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The Chanel Boy Bag

Since publishing this post, I’ve received quite a lot of requests about where to find a caviar Boy. To the best of my knowledge, the bag isn’t being currently made by Chanel – however, your best chance may be at here at Fashionphile (though the prices can be high).

Today I’ll be reviewing a recent purchase of mine – the Chanel Boy bag, in black caviar leather. I know that many of you like really detailed reviews, so I’ve tried to be as thorough as possible.

Chanel Boy Box

Even though I’ve always admired them on others, I never thought I’d end up with a Chanel Boy for myself. I just didn’t feel the “must have it” draw to them, so I happily just window shopped these bags while my wallet stayed nice and safe.

However, a little while ago I ended up falling in love with a Chanel Boy from the Paris-Dallas collection. I know that this particular season wasn’t a favorite by many, but I love Westerns (hello, Lonesome Dove!) and thus really enjoyed this collection with its great details like the sheriff star and American flag. I ordered a bag to be mailed to me, but when I opened it, it was pretty beat up. I was so disappointed! By that time though, I had fallen in love with the style.  I thought that the Boy would be the perfect, versatile every day bag to use cross body when needed. When I saw that the fall season would have a sturdy caviar option, it was game over!

Chanel Boy Black Caviar Leather

 

And here we go – my first Chanel Boy bag! The material is a sturdy black caviar (the same as what you find on the classic flaps). The hardware is ruthenium (a distressed metal, darker than silver). My sales associate referred to this size as the “old” medium. Dimensions in inches: 9.8 x 5.9 x 3.

Here I wanted to share some details of what a brand new version should look like with original stickers, though I’m not sure if all new bags would have these on. In my opinion the ruthenium metal is pretty “vintage” looking so I wouldn’t have minded if my bag came without stickers.

Chanel Boy Black Stickers

Some details – in my experience the lock (you just push on the two sides and then lift the flap) has been very easy to use.

Chanel Boy Locked

The side loop and adjustable strap. Since I’m a shortie, I’ve never adjusted the strap to be longer.

Chanel Boy Details

The inside of the Boy. Just a large compartment with a single slip pocket. I appreciated that the Boy, unlike Chanel’s classic flaps, didn’t have two flaps as I’ve never used that second flap.

You will notice that the Boy is lined with fabric, which I was a bit peeved about given the high price point. However I’ve never had an issue with any of my fabric interior bags, and it does reduce the weight, which was important for me as I bought this as an all around comfortable cross body bag.

Also, you can see the inside of the top flap of this Boy is caviar leather. I have seen other Boys in calfskin/lambskin, and this top inner flap area (where the lock is) had scratches. I think these scratches are inevitable over time and I didn’t mind them. However if you are very OCD about scratches, I might consider the caviar leather version.

Chanel Boy Inside

The “old” medium size fits all of my essentials, but not any more than that. I would describe the space inside a Boy in this size as maybe a tad more than the classic Chanel medium sized flap. It’s definitely enough for me, but I do take the steps when using this bag of having a smaller wallet and using a soft pouch for my sunglasses instead of hard. Those two steps create plenty of space for me. I dislike “jamming” a bunch of items into bags because then I can never find them!

Inside: my phone, sunglasses, smaller wallet, pouch with keys, my work badge etc, some loose makeup.

Chanel Boy What Fits Inside

A note about storage. I’m usually pretty lax about how I store my bags (a friend and mega Hermes enthusiast uttered a horrified gasp when she saw one of my Kellys wedged up against my shoe cabinet when she was over), but so far I’ve been more careful with the Boy. I’ve heard of the heavy chain leaving marks on delicate lambskin when stored with the chain pressing against it, so usually I’ve been making sure to keep the chain away from the bag when I store it. Chanel also provides some felt protectors with the Boy to help with this.

However, I do feel that the caviar material would probably offer more protection against marks from the chain than other materials.

Chanel Boy Felt Protectors

All right – now onto some modeling pictures! There are three basic ways (at least that I know of) to wear the Boy. So you can have an idea of how the bag hits versus height, I am a very short 5’1.

The first style: single chain, hanging off of shoulder. This is a super comfortable way to wear the Boy. I do think if I were a few inches taller, it would start to look more proportional. I can live with how it hangs however and do wear the Boy like this often, especially if I have heels on.

Chanel Boy Long Strap

The second style: on the shoulder, chain doubled up. Another comfortable way to wear the Boy. In this configuration, the Boy hangs similarly to Chanel’s classic styles such as the classic flap and reissue. I know that some ladies with this bag have had the issue of the leather strap falling off – however I haven’t experienced this. Maybe as I have wider shoulders.

Chanel Boy Strap Doubled Up

The third style: cross body. My favorite! I love being hands free A really comfortable way to wear the Boy. I think this hits even a shortie like me proportionally so I am very happy with the length of the Boy’s strap overall.

Chanel Boy Crossbody

Overall, I love my Chanel Boy. I haven’t regretted the bag at all and have enjoyed wearing it for both casual events and at night going out for drinks. The wider strap makes it super comfortable, and it’s incredibly easy to swap from single strap, to doubled, to cross body. I just wish I had purchased it earlier.

As a shorter gal, I do wish that the strap was perhaps an inch or so shorter. However, it’s a minor issue. Also, the price of course…I don’t think I’ve ever looked at a Chanel price tag and said, “Wow, that sure is cheap!” That’s about it for any negatives. Otherwise, I give the Boy very high marks.

If you’re looking for a convertible cross body bag like the Chanel Boy at a much more affordable price point, I’d suggest the Love by Rebecca Minkoff – it has great reviews and is under $300 (less than 10% the cost of a Chanel Boy, incredible!).

Have you tried the Chanel Boy bag? What are your thoughts?

Also, if you want a Chanel Boy and need a good sales associate, feel free to email me at featherfactor@gmail.com as I am always happy to share!

PS: I’ve been messaged multiple times about my shirt and shorts in the outfit photos. They are both J.Crew, and you can find the shirt here.

55 Comments

  • Reply
    laura
    July 28, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I was just talking with a friend about how much I like this bag. But… the price point is a little high for me so I might have to put it on the back burner for quite some time.

    Thanks so much for the review, this bag is lovely!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 28, 2014 at 12:22 pm

      Chanel prices have unfortunately only crept up and up. Maybe you can find a good deal on a pre-loved version, that would be ideal 🙂

    • Reply
      Arlene
      July 30, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Have you checked out Rebecca Minkoffs website? They offer a bag with similarities to the boy bag, also all leather but it looks similar to the lambskin boy. It’s a great deal for $195. I inserted the url so you can check it out. I just purchased my boy, exactly like feather factor.. but definitely on a bag ban for a long time. Lol. Hope that helps.

  • Reply
    Mila
    July 28, 2014 at 9:22 am

    I just recently purchased classic chanel 2.5 flap in caviar and was thinking if I should have purchased boy since it’s a little more edgy and versatility of wearing it in many ways is a plus. Looks really good on you. Yay to finally posting entire outfit, really missed that part :). I like your watch a lot too :)))

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 28, 2014 at 12:21 pm

      Thanks Mila! The 2.55 is THE classic, you will not regret it. Enjoy and wear in good health!

  • Reply
    Daomi
    July 28, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I actually got the Chanel Boy as my first Chanel bag compare to other people. I thought the Boy is a lot more casual and easier to go with a lot more style. On the note about storing this bag, I tend to keep in the dust bag with the chain hanging out side of it. I am afraid the chair will make some unnecessary marks

    Thanks for sharing your new bag and have a good day! 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 28, 2014 at 12:21 pm

      Hi Daomi, that’s a good point to hang the chain off the side! I hope you like your Boy!

  • Reply
    Belen
    July 28, 2014 at 11:02 am

    Totally unrelated: on Saturday we drove by the coast past Santa Barbara, and at some point we realized we were short on gas and that the closest gas station was 10 mi away in Solvang. We ended up making it, but my husband was still very stressed out about the whole “possibly-running-out-of-gas-on-the-freeway-with-no-cellphone-signal” situation. Then I -vaguely- remembered your post about the ostrich feeding place. Turns out we were around the corner. It was late, but luckily it was still open. We had a blast and my husband loved it! Feather Factor saved his mood and the day! 🙂

    and at some point we were so far that the closest gas station was near Solvang. We weren’t sure we were going to make it, but we did

    • Reply
      Belen
      July 28, 2014 at 11:04 am

      Argh! Nevermind the additional rewritten text below!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 28, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      Ah I LOVE Ostrichland! Thanks for the memories 🙂

  • Reply
    Val
    July 28, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    I love your caviar version of the Boy bag! I recently purchased an “old” medium calfskin Boy right before the latest increase. while it does have some scratches from use, I don’t mind because it means I actually use and not baby it. I want to get my money’s worth 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 29, 2014 at 8:47 am

      Thank you so much Val! I love calfskin as well, so luxurious. Enjoy!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    July 28, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    Hi! There’s a fourth option for the strap with the length somewhere between the long single & shorter doubled up version if you loop the strap around the bag itself. Position the leather portion of the strap so it loops around the bag hugging the bottom and sides of the bag and the chain portion should span from the metal sections at the top of the bag. Hope this makes sense. I find this length works well b/c it positions the bag itself at waist level and the chain strap doesn’t fall off my shoulder.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 29, 2014 at 8:49 am

      That is ingenious! Thank you I can’t wait to try this out later 🙂

  • Reply
    Trang
    July 29, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Love your Boy! I have been hinting around to hubs that I would love a dark red Boy and he has been hinting around that he would love for me not to have another Chanel. Until he comes around to the dark side, I’ll just enjoy oogling yours.

  • Reply
    Olga
    July 29, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    I was playing with a boy bag in red caviar boy bag at the chanel store for what felt like a little too long to the sales assistants the other day… but it was absolutely gorgeous! I am totally in love with the new caviar leather take on boy bags. however, I cannot justify buying another boy bag as I already have one in normal lambskin 🙁 which I have used (and abused) very much over the last few months…

    http://wideseanoanchor.com

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 29, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      Lambskin is so luxurious though 🙂 The red caviar is lovely.

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    July 29, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    I love the outfit you wore in this post! Can you share where you found the beautiful blouse and shorts?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 29, 2014 at 8:23 pm

      Thanks so much! They are both J.Crew but from earlier seasons unfortunately. I hope you can find something similar!

  • Reply
    bluepolkadotpjs
    July 29, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you for the lovely bag review as always. Hope you are doing well, Kat.

  • Reply
    Audrey
    July 30, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Katherine,
    I love your shorts and shirt you wore to model the chanel boy bag! OMG, but I do seriously love that purse as well. Where are your outfit from?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 30, 2014 at 6:02 pm

      Hi Audrey! They are both from J.Crew but unfortunately prior seasons!

  • Reply
    Jen
    July 31, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Hi Katherine. I’m only 5ft and hardly carry the bag as a single strap. I’ve always felt that it looked too long on me. But after seeing your pics, it looks ok too! Thanks for sharing.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 31, 2014 at 10:50 am

      I think for us shorties heels are needed for single strap 🙂

  • Reply
    Jo
    July 31, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    Hi Kat, as always, love the bag review. A friend picked up a Chanel Boy in lambskin in Paris for me. I was also slightly scandalized that the interior was fabric and not leather even though I paid more for the Chanel Boy than my previous 2.55s!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      August 1, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Thank you, Jo! Oh man, I don’t even like to think about what I paid for my classic Chanels versus the Boy just some years ago..

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    August 3, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Hi Kat,
    great review on your Chanel boy bag! I love your CDC is it new?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      August 3, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      Hi, thank you! No it’s older 🙂

  • Reply
    ahhhsoneo
    August 13, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    I REALLY need to stop visiting this page and this bag. I really want a Boy but wanted it only in caviar. But now I’m in the middle of a huge home reno (two bathrooms) and if I walked in with a Boy bag my husband would bury me and it under the shower! so for now I visit and drool and plot!

    Beautiful!

    ahhhsoneo.com

  • Reply
    Sheila
    October 28, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Hello, may I please have the name & number of your Chanel SA? I live in Atlanta & I’m very limited to the styles as only Saks & Neiman’s sell Chanel bags. I really like the size of your boy bag & unfortunately none of the Chanel’s here have it. Thanks in advance for your help!

  • Reply
    Saisha
    November 3, 2014 at 4:52 am

    Hey,

    What an awesome review. I’m just about to buy my first ever Chanel. And a boy it’s going to be!!!! Just one question…can you measure the strap drop and let me know. I’m about 5.4″ and medium built. So I fear it’s going to rise up to my waist if I useit crossbody.

    Thanks in advance 🙂

    Saisha

  • Reply
    fmfv1
    January 2, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Hi, great review! Really informative. I was wondering if you have any thoughts/opinions on the lambskin chevron Boy?–it feels like it is more durable than the quilted lamb on Classic flaps, but do you think it is still prone to getting dents/impressions from the chain if stored not so carefully?–I am debating on this bag or the caviar Boy. I need something that is pretty worry free, since it will be an everyday purse and I have kids. TIA!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 10, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      I love that Boy, I think it’s gorgeous. I don’t have a lot of experience with Chanel lambskin though so don’t feel comfortable giving an opinion…I just have to say either one sounds gorgeous! I wish you the best of luck!

  • Reply
    Lee
    April 4, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    Hi! I was wondering if this caviar leather is the same as calfskin leather? I am a little confused with the types of leather they have for Chanel boy. And what other hardware does Chanel have for this bag? ☺️

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2015 at 10:39 am

      Caviar is different than calfskin for the boy – caviar has the pebbly texture to it. Each season there is new hardware but I know there is usually gold/silver/ruthenium and also seasonal like plastics, etc. Happy shopping!

  • Reply
    Lisa
    May 21, 2015 at 7:03 am

    Hi Kat,

    I love your blog! It’s beautifully prepared and you are a woman with tastes eerily similar to mine – we gravitate toward the same neutrals esp black and gray. Hope this isn’t too off topic for this post, but I am looking to purchase an Hermes Kelly in 28 retourne with GHW and was wondering what you think about the capacity of the Kelly vs the old medium boy bag, which I also have owned at one point. Do you prefer the boy bag or the Kelly in terms of ease of usage? Would you say the Kelly or the Chanel boy fits more?

    Thank you so much for your opinion. Looking forward to future posts. BTW, I have to say I LOVE your Kelly 28 and it is the reason I am now lusting for a chevre bag as well! It’s got a beautiful red lining, like a twist on Chanel classic. Love it!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 21, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Thanks so much! I much prefer the Kelly bag, except that the Boy of coures can be worn crossbody. Kelly fits lots more than the Boy..I’d say much closer to Jumbo capacity. Enjoy your Kelly!!

      • Reply
        Lisa
        May 22, 2015 at 6:30 am

        Thanks Kat 🙂 My Kelly has arrived and I love her! You are right, I feel this size is perfect for petites yet doesn’t overwhelme the frame the way a jumbo can.

        • Reply
          Katherine
          May 22, 2015 at 12:10 pm

          YAY! Happy to hear this, love hearing from Kelly fans!

  • Reply
    Lucy
    May 26, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Gorgeous bag. I would love to own a Boy bag. Are they difficult to purchase? For example, can you walk into a Chanel store and walk away with one? Or are there waiting lists etc?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      May 26, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      Sometimes there are waiting lists, sometimes not..I’d email a sales associate and ask them about it 🙂

  • Reply
    Emmy
    June 30, 2015 at 7:49 am

    I love this bag, but I see you got it a year ago. Is this exact same Chanel bag still being sold? (In the caviar & old medium size)? I’d love to get one. If so, would I have more luck finding it at a Chanel boutique or at Saks, BG, etc? Thank so much!

    • Reply
      Emmy
      June 30, 2015 at 8:20 am

      The exact Black caviar with the distressed silver hardware, old medium, to be clear. Thanks!!

      • Reply
        Katherine
        June 30, 2015 at 11:32 am

        Hi Emmy…unfortunately I think it’s completely sold out. I hope you find another iteration you like!

  • Reply
    Arlene
    September 10, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    Great review on your bag! We are bag twins! Mine has held up pretty well,except for the mean scratches I made on the inside of the flap. Lol I bought mine around the same time as you and my love for the Chanel boy is going strong, I just purchased my second boy but this time in the lambskin. I am the same height as you but heavier and I do agree this is the perfect length for a crossbody bag. Could you do a one year wear and tear of your beautiful boy? Thanks so much ?

    • Reply
      jess
      September 24, 2015 at 3:43 am

      hello arlene, you also purchased a chanel boy bag in lambskin? could you tell me your experience about it? because my husband bought me also one in lambskin and i’ve a kid, not sure to wear the bag every day 🙁

  • Reply
    Joanna
    September 15, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Hi, just purchased a chanel boy medium in caviar. Is your caviar shiny and smooth to touch?

  • Reply
    Linda
    April 6, 2016 at 3:49 am

    Love your review, just wondering how much is the weight of chanel boy medium size? I assume it’s heavier than the classic flab in medium size, but not sure how much heavier the chanel boy is…

  • Reply
    Nana
    June 11, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Hi, that was a great review on your bag! Can you please let me know about the length of the strap? do you know the measurements please? Thank you in advance!

  • Reply
    jennh8
    October 11, 2016 at 8:44 am

    how much does this bag weight

  • Reply
    Barbara
    November 7, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    Could you please tell me if your boy bag is the soft caviar that is out for cruise 2016. I just received mine as I reserved it in August! I Love it but it is not as thick as the classic caviar. I know you compared it to the classic flap so I am wondering if it is that exact thick caviar as the classic or the soft light version as mine. I am trying to find someone who has one and can advise how it holds up. Thanks

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 8, 2016 at 7:12 am

      It’s hard caviar….it was from a few years ago. Enjoy your bag!

  • Reply
    Da
    October 7, 2023 at 7:37 am

    Hi! May I know how’s the condition of your Chanel boy medium now? Did it withstand the test of time? Durable?

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