The Best Vintage Chanel Bags to Collect Now

When Karl Lagerfeld was tapped as creative director of Chanel in 1983, it was widely unknown how he would re-imagine the historical legacy of Chanel. Coco Chanel had been gone for 12 years, and the luxury fashion house was struggling to fill the void she had long held. Karl Lagerfeld would quickly prove to be the distinctive persona that Chanel desperately needed. With his regular uniform of a black suit, dark shades, a powdered white ponytail, and fingerless leather gloves, Lagerfeld infused the brand with a modern spirit and fresh perspective. As the self-proclaimed “channeler” of Coco, he dedicated himself to keeping her legacy alive with each new collection. Constantly referring to the design archives of Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld was directly inspired by her iconic creations. As a master tastemaker and avatar of style, Karl Lagerfeld would revolutionize fashion for the modern woman up until his fateful passing in 2019. His earliest Chanel bags from the 80s and 90s are the most popular of all vintage Chanel bags. The vintage Chanel bags from Karl's early time with Chanel sell for multiples of the original retail price on secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's. The Chanel Classic Flap was released in 1983 and sold for about $1,000 in the 1980s and now that same bag in excellent condition sells for around $6,000.

Karl Lagerfeld’s inaugural designs from the ‘80s and ‘90s have remained the most highly sought after pieces for vintage Chanel hunters. His radical riffs on the iconic motifs and classic designs of Chanel were unexpected and immediately coveted. Moreover, the value of vintage Chanel bags is enhanced by real 24k gold-plated hardware, as evidenced on chains, clasps, grommets, and CC turnlocks. In late 2008, Chanel pivoted from 24k gold hardware to gold-toned hardware, subtly differentiating vintage and modern pieces. Lagerfeld was a master of branding and quickly modernized the luxury fashion house, as evidenced through his transformation of the interlocking “CC” design. He famously declared, “logos are the Esperanto of marketing, luxury, and business today.” Karl Lagerfeld turned an aging fashion house into the ultimate status symbol, and his earliest handbag designs are a testament to the enduring power of his vision. We have highlighted the best vintage bags every Chanel handbag lover should have in their collection. Chanel's most iconic models from Karl's early years are the Classic Flap with Double C turn-lock, Camera bag, Vanity Case and the Diana Flap. The original Chanel bags from the 80s and 90s are worth seeking out.

From Coco’s 2.55 Flap Bag, designed in 1955, came Karl’s Classic Flap, debuted in 1983. With this iconic reinterpretation came two new features – a leather woven chain and Double C turn-lock closure. Additionally, the Classic Flap came with an endless range of options, including quilting (the iconic classic vs. the more youthful chevron), leathers, sizes, flaps (single vs. double), and hardware combinations. Recognized and highly sought after for its universal wearability and simplicity, Lagerfeld’s inaugural Chanel Classic Flap bag was a breakout success. Now synonymous with the Chanel brand, it comes as little surprise that a vintage Chanel Classic Flap is the ultimate find. Vintage Chanel lovers seek out the medium double flap Chanel Classic flap in black lambskin with gold hardware. This is by far the most poplar vintage Chanel bag and has remained one of the iconic and recognizable luxury bags for decades.

As one of Karl Lagerfeld’s earliest handbag designs in the 1980s, the Chanel Camera Bag is a clever and elegant reinterpretation of the camera cases once used by photographers. With a full-zip closure and crossbody strap, the Chanel Camera Bag has tremendous interior capacity and provides secure protection of your belongings. Despite its occasional release in more modern day collections, a vintage Chanel Camera bag is among the most elusive and sought after Chanel bags ever designed. As such, a vintage Chanel Camera bag has the allure of rarity, and collectors avidly seek out its earliest iterations, signified by the iconic tassel zipper pull.

Reminiscent of the Audrey Hepburn era, and the cases that women used to carry cosmetics and toiletries during travel, Karl Lagerfeld first introduced the Chanel Vanity Case in the ‘90s. The Chanel Vanity bag is both nostalgic and practical, and made a fitting comeback in the Chanel Airlines Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Taking on the structure of real luggage, the vintage Chanel Vanity manages to feel both glamorous and practical. Despite its various iterations to date, the most timeless Chanel Vanity can only be found in a vintage hunt. An excellent condition Vintage Chanel Vanity Case is highly sought after by Chanel bag collectors. The vintage Chanel Vanity Case is often black caviar leather with raised embossed double C on the front and a top handle. Vintage Chanel Vanity Case sometimes comes with an included strap and lock and keys. It has a zip around top and opens to a large compartment with a side pocket.

Constantly seeking inspiration from the world around him, Karl Lagerfeld placed tremendous value in his muses, as these fashionable women helped solidify his designs as timeless classics. As such, Princess Diana of Wales, the ultimate style icon of the ‘80s and ‘90s, had a tremendous impact on Lagerfeld and the living legacy of Chanel. Produced from 1989 to approximately 1995, the Chanel Diana bag is a coveted find among vintage hunters and Diana admirers alike. This Chanel classic design closely resembles that of the Chanel Single Flap, and was sported so frequently by Princess Diana, that Karl Largefeld felt it only fitting to honor her in the name. The Chanel bag was resurrected in the Spring 2015 collection, but the vintage Chanel Diana in caviar leather remains the most elusive and sought-after variation ever crafted. Princess Diana's iconic fashion choices in the 80s and 90s are revisited for modern inspiration decades later.

Given the most sought after vintage Chanel bags are 20+ years old there are a few things to consider when buying a vintage Chanel bag or accessory. The most important factor is that vintage Chanel bags aren't new so there should be some expectation of age and patina depending on the condition. Vintage Chanel bags will generally show the most wear on the bottom and corners of the bag. Additionally it's important to inspect hardware for scratches and marks. Other things to inspect is the stitching for loose threads and leather for scratching. The good news is you can find excellent vintage Chanel bags on secondary markets and at auction. Sotheby's handbag specialists are always seeking out the best vintage Chanel bags and accessories. Given the high demand for vintage Chanel bags, the availability of high quality counterfeit bags has also grown. Only buy from established resellers and auction houses that have experience authenticating vintage Chanel bags. Prices for Vintage Chanel bags are generally lower than new Chanel bags but there are some rare limited edition styles that are significantly more. A Chanel vintage classic flap bag is around $6,000-7,000 if it's in excellent condition. A vintage Chanel Full Flap and Chanel Diana Flap are closer to $4,000-$5,000.

Sotheby's always has a curated selection of vintage Chanel bags on marketplace, available for immediate shipping. Browse vintage Chanel bags in discontinued exotic materials, limited edition runway styles and vintage lambskin styles. Shop classic lambskin double flap bags, popular camera bags, zip top vanity in black caviar leather and rare styles from the 1990s. The assortment changes frequently and new items are listed weekly. You can also contact a Salon Associate in New York to learn more about viewing and purchasing a vintage Chanel bag at Sotheby's.

If you have a vintage Chanel bag in excellent or pristine condition to sell, you can contact a Handbag Specialist to learn more about your selling options or submit your item here for valuation.