Everything Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel designed had a utilitarian purpose and meaningful significance to her own life. Do you know the reasons why Chanel added the details she did?

Are you a fan of the Chanel classic flap bag? Do you think it's still a relevant and contemporary model? Share your thoughts with me!

Note that over time, serial number stickers may become detached from handbags. Authentication cards also often become lost. Therefore, Chanel handbags missing these items may still be authentic. Find out more about this iconic brand in our Chanel Information Guide.

Rumor has it that Coco Chanel herself used the discreet zip pocket under the outer flap to store her love letters, adding an air of mystery and romance to the bag’s story.

The rectangular lock on a Chanel bag also holds significant importance in the authentication process.

The stitching quality, too, is a critical point in Chanel bag authentication. Chanel uses many tiny stitches, while fakes often make do with fewer, larger stitches. The stitching should be even at every seam and throughout the quilting. Authentic Chanel bags have up to eleven stitches to the side of each diamond.

Finding out whether or not a Chanel bag is authentic is a multi-step process that requires careful inspection of a variety of components.

This groundbreaking design featured an adjustable chain strap, a practical back slip pocket, and a deep burgundy leather lining—a detail inspired by Chanel’s childhood uniform at the Aubazine Abbey convent in France.

All the hardware on an authentic Chanel bag matches inside and out. The iconic logo, zippers, and even the screws that hold the plates in place should all be the same color metal. Knowing how to tell if a Chanel bag is real when the hardware is gold entails being able to identify brassiness.

If you're questioning the genuineness of your Chanel bag, you're not alone. Counterfeits are getting more advanced, but so are the methods to spot them. In this guide, we cut straight to the chase on how you can authenticate Chanel bags.

The guide also sheds light on purchasing from official boutiques or trusted retailers to ensure authenticity , while also offering precautions for buying pre-owned items.

It’s also said that the double-chain shoulder strap was inspired by the caretakers at the orphanage Gabrielle grew up in. She chose the same chains that the nuns used to fake vs real Chanel bag dangle keys from their waists. Regardless of the origin, Chanel wanted the chain straps to look like jewelry with the convenience of a satchel for the modern woman.

While Chanel bags in pristine condition often command a premium over retail, Sotheby’s offers a curated selection of these bags in a variety of the most sought-after colors and sizes through our marketplace. By shopping with Sotheby’s, you can purchase a store-fresh Chanel bag without the need to visit a physical store. While Chanel boutiques offer these coveted designs, their inventory is often limited, making it challenging to find a specific color, style, or size.

Years after it initially graced the masses, the price of the Chanel Classic Flap Bag continues to rise exponentially. Luxury experts are dubbing it not only a wardrobe classic but also a sound investment in terms of profitability.