One of the most iconic and important of all fashion accessories is the Chanel Flap Bag, along with its predecessor - the 2.55 Flap Bag - and its more recent descendent - the Boy Bag.

Here are some key facts about the Chanel Classic - the details and the differences and more.

The 2.55 Flap Bag

The original Chanel shoulder bag was the 2.55. The first Chanel bag itself was debuted in 1929, but this was a handheld bag. In February 1955 (hence its name of 2.55), the shoulder bag version was launched. In doing so, handbag history was changed forever. Now it was acceptable and desirable for socialites to wear a handbag on their shoulders.

The Double CC Lock

Today, it’s hard to imagine a Chanel flap bag without the signature double CC lock, but actually these didn't appear on Chanel flap bags until the 1980s. Before then, all Chanel's flap bags featured the Mademoiselle Lock instead. This logo-free lock (that 2.55 bags still hold to this day) gets its name because Coco Chanel remained unmarried during her life.

Straps

Another late addition to the Chanel Flap Bag is its leather woven strap. These days the Classic bag only features the recognisable leather-woven chain strap, but the very first bags actually had all-chain versions. Modern 2.55 bags still only use straps that are all-chain.

The Hidden Zipper Compartment 

Legend has it that there is an interesting back story to the zipper compartment that can be found under the top flap of Chanel bags. Having an affair at the time, Coco Chanel put it there as a place of hiding away love letters.

Chanel Bags are a great investment

Chanel often limits the supply of its top lines and raises its prices - its position as a luxury designer brand allows it to do so. This makes Chanel bags a favourite of the second hand resale market. Like-new bags sometimes sell above their retail price and all bags tend to hold their original value pretty well.