Is there any handbag more iconic than a Chanel bag? Upon receiving my first Chanel Classic, I vividly remember shedding a tiny tear. It felt as if it had been passed down from the hands of Gabrielle Chanel to Karl Lagerfeld and then me. With the long shoulder strap symbolising the idea that women were free to do as they wished with their hands and the zipped pouch ideal for keeping secrets, it was a symbol of not only fashion but femininity and freedom as well. Excuse the drama, but Chanel more than deserves it.
Since its inception in 1910, the luxury brand has continued to grow alongside us as we have gained more rights and power and continued the quest for equality. Chanel is a symbol of strength, and it just so happens that Chanel bags are incredibly chic and enhance any outfit I’m wearing. Looking back at history, one can trace the evolution of Chanel, and that’s just what we’ve done below with the most popular Chanel bags.
One thing to remember is that Chanel bags are expensive, and sadly, there isn’t ever a Chanel sale. These bags are investments, and we’d always recommend thinking about such a purchase (whatever the price tag) with great consideration before pressing ‘checkout’. One thing is true though, a Chanel bag has great re-sale value, so it really is a smart investment.
From modern-day interpretations that flood our Instagram feeds to the inception bags that remain just as covetable as the day they launched, scroll on to see the most popular Chanel bags of all time.
When Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, created the 2.55 in February 1955 (hence the name), it created quite the scandal. It was the first women’s bag to come with a shoulder strap, leaving women to do as they pleased with their hands—including shoving them in their pockets, for instance. It was considered a sign of rebellion, and women were thrilled with their newfound freedom. A secret fun fact about the bag: The secret zip pocket installed inside was originally intended for storing secret love letters, as Coco Chanel, who was herself reportedly in the midst of an illicit affair, did.
Fast-forward to today, and the 2.55 is still a household staple. Worn by the likes of Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker, nearly every member of the social elite owns a 2.55.
Also referred to as the 11.12, Karl Lagerfeld updated the 2.55 in the 1980s, staying true to the original form while giving it a decadent flair signature of that decade. The most noticeable change came in the form of the updated lock—now featuring the iconic CC—that we have since come to know and love.
It’s called the Classic for a reason. It’s a simple statement in everyone’s closets, from my own to Kristen Stewart’s. When you think of a Chanel bag or see one on the arm of a celeb, there’s a good chance it’s an 11.12.
Launched in 2011 by Karl Lagerfeld, the Chanel Boy owes its name to Gabrielle Chanel’s first love, Boy Capel. The Boy quickly won the hearts of 2.55 and Classic owners with its more androgynous, rock ‘n’ roll feel. In fact, the masculine edge of the Boy pays homage to Chanel herself, who was always pushing the boundaries of femininity and style.
Celebrities who seek to do the same today, such as the Miley Cyruses and Dakota Johnsons of the world, can often be seen sporting the Boy everywhere from the streets to the red carpet.
The Grand Shopping Tote (also known as the GST for short) is likely the roomiest style in Chanel’s history. To the disappointment of many Chanel lovers, the GST was discontinued in 2015, which has only made it more coveted by true fashion people.
With plenty of room for the many necessities people carry on a daily basis, the bag truly rose to the height of popularity in the early 2000s with reality stars like Paris Hilton toting the bag on their arm as well as the entire Hills cast sporting their own. Today, it’s a rare vintage find, making it an instant buy for anyone in the know.
With the name paying homage to Gabrielle Chanel herself, the bag launched during Chanel’s S/S 17 show and became an instant classic, as it was the first bag to be featured in a unisex fashion.
Furthermore, the long strap and slouchy but still structured shape make it extremely versatile for every man or woman. That’s likely why classic style icon Meghan Markle has been seen many a time with the Gabrielle slung over a shoulder while sporting her typical men’s shirt and jeans.
Take the Gabrielle, but make it practical. That’s what Chanel did with the backpack version of the more classic handbag above. With backpacks coming into fashion in recent years, Chanel continues to release updated versions of the Gabrielle, including in its 2019 summer collection.
Given its natural tomboy flair and easy, effortless practicality, the backpack has become a chic addition to outfits for Penélope Cruz, Cara Delevingne and more.
Yet another popular style, the Wallet on Chain (WOC) is perfect when you’re looking to leave your GST at home. Surprisingly roomy, the WOC holds all the essentials while remaining compact and rigid. It’s likely this chic practicality that has made it such a favourite among classically stylish women like Eva Longoria and Keira Knightley.
Not necessarily what one would call a classic, Chanel’s perfume bottle nevertheless made waves when it debuted on the runway in 2013. Modelled after the equally iconic Chanel No.5 perfume, this Chanel bag is a real conversation starter.
The Chanel 22 was only released last year (hence why the name refers to 2022) but it’s already earned its place as one of the most popular styles, having been seen on the shoulders of nearly every celeb, influencer and editor over the last 12 months.
Ah, the camera case. With a similar purpose to that of the WOC or the Gabrielle, the camera case provides a small, structured leather pouch meant to be toted over the shoulder and across the chest.
Next Up: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: The 21 Looks You Need to Know About
This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.