As for the interior, the bag is lined with a fabric. The trunk has no compartments and the inner structure is open and spacious. There is one zip-up pocket measuring approximately 19cm x 8cm, which is large enough to accommodate a mobile phone. The zip pull has the word “Chanel” engraved on one side and the CC logo on reverse. Aside from the classic black, the bag is available in many seasonal colours for those who want to keep up with the current fashion trends.
I’m those kind who can’t go out with just my wallet. I found the classic flap too small to put all my stuff for functions and I stopped using it. You might be thinking, the Wallet on Chain doesn’t seem that big…what can I even fit in there?? Don’t worry, both the Chanel and Saint Laurent WOC have a surprising amount of space. You can carry more items than just money, cards, and flat items, but remember if you stuff the bag, the shape will change and it may look a little bulky. A vintage lambskin Chanel wallet transformed into a perfect wallet on chain mini bag.
And I’m still kicking myself for missing out on the Chanel 19 waist bag, which I looked at in the boutique several times, only to pass on it. I’m now searching resale sites in the hopes of finding one. I hummed and hawed about buying a 19 for the first season, and as any Chanel lover knows, that delay cost me. So, when I finally went to purchase one, the prices had gone up so much that I paused … Much like the iconic 2.55 handbag, which was designed by Gabrielle Chanel and was revealed in Chanel boutiques in February of 1955, the Chanel 19 handbag gets its name from its release year.
The logos and engravings on the hardware, on the big metal ball, small ball, and the CC on the front are all in the right place, On the inside the logo and engraving is perfect. I am personally really happy that I got the WOC in the camel/tan colour, because it makes it different from my black Classic Flap. If my WOC was also black, I think I would feel like the two bags were too similar. I don’t have either but I’m probably a bit more partial to the YSL, it’s a lovely shape. I do find that chains can dig in, especially with lots of weight – if you are running around with a little one I’d look for a thicker strap. My personal favourite would be the cross body style as well.
The chain links are also more prominent, approximately 1.3cm in diameter (1.7 on the top handle) and three-tonal, which is another aspect unique to that design. While each bag has the iconic CC clasp, in the 19 bag the CC element is larger and features a decorative interwoven leather chain. In the Classic Flap bag, the entire clasp consists of metal hardware with no leather elements. Any fabric padding is inherently prone to staining and marks from hand creams, sanitisers, make up and pens.