If there’s one brand, one designer in particular, that has made an impact on the fashion industry since the much-anticipated debut collections from last September, it’s Matthieu Blazy for Chanel. It seems obvious to say, doesn’t it? But because you can’t open your Instagram feed, read a 2026 trend report or even browse your favourite high street stores without noting references to Blazy’s designs, it’s an inescapable reality of fashion right now.

If this wasn’t evidence enough, Lyst’s Q1 Index for 2026 placed Chanel at number one on its list of hottest brands of the year, and it’s easy to see why. Be it his highly sought-after handbags which had influencers, stylists and editors practically squabbling over in stores, the much loved ready-to-wear collections shown in Paris and Biarritz or the divisive ‘naked’ sandals from the Cruise show that went viral, the industry right now is all about Blazy.

But the Blazy effect hasn’t just increased sales for Chanel directly, it’s increased sales on the second-hand market, too. The French luxury retailer is such a wanted brand that unsurprisingly now more than ever, people who perhaps can’t afford new Chanel, or can’t even get their hands on it even if they could, are looking to resale sites for new pieces, vintage accessories and collectors items.

Though some people are undeniably avid vintage shoppers (guilty as charged), it feels like it’s taken a while for the world to catch up, for it to seem like less of a niche market. But, with the increased use and ease of platforms like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Vestiaire it’s no wonder it’s now much more common. So much so, Vinted was recently named the UK’s third largest retailer, overtaking M&S, H&M and Zara.

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And it’s not just Blazy’s Chanel that is sought after. I’ve noticed many style insiders and celebrities wearing vintage Chanel Flap bags which were originally introduced in the 1950s, as well as the iconic Cambon bag and *those* Y2K ballet pumps that were a certified favourite of Lauren Conrad, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in the early 2000s.

As such, it would be a sin to speak of archive Chanel and not speak of Karl Lagerfeld, who was artistic director for the house from 1983 to his death in 2019, creating some of the most idolised collections, campaigns and runway shows in fashion history. This legacy, that was of course also built by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself, has marked Chanel as a consistent investment item over history, much like art, fine jewellery or watches. Interestingly, Vestiaire reports that it is the number one brand for investment value on the platform, boasting a “Vestiaire Value Ranking” of 1404 points, outperforming Louis Vuitton (1227) and Hermès (1156).

But where to start if you’re a novice, not an expert? As an avid second hand shopper (I actually just purchased my first Chanel bag this year on eBay), I’m often perplexed as to why some people don’t also love the thrill of buying vintage. Whenever I ask, I’m always met with the same answers: the feeling that it’s a huge effort, the (largely misunderstood) idea that all second hand is too worn in and in bad condition, and not knowing what to look for or invest in.