Skip to content
Compare products

Review Shoulder bags

Chanel 22 Bag Small review: worth it or skip?

Consider7.6/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you want a casual, roomy Chanel. Why: soft quilted hobo with a chain strap. The catch: slouches.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

Chanel 22 Bag Small

Our verdict on the Chanel 22 Bag Small

Buy it if
you want a casual, roomy Chanel.
Skip it if
you want resale: it is less of an icon than the flap.
Best for
Slouchy Chanel
Key feature
Soft quilted hobo with a chain strap
Typical price
$6,700–$7,400
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

MaterialShiny calfskin
Size35 x 37 x 8 cm
HardwareGold-tone chain
Made inItaly

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want a casual, roomy Chanel
  • value roomy
  • can spend around $6,700–$7,400

Skip it if you

  • you want resale: it is less of an icon than the flap
  • mind this: slouches
  • mind this: less resale value

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Roomy
  • Soft
  • Easy to carry

Cons

  • Slouches
  • Less resale value

The verdict in one breath

The Chanel 22 Bag Small is a beautiful piece for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: soft quilted hobo with a chain strap. Read the skip-if line before you spend.

Reasons to buy

  • Roomy
  • Soft
  • Easy to carry

Reasons to skip

  • Slouches
  • Less resale value

The details that matter

  • Material: Shiny calfskin
  • Size: 35 x 37 x 8 cm
  • Hardware: Gold-tone chain
  • Made in: Italy

Worth knowing

Inside is open; add a pouch for small items.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you want a casual, roomy Chanel. Skip it if you want resale: it is less of an icon than the flap; the Bottega Veneta Jodie Large is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best shoulder bags.

Alternatives worth considering

Bottega Veneta Jodie Large

Bottega Veneta · Shoulder bags

Bottega Veneta Jodie Large

Buy it if you want roomy hobo.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Large hobo
Typical price
$4,500–$5,200

Pros

  • Soft
  • Roomy

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Chanel 22 Bag Small?

Consider it, if you want a casual, roomy Chanel. Why: soft quilted hobo with a chain strap. The catch: slouches.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want resale: it is less of an icon than the flap. The Bottega Veneta Jodie Large is the better buy then.

What does the Chanel 22 Bag Small cost?

Usually $6,700–$7,400 in the US. Luxury houses raise prices often, so check the current price before you buy.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Chanel 22 Bag Small: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Chanel 22 Bag Small worth the money? Short answer: consider it, if you want a casual, roomy Chanel. This review explains what this Chanel piece gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs and which designer shoulder bag to buy instead if it is not right for you.

What the Chanel 22 Bag Small does well

The headline: soft quilted hobo with a chain strap. The details: Material: Shiny calfskin; Size: 35 x 37 x 8 cm; Hardware: Gold-tone chain; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: slouchy Chanel. It usually sells for $6,700–$7,400 in the US.

Inside is open; add a pouch for small items.

The trade-offs

Good: roomy, soft, easy to carry. Not so good: slouches, less resale value. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want resale: it is less of an icon than the flap.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Bottega Veneta Jodie Large ($4,500–$5,200): large Jodie. Better if you want roomy hobo.

Instead, consider the Dior 30 Montaigne ($4,200–$4,800): 30 Montaigne flap. Better if you want Dior.

Instead, consider the Loewe Flamenco Clutch Medium ($3,900–$4,500): napa calfskin with knotted drawstring corners and a shoulder strap. Better if you want a soft, sculptural bag that fits a lot.

Before you buy

Chain or leather strap: chain straps look dressy but dig into the shoulder with a full bag; leather-threaded or wide leather straps are more comfortable. Capacity: check that a phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses fit; many flap bags are smaller inside than they look. Closure: magnetic flaps are quick but less secure than a turn lock or zip for travel and crowded cities.

Buyer tip

If you want an icon from Chanel or Saint Laurent, check the brand’s boutique price first: third-party sellers on Amazon may price above or below retail, and pre-owned can be the smarter buy.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT (around 20%), while US prices exclude sales tax, so a bag can look cheaper in Paris or Milan than it really is. Visitors from outside the EU and UK can often claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU, which is why many Americans buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès while travelling.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.