Every Chanel bag that the brand releases benefits from both the timeless style of the product and the prestige and status that surround the logo on show and the brand behind it.
With every design derived from the innovative concepts that original designer and founder Coco Chanel spearheaded and brought to the luxury market, owning an authentic Chanel bag is akin to owning a piece of history.
Of course, when dealing with a brand as iconic as Chanel, there will always be certain bags and models that are more coveted than most. The Chanel Classic is undoubtedly one of those bags that everyone recognises, created by Karl Lagerfeld as a more modern variation on Coco Chanel’s own 2.55 model released in 1955.
Key features of the Chanel Classic include the long shoulder strap that Chanel designed to facilitate hands-free use, and the quilted material, inspired by jockeys’ riding coats.
So, where does the Mini Rectangular fit in?
The Mini Rectangular was developed amid the rise of mini bags, embodying the hallmarks and design traits of the brand’s main collection but in much smaller and more compact sizes.
There’s something incredibly functional about the Mini Rectangular bag.
But before we get into the main features of the bag, it’s important to recognise the role that product development plays in the Chanel strategy – and in the continuation of timeless design flair and innovation.
As we’ve alluded to in other blogs and touched on earlier in this piece, Chanel was an innovator. So many of her ideas transformed the luxury market – creating the Little Black Dress, designing trousers for women, and introducing bags with long straps so that women could carry their possessions and still have their hands free for other tasks.
By taking existing bags and designs and changing their size and dimensions, the Chanel brand continues to develop its product line in the most effective of ways. Introducing bags like the Mini Rectangular meets a demand on the market that is untapped by other brands – putting Chanel front and centre of the ever-changing world of modern trends.
This is a bag that is, in the simplest terms, a small version of one of Chanel’s most iconic and famous bags.
The perfect shoulder bag, the Mini Rectangular is super wearable and spans just 20cm in length and 12cm in height. Other features besides the flap design and long shoulder strap include a delicate clasp and the quilted stitching on the standard leather creations, adding to the padded texture and finish.
When you first glance at a Chanel bag, there’s a lot to take in and a great amount of detail to appreciate.
But colour is what ties a bag to its owner. It gives each and every bag a unique identity, and buyers can choose from unique and vibrant colour palettes or keep it timeless with a more neutral model.
When it comes to choosing a colour for your Chanel bag, there are various options that pop up every year and throughout every season, and colours that are rarer and more difficult to get hold of. Those that are neutral and supposedly timeless tend to be the ones that merit the highest demand, though that’s not to say you shouldn’t explore the other colours on offer. Especially when buying a Mini Rectangular, which is small but packs an aesthetic punch when layered atop an outfit.
The first batch of colours are the classic ones: think black, white, beige, and red.
Seasonal colour tones tend to stray into the brighter domain, with bold pinks and vibrant blues. Pastels are another group of colours that change with the season, spanning those slightly softer tones that compliment spring and summer outfits, while dark shades bridge the modern affinity for neutrals with slightly more personality and character.
Then we move into the more unique and eye-catching colours and finishes – iridescent palettes, ombre shades, and of course the use of bold fabrics that create a different look and texture on the surface of each bag. With Chanel being one of the first luxury brands to ban the use of exotic furs and skins in favour of vegan and cruelty-free alternatives, tweed and wool have now arrived in the Chanel repertoire.
Chain bags, hard plastic bags, and sequin-adorned bags are all as popular as they are rare.
All of this is proof that, when it comes to colour, the classics may be the best and most in demand among most buyers, but the opportunity to find and own something totally different and unique is not to be overlooked.
With so many luxury bags on the market, should you choose a Chanel Mini Rectangular?
The beauty of an authentic Chanel bag is that it’s recognisable for its quality and status. People know the Chanel brand, they know the work that goes into the production of each bag, and they recognise the exclusivity of ownership.
A Mini Rectangular bag takes all the attributes of the Classic but transfers them into a bag that’s made for the modern home. It’s portable, it doubles as a clutch bag for those who want to take their bag out in the evening, and it boasts the same quality craftsmanship as any of the bigger models.
With this comes the high demand we’ve already mentioned – and if anything, supply of Chanel’s Mini bags is always more challenging and difficult. However, visiting a local boutique with ever-changing stock is a good way to understand what’s available and to compare different models and colour tones – ultimately finding your perfect match.
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