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters. Finally I realized that all of these bags were adding up to more than a Kooba bag would have cost.
So I started stalking the Kooba website for the perfect bag in the collection for me and found it in the Millie bag in turquoise. The price was a little too much for me so I flagged it for sale alerts on Shop Style. One day, I was literally standing in Bloomingdales holding the Millie bag when I got an email saying that the bag had just been marked down fifty percent at Nordstrom. I immediately pulled out my iPad and ordered it right on the spot.
And I simply adore it! It goes everywhere with me.
It was worth the wait. And the investment.
Aww I’m so glad to see that you’ve been reunited! May you have many ,many happy years together! 😀
Hooray! The new bag is gorgeous, of course. I have had mine for four years, and I still have anxiety dreams in which I leave it somewhere and never see it again — and wake up panicked. How dreadful for you to have that actually happen.
Love how shiny and new the hardware looks in the photos, and that camellia on the box is to die for!
To answer your question, yes, I have saved for my first Hermes scarf and the Blahniks I bought a couple of months ago. It’s so satisfying to finally acquire a dream object!
What a happy reunion, congratulations! You are absolutely right, it’s the kind of accessory that classes a look up by 1000% and you can wear it until you’re 80+ old.
I dream of owning a Birkin bag for the same reasons; plus I love Hermès and all it stands for. I’ll have to wait a very long time before I can afford it, but such pieces exist to make us dream, no?
Ooh a Birkin, that’s a whole other level of saving from Chanel! But yes, would be divine to own one one day. B xx
I LOVE this bag, and I have been wanting this exact style. Cheers to being reunited;) Hold on tight to this one – I wonder if you could install a GPS tracker? ha.
A valuable item GPS – now that’s a business idea!! At least this time I’ve learned my lesson and already had it insured 😉
B xx
oh briony!!! i remember how upset you were when the bag was stolen, and i can only imagine how excited you are now. It is something that you will wear forever and ever and ever – and give to your daughter and your grand daughter as well. I am totally of the belief that quality over quantity is something we need in our wardrobes. My mum taught it to me through food – fresh produce and high quality ingredients make better food. The same is true of clothes and accessories too. Needless to say I am very jealous, and I can’t wait to see it in person in february! ahh!!
i hope you’re enjoying australia!
X
Thank you so much lovely! I am completely thrilled to bits (and this time, I’ve got it insured!).
And yes, my mum taught me the exact same lesson (I remember she would do this with food and perfume and furniture) and it’s always stuck with me. I just can’t fathom the false economy of cheap things that not only look nasty, but fall apart so quickly.
Am having the best time – it’s lovely to see everything through the eyes of a tourist!
B xx
i love getting Chanel’s
such classic look that last in style for endless
i love them getting more aged
Congratulations! So happy that you have been reunited and in such a fabulous way!
Enjoy every moment (and I can’t wait to see it, and you when we meet up!)
L x
So so happy for you! And very much agree and it’s so first on my list when some more money starts pouring in. And so true: it lifts any outfit, giving you an elegant and efortless aura. :-)))
M
It looks just as lovely as you do! Hope you’re enjoying Australia and all the dried fruit the country has to offer.x
omg!!! U’ve finally been united with ur baby Chanel!!! SO happy for you!!!!:D im actually currently TRYING to save for a Chanel bag i saw too,lol. Wish me luck!!! I soooooooo want it and i agree, its a life long investment that will make probably any crappy or borin outfit look all good and stylish!
Btw, i finally set up my xmas tree over the wkend so feel free to drop by my blog and take a look!!!:D Hope your winter is goin good in the UK, heard its super cold there so keep warm!
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
Stumbled upon your blog and LOVE it! Congrats on your Coco reunion!
Beautiful, I’m glad your story had a happy ending!
It is very sad that some loser stole your lovely bag in the first place, especially as it was so dear to you, but at least it is a replaceable classic. Like you, I agree that investing in designer handbags is worthwhile as they last a lifetime (I love Mulberry and have the Roxanne and a Bayswater (on the list for an Alexa too(!))) but I do stilll enjoy high-end highstreet bag purchases from All Saints et al too
i totally agree, its so worth purchasing an exciting, stylish item that you can have in your wardrobe for a very long time. i’m glad you’ve been reunited!
I am not sure if congratulations is appropriate as my first thought was that you were reunited with the original bag, but well done for saving as it shows that when you are patient good things come your way, it’s something I need to learn. xx
having a giveaway on the blog ends tomorrow at 10, click through when you’re ready. the runner up prizes are gift cards so you can treat yourself
Beautiful! Seeing the box just made me smile, I can’t imagine what you felt. I absolutely agree about the transformational powers of accessories and this, is the epitome of that.
xx
http://butaccordingtofashion.wordpress.com/
I’ve just stumbled across your blog and wanted to let you know that I think it’s amazing. Beautiful, stunning photographs and imagery. It seems like you’re living a fabulous life, and have made some big and brave changes to make it happen. I think that is just fantastic.
As a fellow lover of all things french and Chanel, I can just imagine how heartbroken you were when your beautiful bag was stolen. I’m so glad for you that you have it back in your life. I’m saving up for a Chanel bag myself. Still a long way to go, but like you say, it’s an investment for life.
I’m looking forward to following your blog.
Thank you so much for your lovely words, I’m very flattered! And yes, was utterly devastated – have never had such an incentive to save though!
B xx
woohoo! Lucky, lucky lady. It’s beautiful in the way only a 2.55 could ever be. x
She is lovely indeed and I think I need to add one to my collection too!
I have a 2.55 from the 1960s, with the original ‘mademoiselle’ lock — and it is the most perfect and lovely bag ever. I use it almost every day, the quality is still great despite of its age. I’m so sorry your old bag was stolen, I would have been devastated. But at least you have a new one now!
I’m so glad you’ve been reunited with the Chanel love of your life… you so deserve it! Good for you to save hard to buy one… enjoy every minute of carrying it… and guard it with your life as I’m sure you will! One day I will join you in the scared 2.55 owners club.. one day. And I have to say, having opened my L’ombre dans l’eau perfume on Christmas morning, I have to salute you for bringing it to my attention! Thank you… absolutely love it! xxx
Very nice purchase. I’m sure you’ll always adore it.
Please please please get this one insured! I don’t want you or anyone to go through the heartache of having a beloved bag stolen. xx
Haha, thank you lovely. And it’s alright, I actually had it insured the same day I knew I was going to buy it, so at least I’m protected this time 😉
B xx