What Is The Difference Between Chanel Classic Flap Bag And Chanel Classic 2.55 Reissue?

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Another question I receive quite often is: ‘What are the differences between the classic flap bag and the reissue 2.55?’. There’s indeed a huge distinction between these two bags and it’s not only the size, but more importantly the style.

Chanel just brought back their mini classic flap bag. It was discontinued some time ago, but the new mini flap has a different look. It’s almost similar like the medium classic flap, but then one size smaller. (It was used to be more squared, as far as I know).

Chanel Classic Flap Bags
The Chanel classic flap bags have four sizes sizes: small, medium/large, jumbo and maxi. I am not sure why they named the medium also large, but this bag is actually not as large as you might think. The jumbo is still an okay size, but the maxi is huge.

Chanel Reissue 2.55 handbags
The Chanel reissue 2.55 handbag is the exact copy of the original 2.55 bag that Coco Chanel has released in 1955. And thanks to Karl Lagerfeld for making that possible, he released the reissue version in February 2005. The Chanel 2.55 has such a long history that you have to love it. It’s vintage and cope perfectly with the modern casual styles.

The Chanel classic flap bag is the modern version of the Chanel 2.55 reissue. I don’t think the classic flap bag could have ever exist if it wasn’t the Chanel 2.55 flap bag. A lot of changes have been made in the inside than the outside. Especially the CC locker is so attractive.

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Here are more differences:
The Chanel 2.55 reissue has a rectangular shape lock. It reference Coco Chanel for never marrying and that’s why it’s called the mademoiselle lock.

Throughout the years, the Chanel 2.55 flap bag has been modified. There were different series of the flap bag introduced, which was very confusing until Karl Lagerfeld came along and made a decisive changes that shaped the Chanel classics you recognize today. Since then, only two classic flap bags are being sold:

1. The Chanel reissue 2.55
2. The Chanel classic flap bag

Most members on Bragmybag prefer the Chanel classic flap bag than the reissue 2.55. That doesn’t mean that the Chanel 2.55 reissue is not attractive, but people prefer the modern version. I have no problem of having the 2.55 reissue too.

Let me know which one you love at the comment section and now you are here, why don’t you like our Facebook page to receive the latest information about Chanel.

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COMMENTS
  • Sherlly Tanara

    REPLY

    I love the re issue because of the worn leather look as well as the “no leather” – chain.

    January 11, 2021
  • Nick

    REPLY

    How to tell an authentic reissue? Is there a serial number etc or what to look out for? Saw an used bag for sale & plan to get it for wifey but wary of scammers

    December 25, 2015
  • Older lady

    REPLY

    Any suggestions for a person who needs a bag which is not heavy with a long strap ?

    September 25, 2014
    • Alex

      REPLY

      You mean a Chanel bag right?

      September 28, 2014
  • LB

    REPLY

    The 2.55 Reissue is made of a distressed calfskin. It is not made of caviar leather, which is embossed calfskin. Only the Timeless Classic flap has this leather as well as the slightly more expensive, more delicate lambskin as an option.

    May 14, 2013
  • Nikki

    REPLY

    Hi, love your cool and informative blog. Great job. I am thinking of buying my 2nd chanel. I already have reissue size 226 black . What is your opinion for smaller model? . I always love timeless one. Thanks a lot

    March 16, 2013
  • Annabelle

    REPLY

    Pardon me mine is a classic.

    March 9, 2013
  • Annabelle

    REPLY

    Hi I wanna sell my Chanel reissue bag which I used for like 5-10times.
    Any advise?

    Thank you

    March 9, 2013
  • cherry

    REPLY

    Does the reissue only has chain handles or they also have style that is the same with the flap?

    March 1, 2013
  • first Chanel bag

    REPLY

    I am hoping to buy my first Chanel bag and looking at a Maxi 2.55. Does anyone know the difference in length between a Jumbo and a Maxi 2.55? And has anyone ever heard of a Maxi 2.55 that is almost 14″ long? That seems suspiciously long.
    Thank you for your help!

    February 15, 2013
      • Natalia

        REPLY

        Would it be a bit risky for a first chanel user to get the Chanel Cerf Executive instead of the chanel classic flap bag? I was confident that I didn’t want the Chanel Classic when I purchased because of the amount of people having it, but after spending 3k on the Cerf, I was a bit confused if I made the right decision…. help !!

        June 2, 2013
          • Natalia

            Dear sassy.bag,
            I got a black with gold hardware. It’s beautiful by the way. It was love at first sight. Don’t get me wrong here, I love the Classic flap too, but I feel like everyone has it. And since it is way too popular, would it be the reason why there is fake one out there? Not that I feel no one can copy me, but fewer people would go and get a tote right away especially with Chanel. I hardly ever see anyone with Chanel Cerf Tote.
            I would love to buy one Classic in the future, but I think this tote just robbed my wallet 😉

            June 4, 2013
          • natalia

            Oh wow, you are such a mind-reader! My sister and I was actually looking at the Diorissimo tote bag before we even knew about Chanel Cerf Tote. We loved the Dior, but we kinda want to stick with something that is classic and never go out of style. Dior has these fun colors and the design that would make me feel that I will have to buy something else for later. We were not so sure, Dior seems to not be as famous as Chanel? idk how to explain, but Dior doesn’t seem to be a designer for young girl?
            So it was very confusing for me and my sis, now we have the Cerf as our first Chanel bag and we are just not sure (although we are hooked with the bag)

            June 12, 2013
          • Sassy bag

            Hi Nat. You made the right choice. The Cerf tote is a classic, will never go out of style. But I also feel kind of the same. Dior doesn’t seems to be at the same level of Chanel. I can’t describe it, but I mean on terms of the popularity, but Dior bags are also fine, I think they are underrated.

            June 13, 2013
  • ella

    REPLY

    hey, am a big fan of your website! its one of my fav fashion gurus ! i am saving to buy my first chanel bag and i’ll be able to this april, am not sure if chanel will raise their prices this month, i hope not! fingers crossed..! anyway i narrowed down my choices to the medium/large, black, caviar, silver hardware .. and heres my delima..flap or reissue… i love the history of the 2.55 and its name and the story behind the lock..its just that i am not quit sure the chains of the handle can be worn comfortably on my skinny shoulders.. and perhaps the classic flap would be more comfortable, or are they the same? i need some help !

    February 13, 2013
  • Genie

    REPLY

    is there a mistake in the size for the chanel jumbo flap bag and maxi bag? the size is the same.

    February 13, 2013
  • Selena

    REPLY

    Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand
    out. Please let me know where you got your design.

    Cheers

    February 3, 2013
  • Thanks so much for this really helpful and informative page. Your website is brilliant and has saved me hours of research on Chanel bags and countless calls to Selfridges and Harrods. I am going for the Maxi flap caviar with gold hardware and have got one reserved at Selfridges. I will be sad to say au revoir (not adieu: subtle difference) to my wonderful Prada Cervo in black deerskin that has served me so well. But I guess the Chanel flap is the doyenne of all designer handbags (possibly with the exception of the Hermes Birkin: dont know what all the fuss is about that bag except that Victoria Beckham seems to have one in every possible shade and combination of material) and I have been after the right Chanel bag for ages. It came to a head at a Christmas party in 2012 when I met the wife of a fellow lawyer who was a bit of an air head prancing about with this amazing classic Chanel handbag. I recognise it now as the Jumbo Chanel Reissue 2.55. I have to confess, I wanted to grab the bag off her and run but my lawyer instincts told me I may not get away with the defence of insanity to a theft charge and it wasnt my 1st choice of model I wanted anyway. I will let you all know what happens when I get the bag next week. I never thought I could so excited over a handbag! I now have worries over whether I should get silver or gold hardware? what do you all think?

    January 15, 2013
  • dee

    REPLY

    I love them both anyways

    November 14, 2012
  • Little_B

    REPLY

    I bought mine jumbo last year, and quess what? I am going to get my Chanel 2.55 next year <3

    November 2, 2012
      • Little_B

        REPLY

        I will, have saved a lot of money. im not yet there but will soon be, im so excited right now. heard that chanel is going to increase prices in feb next yr from SA

        November 2, 2012
  • Chanelgirl

    REPLY

    flap bags are more popular than reissues

    October 31, 2012
  • Chi-ling

    REPLY

    OMG, Love the first image, well done, love this site

    October 31, 2012
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