Chanel is so much more than just the brand name behind accessories, high-fashion outfits, perfumes, and other beauty products.
Not only is Chanel a historical figure who made waves in the fashion industry, but as a brand Chanel sits at the forefront of the evolution of modern style. Spearheaded by founding designer Coco Chanel, the brand is responsible for the creation and rollout of countless pieces and unique designs – spanning the 2.55 Classic bag, the Little Black Dress, women’s suits, perfume, and more.
When we talk about Chanel, we aren’t just talking about a brand of luxury goods that buyers love – we are talking about a brand that represents a movement in the industry. Owning an authentic Chanel piece is akin to owning a slice of the brand’s history; just one of many factors that adds to the coveted nature and high value of every Chanel piece.
The Story Behind the Chanel Classic Bag
Termed the Chanel Classic, the flap bag is a piece that’s either owned or that sits on the wish list of fashionistas and handbag lovers all over the world.
It derives from the 2.55, which has become a staple vintage handbag in Chanel’s history, connecting buyers from all walks of life with the vision and creative spirit of Coco Chanel herself. However, Chanel herself did not create what we know today as the Chanel Classic Flap bag – rather, she created the 2.55, on which the Classic Flap bag is based.
So, how do all these bags connect to become the ultimate Chanel classic? Let’s take a closer look…
The Chanel 2.55 bag was released in February 1955 (with the name of the bag marking and celebrating its release date). This bag was inspired by Coco Chanel’s own desire for a bag that delivered timeless style and an attractive aesthetic, but that was also more practical and easier to carry around than typical handbags of the time. Chanel took the idea of a longer strap from men’s satchels during the war and transferred this into her design – with the 2.55 renowned for being the first shoulder bag for women.
This design feature facilitated hands-free use, with the ability to carry a bag and still be able to do other tasks. Added to this, the 2.55 bag had secret pockets that Chanel herself said were for her love letters, and had a flap front with a small clasp for extra security.
When Karl Lagerfeld took over the creative direction of the Chanel brand, he was committed to bridging the old with the new. One way of doing this, and of reigniting the market’s love for vintage Chanel, was by recreating the 2.55 as the Classic Flap bag in 1982. This bag featured a new clasp with the interlocking CC logo, and different textures and colours to meet ever-changing market demand.
And so, the original flap developed into a new model – one that has continued to thrive with the subsequent release of the Chanel Boy bag and other designs.
Influential Features That We Owe to the Chanel Classic Bag
There are so many modern trends that we owe not just to the Chanel Classic bag but to Coco Chanel herself as a visionary and designer.
For one thing, she created the shoulder bag with the long strap that so many of us favour today. She was also responsible for creating the Little Black Dress, and was integral in developing fashions for women that were as comfortable and practical as they were stylish. Chanel believed that women deserved to be able to live, move, and feel comfortable in their clothes in the same way that men did, and is considered an influential figure in the creation of androgynous clothing for females in particular.
Some of the features that stem from her original 2.55 Flap bag include the flap and clasp, the long strap, and also the large number of pockets and different sections within the bag. These are all mainstays in everyday handbags that we take for granted today – however, they wouldn’t be a part of the accessories we use today if it weren’t for the influence of Chanel.
So, not only is a Chanel Classic bag a piece of history connected to the original and founding designer, but it’s also a direct link to fashion history in the making.
Finding the Perfect Chanel Classic for You
If a Chanel Classic is the must-have bag on your wish list, then here are a few things you might want to consider about this reputable collection of bags…
The Chanel Classic is available in six different sizes, some of which are considered rarer and therefore more expensive than others. If you’re a fan of luxury handbags and a follower of the designer market, then you may already know that bags like the Hermès Kelly and other models are actually more expensive the smaller the bag – largely owing to the discrepancy between supply and demand.
The Chanel Classic bag starts with the Maxi bag and runs all the way down to the Mini Square. All bags feature the same diamond-quilted exterior, which has become a hallmark of Chanel bags, and the interlocking CC logo that Karl Lagerfeld created as a standard feature across all models.
Beyond the size of the bag, with the Medium considered the most popular shoulder bag for personal use, buyers should also consider the colour and the hardware, and the material used in the creation of the bag. Chanel is one of the brands that has made waves in recent years by steering away from exotic animal skins and experimenting with cruelty-free alternatives – so make sure that the material you choose aligns with your values.
Finally, be sure to only ever deal with reputable resellers – regardless of whether you are buying or selling an authentic Chanel bag. The high price tag of these bags means that they are subject to counterfeits and fakes, making it integral that you get the proper authentication information before parting with your money.
The Chanel Classic is just one of the bags that we are proud to hold in stock at Love Luxury. Visit our boutique store to browse the collection and find out more about buying and selling.
