Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.

At Maison Vivienne, we understand the allure and timeless elegance of a Chanel bag. However, with copyright items flooding the market, it's essential to know how to authenticate a Chanel bag before making such an investment. Here’s a detailed guide to help you confidently identify an authentic Chanel.

To celebrate the birthday of Chanel 2.55 flap bags, we’re going to take a look back at the history of the Chanel flap bag to learn how Gabrielle’s jersey handbag became the most iconic handbag in the world.

This characteristic ensures that if you choose to sell your Chanel years later, you'll likely fetch a handsome sum. I previously owned the medium model, bought secondhand (almost new, complete with box and invoice), and even managed to resell it at a slight profit.

The rectangular lock on a Chanel bag also holds significant importance in the authentication process.

A bag in 'very good' condition has been used but has also been well maintained. There are only minor signs of wear.

Many Flap Bags even feature an uncommon hidden zipper compartment, rumoured to have been used by Coco to hide love letters during one of many glorious periods in her love life.

It's an 8-digit code for bags produced from late 2005 onwards. The handbag's date code starts with the first two digits indicating the year of manufacture.

A true serial number sticker should not reflect a rainbow hologram which would indicate that it's a non-authentic card.

Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos from 57XXXXX on.

An original CC logo has a width of 3.3cm, with 'CHANEL' stamped on the left and 'PARIS' on the right side of the lock plate when opened, maintaining consistent dimensions on authentic Chanel bags.

Authentic logo locks are designed with equal width , flat edges to ensure a consistent and precise appearance.

While Chanel bags in pristine condition often command a premium over retail, Sotheby’s offers a curated selection of these bags in a variety of the most sought-after colors and sizes through our marketplace. By shopping with Sotheby’s, you can purchase a store-fresh Chanel bag without the need to visit a physical store. While Chanel boutiques offer these coveted designs, their inventory history of the Chanel flap bag is often limited, making it challenging to find a specific color, style, or size.

Chanel has been including authenticity cards with their handbags since the serial sticker was introduced in 1986.