Hermes Calvi vs. Chanel Classic Cardholder Review | Pros, Cons, and Is It Worth It?

If you’re looking to buy your first luxury item and are deciding between Chanel and Hermes, an SLG (small leather good) is the way to go! Wallets and cardholders are good starter items and allow you to get a taste of the brand without having to spend thousands of dollars on a bag or ready-to-wear. Today, I’ll be comparing the Hermes Calvi Cardholder to the Chanel Classic Cardholder and discussing their pros, cons, and whether I think they’re worth it. You can also watch my comparison video on YouTube here.

Details

Both cardholders are absolutely stunning visually and to the touch, and they’re indicative of the quality of Hermes’ and Chanel’s craftsmanship. Chanel’s cardholder features its signature interlocking CC logo and quilted pattern, while Hermes’ cardholder does an excellent job of encompassing understated luxury. Hermes as a brand is known to be not-at-all ostentatious or flashy, whereas Chanel’s products tend to always feature a look that’s distinctive to only their brand.

This particular Chanel cardholder is made with durable grained calfskin (caviar) leather, and the Hermes cardholder is made with one of its signature and most durable leathers, Epsom. Hermes and Chanel make cardholders in other leathers as well such as Mysore or lambskin, but I decided to purchase caviar and calfskin because they are the most hardwearing.

Capacity

Both are extremely light and surprisingly feel the exact same weight-wise. In terms of capacity, however, the Calvi fits 8 cards per slot comfortably for a total capacity of up to 16 cards whereas Chanel’s cardholder can only fit up to 5 cards comfortably. You can squeeze another card in the middle slot, but doing so will cause the pocket to stretch out over time.

Pros – Hermes Calvi Cardholder

Capacity – If you like the flexibility of being able to carry cash and more than 5 cards, then the Hermes Calvi is a more suitable choice for you. I love using the Calvi in my Longchamp that I use as a work bag because Vert Criquet is a stunning pop of color that makes it easy to locate amongst all my belongings.

Durability – As the #1 leather artisan in the world, Hermes is known for the outstanding quality of its leather. This cardholder is made from Epsom leather which is scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and really easy to clean. Epsom also shows color really well, making it an excellent choice for a fun-colored cardholder!

Colors – The Calvi comes in so many stunning shades. The one pictured is Vert Criquet, a beautiful pastel green meant to resemble the color of a cricket. I’d recommend getting a cardholder in a fun pop of color so that it’s also easier to spot amongst the rest of the items in your bag.

Cons – Hermes Calvi Cardholder

Compactness – Because the capacity of the Calvi is so large, the cardholder is not as compact as Chanel’s. It’s a bit wider depth-wise and takes up more space in your bag, so this is not suitable for those who only carry small purses.

Design – There are two design facets that I’ll mention here, aesthetics and practicality. Aesthetics-wise, if you like logos and products that have clear branding, this is not the cardholder for you. You have to open the cardholder to see the Hermes logo on the inside. Practicality-wise, due to the nature of its snap button closure, this might not be the best choice for people who are constantly in a rush; if you try to close it without paying attention, you may inadvertently press the button into the leather itself rather than its closure, and doing so could leave an indentation in the leather if you press hard enough.

Pros – Chanel Classic Cardholder

Slimness – If you tend to use smaller purses or bags (think Chanel classic flap, YSL Kate, Louis Vuitton Alma BB), then you’re better off with the Chanel cardholder. Chanel’s is much more practical than Hermes’ cardholder in terms of fitting in small bags due to its slim, compact design.

Design – I love Chanel’s signature CC logo and quilting, so I really appreciate that the cardholder features this design as well. I always get compliments whenever I pull this out of my purse, and it makes paying for things a bit more fun 🙂

Colors – Chanel also usually comes out with cardholders in seasonal shades, so you can get one in a fun color if you’re lucky enough to find one before they run out in the boutique! This pink one is from the 22A collection, and it’s a true chameleon because it looks salmon, iridescent, or mauve in different lighting.

Cons – Chanel Classic Cardholder

Capacity – Chanel’s Classic Flat Cardholder fits much fewer cards than the Hermes Calvi. Chanel’s is only really practical for those who carry a couple of cards around, and there is no space for any cash.

Durability – Even though caviar leather is Chanel’s most durable, it will still show wear over time. The corners will become dull and rounded, especially if the cardholder gets thrown around in a larger bag. The puffy quilts will also flatten eventually, although it will be years before this happens if you treat your cardholder with care! I had one from the 18B collection that looked stunning for its age and showed no signs of wear, but I only use my Chanel cardholder in smaller purses where there’s no room for it to be tossed around with other items.

Is it worth it?

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the luxury world and want to try out a piece from Hermes and/or Chanel for the first time, I think their cardholders are absolutely worth it. Unlike their bags which cost tens of thousands of dollars and are nearly impossible to get, the cardholders will only set you back a few hundred and are more accessible than the bags. Before splurging on Chanel’s or Hermes’ bags, I would 100% recommend purchasing a cardholder to make sure that you really like the quality, look, and feel of the brand’s leather and design.

That being said, their cardholders are still hard to get directly from the boutiques due to their inventory and quota systems, but I luckily have this exact pink cardholder and a shiny black caviar cardholder brand new and available to purchase at my small business, Isabelle Vita New York; feel free to message me on my Instagram or Facebook page if you’re interested in buying them!

You can also read my in-depth review of the Hermes Calvi Cardholder here and the Chanel Classic Flat Cardholder here.