About the Chanel 2.55 Handbag
Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel created the infamous quilted shoulder bag with its signature gold chain in February 1955. She had grown weary of holding onto her handbags and wanted to free up her hands. This iconic boxy flap bag features a quilted texture, the emblematic “Mademoiselle Turnlock” and an all-chain strap worn on the shoulder. While there have been many variations of this universally recognized bag, from the materials to the closures, one thing remains the same—the Chanel 2.55 is the epitome of style and will continue to inspire generations of Chanel connoisseurs and everyday fashionistas to come.
In 2005, Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel’s Creative Director, released the Chanel 2.55 Reissue to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original iteration. Although the bags' designs are as identical as possible, the 2005 version is a rare collector’s item as it features unique stitching inside. Though the name "2.55 Reissue" should apply only to those commemorative handbags from 2005, shoppers commonly use this name for all of the bags resembling the original version. With the success of the 2.55 Reissue, Chanel added the iconic 2.55 handbag into its classic collection.
Design and Features of the Chanel 2.55 Handbag
Like many Chanel creations, there’s a story behind every design feature on the 2.55. The rumored inspiration behind the stitched diamond quilted pattern, a recurring element with the French fashion house, reflects Gabrielle Chanel’s passion for all things equestrian. Rows of flat metal links slip through metal eyelets on each side so the bag can be worn across the chest or doubled to be worn on the shoulder, while the rectangular lock on the front of the bag is aptly named “Mademoiselle” as Chanel herself never married. The deep burgundy leather lining is also said to have been influenced by her childhood uniform at the Aubazine Abbey orphanage, while the hidden zipper compartment initially hid her lover’s letters. Below are the hallmark features of the Chanel 2.55 handbag:
- Structured rectangular shape
- Rectangular “Mademoiselle Turnlock” closure
- Flap top
- Exterior flat pocket
- One small zip pocket
- One interior flat pocket
- Two interior gusseted pockets
- Leather lining
- Chain straps
Chanel 2.55 Handbag Versus Chanel Classic Handbag
The two signature Chanel handbags are often confused. The key difference between the two Chanel bags is their sizes, closures and straps. The Chanel 2.55 handbag features the rectangular “Mademoiselle Turnlock” and chain straps, while the Classic bag has an interlocking “CC” closure and leather/chain laced straps.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Chanel 2.55 Handbag
Behind the Chanel 2.55 handbag are highly skilled artisans. Each artisan trains for four to five years before making a bag; some have worked at Chanel for 25 years or more. Depending on the style and the materials, it takes about 15 people and 18 hours to make a 2.55 bag.
Chanel handbags are known for their luxurious materials. The most commonly utilized one is the aged calfskin leather with a wrinkled, worn look. Other materials include tweed, jersey, denim and velvet. Many collectors refer to 2.55 bag sizes by the name of their older style codes: 224, 225, 226, 227 and 228.
- Mini 2.55 (224): 8” x 2.75” x 5”
- 2.55 (225): 9.4” x 2.9” x 6.2”
- Large 2.55 (226): 10.9” x 2.9” x 7.6”
- Maxi 2.55 (227): 12.3” x 3.9” x 7.8”
- Jumbo 2.55 (228): 13.5” x 3.5” x 8”
- Wallet on Chain 2.55: 7.5" x 1.5" x 5"
The Chanel 2.55 Handbag’s Price and Collectibility
The 2.55 is an investment piece often passed down from generation to generation. Since the 2.55's release, the price has far outpaced inflation. The retail prices of Chanel bags continuously increase and, therefore, a pre-owned Chanel 2.55 retains much of its original value depending on condition. Black aged calfskin leather and gold hardware is the most popular combination of the 2.55 bag. In early 2021, pre-loved black Chanel 2.55 handbags, on average, fetch more than $3,400 on the resale market.