This was a very, very, very special purchase for me. It was bought to celebrate a milestone I recently hit, something I’ve been studying extremely hard for, for a good few years now. Obviously, as a handbag lover, I’ve wanted a classic flap for well… ever – and finally, after hitting my milestone, I allowed myself the indulgence.
I don’t think I so much need to review this bag – because it’s the classic isn’t it, everyone is pretty much already familiar with it, so instead I thought I’d share the choices I opted for, in terms of leather, size and hardware, incase anyone else is weighing up those options themselves.
So this one is the double flap – you can actually purchase a double, or a single flap. The double flap is a lot more structured and is the most classic design; there is the external flap that you see, and then a shorter, inner flap, that also adds a bit more security (although both are pretty foolproof security wise, regardless). The inner flap is a striking burgundy red shade, and actually represents the school uniform shade of Coco Chanel’s childhood. The classic flap design is also the Karl Lagerfeld design – this is reflected on the dust bags. There’s also a hidden zipper compartment in the outer flap, which comes with a pretty cool story, that Coco Chanel used this to store her love letters. Sadly, I don’t have any of my own love letters to store (hmm…) so mine pretty much goes unused, as there’s not too much else that could be stored in there – but I just love this addition, due to that story.
So I believe, but may stand corrected, there are currently six different sizes available in the classic flap design; Maxi; Jumbo; Medium; Small; Mini Rectangle; and Mini Square. In terms of the four “main” sizes, the measurement comparisons are as follows:
Maxi – 13.4” x 9.1” x 3.9”
Jumbo – 11.8” x 7.9” x 3.9”
Medium – 10” x 6.3” x 3”
Small – 9.3” x 5.7” x 2.6”
Initially, I was going to opt for the small, but this was just too small – and was pretty much an evening only bag. Again, the medium also, whilst it obviously is bigger – I’m a take the whole house out kind of person, and this just didn’t offer the storage space I wanted – the Jumbo however, did. For me, the Jumbo is the perfect size. It’s not too big to be worn on an evening out, but it’s also not too small to be used as a daytime bag either. What I also loved about the Jumbo is that it can be worn crossbody (the others can’t, really – they come up too short, I feel), or on the shoulder full length, or worn with the strap doubled up, and again worn either on the shoulder, or simply held in the hand, or crook of the arm. In my opinion, it’s definitely the most versatile size.
In terms of hardware, I opted for silver for no other reason, other than the silver hardware would go more with my style choices in terms of the shoes and coats that I own. I also felt like the silver contrasted with the black and caviar style leather more – but that’s 100% just personal choice and opinion. There are two main types of leather that the classic flap can be purchased in, and that’s lambskin (smooth), or caviar leather (grained). The reason I chose the caviar, is because all my bag choices tend to be grained leather – it’s just my thing – again, personal choice, but I think it looks smarter; but also because it’s much more hardwearing, and is pretty foolproof in terms of durability – there’s not a chance in hell I’m spending that much money on a handbag, to risk it being scratched up and worn out.
Obviously because of the hot mess that is 2020, I haven’t in all honesty had much chance to wear this yet – but like I say it’s the classic, so I don’t think you need my opinion or review on how much wear it will get – I plan to keep this forever, and to hopefully pass it down. I have however, got it out of the dust bag pretty much a million times since I bought it, and paraded it up and down my bedroom and stairs – so if you ever want a review on how this wears to run up and down your bedroom in – I’m here when you need me! Don’t all rush at once, will you?
