Handbags & Fashion

Your Gift Guide to a Chanel-Inspired Holiday Season

By Erica Kagan
Find the Perfect Chanel Gift for Everyone on Your List. Available for Immediate Shipping.
Chanel Gift Guide
Chanel Boy Bag

Holiday season is right around the corner, and with this beloved time of year comes a universally daunting task: gift-giving. But, Sotheby’s is here to take the stress out of gifting, and what better place to start than Chanel? Spanning multiple design eras and style categories, this gift guide covers all the bases of Chanel must-haves for the holidays. Get ready to surprise everyone on your gift list with the most unique, highly sought-after Chanel accessories on the market. All items mentioned below are available for immediate purchase, so get shopping!

Chanel Black Extra Mini Rainbow Coco Handle Flap Quilted Chèvre Gold Hardware, 2021

For The Trend-Setter Seeking Something Different

There’s almost nothing like sporting a luxury handbag that no-one else has, receiving a flurry of compliments and curiosities about its origin as a result. For the daring, street-style-centric fashionista who craves this moment in the spotlight, look no further than the Chanel Rainbow Coco Handle Bag. A testament to the unrivaled craftsmanship of Chanel, this luxurious bag is available in both black and white quilted chevré, with an interior lined in soft pink leather. Strikingly modern, a whimsical handle transforms this classic silhouette into anything but ordinary. Still fresh off the runway, this stand-out piece from Spring-Summer 2021 is the perfect holiday gift for your favorite trend-setter.

Chanel Pink Clutch in Quilted Satin with Gold Tone Hardware, 1989-1991

For The Vintage Aficionado

We all know someone who is obsessed with vintage hunting. And, as global fashion trends have made abundantly clear in the last few years, the ‘80s and ‘90s really are back. Any Chanel-lover can attest to the fact that Karl Lagerfeld’s inaugural designs are treasured finds on the resale market. So, if you want to impress the vintage aficionado in your life with a meaningful gift, get her a Chanel handbag from this era. Whether it be the classic black quilted Camera Bag or a bold, pink quilted satin clutch, Lagerfeld’s earliest designs are a must-have for any impassioned collector.

Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin CC Tassel Flap Camera Bag Gold Hardware, 1994-1996
Chanel Diana Flap Navy Quilted Lambskin Gold Hardware, 1991-1994

For Your Royals-Obsessed Friend

From The Crown to Spencer (starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana), the royal family is permanently ingrained in popular culture. For some, curiosity about this family manifests in full-on obsession and historical expertise. Yet, beyond this group of dedicated royal family experts, almost everyone knows something about Princess Diana. The ultimate style icon of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Princess Diana of Wales had a tremendous impact on Lagerfeld and his designs for Chanel. Produced from 1989 to approximately 1995, the Chanel Diana bag is a prime example of this influence. According to fashion lore, Princess Diana sported this particular accessory so frequently that Karl Largefeld felt it only fitting to honor her in the name. A unique and historically rich gift, this timeless classic will make a woman feel special, glamorous, and connected to Princess Diana all at once.

Chanel Wallet on Chain Multicolor Tweed Logo Gold Hardware, 2020

For Her First Chanel

No woman forgets the moment she received her first Chanel. From the thrill of unwrapping the iconic monochrome box to styling it in the mirror for the first time, the experience is so much more than the bag itself. Equally rewarding is making this moment possible for someone special in your life. If this is the case, and you are looking to be a generous gift giver this holiday season, the Chanel Wallet-on-Chain (WOC) is the place to start. Effortlessly chic, the Chanel WOC is a miniature classic, perfectly suited for women of all ages. Functional, versatile and more affordable than other classic Chanel bags, the WOC is consistently one of the hottest bags on the market – and for good reason.

Chanel Mini Boy Bag Metallic Gold Galuchat Stingray Gold Hardware, 2014

For The Bite-Size Bag Lover

The tiny purse trend has taken center stage, captivating the fashion industry as the size of iconic bags continue to shrink. And, as we all know, once Chanel gets involved, a trend becomes a modern classic. Evidently, the micro bag is no exception. Combine a bite-size silhouette with the Boy Bag design, and you have the ultimate ‘it-girl’ staple. For a truly stand-out and unique variation, look no further than the Metallic Gold Galuchat Stingray Mini Boy Bag with Gold Hardware. A perfect intersection between classic Chanel and modern edge, the Boy Bag remains at the top of the wish-list for a new generation of luxury shoppers.

Chanel East West Flap Bag Black and White CC Sequin Silver Hardware, 2019

For The Timeless Classic With A Twist

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a classic. Take that classic, give it a playful twist, and suddenly you have a dream bag on your hands. So, if you want to gift like a bonafide handbag expert this holiday season, don’t look past the Chanel East West Flap Bag. Arguably a hidden gem in the world of luxury handbags, the now discontinued (and ultra-rare) E/W flap is the Classic Flap’s wider and shorter little sister. Prior to its discontinuation, Chanel released the East West flap in black and white sequins with silver hardware. This rare variation on the Classic Flap hits all the marks (especially the sequins) for an irreplaceable holiday gift.

Chanel White Imitation Pearl, Gold Metal and Strass CC Necklace, 2020

For The Jewelry Junkie

For every luxury handbag lover, there is an equally impassioned jewelry collector. And, in the world of accessories, you would be hard pressed to find a line more iconic than Chanel costume jewelry. More specifically, Chanel pearls. There is no piece of jewelry more directly tied to the image of Coco Chanel than the opulent layering of pearl ropes. A White Imitation Pearl Necklace with multiple strands and an interlocking CC design is not only the ultimate gift for a Coco Chanel-lover, but the perfect addition to any woman’s growing jewelry collection.

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