Chanel

Here you'll find vintage and second hand bags from Chanel: quilted flap bags, shoppers, Wallet on Chain and small leather goods in lambskin, caviar leather and tweed. Every piece is one of a kind, checked for authenticity by experts and described with an honest condition grade.

From the 2.55 to today

In February 1955 Coco Chanel presented the 2.55, a handbag with a chain strap to wear over the shoulder. It left women's hands free, which was new at the time. Ever since, the Matelassé quilting has been the house's signature. In the 1980s Karl Lagerfeld added the CC clasp to the bag, creating the Classic Flap, which is now seen as the epitome of a Chanel bag.

Materials at a glance

Lambskin is soft and smooth with a slight sheen, but more prone to scratches. Caviar leather is grained calfskin with a pebbled surface, tougher for everyday use and holds its shape. On top of that there's tweed, patent leather, jersey, denim and satin. The hardware is gold, silver or ruthenium-toned, and on many vintage pieces it's 24-carat gold-plated.

Popular models

The Classic Flap with the CC clasp comes in sizes from Mini to Maxi. You can recognise the 2.55 by its rectangular Mademoiselle clasp. The Boy Bag has been around since 2011; it looks more angular and has a chunkier chain strap. The Wallet on Chain is a wallet and evening bag in one. You'll also find the Vanity Case, shoppers such as the Deauville and Grand Shopping Tote, and newer models such as the Chanel 19 and Gabrielle. Our guide Old Chanel bag models gives you an overview of older models.

Classic Flap sizes

The Mini comes in a rectangular version about 20 cm wide and a square version about 17 cm wide. The Small measures around 23 cm, the Medium about 25.5 cm, the Jumbo about 30 cm and the Maxi about 33 cm. Double Flap means two flaps on top of each other, Single Flap means one. The exact dimensions are given in the description of each item.

Which Chanel suits you?

For everyday use, caviar leather is the more practical choice because it copes better with scratches and rain. Lambskin feels softer and more luxurious and suits occasions where the bag gets treated gently. The Small and Medium Classic Flap can be worn on the shoulder with the chain doubled or as a crossbody with a single chain. If you carry a lot, go for a Jumbo, Maxi or a shopper. For evenings or as your first Chanel, the Wallet on Chain is a good way in. Compare the dimensions in the description with a bag you already own.

What to look for when buying

Check the corners, the chain strap, the shape of the flap and any loss of sheen on lambskin. Older bags have a sticker with a serial number inside, often with a matching authenticity card. Since 2021 Chanel has used a microchip instead. A card on its own is no proof; what matters is the workmanship. Find out more in our guide How to spot an authentic Chanel.

Checked and honestly described

Every Chanel piece we sell is one of a kind. Its authenticity is checked by experts, and we describe the condition in four grades: Excellent · Very good · Good · Fair. Any signs of wear are shown in the photos. You pay securely with Klarna, PayPal, Apple Pay or card, you get 14-day returns (EU), and shipping within Germany is free on orders from €300. Read how we check in Authenticity checked.