As a reward for finishing my first year of university (during a pandemic may I add), I treated myself to a pair of Chanel sunglasses. I will class this as probably one of my best ideas. Before lockdown, after my shift ended, I would often take a walk to Flannels and try on different pairs of sunglasses to figure out which shape suited me most to allow me to feel more confident when placing an order online.
Since you cannot buy any of Chanel’s fashion pieces on their website, I was surprised to learn they do actually offer the option of ordering sunglasses from Chanel.com. For those living in certain areas of London, you have the chance of experiencing Chanel’s Concierge delivery, where for £12, the brand brings the boutique sunglasses try on adventure to your doorstep. However, since I am not a Londoner, I ordered my pair online and had them delivered. The Butterfly sunglasses caught my eye as soon as I first saw them. I was looking for a classic yet feminine frame, a pair that won’t feel too dated and that will suit my style. This particular pair reminds me of a modern version of the Oliver Goldsmith Manhattan shades that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The plain black outside frame with no extra detail but the iconic CC on the side shows simplicity yet elegance, whilst the ‘Chanel’s written on the top of the frame give a nowadays twist yet still provide the simplicity and elegance like the rest of the glasses. Alongside the black and beige pair, I chose, there is also a tortoise shell alternative. The first costing £310 whereas the latter £345. Chanel’s website includes a ‘try on’ feature, where you allow access to your camera and a filter pops up with the glasses you chose the try on. This is extremely useful, this allows you to see how the measurements, colours and shape of the glasses suit you personally.
I ordered the glasses on Thursday evening, and my Saturday morning they were already with me thanks to Chanel’s complimentary delivery. Everything was packaged beautifully. The iconic black Chanel box was wrapped with the Chanel ribbon, which was tied in a bow, featuring the famous camellia flower. I was also gifted a miniature Sycamore perfume. The invoice was presented in a black envelope and the entire box was carefully lined with tissue paper.
The glasses came inside a quilted black leather case, the same quilting as on their other accessories. One of my favourite parts of the purchase was the microfiber cloth included, which features sketches of Chanel products and Karl Lagerfeld’s signature in the bottom corner. This was my first ever Chanel purchase – from the brand itself or from the second-hand market. Of course, the glasses are pristine and are brilliant quality. They sit in their box on my dressing table beside my 1974 edition of Vogue. I remain stunned. There is nothing about my experience that I would have changed, of course with Chanel being such a high luxury company, they do have expectations they lived up to all of mine.
What are your dream sunglasses?
K x