Chanel Antik Boy

The Chanel bags that are called Boys are named after Arthur Edward Capel. The British aristocrat and polo player was nicknamed “Boy” and was reportedly a romantic partner of Coco Chanel's for a number of years. The Chanel Boy bag debuted in the Chanel Fall/Winter collection of 2011. Shop a variety of Chanel Boy bags on 1stDibs.

Chanel recommends storing your boy bags by wrapping the chains or straps in tissue paper and storing them upright in the original pouch. Other sources suggest stuffing the bag with acid-free tissue paper to support its shape and make sure the chain or strap is well-padded so it doesn’t imprint the bag. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

A small Chanel Boy bag costs around $5,400. Created by Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic design owes its name to Gabrielle Chanel's first love, Arthur Edward "Boy" Capel. Find a collection of vintage Chanel handbags on 1stDibs today.

Whether you can wear a Chanel Boy bag as a crossbody bag depends on its size.

The 5.9-inch by 3.9-inch by 2.3-inch Mini Boy and the 8-inch by 4.7-inch by 3.3-inch Small Boy work especially well slung across the body, and some people also find both the 10-inch by 6-inch by 3-inch Old Medium Boy and 9.8-inch by 5.9-inch by 3.5-inch New Medium Boy to be suitable for use as crossbody bags. Generally, the Large Boy is too bulky to be worn across the body.

On 1stDibs, shop vintage Boy bags and other Chanel handbags.

How much a large Chanel Boy bag is worth depends on its condition. The best way to get these bags is on the resale market for around $5,500 and above. Find a collection of antique, vintage and designer handbags on 1stDibs today.