Read this before you buy a Chanel Classic Flap Bag!

Design

Renowned for its timeless design that has remained popular since its introduction by Karl Lagerfeld in 1983, the Classic Chanel Flap bag features a rectangular shape with a front flap  secured by the iconic CC turn lock closure. The bag comes with a chain-link strap that can be worn in different ways, as a single or double chain. 

Materials and Hardware

Chanel offers a variety of different materials. The most popular are Caviar leather and Lambskin. Caviar leather is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear, while Lambskin is known for its soft and luxurious texture. Chanel also used exotic skins like alligator or python for limited editions, but stopped using these materials in 2019. The most common hardware options are gold-tone hardware and silver-tone hardware. Gold hardware, until late 2008, was plated with 24K gold and bore a stamp on the CC closure to indicate this. 

Sizes options

This iconic bag exists in 6 different sizes: Mini Square, Mini Rectangle, Small, Medium, Jumbo and Maxi.

Chanel Flap bag size guide:

Authentication

Due to their popularity, a lot of counterfeit versions of the Chanel flap bag exist on the market. That's why it is crucial to have the bag inspected by an expert when purchasing it to ensure its authenticity. Genuine Chanel bags come with specific features like hologram stickers with serial numbers, high-quality craftsmanship, and accurate branding. From 1984 to April 2021, every Chanel bag had its own serial number and authenticity card that corresponds to the production year. In April 2021, Chanel began using a microchip embedded inside of a small metal plate attached to the inside of each bag. It shows the CC logo and a series of letters and numbers that no longer correspond to the production year.

Care and maintenance

To maintain their beauty and condition, Chanel Flap bags require proper care, starting with avoiding sun exposure, moisture or direct heat source. It is recommended to regularly clean the bag using a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt. It's also recommended to store the bag in its original dust bag and box when not in use to protect it from scratches and dust.

Price

Flap bags are considered to be luxury items and therefore come with a high price tag. Prices vary depending on the material used, the color, the hardware and the size. You can find pre-owned Chanel Flap Bags ranging from 50 to 90% off the retail price. Availability of certain bags can be limited, especially for rare designs or limited editions which can be hard to obtain and much more expensive.

Value

Chanel has regular price increases. For instance the first Chanel Classic Flap Bag was released in 1983 and sold for about $1,000. In 2009, the price of a Jumbo Classic Flap bag was $2,675. The same bag retails for $11,000 today in 2023. Prices of Classic Flap bags continue to increase over time, which makes them an excellent investment.