How I sourced one of the most searched for Chanel bags secondhand

the circular fashion tool I used when my sister asked for one of most searched for bags of 2024 for Christmas

from Vogue Italia October 1985

For Christmas, one of my sisters wants a Chanel Wallet on Chain, one of the most searched items of 2024. She knows a Chanel piece is an investment, not only is it more than what we normally spend on gifts for each other, last year we gifted used books, but also a likely long-term wardrobe staple and future financial asset.

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To most, myself included, Chanel is classic, something that can be loved for years and either passed down (however, her nieces Millie and Miel don’t have much use for a Chanel wallet) or if taken care of might even make a profit. This week in a Vogue article on the bags with the highest resale value, Elizabeth Layne, the Chief Marketing Officer at Rebag, commented that the Classic Flap was Chanel's most-searched handbag style of 2024 and maintained around 100% average value retention for the past several years.

Beyond the financial resale value investment, there is the potential circular benefit of luxury bags. At an event I attended recently on the state of resale in the luxury market hosted by CFDA and Fashionphile. Sarah Davis, founder of Fashionphile, spoke about consumer behavior related to the luxury resale market. She argued that the financial investment in high-end items significantly influences how consumers care for and maintain their purchases.

When consumers invest substantial amounts—for example, a designer bag, they are more inclined to seek repairs and extend the item's life when wear and tear occur. Conversely, for similar items purchased from fast fashion retailers at a lower price point, consumers are more likely to discard the product when it becomes damaged, viewing replacement as a more convenient and cost-effective option.

The writing of this is not to say go out and over consume luxury products as an investment strategy, we should think of all of our items as investments and care and repair them, and if you do want to purchase designer items, like my sister for Christmas, there is plenty of preloved already out there— I personally prefer to respond to compliments with “Thanks, it’s vintage.”

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My own 1990s Vintage Chanel bag I found secondhand

I went on a mission to find a Chanel wallet that was under $1k and in good condition because that’s what big sisters do. While I could spend all day scouring the internet and my favorite secondhand spots, a girl’s got to work so to maximize time and money, I used Phia for gift shopping this year.

Phia, is a shopping tool to find circular fashion co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. While it’s currently in stealth beta mode, I’ve been getting to test it out. Phia helps save time and instantly sources similar, or identical products to compare to those you’re browsing, even if already shopping on a resale site, using Phia can let you know if there is a better price out there. While you might still have to do some digging, it gives you a head start.

Phia shared a link for the Circle of Friends community to try it out early too!

On the left is the Chanel Wallet Chain I used an my starting point, retailing at $4,880 on DearLuxe resale, on the right are options of similar items almost all under $1K.

Secondhand Chanel I found using Phia:

The average cost of a new Chanel Wallet on Chain averages $3,300 so I was trying to flex my secondhand shopping skills and find some under $1K that were authenticity guaranteed- if your budget is bigger, there are even more options out there for you!

Chanel Floral Chain Wallet- I found this one averaging $2,000-$3,000 resale but with Phia, I found the same one for under $700 authenticity guaranteed

2014 Black Caviar Wallet on Chain - a Chanel classic, $950

A timeless wallet that can moonlight as a bag , $613

A vintage cutie from circa 2004 for $279

A more festive neutral for $700 (chain not pictured)

A 1996 Vintage wallet on chain, $900,

After finding a few potential contenders for the Chanel wallet for my sister, I went down a secondhand rabbit hole:

From the 2005 collection by Karl Lagerfeld, $880

I might order this Fiorucci bag now and save it for next year’s white elephant, $29

For the big bag revival of 2025, $630

This Chanel scarf that could also be framed as a piece of art

If either of my sisters are reading this, vintage Chanel belt bag from the 1989-1991 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld is what I would like for Christmas.

For the friend who can never find her keys (guilty)- a vintage Prada with 6 key rings for $100!

Vintage Espresso Suede Chanel gloves for $139 - the tiny CC embroidery is very chic.

How I’m saving time and money shopping with Phia:

1. Add the Phia chrome extension so that when online shopping you can see resale options for that item or something similar. This is a great way to resit hitting “buy now”

1. Find a link for what you are looking for, I used the classic Chanel Caviar Chain Wallet as my starting point, dropped it into Phia and was shown 100+ resale options of similar items

2. Key Words, you can use Phia similar to an internet search browser but with resale options

With the nature of shopping secondhand, some items shared might be sold out by the time you read this, hopefully by another reader! To find more treasures, try Phia for yourself, or reach out if you would like me to source for you.

Still heading to a holiday parties? The Circle of Friends Gift Guide is full of ideas for what to bring the host featuring future forward foods to pair with items you can easily find secondhand!