Smart Shares: Chanel Classic Flap 101

The following information are quoted from Spotted Fashion:

The Chanel Classic Flap Bag is the ultimate in luxury inspired by straps found on soldiers’ bags, Coco Chanel created this bag, as she grew tired of carrying her handbags in her arms. In the 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld introduced the signature CC turnlock on the classic flap bag.

It comes in 5 different sizes, Mini, Small, Medium, Jumbo and Maxi. Available in Lambskin, Caviar and Patent leather.

STYLE, SIZE and PRICES (Updated as of May 2013)

Style	Price	Size
Chanel Classic Flap Mini Bag	6.5” (L) x 5.5” (H) x 2.5” (W)	$2,400.00 (USD)
Chanel Classic Flap Small Bag	9.55” (L) x 5.5” (H) x 2” (W)	$4,200.00 (USD)
Chanel Classic Flap Medium Bag	10” (L) x 6” (H) x 2.5” (W)	$4,400.00 (USD)
Chanel Classic Flap Jumbo Bag	12” (L) x 8” (H) x 3” (W)	$4,900.00 (USD)
Chanel Classic Flap Maxi Bag	13” (L) x 9” (H) x 4” (W)	$5,300.00 (USD)

I believe if you really like Chanel, you should already have the above information, which is quite commonsensical. However, I would like to say that if you are a real Chanel fan, you should also know that Chanel makes changes constantly:

1. The CC closure: the CC closures were thicker before 2009, and now it has the thinner Cs. Either way, it's the correct version, just depending on which year the bag was produced. 

2. The caviar leather: caviar leather was supposed to be matte in early years, and now it has a shinier finish, but no matter what, the leather, unlike lambskin, is soft yet sturdy to keep the bag in shape. This year, Chanel introduced the new caviar, aka the suede caviar, which is buttery soft like the lambskin. You can see the suede caviar bags from 2013 collection, which includes a newly released Iridescent bag (comes in a tote bag and a flap bag). Also, the grains on the caviar leather were more raised before, but a lot flatter in recent years that you can hardly feel the grains.

Older model on the left, Newer model on the right

The above is a Mini flap (please read more detailed comparison on the PurseForum). The leather on the left has a matte finish and the grains are more raised, while the newer model is shinier and the grains are flat (you can feel the difference with your fingers).

3. The lining: I don't remember the exact year (a friend of mine told me it's back in 2009 when Chanel discontinued the single flaps) when Chanel introduced a burgundy lining to all BLACK caviar flap bags, which used to have the black calfskin lined inside. For black lambskin, it's always the burgundy lining. Also, there have been different shades for the color burgundy. As far as I know, there are a reddish burgundy and a dark burgundy. 

Black caviar with both black and burgundy lining

Dark burgundy on the left and reddish burgundy on the right

There may be other changes as well that I might have been missing. You are more than welcome to leave a comment and share your knowledge about Chanel classic flap bags. Just to be sure, my summaries are based on some informative posts on the PurseForum and on a few authentic models listed on the malleries.com and the fashionphile.com:

1. Black caviar Maxi in thicker CC closure and black calfskin lining

2. Black caviar Maxi in thinner CC closure and reddish burgundy calfskin lining

3. Black lambsk Maxi in thinner CC closure and dark burgundy calfskin lining