When it comes to buying pre-loved, especially a coveted Chanel jacket, The Real Real is one of my favorite sources. It has been a reliable source of authentic pre-loved Chanel jackets second to the boutiques themselves. O
I wanted to give you some tips on what to look for when shopping on TRR. Here is a blog post detailing the reasons I love TRR (link), but these are my tips when searching for your dream jacket on TRR.
1. Decide What Condition Is Acceptable
Excellent or Pristine Are Best For New Collectors
For newbie collectors who are venturing into buying a used clothing item for the first time and are slightly apprehensive, I suggest you stick to purchasing jackets that are listed as “Pristine condition” or “Excellent condition.”
Here is a 2009 Chanel jacket that’s in excellent condition with no visible signs of wear. Hooray! If I were in the market for an LBJ, I would have totally snagged this.
When a jacket is in excellent condition or pristine condition, it is like new, in my experience. Yes, it is much pricier than the lower-level conditions, but that’s okay because it’s still cheaper than retail.
If you have reservations about used clothing, err on the side of caution to avoid disappointment. You can slowly build your tolerance. Haha!
Best Balance of Quality & Price -Very Good Condition
In my experience, the jackets listed as very good condition offer the best value. The ones I purchased have been/looked nearly new to me. I didn’t see any signs of wear or any soiling. *This assessment is very subjective* so please take it with a grain of salt.
Here is my beautiful Chanel 2018 red jacket that I love very much. I didn’t see any wear when it arrived (2 years ago). I was very pleased with its condition.
ONE TIME, I did receive a jacket that was described as “very good condition” but was very dirty, and the tweed looked very….tired. I thought it was an inaccurate description, but the customer service cared for me. I returned it and got a quick refund.
Good Condition Category Can Be A Goldmine
When purchasing jackets that are described as “good,” read the details as to why they think the condition is only “good.” Some of the listed things can be a dealbreaker for you, whereas others can be acceptable.
They will have things marked as “good“ for minor reasons like a detached brand tag, a minor hole in the tag, or a minor tear on the inside. Those don’t bother me. Other reasons like “pull throughout” or “moderate discoloration” have been unnoticeable issues for me.
Here is an LBJ from the Chanel Dubai collection that’s on my list. I already own the black-and-white version. I am very familiar with this tweed. It’s very “pulley” looking. So this won’t bother me.
2. Underarm Soiling
Now, let’s talk about what can cause major hesitation for some pre-loved shoppers.
Deodorant Residue
In my experience, when an item is noted as “minor residue at underarm,” it generally means that there’s residue from deodorant. Anything I have purchased in the past had zero evidence of any sweat stains.
Sweat Stains
Whereas when they specify “staining,” there will be sweat stains. The stains are generally a dealbreaker for some people, and I can understand why. Generally speaking, vintage light-colored (cream, specifically) will have higher chances of staining. So be mindful.
It’s Fixable
Keep in mind that your dry cleaner can fix the deodorant residue issue. It’s really not a big deal. A master tailor can easily replace the stained fabric at the underarm. That way, you no longer have unsightly underarm stains.
I would not lose a dream jacket if this were its only flaw. Having said that, I have not been in that kind of dilemma yet, so I will update you once that happens.
3. The Iconic Gold Chain
Unless specified, the iconic gold chain may or may not be present at the bottom of the jacket. Generally speaking, the chain will be present in items that are listed as “pristine,” “excellent,” or “very good” condition. But don’t assume that. Make sure it’s clearly stated in the description. I have a source for finding the gold chain here.
4. Trust The Dimensions – Not The Tag Size
Always always, read the dimensions and go by those numbers, not the tag size. The size number means nothing if someone like me bought it and had it taken out in 2 sizes. You don’t know what was done to the jacket during its previous life, and TRR doesn’t know that for sure, either.
I almost always get my jacket altered very rarely. It fits me well straight out of the box. Here is more information on alterations to your Chanel jacket
What Do You Do When Dimensions Don’t Make Sense?
Plenty of times, I have noticed that The Real Real’s dimensions sound really off. How is the chest only 35.35″ of a size 44 jacket? Makes no sense. What do you do then? If the item is returnable, you can take a chance, but if it’s not returnable, then I stay away.
5. Final Sale Chanel Jackets
When buying something from the “final sale” category, I recommend sticking with items that might be slightly bigger versus slightly smaller. There is no way to know for a tailor if a seam is available to let out until she opens the jacket. And if there is no seam on the inside, you might have a jacket you can’t wear. So when in doubt, go larger.
Final Thoughts
You have better odds of finding jackets in excellent condition from newer collections. Lighter-colored jackets can be a hit or miss. Condition assessment is subjective, and it can be inconsistent. A Chanel jacket can be taken up and down up to two sizes by an expert seamstress. Don’t push your luck, especially when it comes to final sale items.
Have fun shopping!
