The Most Iconic Chanel Bags of All Time
Since introducing the revolutionary 2.55, Chanel bags have ruled the runways and captivated contemporary culture. From Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Lady Gaga, the world’s most accomplished and fashionable women have cherished the elegant style and empowerment of their Chanel bags. Let’s explore the most iconic Chanel bags, each infused with the irrepressible joie de vivre of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.
The Beginnings of Iconic Style
Perhaps the most famous Chanel bag of all time is the 2.55. Introduced in February 1955 (hence the name), the glamorous 2.55 rocked the fashion world as the first shoulder bag to give women a hands-free purse to hold their essentials. The message was unmistakable. By prioritizing independence and practicality, modern women were not to be constrained by fashion but empowered by it. As women became more active in their public and professional lives, many did so with their Chanel 2.55 by their side.
Chanel’s personal history inspired every facet of the 2.55. The diamond quilted leather is an homage to the jockey’s riding coats she admired, with the deep burgundy interior and the double chain strap reminding her of the orphanage where she grew up. The Mademoiselle lock is so named for her unmarried state. The secret zippered compartment is where she would hide her love letters from Arthur “Boy” Capel, her first love and financier. The features add up to one of the most iconic Chanel bags ever. Indeed, it is surely one of the world’s most celebrated luxury handbags.
The Evolution of the Chanel Classic Flap
In 1983, the legendary Chanel Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld updated the 2.55. The new bag became known as the Chanel Classic bag. It retained the overall shape and appeal of the original but updated the flap bag with the beloved interlocking CC Chanel logo lock, replacing the Mademoiselle squeeze lock. The revolutionary chain shoulder strap is now intertwined with leather. This version, now known as the 11.12 bag (named after its style code: A01112) is undoubtedly the most iconic Chanel bag, prized by fashion luminaries, including Princess Diana, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kim Kardashian.
In 2005, Lagerfeld released the Chanel 2.55 Reissue to celebrate the bag’s 50th anniversary. The lovely bag is a replica of the 2.55, complete with the demure squeeze lock and the all-metal chain strap. The Reissue is produced in distressed leather, giving the impression that it might be a well-loved original. The style was an instant hit, treasured by the likes of Kate Moss and Jessica Alba.
Modern Reinventions and Variations
In 2011, the Chanel Boy bag was introduced, with a distinctly androgynous, rock-and-roll vibe. Upon its release, Lagerfeld explained, “Chanel used men's underwear to make dresses; she had this boyish attitude, in fact, it is the very spirit of Chanel.” Punk-inspired hardware, a boxier cut, and the ribbed leather outlining the bag create a bold style that is catnip to fashion influencers. One of the most popular Chanel bags, the Boy bag has been reimagined in countless highly collectible limited editions, winning fans such as Beyoncé, Lil Kim, and Nicki Minaj.
Special Editions and Collector’s Items
The most iconic Chanel bags, the Classic Flap, the 2.55 Reissue, and the Boy bag, have been offered in a vast array of limited edition fabrics and styles, providing devotees with many must-have collectibles. The Graffiti Collection, the Pearl On Boy bag, the Lucky Charm Reissue 2.55, and the So Black Collection all showcase the versatility and endless inventiveness of the original luxury handbags. The exceptional scarcity of these bags drives demand for them among vintage Chanel bags and those that have been previously owned.
No design house does whimsy like Chanel. Many Chanel runway bags and those featured in the exciting Chanel Metiers d'Art collections are more wearable works of art than handbags. The limited edition Chanel Perfume Bottle bag is a sensation that pays homage to Chanel No. 5. Though produced in limited numbers, luminaries like Mariah Carey wear it, and it has gained the status of an iconic Chanel bag.
Some of the hottest collector’s items were not limited editions but simply well-loved and then discontinued. The Chanel Grand Shopping Tote (GST) is a quilted leather tote bearing a large stitched Chanel logo with chains enhancing the straps. The generously sized bag was divided by a center zip compartment with an interior slip pocket and produced in every Chanel color. We’re still not sure why one of the most popular Chanel bags was discontinued. It is one of the hottest styles on the vintage Chanel market.
Chanel Bags Today
Chanel bags continue to speak to the modern woman and meet her evolving needs. The chic Wallet on Chain (WOC) is one of the most iconic Chanel bags and a must-have for collectors. Reinterpreted in many styles, including the Classic Flap, the Boy, the 2.55, the Mademoiselle, the Trendy CC, and the Chanel 19, the WOC packs sophistication and style into a lightweight crossbody bag for the woman on the go.
Offering women even more flexibility than the original 2.55 bag, the Chanel Coco Handle bag has become known as the Flap Bag with a handle. It’s everything you know and love about the Classic Flap with the addition of a top handle. The handle adds polish and a new way to wear the bag, while the leather and chain strap allow it to be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody.
Another iconic Chanel bag, the Chanel Pearl Crush, is a delightful twist on the Classic Flap bag. At first blush, it appears to be a flap bag with a slightly more slender leather intertwined chain strap embellished with a large globe. The spherical “pearl” may be metal embossed with a quilting pattern or encrusted with crystals. It offers a quick and ingenious way to adjust the length of the shoulder strap, imparting greater versatility and tremendous charm.
While Chanel designers find new takes on classic styles, they also innovate new shapes and aesthetics. In 2018, the Chanel 31 was introduced to considerable acclaim. This square tote bag features a double top handle, knotted straps, and a supple construction that transforms in a moment. Carry it by the handles, wear it as a shoulder bag, or fold it over to form an oversized and sensational clutch.
The Chanel Deauville is another of the most famous Chanel bags. It is a stylish tote filled with casual flair and all the quality details of a true luxury bag. Rolled leather top handles and flat leather shoulder straps make the spacious bag comfortable to wear, no matter how much you put in it. The leather intertwined chains that connect the straps to the bag are pure Chanel. Where the Deauville is ready to work hard and play hard, the Chanell 22 sac is all about the glamour. While some consider the square, unstructured Chanel 22 a tote bag, we see a chic and youthful bag that is all about freedom and streetwear charm. The interlaced chain straps, bold branding, and metal medallion all declare this beauty to be Chanel.
It’s ironic that one of the most popular Chanel bags today is the “new Chanel Kelly bag,” a fantastic update of the Chanel Kelly introduced in the 1980s as an answer to the Hermès Kelly bag. Named the Nano Shopping bag, the trapezoidal bag features the iconic quilted leather, a miniature flap secured by the signature interlocking CC logo. The oversized arched handles impart a cheeky flair to this adorable bag.
Sometimes, contemporary women need a more playful, uplifting vibe. Amidst the escalating tensions fueled by a global pandemic and political uncertainty, Chanel released the CC in Love Heart bag. While some critics feared the heart shape might seem “too cutesy,” the chic charmers struck an immediate chord. The romantic, whimsical bags have won over the detractors, rapidly achieving the status of an iconic Chanel handbag.
Of course, no discussion of the most iconic Chanel bags would be complete without the Duma Backpack and the Vanity Bag. Duma has stood the test of time, growing in popularity since its introduction in the 1990s. The stylish, luxury bag with the independent flair of a backpack has proven a must-have for busy women, including Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. While Katie Holmes and Sophia Bush rock Chanel’s Vanity bag as the ultimate day-to-evening bag.
Although it may seem a long journey from the original Chanel 2.55 to the Duma backpack, Chanel continues to see empowering women as fashion’s highest goal.