There are some brands out there that are synonymous with luxury, prestige and style. Others are known for their innovation or for their revolutionary approach to design.
Sometimes, you get a brand or a designer that embodies all of this and more.
Coco Chanel was one of those designers – and the Chanel brand is one that has lived to tell her tale.
There is no better way to truly epitomise the life and design flair of Coco Chanel than by studying the look and evolution of the Chanel Flap bag. Originally created by Chanel herself, launched in 1955 as the 2.55 bag, the key features of this bag are all hallmarks of Chanel’s approach to style and innovation.
The 2.55 boasted a shoulder strap, which was unheard of on women’s bags at the time of release. Inspired by the bags carried by soldiers at war, a shoulder strap was specifically added to facilitate hands-free carrying and accessorising.
The original 2.55 bag also boasted a series of integrated inside pockets, a flap lid over the bag’s opening with a clasp, and a quilted texture inspired by men’s jockey jackets.
Overall, the 2.55 was created as a nod to the continued development of women’s style, and to the rise in accessories that were made to be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing.
But what does this have to do with the Chanel Flap bag? Well, the Flap bag wouldn’t exist without the 2.55 – with the Flap bag as it stands today being a 1980s redesign inspired and spearheaded by Karl Lagerfeld when he took over as Chief Creative Officer and set about saving the Chanel brand from downfall.
In fact, there are three versions of the Chanel Flap bag that are worth noting – each of which was released during a different era, and to a different audience. All are similar but tap into different trends from the time of their release, not to mention they are synonymous with the demands and needs of consumers from their different release periods.
If there’s one thing that Chanel herself prioritised, it was the ability to stand out. All of the accessories and fashion products she created were designed to turn heads and meet the practical needs of the wearer – while also looking fabulously timeless.
The Classic Flap bag, once the 2.55, is no different.
The quilted texture is one attribute that enhances the look of the bag, while the chain that is woven with a leather strap really adds to the colour and elegance of each bag. But it’s the colour of the material itself that really changes the way each bag looks.
Never one to shy away from a bold style decision, you will notice several collaborations and exclusive Flap bag collections throughout the Chanel timeline. From unique and previously unused materials to recycled fabrics, full storyboard designs, and the (now banned) use of exotic skins, Chanel owes a great deal of its aesthetic prestige to brave choices.
But which of the colours and finishes are the most popular – and are there specific tones and shades that are more in demand, sought after, and therefore more valuable than others?
Buyers and luxury accessory aficionados probably won’t be surprised to learn that the most popular and sought-after colours are black and beige.
Not only are they incredibly versatile, carrying the wearer from day to night, but they are timeless. Despite being two opposing neutrals, both tap into that call for function and aesthetic prowess that Chanel herself valued – with the black presenting a more formal finish, while the beige is softer and a little more relaxed.
Other popular colours include the seasonal releases, which span different textures and leather finishes, and of course the more unique materials – for example, the collection that Chanel crafted from tweed.
Notable colours that Chanel lovers tend to gravitate towards include caramel-brown shades, pinks, and dark blues. Much of this, and the rise in demand across these palettes, is inspired by trends and seasonal changes, though the neutrals sit at the top of the list all year round.
Of course, while Chanel has now made a move to stop the use of exotic skins, we can’t ignore the collection of exotic Chanel Flap bags that exist in circulation – now collecting huge sums of money at auctions and resale events. While leathers are most common, there exist some Flap bags made using python skin and alligator skin. Both of these are fragile and incredibly prone to damage, meaning that they are considerably more difficult to get hold of in excellent condition.
If you take nothing else from this article, let it be this: choosing a Chanel bag isn’t just about colour – it’s about texture, the hardware pairing, and the overall finish too.
Choosing a Chanel Flap bag means selecting a size to compliment your lifestyle, a texture that is durable and practical, but which also suits your colour palette, and a blend of material colour and hardware finish.
But don’t expect to just walk into a store and buy the Chanel bag of your dreams. The limited supply and high demand that prop up the luxury market mean that retail stores sell out of coveted authentic bags long before release. For those buyers who want to browse different colours and select a Chanel that truly suits them, the best approach is via a reputable reseller.
Visiting your local boutique store combines professional authentication services with the ability to browse, to try different bags and see how they look, and to compare different finishes. Get in touch with your local store to organise a consultation and bespoke visit.
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