The allure of a Chanel 2.55

The Chanel 2.55 is every handbag lover's dream. It's the must have bag for a complete collection of all the classic handbags - It's like the Boogie bag for Celine and Birkin for Hermes. All off which are timeless classics that never goes out of style or fashion. Personally I dont follow the trends too much when it comes to handbags or conform to the latest "It" bag, but a Chanel 2.55 Caviar is a MUST to complete the assortment of classic handbags.


Read on about the history of the Chanel 2.55 bag.

The History of the Chanel 2.55 Bag

The Chanel 2.55 bag has inspired many imitations. However, Coco Chanel, herself had a very refreshing attitude to copies of her famous designs: “I would shed tears the day no one copied me.”

During the 1980s, a Chanel bag was the most coveted status symbol, according to Anna Johnson in her book Handbags, the Power of the Purse. With its famous quilting, the 2.55 is based on the quilted coats worn by boys at the race track, as Coco Chanel’s designs were influenced by her love of horse racing. Chanel used a running stitch, quilting the bag in a diamond or herringbone pattern, according to Stephanie Pendersen, inHandbags, What Every Woman Should Know, and introduced pockets into the bag, another passion of Mademoiselle Chanel's. The 2.55 contains a secret pocket inside the front flap, where is it claimed that in her original, Coco Chanel hid love letters received from a beau. 

Carried on arms of the rich and famous the world over, the Chanel 2.55 chain bag represents the epitome of style and the ultimate status symbol. The bag takes its name from the year of its birth, 1955 and is made from silk, lambskin, calfskin or fur, in a combination of colors. Whilst today, it has been updated in various guises (including the fastenings) the iconic Chanel 2.55 is still instantly recognizable, and remains one of the world’s most sought after bags.

The Introduction of the Chain Strap

The Chanel 2.55 bag was one of the most revolutionary of its time due to the introduction of a chain strap, enabling women to carry their purse on their arm instead of in their hand. At this time, when socialites were busy holding their glasses of champagne, eating canapés, and reading their theatre programmes, Chanel recognized a need for women to have their hands free.

After becoming tired of holding her own bags in her hands, and losing them, Chanel added thin chain straps “I know women — give them chains, women adore chains,” she said, in deciding the nature of the strap. Interestingly, the double chain is said to be based on her experiences as a child, in an orphanage, where the caretakers would dangle keys from their waist.

Read more at Suite101: The History of the Chanel 2.55 Bag: The Story of Coco Chanel's Iconic Purse http://www.suite101.com/content/the-history-of-the-chanel-255-bag-a59107#ixzz136kyH1Hg