Picking the right Chanel bag can be a challenge, especially because there are so many different styles to choose from. One of the biggest choices you’ll have to make when looking to buy a Chanel bag is what type of material you want your handbag to be made from. There are a few choices, the main two are caviar and lambskin leathers, and we’ll come onto these in more detail later but you should know that caviar is the most popular out of the two, which makes it a little harder to get your hands on if you’re wanting to buy new.
The origin of the Chanel Flap bag
The Chanel Flap bag wasn’t one of the first bags that Chanel made, as the bag didn’t come onto the scene until 1955. Chanel revolutionised the fashion industry with their matching suits for women, and their bags meant that women could have their hands free to do practical things too. The Chanel Flap bag has been redesigned many times, Karl Lagerfeld was the designer to add the iconic CC clasp.
The 2.55 is the original Chanel Flap bag
The original Chanel Flap bag (not the first Chanel handbag though) was named the 2.55. You may wonder why it’s named after a random number, but actually, this number stands for the date of its creation, the 2 February and the 55 is representative for the year (1955). Allegedly the inspiration comes from the 1920’s military-style bag.
Does Chanel increase their price often?
Yes, they do. In fact, since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Chanel has increased their price four times already. Usually, designer labels hike their prices up around once a year, but this year seems to be different. For example, a classic Flap bag that was purchased before March 2020 would have cost around £4,620 to buy new. Eighteen months later, it’s a different story. A Chanel classic Flap bag would now set you back around £6,630 which equates to a price increase of 40 percent. The moral of the story is, buy a new Chanel Flap bag as soon as you can afford it, or buy it preloved to save yourself some money.
What makes the Chanel Caviar Flap bag any different from other Flap bags?
As we’ve previously said, caviar is a type of leather Chanel chooses to make their bags with. Caviar also comes in a few different finishes too, like matte, soft and shiny caviar. The shiny caviar seems to be one of the most popular Flap bag finishes.
Is the Chanel Caviar Flap bag a good investment?
We’ve already spoken about the price increase that Chanel likes to add to their Flap bags, so if you are unsure as to whether Chanel Flap bags are a good investment, then the answer is yes. Chanel’s bags are highly sought after, especially caviar leather. This is because a lot of their newer bags are now made with lambskin instead, which makes it a little more difficult for people to get their hands on. Chanel bags are nowhere near as exclusive as, say, a Hermès Birkin for example, but they are getting that way, which makes their luxury handbags a great investment piece to add to your wardrobe.
The design of the Caviar Flap bag
The most important thing to do before committing to buying a Chanel bag is to do your research, and there’s a lot of information out there on these bags. Take a closer look at the Chanel Flap bag in general, then you’ll be able to decide what leather and size you prefer.
Chains
All of the Chanel Flap bags come with a chain strap unless they are vintage and come from a time where resources were low and Chanel had to use leather to manufacture their straps from. The chain can be worn two ways, single strap worn long or doubled worn shorter. A classic flap bag can be easily recognised by its leather woven chain strap. On the mini bags and the larger sizes, the bag chain can be worn crossbody, while the small and medium are most definitely shoulder bags.
Leather
The caviar leather is extremely durable, which is why it’s a great material to have on your handbag if you are planning on using it on a day to day basis. Caviar leather is a treated and grained calfskin leather that can resist water, again making it a great everyday bag. Although caviar leather may be the most popular one out of the two (caviar and lambskin), deliveries of bags made out of this leather still tend to be pretty often. If you’re wanting a Chanel Flap bag in caviar leather, then either check in a Chanel store or buy a preloved handbag, which means that you’ll be able to get your hands on the bag you want faster as they are more readily available.
Size
The classic Flap bag comes in a variety of sizes, from ultra mini, mini, small, medium, large/ jumbo and maxi. This means that you can probably buy a Chanel bag which will suit your lifestyle. If you’re a minimalist and you think you can fit your essentials in, the small size is the bag for you. If you like to carry around a little more or want to use the bag for work purposes or travel, then a large, maxi bag or XL/XXL travel flap would fit with your lifestyle the best. It’s all about finding a bag that fits the purpose you want it to.
Where can I buy a Caviar Flap bag?
If you’re wanting to purchase a Chanel bag that isn’t readily available on the market, then buying preloved may be a good option for you. Buying vintage bags means that you can get your hands on a handbag that may be exclusive or limited edition, for a lesser price. Love Luxury buys and sells Chanel classic flap bags, so if you’re unsure about which leather to opt for, or what size, we can help you find the perfect Chanel bag for you.
