Who remembers the Chloé Paddington craze? It was 2005 and I was just dipping my toes into the luxury handbag world. It's hard to believe this was 20 years ago. 😳 The Chloé Paddington bag is known for the boho vibe, slouchy leather, and that padlock! The padlock is really what made the bag standout. It was something I had never seen before in the handbag world, and I needed to get my hands on one.
For reference I'm 4 feet 11 inches tall. Please check out my video to see what fits and more.
This bag is known to be super heavy. I've had quite a few Paddington bags back in the day and I eventually sold them, only to buy them again a few years ago. The nostalgia for this time period runs deep. I'll never forget the Chloé ad that was plastered all over the fashion magazines.
I know this ad doesn't look like the handbag ads we see today. It was a very simple time, we didn't take ourselves that seriously. The Chloé Paddington gave off a carefree spirit. The bag paired perfectly with the boho style.
For 20 years old, this bag still looks and feels amazing and it still makes my heart flutter whenever I see it. The leather is so buttery and slouchy. It has this worn-in feel and this may be why I love my bags to look like they're used. It probably all started with the Paddington bag. They really do not make bags like this anymore.
In the mid aughts, crossbody bags were not popular. Purses were mostly carried over the shoulder or by the top handle. My first Chloé Paddington bag was a deep wine color. It had the most scrumptious leather. I used it almost every single day and I carried it over the shoulder. It was so heavy, my shoulders would ache by the end of the day, but I was in my mid twenties at the time and back then, I did not care. I loved this bag that much I would put up with the aches and pains. Now, not so much. I still bring this bag out a few times a year to mostly admire it and pet the leather. 😂
Let's take a look at the details.
This lock is seriously heavy. If I took it off and threw it at someone, it could really do some damage. But just look at the back of this bag. The leather is some of the best leather I've ever felt. It's thick and chewy and buttery soft.
Just look at all those wrinkles! 😍
Close up of the lock.
Inside is lined with soft fabric.
This is the bottom of the bag, those little studs did not do much for feet. It tried.
Here's the mini Paddington bag. It's the little sister and it's also rare and very hard to find. It took me maybe two or three years to track down this blue mini Paddy. It's in amazing condition. Not going to lie, I want this color in the bigger size Paddington. It's such a pretty navy blue and looks so good with the matte gold lock.
The mini Paddington is much lighter, but still pretty heavy for its size. It can't fit much, just your essentials. The one thing about these bags, they're so heavy, you do not want to carry much in them.
The handles are not as long as the regular version and harder to wear over the shoulder. This one is more suited to be carried by the handles. Can't deny how cute it is though.
How much did these bags cost in 2005? I want to say the regular size Paddington cost about $1400 and the mini size was $1200. The 2025 version of this bag retails for $2,750. And because I'm a geek I used the inflation calculator to see how much $1400 in 2005 would be worth today and the answer is $2,378. So technically, it's not that much more in price. 😅 I would however, argue that the 2025 version does not look as nice. I wouldn't be surprised if the quality isn't of the same caliber.
Moving on to the mini Paddington.
It's got all the same details as the larger size. It's just smaller.
I will admit that the smaller size doesn't have the same impact. It feels too small to me. It kind of disappears when you carry it over the shoulder.
If you would like to see what fits, please check out my video.
I'm tempted to order the 20th anniversary version to compare the vintage and the new, but we all know which one would come out on top. Vintage is almost always better. Let me know if you would be interested in seeing a comparison review and if there's enough interest, I may try and make it happen. Did you have a Paddington bag? Let me know in the comments! That's it for me, I hope you all have a fabulous Monday!
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Agreed that IS a nice blue, but the size made it all lock and not much back 😆 why didn’t they scale the lock down a tad so it is semi proportional? You had me laughing at botoxed version, it has been 20 years since the bag came out so she needs some tweakments! but ya it just does not have the same boho aesthetic when it’s smooth.
ReplyDeleteHi AC! I agree, wish they had scaled the padlock down for the mini Paddington. Sigh. I think one of the new bags has a smaller lock. It's a different style though, maybe a clutch if I remember correctly. When I saw the 2025 version it didn't sing to me at all. I have a feeling it's not going to be as popular as it was back in the day. Who knew wrinkles can be charming? LOL
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