How My Old Chanel Bags Became Hot Again

by Maura Carlin, Editor

Last summer — months before Matthieu Blazy sent any ensemble or handbag down his first Chanel runway — I went searching for handbag inspiration . . . in the back of my closet. I’d hit a kind of bag ennui. Coupled with indecisiveness, it had been quite awhile since a handbag commanded enough attention and functionality for me to pull out a credit card.

How My Old Chanel Bags Became Hot Again

But, there was a time when I did, and that was around 2008-2009, just before the big financial crisis. Now, as I checked the slightly dusty boxes, two bags stood out, for completely different reasons. Little did I know that similar styles would soon be at the top of fashion lists worldwide, with frenzied shopping of the Chanel Spring-Summer 2026 collection and frustrated (non)buyers, many now turning to the resale market.

2009 Chanel Large Reissue Image courtesy: @mauralamode

Looking at the large Mademoiselle in black aged calfskin with gold hardware — aka the Reissue or 2.55 — I realized that bag works for me now, as it did back in 2009. Wearable on the shoulder or crossbody, it’s large enough for daily essentials plus, without weighing me down. Still a little big for my life, I went with it anyway. I had always liked the more lowkey under-the radar look of the original mademoiselle lock, rather than a flashy double cc.

2009 Chanel Single Flap Maxi Bag Image courtesy: @mauralamode

Ironically, I veered the other way with a Chanel Classic Maxi bag – large black double ccs, but in silver — more lowkey lol? It’s big, and it worked for my life in 2009 with school-age children and work commitments. Now, it’s too much bag for me. I considered putting it up for sale, and after receiving low-ball offers, that bag returned to the closet.

Image courtesy: @mauralamode

And then, just a few months later, came the Blazy for Chanel era. The Mademoiselle is back, and in worse condition than my 2009 model, as the new one comes pre-rumpled. And the Maxi Flap, well, is there anything hotter right now than the new versions? Admittedly, the new version substitutes plain leather for quilting, and leather straps for the leather-enlaced chain, but the look of the bag is largely the same. Mine is single rather than double flap, which makes the bag easier to use, but also contributes to the kind of slouchier vibe being put out by Blazy.

Image courtesy: @cocoetloco

I’m still using the Mademoiselle, and it attracted attention when I checked out the new Chanel collection. Noticed immediately as “the original” (even though it’s not), it may have given pause to a woman about to purchase the latest reissue.

As for my Maxi, it’s got me thinking that maybe now is the time to sell. Or soon — after secondhand prices spike. Fingers crossed.

There’s a larger question here though: what does Blazy’s focus on the reissue-style Mademoiselle and the Maxi Flap mean for Chanel and the handbag market?

Neither bag was out-of-production, per se, but they also weren’t sitting at the top of wishlists. While the Mademoiselle was reissued under Karl Lagerfeld in 2005 — hence the name ‘Reissue’ — in the last twenty years the Classic and newer styles received the love and attention. In that same time period, fashionistas pivoted from large carry-it-all bags to smaller, compact models, leaving the Maxi Flaps, like mine, resting in a box. But now, long-time Chanel clients are delving into their collections and pulling out — or thinking about — the larger Flaps and Reissues patiently awaiting a return to the spotlight.

Image courtesy: @savinachow

According to Kim Alpert, founder of vintage resource Anthology of Style:

“We’ve seen a huge uptick in demand for vintage styles that mirror Blazy’s current collection – the supermodel tote, the cerf tote, and vintage single flap maxis. New clients finding us want vintage and they want it BIG!”

PurseBop, who amassed a lovely collection of colorful Classic Flaps, confesses that she’s starting to look at her Medium and Jumbo Classic Flaps a little differently.

“I might pull out a jumbo or two… maybe my SO BLACK or my crisp all white caviar this summer. If it weren’t for the weight – even a maxi. What I am missing now is that chain around maxi I loved but rehomed over a decade ago.. anyone remember the one? It would seriously be perfection in light of the new Blazy looks.”