The Ultimate CHANEL Flap Guide

The Ultimate CHANEL Flap Guide

It seems CHANEL bags are harder to get these days.

But at PURSE POP UP, you can shop everything from vintage pieces to the latest styles from Chanel’s current collection. Yes, all those hard-to-find items your closet craves are available in one ultra-fabulous destination. As convenient as that is, it’s also important to note that with any luxury purchase, it’s a good idea to do your homework.

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably in possession of a working pro and con list, right? Committing hours of research to decide which Chanel Classic Flap to get can not only feel daunting, but it’s quite time-consuming. There is so much to know about the Chanel Classic Flap that it makes total sense for us to create the ultimate guide about it. If this helps even just one person, then mission accomplished!

This guide covers the history, sizes, textiles, colors, hardware, and more. You may learn that maybe a Classic Flap isn’t for you… or you may very well fall more in love with it. At the end of the day, all we want is the perfect bag. And, let’s be real, a Chanel Classic Flap is pretty darn perfect.

So without further ado, shall we skip to the good part? Cue the ultimate Chanel Classic Flap guide. Ready to uncover the perfect Classic Flap for you? Read on or watch the video below!

History of the CHANEL Flap Bag

The history behind (any) product really is what makes something so special. In the case of Chanel, it’s legendary. Chanel is a huge deal, and honoring its history is the center of everything for the French house. The Classic Flap’s iconic status embodies that chic histoire we all can’t get enough of – and in turn, the global demand (and, erm, low supply) undoubtedly perpetuate this style’s growing value.

The Chanel Classic Flap is one of the most important, celebrated, and recognizable handbags in the fashion industry. But before the Classic Flap came about, there was the original. And that bag was? The 2.55. There is so much to love about the 2.55. This bag features the iconic Mademoiselle lock and gorgeous metal chain. She was born in February 1955 (hence the name) and she’s gorgeous. It’s important to note though: this style is not to be confused with the Reissue 2.55 (which looks similar). Reissue bags were introduced under Karl Lagerfeld in 2005 to celebrate the 2.55 style’s 50th birthday. Today, the term Reissue refers to the newer produced 2.55 bags.

Now, back to the topic of the Classic Flap. Although related to the 2.55, when we think of the Classic Flap we all think of something else entirely – and you probably do too. By any chance are you thinking of puffy quilts, CC hardware, and a gorgeous interwoven leather and chain strap? Yes please! These modernized touches were brought to fruition under Karl Lagerfeld in the 80s and have truly changed the game. That’s the moment the signature Classic Flap was born. Also created under Karl Lagerfeld is the iconic Chanel 19.

Due to the Flap’s undying popularity, it also comes as no surprise that the Chanel Flap is highly counterfeited. Explore this authenticity lesson on dissecting fake Chanel and dive into our world-renowned authentication process.

CHANEL Single Flap vs. Double Flap

Since the birth of the Classic Flap, you have probably heard about both Single Flap and Double Flap versions. What do these mean? Simply put, “single” and “double” refer to the number of flaps present on the bag. Let’s distinguish the two.

The CHANEL Single Flap

A lot of vintage flaps have single flaps, but these were discontinued in 2014. Chanel East-West Flaps, discontinued in 2010, are not part of the core classic range. But if you’re seeking a Chanel style with a “classic flap look” (and vintage), then East-West bags are worth looking at!

Today, smaller Chanel Flap sizes have single flaps, which include the Mini Flap sizes. Although these sizes have been viewed as seasonal items coming in different textile and color variations, they are now thought to be considered part of the core range of Flap bags.

The CHANEL Double Flap

Traditionally, both 2.55 bags and Classic Flaps have double flaps (which means one exterior flap and one interior flap). The double flaps are included throughout the core sizes. And those sizes are? Well, keep reading!

CHANEL Flap Sizes

The core Chanel Classic Double Flap collection includes sizes SmallMediumJumbo, and Maxi. As mentioned before, the smaller sizes have a single flap and those include the Extra Mini Flap, the Mini Square Flap, the Mini Rectangular Flap, as well as the Mini Top Handle Rectangular Flap.

Which size is right for you? Well, one thing to note is if you’re looking at vintage, you may notice some slight size and design variations compared to the newer styles. Don’t be alarmed, it’s just something to keep in mind due to the age of the bags.

When choosing a size, it comes down to this: what are you going to carry inside it? The Medium size is a top-selling size here and outside of PURSE POP UP – likely because it’s not too big and it’s not too small. Although, our procurement experts tell us that the Small size is making a huge comeback!

If you want to be able to carry all, and I mean ALL your essentials (maybe you need it for going back to work), then go bigger. The Jumbo or the Maxi can fit a 10”-13” laptop plus other items, and that might be for you. Note: the Maxi is substantially large.

The Extra Mini Flap (the smallest of the bunch) has been discontinued in 2019. If this is a size you want, you won’t be able to get it retail, but we have them! If you prefer a boxier shape with petite proportions, the Mini Square Flap is a great pick. The Mini Rectangular is slightly longer but still embodies that coveted “classic flap” look and they’re really popular now – and incredibly hard to get your hands on, of course.. If you want a mini bag (or one with a top handle), the Mini model is a solid choice! But the smallest bag that you can get that has the signature double flap? That is the Small Double Flap.

CHANEL Textiles, Quilt Types & Iconic Patterns

When dreaming about which material your new darling will possess, it’s beneficial to remember that sizes and styles have textile limitations, so keeping that in mind will help you navigate your choices and get you closer to finding your perfect bag!

What Textiles You Can Expect To Find

When it comes to Chanel textiles, nothing quite tops Caviar – a signature (and quite durable) type of grained calfskin. Besides just adoring the texture with your eyes, with just a small stroke you can immediately feel what makes Caviar leather so distinct from the rest. Nothing else exists in the world like it and Caviar has become synonymous with the embodiment of Chanel and ultra-luxury as a whole. It is the very reason why bags dressed in this material last so long, are high in demand, and of course, carry immense resale value.

Pst! In the event that you’re also looking to add a wallet to the equation, be sure to skim through our in-depth post about wallet style and textile recommendations!

A quick note on Caviar…

Heads up. Chanel discontinued both the Square and Rectangular Mini Flaps in Caviar. If a Mini Caviar Flap is important to you, be sure to browse our curated selection – or if you don’t see what you’re looking for, set up an item alert for one!

But aside from Caviar leather, you can find Chanel Classic Flaps dressed in lambskin, calfskin, and patent leather. All these are truly stunning. On top of that, sometimes you will find unique iterations of the flap style dressed in exotics, such as alligator or lizard skin. Plus you can find these bags in iridescent leather, or perforated lambskin, which are all fun treatments that elevate the design. There are endless options. But just know leather requires care and the more you practice handbag TLC the longer you can enjoy your investment. Proper storage also goes a long way!

CHANEL Flap Quilt Types

Another important detail that often gets overlooked (unless you’re keen on details) is the type of flap quilts. The first type that comes to mind is Chanel’s gorgeous diamond quilting, which is the classic quilt. For those looking for something a little edgier, there are also chevron-quilted flaps that scream bold and fun. You’ll notice more Chanel Boy bags with chevron quilting, but a Classic Flap in chevron is a pretty pick, too.

Additionally, plain flaps with no quilts at all are an option too (part of the Pure line) if you prefer the leather to shine all on its own. But heads up, they’re not as common so if that is something you strongly desire, it may have to look a little extra harder before you find the perfect one you want! Patience is a virtue, my friend.

Other Flap Materials

Erm, and if you think it stopped at leather, it does not! Chanel tweed is an iconic staple and tweed flap bags truly applaud the heritage, feminist roots, and vision that its founder Coco Chanel embraced and embodied throughout her career. Chanel tweed bags come in many notable patterns, such as metallic, herringbone, houndstooth, and more. So it really comes down to what you find attractive and what you want to wear! Explore the patterns available to shop now, and see what speaks to you.

Aside from these mentioned, there is a boatload of materials Chanel uses. Others include denim, PVC, suede (available in many of Chanel’s mini flaps from the current line), velvet, and cotton canvas to name a few. Leave it to Chanel to use nearly every luxury material available to give their iconic handbag so many gorgeous looks!

CHANEL Hardware

Chanel hardware used to be 24k gold, but this kind of hardware was discontinued in 2008. Today Chanel offers a wide variety of hardware options and the most common shades include silver, gold, light gold, and So Black. The release of rose gold plated hardware (introduced for 21B), only comes in lambskin… for now.

Special editions may reveal unique hardware such as gradient hardware, aged gold or silver hardware, ruthenium, enamel, lacquered tone-in-tone hardware from the incognito line, and other interesting finishes. Hardware is like the jewelry to the bag, so it all comes down to the details.

If you know, you know…

Actually, this is the best part… To ensure that you sound like you actually know ultra-luxury fashion, we have to throw this little tidbit here for you. That is, the Chanel Classic Flap is also referred to as 11.12. This new name emerged during Spring 2021 and references the original Flap’s style code, which was A01112.

Also, the unique anatomy of the Double Flap actually serves an unusual but genius purpose. That little zip pocket located at the underside of the outer flap? That pocket is intentional and is made to store your love letters (awe). If I were alive during the gilded age (the Met Gala doesn’t count), maybe I would have love letters from suitors. But in reality, most of us probably have to-do lists or affirmations. Point is, love letters or not, Coco Chanel intentionally designed this pocket so that the bag included an area with room for sentimental tokens. And I’m smitten.

Another pocket with another little secret? A pocket within a pocket. It’s located inside the interior slip pocket and if you’re not sure what it is for it appears as though it’s there to store a pen (maybe you could). But the story behind that seemingly “out of nowhere” pocket is actually quite practical. It’s a pocket made to store your lipstick! Today that means you could store your lipstick, lip balm, lip gloss, and heck maybe a small pen if you so desire.

Who Can Sell CHANEL? The Hilarious Tug-of-War Over Double-C Logo Wares

Who Can Sell CHANEL? The Hilarious Tug-of-War Over Double-C Logo Wares

In the glamorous world of high fashion, a riveting drama unfolds: who is worthy to sell the coveted treasures of CHANEL? Enter our main characters: CHANEL, the epitome of luxury, and What Goes Around Comes Around (“WGACA”), a reseller daring to peddle pre-owned CHANEL goods. They’re locked in a legal tango that’s less about a mere lawsuit and more about the burning question: “Who can sell Chanel?”

At the heart of this comedic spectacle lies CHANEL’s indignation. They claim WGACA is hoodwinking customers into believing they’re CHANEL’s BFFs or that CHANEL gave a royal nod to their second-hand stash.

Imagine CHANEL goods being resold without the sacred blessing of the fashion gods!

But wait, there’s a twist! WGACA plays the ‘first sale doctrine’ card, claiming they can sell authentic CHANEL items if they were initially released into the market by CHANEL or its chosen disciples. In simpler terms, once CHANEL sells something, it’s fair game. Shocking, I know.

However, CHANEL, the guardian of luxury, has none of it. They argue some of the items sold by WGACA didn’t pass through their hallowed halls of quality control. They’re particularly miffed about 50 bags with serial numbers playing hide-and-seek in their records. Does the first sale doctrine even apply if CHANEL didn’t bless these bags? The jury’s still out on that one, quite literally.

Then there’s the battle over ‘nominative fair use.’ WGACA insists they just name CHANEL to identify the product’s origin, like a fashionista name-dropping at a party. But CHANEL, ever protective of its name, accuses WGACA of pretending to be in cahoots with them. It’s like claiming you’re friends with celebrities because you have their posters on your wall.

The courtroom drama has its comedic moments. Imagine judges and lawyers dissecting hashtags and marketing campaigns, trying to unravel whether WGACA crossed the line from mere identification to impersonating a CHANEL BFF.

Beyond this legal sitcom lies a more profound question: Who else, if anyone, can parade around selling CHANEL-emblazoned goods? While other luxury brands cozy up to the resale market, CHANEL stands aloof, trying to keep its creations under lock and key.

This case isn’t just about a few disputed handbags or marketing tactics. It’s a battle over who holds the reins in the luxury market. Can resellers like WGACA continue to thrive on CHANEL’s coattails, or will CHANEL tighten its grip, keeping its double-C logo under exclusive guardianship?

Stay tuned as this fashion saga continues, with both sides strutting down the legal runway, handbags at dawn, fighting for the right to sell the symbol of luxury – CHANEL.

The Ridiculous Charm of “Luxury Artificial Scarcity”

The Ridiculous Charm of “Luxury Artificial Scarcity”

Featuring the LOUIS VUITTON Neverfull Tote Bag.

Ah, the dazzling world of luxury fashion! Whereas a tote bag that probably costs $20 to manufacture is retailed for a jaw-dropping $2000. It’s not sorcery. It’s branding.

Let me introduce you to the phenomenon that the fashion and higher education world loves to embrace but rarely admits: the ‘Luxury Artificial Scarcity Economy’. 

The scarcer something becomes, the more people want it. It’s basic human psychology mixed with a dose of societal pressure.

Professor Scott Galloway has expertly summarized this. He put it succinctly for the uninitiated: “The strongest brands in the world aren’t APPLE or NIKE… They’re MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.” No, he’s not comparing the quality of a tote bag to a college degree (or is he?). He’s talking about exclusivity. The scarcer something becomes, the more people want it. It’s basic human psychology mixed with a dose of societal pressure.

Now, let’s dive into the delightful world of LOUIS VUITTON. The brand’s Neverfull Tote Bag, made of that glorious coated canvas, or PU for those who like to keep things real, was once widely available for all those willing to part with a couple of grand. But oh no! Rumors began to swirl. Is this iconic bag, essentially a luxurious potato sack, being discontinued?

LOUIS VUITTON Neverfull

Instead, LOUIS VUITTON, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that its Neverfull tote bag should be… waitlisted.

Megs Mahoney Dusil from The Purse Blog tells us not to panic. The Neverfull isn’t being consigned to the fashion archives. Instead, LOUIS VUITTON, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that its Neverfull tote bag should be… waitlisted. Yes, you read that right. After a compelling 2-3 months of suspense, you’ll be granted the privilege of parting with $2000, but there’s a catch. You have 24 hours to claim your bag or risk it being passed on to the next eager person on the list. The thrill of the chase!

The man has amassed wealth greater than the GDP of many nations, not by reinventing the wheel but by creating desire.

This move, it seems, is all about maintaining exclusivity, ensuring that the brand remains as “coveted” as ever. As Dusil writes, “Part of exclusivity is the notion of scarcity.” Bernard Arnault certainly understands that. After all, as Galloway highlighted, the man has amassed wealth greater than the GDP of many nations, not by reinventing the wheel but by creating desire. You don’t just want the bag; you want the status that comes with it.

After all, it’s no longer about having a quality product; it’s about having a product that others can’t easily get.

In a twist that would make even the most seasoned marketer salivate, Louis Vuitton’s play here is genius. Not only are they increasing demand through artificial scarcity, but they’re also maintaining their image as an exclusive brand. After all, it’s no longer about having a quality product; it’s about having a product that others can’t easily get.

And let’s be real. It’s not just the high fashion world that’s adopting this model. The artificial scarcity economy is booming, from Ivy League universities to tech giants. The end goal? Make people feel like they’re part of an elite club, drive up demand, increase prices, and let the profits roll in.

So the next time you find yourself yearning for that exclusive tote bag or prestigious college degree, remember it’s not just about the product. It’s about the game. And oh, what a ludicrous game it is!