Doing bag reviews is one of my most favourite things. And yet, I have not shared the review of my holy grail bag, and honestly, it’s certainly deserving of a little review post. It might be perceived as a little over the top or even pretentious for some. If that’s the case, feel free to skip this read. In the past few years I have been sharing reviews for all my “investment” bags so why should I discriminate? With that, today I am very excited to be sharing with you my beloved Chanel Medium Classic Flap bag review.
First of all, let’s admit it. There is no bag more iconic, timeless, and elegant than the Chanel Classic Flap bag. With a design that has truly stood the test of time, this bag has been around for decades. It’s truly one of the few classic pieces that have managed to remain popular and retain its value well beyond inflation. In that context, let’s not forget the astronomic price increases from the last decade. Yet the value of the bags keeps going strong.
I still have to pinch myself almost every time I wear it and I cannot believe I’ve managed to get my hands on a Chanel Classic Flap. I bought mine in Paris in 2021 and although I still wish I would have gotten it sooner and at a lower price – I mean who doesn’t – given today’s retail price, I’m still extremely grateful for pulling the trigger when I did. Don’t get me wrong though, it was extremely hard to make the decision. With an immigrant and low income background while growing up, I never even dreamt of owning any designer items at all, let alone one of the most iconic and coveted bags out there.
Getting the bag represents a significant part of my personal and professional growth journey. It’s a – not so small – token that reminds me of how far I’ve gotten. A reminder of what life looks like when you live it with joy and and on your own terms. Staying true to yourself and continuously working towards growth. And because of that I always wear it with a lot of joy and pride.
So with that little intro, I am now ready to bring you the Chanel Medium Classic Flap bag review. It’s an honest review, coming after 3 years of pretty heavy-duty wear, and where I spill all the beans when it comes to wear and tear, wearability, price, and more so you can decide if it’s worth it for you or not.
Chanel Classic Flap Bag History
I don’t want to give you an unsolicited history lesson, especially given Chanel is probably the most classic and recognizable brand out there. We might all know some obvious facts about the brand and the founder herself, Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, who created some of the most timeless and classic designs that have truly stood the test of time, classic flap bag included. But perhaps not about the bag itself.
The original iteration of the classic flap is the Chanel 2.55 bag, created in February 1955. You’ll notice the date also gives it its name. It was not the first bag designed by Coco, but it was revolutionary because it was designed as a shoulder bag and it allowed women to keep their hands free while carrying it. Before that, women usually carried bags in their hands.
Fast forward to 1983, and that’s when Karl Lagerfeld introduced the most significant redesign. He changed the classic rectangle twisting lock of the 2.55 to the now iconic interlocking CC clasp. Additionally, he also changed the original chain to the current leather woven version.
The most remarkable aspect is perhaps the value it held over decades. Knowing that it is quite factually an “investment piece” is also to be considered when making the decision to buy one. I personally don’t consider luxury or designer bags as financial investments, no matter if they hold their value or not. It’s a sunk cost for me. Though I’ll admit it’s nice to know I could resell it and get the money back or make a profit. Nonetheless, the financial commitment of getting a classic flap nowadays requires serious consideration, given current retail price and pre-loved market values.
Chanel Classic Flap Bag – Decision Process Breakdown
Now let me start with the decision process. I am going to walk you through my thought process and you can judge whether I’m crazy for caving in or brave for doing – in hindsight – the right thing at the – more or less – right time.
Like many bag lovers, I always felt I was way too late to the game. By the time I started figuring out what is what and what I like, the prices of classic flaps were skyrocketing and leaving everyone behind. I remember dwelling on the prices back in 2019 and 2020 and yet still not being fully convinced of this bag being the right one. Most importantly though, I was still very far from even considering it seriously.
Looking back at my luxury bag journey, I only started dropping real money on bags as of 2020. You can read more about how I purchased my first luxury bag here. Before that I was only spending on bags like Longchamp, Furla, Coach and the likes. And even further back, during my university years, I was wearing Zara, Mango and Primark bags.
I am very proud of how naturally my journey developed. I truly had the time to evolve my taste, style, understanding and most importantly, my budget, as I grew professionally and as a person, and this allowed me to truly appreciate and care for what I have today. In my opinion, you need to climb the ladder to truly appreciate it. But of course, I am biased to appreciate my own journey. Even today, I most certainly don’t have too big of a collection, but I feel I’ve covered most of my bases with pieces I truly love and enjoy wearing.
The Journey to Getting the Chanel Classic Flap Bag
So where does the Classic Flap fit in my bag journey? You might be a little surprised, but I bought it as my second luxury bag. Which is rather early into the journey. The thinking behind was first that if I kept postponing it prices would only increase further. Second, I thought if it’s indeed my holy grail bag then I’d better buy it sooner than later because nothing else I’d buy would hit the sweet spot. I’d always dwell on it and try to fill the “void” with other “cheaper” yet still significantly expensive bags, chasing the same vibe and ending up worse off. Ultimately, what helped me decide on it was truly the “buy less, buy better and buy first” mantra. Once I’d have this one, the rest would be just playing a game and having fun. And I think I was right on that.
We went to Paris for a wedding in the summer of 2021 and that was the perfect occasion to decide on whether I’d be ready to buy the bag, as well as visit the flagship store at Rue Cambon. That way I got to try it on yet another time – probably did it around 5 or 6 times in total – and I also got the contact of a sales assistant. That summer I had also just quit my previous job and managed to successfully transition towards my current path in Product Management, so it felt like the right time. In fact, our little October trip to Paris was precisely during my garden leave and one week before starting my new job; the perfect occasion to mark.
What I love about it is that we booked a 36h trip to Paris with the Mr. just for this purpose. And in fact, side note here speaking of the Mr., his support and getting him on board with liking the bag was crucial because otherwise, I wouldn’t have pulled the trigger on such a big spending. I’m just not that brave on my own!
The Shopping Experience at Rue Cambon
Since I had the contact of the sales assistant I booked an appointment with her at Rue Cambon via email to match my travel dates and that was the point of no return. I love that the Mr. insisted on us going all in with the experience and going to the mothership store in Paris just for the purpose of rounding up the experience of buying the bag. It makes the memory and the bag that much more special and I will always cherish that little trip so much. It was a whirlwind of 36h in Paris doing all the cutest things and I loved it.
At the store, the experience was absolutely flawless. We arrived a little early for our appointment but killed time with a coffee and a little browsing in the store. Given the amount of money spent, I went all in and got the whole experience. I graciously accepted the champagne, trying on some jackets and taking pictures on the iconic staircase. Honestly speaking, it was the first and only time that I indulged into this kind of experience but I enjoyed it to the max.
The store was almost empty while we were there and we were treated wonderfully. I tried on the bag for a final check though the decision was already made. Of course I also spent some time trying on some of their beautiful jackets, some shoes and finally settled on adding one more small item to the bill. I got a quilted card holder to match the bag in terms of leather, hardware and colour. And ideal match, honestly!
The Chosen One – Details on Sizing & Colour
I went for the medium classic double flap in black caviar leather and golden hardware. To me, this combo is no doubt the ideal one. As the first – and only one for the foreseeable future at least – Chanel Classic Flap in my collection, it had to be in black. In terms of hardware, gold is definitely my colour so that again was a no-brainer. On the leather side, I went for the durability of the caviar instead of the softness of lambskin. And to me, that is the winner combo. Of course, there are a few other colours I’d love to get my hands on at some point. Nonetheless, starting with a solid base was the way to go for me.
If you’re wondering, caviar is actually pebbled calfskin leather. In comparison with lambskin, it’s much more durable, and generally well-reviewed for its longevity and scratch resistance. Given I want to get a lot of wear out of the bag it was an easy choice for me. The downside to it is that it has a sort of protective coating on top of the leather which gives it its shine and makes it more durable, meaning you lose on the usual properties of leather such as patina or softness.
Although many people say quality went down after 2012 or so, I cannot compare but only speak from my experience. My bag is from 2021 and it comes with the electronic authenticity chip. To me, it feels not only very well made but also made to last. It is most probably not fully handmade, except perhaps for some reinforced stitching here and there. Even so, the leather still feels very sturdy and I am overall happy with what I got.
Design Details of the Chanel Medium Classic Flap
Aside from how iconic it is, I love this bag for its intricate design and attention to detail. Although from the outside it looks rather straightforward, there are a lot of hidden details. Firstly, the bag feels very structured and sturdy. Honestly, I don’t see it losing its shape even decades from now if well cared for. Secondly, as the name indicates it has a double flap, a significant and important feature that sets it apart from other Chanel bags. This is also reflected in the value the double flap bags retain in the pre-loved market.
In terms of organisation, it has one main compartment and a few different pockets. There is a front pocket that can be easily accessed when opening the bag and it can be used for cash, cards or other flat items. However, on the back of the bag there is another flat pocket designed specifically to hold cash without having to open the bag. There is also a zip pocket inside the outer flap that comes with a bit of history. It is said that Coco Chanel used it to store secret love letters during her affairs. The main compartment also has two more small pockets inside the bag for cards, and one lipstick pocket.
A key feature of the black classic flap is the beautiful full leather interior in burgundy. Which, let’s admit is gorgeous just by itself. It makes the bag feel that much more luxurious and sturdy. The burgundy color is said to be inspired by the uniforms worn at the orphanage that Coco Chanel went to. The separate cardholder I got has the same inner leather lining, so I love that they match perfectly.
Finally, the bag closes by the outer flap with the interlocking CC clasp. The inner flap can also be closed with a snap button, although the sales assistant recommended not doing so because of creating creases on the leather, and I’ve followed that advice religiously. The chain is adjustable in the sense that it can be worn at various lengths. Single on the shoulder (or crossbody would also fit) or also made double to wear it shorter on the shoulder or in the hand. My description of the design is certainly not that poetic but hopefully you get an idea with the help of the pictures too.
What fits in the Chanel Medium Classic Flap
Size wise the Classic Flap comes in small, medium, jumbo and maxi sizes. I’ve tried them all throughout my visits, except for the maxi one. I finally settled on the medium size although I also liked the small one at first. In the end I got more space and more bag for almost the same price. In fact, the extra space to fit all my daily essentials made the medium size significantly more practical for my needs. I also don’t have such a petite frame so for me the size felt just right.
I think the medium classic flap has a very good size for carrying daily essentials. Whether I am wearing it on date night and I have to fit both my phone and the Mr’s, or when running some casual errand or even for travelling. I can fit a Kindle, card holder, phone, lip balm and lipstick, hand cream, AirPods, keys and a few other trinkets. You can see a reel here minus the Kindle which I was not needing on that day. While I don’t have a bag insert for it yet but I am thinking I should get one soon.
Ease of Wear
The bag is very easy to style and versatile. I’ve worn it a lot since I got it and for many different occasions. From weekend strolls to coffee outings, dinner dates, visiting museums and other touristing activities, you name it. It packs a punch which covers my daily essentials so that gives it a lot of versatility. Paired with the classic style it’s easy to reach for it anytime. It can get a little heavy at times though nothing too crazy which makes it pretty comfortable to wear in general. One thing to keep in mind is the leather woven chain, which well, is a chain. This means it can sometime eat into my shoulder, especially when worn crossbody. Though since the strap can be worn in different ways that helps with changing how I wear it often.
How has the Chanel Medium Classic Flap held up over 3 years of wear?
On the whole, I will say that the bag is holding up very well given all the wear. As mentioned, I’ve been using it pretty intensively. I’ve worn the bag a lot and it has travelled with me to so many places. From Barcelona to Paris, London or Milan, I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I especially love to wear it for city trips since it’s a solid bag for easy touristing that fits all the essentials.
I’ve been wearing the bag for three years now and while I still think it looks brand new for the most part, there are a few small signs of wear and tear. And that to me is due to a few weak spots in terms of design. At least in my opinion. Although I don’t mind them, I do want to take a moment and walk you through them.
Wear and Tear Details
Firstly, let’s start with the bag straps. The reason for that is the piece of leather that goes through the chain, which is a rather thin piece of leather with no stitching. Since it’s in such close contact with the metal chain it’s constantly rubbing. So after a while you will see signs of it if you pay close attention. After three years I don’t notice much of it yet so I think it still holds up pretty well.
The second point is the inside zip pocket on the outer flap. Rumor has it Mademoiselle Chanel used it to hide love letters. And while indeed it can serve that purpose, it’s not that practical of a pocket in 2024. The issue I have is with the zipper rubbing on the top of the inner flap which is visible on the leather. Of course, I love that the design is still original but I still think it’s less practical.
Thirdly, the diamond stitching on the leather can also get some rubbing in some places, especially on the edges. I would say that is natural for it to happen over time, but you might want to be somewhat careful with it.
Lastly, we have the metal CC turn lock. Which is not a weak spot as such. Being metal, you can expect it will get scratched over time. And honestly this part I am not a big fan of although it’s inevitable. That’s why I still cover my CC turn lock with a protective sticker because I am that extra. I’d just hate to see it too scratched so until I get comfortable with it, that’s that. Every few months the Mr. cuts a protective sticker to the same shape and that’s it.
How do I care for It
Overall it’s a sturdy bag and I don’t have any concern when it comes to wearing it and babying too much, but I do keep in mind the fact that I want it to last me until I’m at least 100 years old. While I care for my bags in general and in the sense that I never place them on the floor or dirty surfaces, I do buy them to wear and enjoy them. So I will not shy away from taking the bags out every day for errands, office, travel, and so on.
Aside from being careful with where I place the bag, I also make sure not to wear it out when it rains or hide it under a jacket or coat if the rain catches me outside. A few drops won’t really hurt it but I would definitely not be comfortable with it getting fully wet.
When it comes to storing it I am religiously placing it in its dust bag, standing vertically and on its side to avoid rubbing of the chain on the leather. I saw it somewhere and I am not sure how much it helps but I am doing it every single time.
While I don’t do much right now, I do need to research a bit more the leather care aspect of the bag and dedicate a bit more time and care to that.
Last Thoughts on the Chanel Medium Classic Flap & Price
I think one last point to also cover with this review would be to talk about wearing it out. The prices have skyrocketed since I bought mine. I paid 6.800 euros and the current price is 10.300 euros. So the “girl math” part there is that if I’d sell the bag right now I’d probably make a profit. Although I am of course not thinking of doing such a thing.
However, at such a price point there also is a concern in terms of safety when wearing it out and even perception. In general, if I am out with the Mr I am not worried about safety so I tend to wear it. Although I always try to adjust to the occasion. If it’s not appropriate either because of the type of event, activity I have planned or place then I will think twice about wearing it. for example, if I wear it while in Paris or London, then I will be sure to be a little more careful and perhaps wear it under a jacket or with the clasp side inwards, and also make sure I have activities lined up that are generally safe such as museum visits, restaurants and such. So always using a little common sense.
I don’t worry that much about the perception aspect in general other than making sure I am not tone deaf to the circumstances of whatever occasion I am wearing it to. Other than that I wear it with a lot of pride and joy.
Would I Buy the Chanel Medium Classic Flap Again?
So the question now, is it worth it? Would I buy it again? Definitely. I do love this bag so much and I just find it so easy to wear. It’s elegant, it’s timeless, and it goes with so many outfits. And it makes me very happy to know I own such an iconic design and I can wear it and enjoy it. So yes, I would buy another one – but perhaps I’d still prefer the old price. At the current price point I would not buy it brand new. 10,300 euros (as of September 2024) is a bit too much. So instead I would keep my eye on the preloved market and try to find one in good condition.
Side note here. While I love the current classic flap design, I would also love to get my hands on a reissue 2.55 at some point, because I love the original design too.
I hope you enjoyed the Chanel Medium Classic Flap review and let me know if you have any questions. Also, I am curious to hear, if you have one, how has it been holding up for you so far. And if you don’t, do you have it on your wishlist?
