Chanel bags are some of the most highly sought-after within the world of luxury fashion. When shopping at Chanel have you ever found that the bag of your dreams is sold out? You are not alone! Due to ever-increasing demand, Chanel’s most popular styles tend to be out of stock much more often. In order to stand a better chance of bagging your dream Chanel bag, you might be wondering, When Do Chanel Restock?
In general, Chanel tends to restock their bags on a regular basis, however, this never seems to be quick enough to supply the current demand. Although we can’t always predict when Chanel bags are available in boutiques, there are a few tips and tricks to get you one step closer to purchasing your bag.
Firstly, we would highly recommend that you keep an eye on the Purse Forum as there are multiple threads regarding Chanel launches. Here you will find a plethora of information regarding all things Chanel! These threads are regularly updated and give you a real insight into the new season collections, launch dates, and what has caught everyone’s attention.
You can also join me on Instagram at the HangbagHolic for updates, here I regularly share insights into the new Chanel collections prior to launch in the boutiques.
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How often does Chanel release bags?
Chanel launches 6 seasonal collections per year. This means that multiple bags are released every season, in a variety of styles, sizes, and color-ways; which may never be produced ever again. Therefore you need to move fast if you see something you love!
Getting a new Chanel bag is easier at the start of a season (expect ques at stores on launch day) as this is when Chanel bags are restocked. Prior to a new collection launch, shelves are often described as ‘bare’ in stores, waiting for the new replenished stock to arrive.
Are you overwhelmed by all the new bag releases at Chanel? It can be hard to keep up with all the new bags released every season. Therefore, we explore the Best Everyday Chanel Bags (COMING SOON). Staying up to date with new releases is advisable; especially if you are looking to score a bag in the boutique soon after launch.
Having a great relationship with a sales associate at Chanel is incredibly beneficial when it comes to obtaining any bag, especially new season releases. Any good sales associate will actually show you the stock guide of the new collection prior to release in the form of a PDF; this way you can pre-order any bags you like before they are even launched in the boutiques.
When does Chanel restock the Classic Flap bags?
The Classic Flap bags are the most popular and iconic pieces produced by Chanel. Due to its sheer popularity, more often than not, the Classic Flap bag is unavailable in boutiques. Despite this, the Classic Flap will forever remain as part of Chanel’s core handbag collection, and therefore is constantly produced all year round and available in boutiques across the world.
In the past, it was incredibly hard to find a Chanel Classic Flap in the size small readily available in boutiques. This has since changed due to the popularity of the small size, and these are now more attainable and restocked much more often.
As it is the most popular bag produced by Chanel, the Classic Flap can be incredibly difficult to get hold of, particularly if you are hoping to purchase a neutral color. We would strongly recommend visiting your local Chanel boutique and speaking with a sales associate about which size and color-way you are looking for. They will then be able to add you to the waitlist for the bag and will contact you directly when it is available. Having an established relationship with your sales associate can really help you get your Classic Flag bag much quicker!
When does Chanel restock the Mini Flap bag?
The Mini Flap bags are among the most popular styles at Chanel. Available in a square and rectangle variation; both are equally hard to track down. Unfortunately due to their popularity, they are notoriously hard to get hold of directly from the Chanel boutiques; and now are commonly found on the resale market.
Although the Mini Flap is a seasonal variation of the iconic Classic Flap bag, it now tends to be released consistently throughout the year. Despite this, it is still incredibly hard to get your hands on one of these bags due to the huge demand.
Again, it is vital that you have a reliable sales associate to help you find your Mini Flap Bag, as locating one of these rare pieces in a Chanel boutique is incredibly challenging! It can take some time, however, your sales associate can contact you directly when they receive a new shipment of the Mini Flap bags.
How to Get a Rare Chanel Bag
Chanel releases special designs and colour-ways of handbags seasonally, which are sometimes referred to as ‘unicorn’ bags within the world of luxury goods. These bags are usually incredibly hard to source due to their popularity and lower stock levels. So, how can you get one of these rare and sought-after Chanel bags?
When it comes to shopping at any Chanel boutique, it is best to have a good relationship with a sales associate. This is particularly important if you are hoping to get your hands on a rare Chanel bag, as you are able to contact them prior to releases, and put your name down on a waitlist. You may even find that your sales associate contacts you directly if they have a style of bag in stock that they think you may be interested in.
The pre-loved market can also be an excellent place to source hard-to-find and rare Chanel bags. If a bag is no longer stocked at Chanel, you may find it available on the pre-loved market. Although it is important to note that some of these ‘unicorn’ bags may be significantly more expensive on the secondary market due to their exclusivity. As some of these rare bags may come at a more premium price, it is helpful to know what options you have when it comes to financing a Chanel bag. Find our in-depth blog post on ‘Can you Finance a Chanel Bag?’ here.
It is very important to always ensure that you are shopping at reputable stores on the pre-loved luxury market. We would recommend using sites such as Vestiaire Collective and eBay, and always ensure that you get your designer bags authenticated (here’s a list of our favorite authentication services). See our blog post on Where to Buy a Chanel Bag (COMING SOON).
When do Chanel restock shoes?
Chanel has some incredibly popular shoe styles available every season, including the classic ballerina, slingback, dad sandal, and espadrille – but how often does Chanel restock their shoe department?
Overall, it would seem that footwear is restocked a little more frequently than handbags at Chanel. Due to the popularity of certain footwear styles, you may have to be patient when looking for your size. Much like their handbags, it can be a little trickier to locate popular seasonal shoe styles in the boutique. Therefore, if you find a pair of shoes that you love, we would advise that you buy them as you may not find them again!
As a general rule, we suggest that you visit your local boutique regularly if possible as they may have received more stock. It may also be worth checking at the Chanel shoe department in any luxury department store, as sometimes they tend to hold additional stock of certain sizes and styles.
Once again, your sales associate will be more than happy to contact you directly if they receive a shipment of the shoe style and size you are looking for.
How Long do Waitlists Take for Chanel Bags?
As Chanel’s popularity continues to increase, it is becoming harder to walk into a boutique and make an immediate bag purchase. Due to this, Chanel has introduced waitlists for their most popular bag styles, including the Classic Flap, Trendy CC, and Coco Handle.
Waitlist times can vary significantly, depending on where your Chanel boutique is located, and which style of bag you are looking for (including colour-way and size). Additionally, it also depends on your relationship with your existing sales associate, as to how quickly your wish-list bag becomes available to purchase.
You could find yourself waiting on average anything from a couple of weeks, to several months for your dream bag. However, you could also simply get lucky one day in a different Chanel boutique! When it comes to shopping at Chanel, it can be a bit of a waiting game, however, it is always worth asking if they have stock of the bag you are looking for in other boutiques, including those within luxury department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges.
Although it can seem like a challenge to locate the Chanel bag that you’ve always been dreaming of, the effort really pays off when you finally make that purchase. Chanel’s beautiful handbags are always worth the wait!
As a lover of all things luxury, you may also be interested in when other designer brands restock their bags. See our detailed blog post to find out when Louis Vuitton restocks here.
How To Jump The Chanel Waitlist
Tired of waiting for your dream Chanel bag? Maybe you’re on a waitlist or you just can’t seem to get hold of that seasonal piece you’re desperate to add to your collection. The only REAL way to beat the Chanel waitlist is to buy your dream Chanel bag pre-loved. This is also a great option for those rare Chanel bags that seem impossible to get – but expect to pay a premium for those pieces. My favorite places to shop pre-loved Chanel bags and to beat the wait lists are eBay and Vestaire Collective.