So you've decided to pursue an authentic Chanel bag. Now how do you find it knowing that a real bag is like an island in a sea of knock-offs and designer replicas? Simply, the easiest way to acquire an authentic Chanel bag is to buy it from a Chanel boutique or authorized retailer or directly from their website.

But for those who are more adventurous deal seekers, below are a number of sites that have acquired an excellent reputation for selling designer bags at often discounted prices. Each has been personally recommended to me from happy customers who have bought authentic merchandise. As a precaution, be sure to double check their guarantees and return policies and always clear up any questions you may have before plunking down your credit card.

Chanel Handbags and Purses are one of the most sought after brands in the designer handbag industry, and for good reason: Chanel is one of only a few brands that lives up to all the hype. As someone who has owned several bags, I can attest that when you hold a Chanel Purse, you can see as well as feel the quality. If only fashions did not change so often, I swear that Chanel handbags and purses could be used for a lifetime. My advice is that since trends come and go like a revolving French door, hold on to your Chanel handbags, since they may yet again be all the rage in a few years!

To this very day, Chanel maintains the very highest standards in both their materials and workmanship. They operate on a much larger scale than in the early days, but in many ways, today's Chanel handbags have changd relatively litte. The timeless fashion of a Chanel bag punctuates the allure for many purse collectors. Pick up any bag and you will immediately recognize the bold quilted leather, the chains, and of course the signature interlocking double-C logo.

Chanel's quilted fabric and leather also has a "secret" quilting pattern sewn at the back to keep the material strong. At first, inspired by the jackets of jockeys, this material is used for clothing and accessories alike. The Luxury Line, introduced in 2006 featuring a metal chain embedded in the leather, was one of the most desired bags of the moment. Chanel still is popular because it mixes the trends of today with the class and simplicity it had when it first opened.