Chanel Classic Flap Bag: Lambskin or Caviar, Investment or Not?

Designer bags are pieces of art that can be collected and cherished for a long time — with the Chanel Classic Flap Bag being a staple piece in a handbag lover’s collection. The fashion powerhouse has designed several timeless Chanel Classic Flap Bags over the years, like the Chanel Medium Flap Bag and the Chanel Jumbo Flap Bag. Chanel dominates the luxury fashion world — with these specific bags being their most tried and true pieces.

The History of the Chanel Classic Flap Bag

The first Chanel bag was introduced in 1929, but the first Chanel Classic Flap Bag didn’t make its way into our hearts until February 1955. Coco Chanel was a fashion icon who prioritized creating innovative and practical bags for women, which is why she invented the Chanel Classic Flap Bag. This bag was initially named the Chanel 2:55 after its creation date — 2 for February and 55 for 1955. Before she released the Chanel 2:55, bags were solely designed to be held by hands. This bag quickly became popular and was loved by many as it was one of the first bags that could be carried around the shoulder.

Coco Chanel’s artistic inspiration for her beloved quilting came when she saw particular jackets worn by stableboys who she greatly admired. Despite Coco’s passing in 1971, the French luxury fashion house continues to pay ode to her through new releases. The most recent flap bag line released in 2011 was titled the Boy Bag, named after her longtime partner Boy Capel.

Which Size Should You Choose?

When choosing a Chanel Classic Flap Bag, you should take into account your desired bag size. Depending on the season and other factors, Chanel offers seven different Chanel Flap Bag sizes. You can choose between Extra Mini, Mini Square, Mini Rectangle, Small, Medium, Large/Jumbo, and Maxi. There are a few major differences besides the actual size of the bag. Here are some things to consider: 

• The Mini Rectangle and Mini Square have a single flap (not the original Chanel Flap Bag design with double flaps).
• The double flaps provide an extra inner compartment and more structure.
• The Extra Mini, Mini Square, Mini Rectangle, Jumbo/Large, and Maxi have a chain long enough for it to be worn as a crossbody bag.
• The Medium Classic Flap Bags can only be worn around the shoulder.

Which Material Should You Choose?

Chanel’s Classic Flap Bag comes in various types of materials— including tweed, leather, velvet, jersey, alligator, and even python. The two most commonly used materials are lambskin and grained calfskin (also referred to as caviar leather). Caviar leather comes in a few different finishes including matte, soft, and shiny. Caviar leather also proves to be more durable than lambskin — or any other type of material. Lambskin is known for its luxurious look and holds color very well. You should choose your Chanel Classic Flap Bag material based on how often you’ll wear it and the overall aesthetic you’re going for!

Chanel Caviar vs. Lambskin

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One of the most important decisions to be made when purchasing a Chanel Classic Flap Bag is whether you’d prefer a Chanel Caviar Bag or Chanel Lambskin Bag (you can find both on!). While these bags may look the same at first glance, they’re made with different types of leather that each feature pros and cons:

Chanel Caviar Bag:

• Caviar is more durable and made for everyday use.
• Chanel Caviar Bags won’t scratch very easily — these are perfect for those who aren’t extra careful with their luxury bags.
• Caviar comes in the widest variety of finishes, such as matte, shiny, and soft caviar.

Chanel Lambskin Bag:

• Lambskin bags tend to be more delicate.
• Chanel Lambskin Bags look more soft and expensive.
• Chanel’s seasonal bags tend to be made with lambskin.
• Lambskin is known to hold color better than caviar.

If you’d like to use a Chanel Classic Flap Bag as your everyday bag, you should opt for the caviar. Lambskin is the better option if you plan to add the bag to your collection and wear it every so often. Whichever type of leather you choose, we know you’ll love your Chanel Classic Flap Bag because they go with literally everything!

What Hardware Should You Choose?

Chanel offers different types of hardware — with gold, silver, and champagne hardware being the most popular. There are not any practical differences when comparing the different types of hardware as they all function exactly the same. Ultimately, the type of hardware you should choose on your Chanel bag is whatever you think looks best! It’s important to factor in the color of the bag and the pieces you have in your closet. You wouldn’t want to choose hardware that clashes with most of the pieces in your closet!

Is a Chanel Flap Bag Worth the Investment?

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Some people invest in real estate — other people invest in Chanel bags. Chanel lovers around the world collect these bags and look at them as investment pieces. The price for Chanel bags increases approximatelyreports that Chanel raised their prices for the Classic Medium and Classic Jumbo Flap bags by almost 15% on July 1st, 2021. Chanel bags will continue to gain value over time — meaning they’re worth the investment if you ever choose to resell. The demand for Chanel handbags is infinite, so you’re guaranteed to carry around a beloved and iconic handbag that could be resold for more than you paid for it.

Purchasing a Chanel Classic Flap Bag

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Chanel Classic Flap bags can be quite expensive if you buy them brand new — which is why we recommend purchasing a preowned bag so you can save thousands of dollars. Not only will you save money while purchasing a gorgeous bag, but you’ll get your hands on a bag that continues to increase in value because it’s highly sought after by bag lovers around the world.takes pride in conducting a thorough authentication process to ensure each bag is an authentic Chanel. Whether you’re looking for a Chanel Classic Flap Bag made with caviar or lambskin leather, you can find your dream Chanel bag on