5 Need-to-Know Tips On Buying Vintage Chanel, From the Fashion People Who Buy It

If there’s one brand, one designer in particular, that has made an impact on the fashion industry since the much-anticipated debut collections from last September, it’s Matthieu Blazy for Chanel. It seems obvious to say, doesn’t it? But because you can’t open your Instagram feed, read a 2026 trend report or even browse your favourite high street stores without noting references to Blazy's designs, it’s an inescapable reality of fashion right now.

If this wasn’t evidence enough, Lyst’s Q1 Index for 2026 placed Chanel at number one on its list of hottest brands of the year, and it’s easy to see why. Be it his highly sought-after handbags which had influencers, stylists and editors practically squabbling over in stores, the much loved ready-to-wear collections shown in Paris and Biarritz or the divisive ‘naked’ sandals from the Cruise show that went viral, the industry right now is all about Blazy.

But the Blazy effect hasn’t just increased sales for Chanel directly, it’s increased sales on the second-hand market, too. The French luxury retailer is such a wanted brand that unsurprisingly now more than ever, people who perhaps can’t afford new Chanel, or can’t even get their hands on it even if they could, are looking to resale sites for new pieces, vintage accessories and collectors items.

Though some people are undeniably avid vintage shoppers (guilty as charged), it feels like it's taken a while for the world to catch up, for it to seem like less of a niche market. But, with the increased use and ease of platforms like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Vestiaire it’s no wonder it’s now much more common. So much so, Vinted was recently named the UK’s third largest retailer, overtaking M&S, H&M and Zara.

And it’s not just Blazy’s Chanel that is sought after. I’ve noticed many style insiders and celebrities wearing vintage Chanel Flap bags which were originally introduced in the 1950s, as well as the iconic Cambon bag and *those* Y2K ballet pumps that were a certified favourite of Lauren Conrad, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in the early 2000s.

As such, it would be a sin to speak of archive Chanel and not speak of Karl Lagerfeld, who was artistic director for the house from 1983 to his death in 2019, creating some of the most idolised collections, campaigns and runway shows in fashion history. This legacy, that was of course also built by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel herself, has marked Chanel as a consistent investment item over history, much like art, fine jewellery or watches. Interestingly, Vestiaire reports that it is the number one brand for investment value on the platform, boasting a "Vestiaire Value Ranking" of 1404 points, outperforming Louis Vuitton (1227) and Hermès (1156).

But where to start if you're a novice, not an expert? As an avid second hand shopper (I actually just purchased my first Chanel bag this year on eBay), I’m often perplexed as to why some people don’t also love the thrill of buying vintage. Whenever I ask, I’m always met with the same answers: the feeling that it's a huge effort, the (largely misunderstood) idea that all second hand is too worn in and in bad condition, and not knowing what to look for or invest in.

Lucky for you, I have some expert advice that might help.

Which Chanel Items are Currently Trending on the Second Hand Market?

Amy Bannerman, eBay’s pre-loved style director, says that they have had multiple requests at the archive for the classic Chanel jacket, “Matthieu Blazy’s new collection is very “of the moment” and it has caused a bit of competitive shopping, but it just shows the these classic items stand the test of time.” As well as the classic Chanel jacket, eBay reports that “Chanel bowling bag” as a term has increased by 131% month-on-month since December 2025, proving the interest in styles from the early-mid noughties. Also from this era is the Cambon bag, Flap bag styles in metallic and gloss leather finishes, as well as the quilted ballet flats with the XXL monogram, all of which I'm seeing frequently on my feed right now. Adding to this, after years of quiet luxury, maximalism is back (powered by Blazy, of course). As such, we expect to see the rise of logos return again as we go into autumn and 2027, and is there a more iconic logo or monogram than Chanel's interlocking double 'C'?

If You Want ‘Blazy' Style Chanel But Pre-Loved, Which Eras or Pieces Should You Search For?

One of the eras Blazy is really bringing back is the '20s flapper girl aesthetic. Drop waists on dresses, long pearl necklaces, t-bar shoes and clutch bags with long chain straps all feature in the autumn/winter 2026 and Cruise collections. Blazy is really making a case for joyous dressing and 'dressing up' for any occasion. As such, looking for Chanel clutch bags especially those with fringe leather details on zippers, feel very "now," and are a fraction of the RRP. You can also easily find a lot of brooches, which are enjoying a huge comeback thanks to Blazy.

But probably the most wanted items, the pièce de resistance from Blazy's Chanel, are a certain style of shoe. "Everyone is going nuts for the two tone heels, and if you're looking for a sell-out style, you might already be able to find them with authenticity guarantee. Of course though, the two tone pumps are something Chanel has done time and time again, so these are always popping up," notes Bannerman.

Which Chanel Items Make the Best Investment Pieces?

Chanel items really are one of the best fashion investments you can make because they hold their value and are truly timeless. For Bannerman, handbags are the best bet. "A Chanel quilted bag is always a great investment, especially as they continue to rise in price. I bought my dream Chanel bag recently, a vintage flap bag on eBay which was only £700. It is interesting to note that Chanel have just launched a new bag under Matthieu’s direction which looks purposefully pre-loved but costs in excess of £10,000—this means I saved over £9000 by buying mine on eBay."

Whenever one speaks of 'investment pieces', watches and jewellery almost always come up, and Chanel's Première watch models are a signature I'd recommend looking out for. When it comes to jewellery—be it fine or costume—there's so much to discover. The classic monogram earrings, for example, whether in pearl or diamond or plain gold are an every day staple and perfect for gifts. Personally, I always seem to have Chanel evening bags on my eBay wish list. These bags might not be for the every day, but they don't date, and will incur compliments whenever you wear them. Whether you're at a wedding, Wimbledon or a Christmas party, a Chanel bag will always be an asset!

Which Vintage Chanel Items Are Most Worth Searching For?

Naturally, it depends on your personal style, and whilst yes—there are certain 'forever' pieces that won't date, like the aforementioned classic watches, jewellery and Flap bags, it's the more niche items I think are best found on pre-loved sites. The pieces I notice true fashion people wearing are those that are a little more unique, printed, colourful. I guess this proves the one downside to Blazy's overtly 'hyped' collections, is that the very nature of a something that sells out, means that many people have it. With secondhand, you might have to hunt for it, but you can find something more scarce. This might be gigantic earrings or a silk headscarf adorned with the iconic interlocked 'CC' monogram à la Sex and the City's Samantha Jones. Lagerfeld introduced a lot of sportier collections in the '90s and '00s, so you could bag yourself a duffle bag or a water bottle (you'd be surprised how many Chanel lifestyle accessories there are if you look). You never know, you may even be able to find yourself a Chanel surf or chess board, because yes—these do exist.

Which Era of Chanel Is More Affordable Now, But Will Likely Increase In Value?

Blazy has really revamped the classic Chanel tweed as well of course as the two-tone shoe, so the more traditional, pre-Lagerfeld era, Chanel ready-to-wear like the two-piece suits, court shoes are already on the rise. For Bannerman, her focus is the '80s, a huge trend for A/W26. "I am obsessed with the '80s and we are seeing a resurgence in '80s references and shape which I am thrilled about. The less popular 80s style bucket bags are so practical yet much cheaper than the quilted boxier versions. This one, for example, is a beauty." It goes without saying that the Y2K era is the fastest growing era for pre-loved Chanel. Whilst certain silhouettes like the Cambon and bowler bags are already sought after, many from this era are still quite forgotten, but not for long!

Keywords and specific styles to search for are the Bon Bon tote, the Matelassé and the Wild Stitch tote, which is a perfect work bag. But if I'm honest, those who list their items with specific names, years or eras are those most likely to know their true worth. You're better off searching more generically with keywords that match what you're looking for (colour, fabric i.e. caviar leather, quilted, nylon, for example) and taking the time to scroll. The best deals to be found are from those that don't know what they've got.

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