Chanel bags have long been considered one of luxury fashion's best investments.
These purses offer timeless appeal and unparalleled craftsmanship. They're synonymous with sophistication, and fashion-forward women have been drooling over them for decades. And while the hefty price tag can be intimidating, there's guaranteed to be a design that suits your personal style.
Read on to discover seven popular Chanel bags and how to find these types of purses online at a fraction of the price.
Chanel offers a range of purses that never go out of style. Here are seven of our top picks to add to your closet.
The Chanel Classic Flap Bag is one of the most recognizable handbags in fashion history. It initially launched in the 1950s and was redesigned by Karl Lagerfeld in 1983.
This bag evolved from the brand's 2.55 Bag. It’s known for the iconic shoulder strap and was the first Chanel bag to feature one.
The Classic Flap Bag is part of Chanel's "Timeless Classic" collection. It comes in various sizes, from mini to maxi, and features the brand's signature quilted leather and a leather-woven chain strap. If you want to hold the bag as a clutch, just tuck the strap inside. As a bonus, Karl Lagerfield's redesign includes the interlocking “CC” turn-lock closure.
This purse is a versatile accessory that transitions from day to night in a snap. It's available in various materials, such as caviar leather, lambskin leather, and embroidered tweed.
The Chanel Double Flap Bag is a variation of the Classic Flap Bag. Released in 1983, it's available in the same range of sizes and materials as the Classic and maintains the diamond quilting, strap, and structured shape.
This option offers a double flap closure. The outermost flap reveals a small, zippered pocket, and the interior flap opens to the main compartment, keeping your items super secure. There are several interior compartments and an outer pocket on the back.
A tribute to Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself, this is one of the most popular choices for Chanel lovers.
Karl Lagerfield released the Gabrielle, an elegant and versatile hobo bag, in 2017. It features a mix of smooth and quilted leather, a trapezoid shape, and a multi-functional chain strap that can be worn several ways.
The Gabrielle is considered a unisex bag. It inspired a line of accessories, perfume, and even a film about the brand. The structured design adds a contemporary twist to the classic elegance shoppers expect from Chanel.
While the Gabrielle Bag was discontinued in 2023, you can find vintage models online.
The Chanel Boy Bag launched in 2011 and quickly became a classic carried by many celebrities. It's named after Gabrielle Chanel's first love, Boy Capel.
The Boy Bag's structured, boxy silhouette pairs with a thick chain strap and bold lock. The lock boasts the brand logo and is a standout feature.
Carry the Boy Bag as a handbag or use the functional strap for crossbody wear. The front flap is quilted, and models with a chevron pattern are also available. Unlike some classic Chanel models, the Boy Bag has a cloth lining.
This bag is available in mini, small, medium, and large sizes, with square and rectangle options in the smallest size. For material, you can choose from caviar leather, calfskin leather, velvet, or tweed.
If you need a purse that can hold just about everything, this is the best Chanel bag for you.
The Chanel Grand Shopping Tote (GST) emerged in the ’90s and was discontinued in 2015, but its popularity is only growing. This means that online thrift and vintage shops (like ThredUp) are the only places to get your hands on one, and the competition can be stiff.
This spacious tote is ideal for daily use and features Chanel's classic quilting, gold chain strap handles, and logo. The interior is divided into two large compartments, with a third zippered compartment in the middle. Its larger sizes are perfect for holding large items like notebooks and laptops.
You can enjoy the GST in three sizes: petite, grand, and grand XL. Choose from a range of colors and materials like lambskin and caviar leather.
Released in the ’80s, the Chanel Camera Bag was inspired by vintage camera cases. Today still, it’s a functional and fashionable choice with timeless appeal.
The Camera Bag is a compact handbag with a full-zip closure. The crossbody design makes it ideal for on-the-go use, much like a real camera case, but you can also wear it as a shoulder bag. With a roomy interior, it features quilted or chevron-print leather, a chain strap, and a decorative tassel.
The Camera Bag is available in various colors and materials. It's a popular model re-released in many collections, though Chanel connoisseurs often seek its earliest iterations.
The Chanel Wallet on Chain (WOC) was released in 1997 and remains one of the fashion house's most popular bags.
Slim and structured, this purse can be worn crossbody, over the shoulder, or as a clutch with the strap tucked in. It has a logo on the front, classic turn-lock closure, and a quilted exterior. The WOC is highly efficient for its size and fits much more than you’d think. This is because it has an open compartment alongside multiple card slots and zippered pockets inside. It also has a pocket on the back.
Chanel's WOC is available in mini and regular sizes. Materials vary, but caviar leather is a favorite. The purse also comes in many different styles, including the Boy WOC, 2.55 WOC, Trendy WOC, and Timeless WOC.
Chanel bags are more than just accessories—they're investments. Whether you love the Classic Flap or the Boy Bag, having a Chanel bag means owning a piece of fashion history that continues to appreciate over time.
If you're looking to add one of these coveted pieces to your collection or recirculate your preloved Chanel, try ThredUp—the ideal place for buying and selling clothing and purses, including flawed gems with minor defects.
ThredUp’s dedicated team of trained experts carefully reviews key authentication markers across a wide range of brands, including Prada, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs. We use in-house authentication technology and a thorough, multi-step review process supported by extensive research to ensure only genuine items reach our marketplace.
Explore ThredUp today and use our detailed filters and Improved Search feature to thrift iconic preloved items.