Vintage Chanel Tray

The best way to date a vintage Chanel bag depends on how old it is. For bags produced in 1986 or later, you can check the date code. By cross-checking the first two digits in the serial number with information provided by trusted online resources, you can get a rough idea of the year of production. For example, serial numbers starting with zero were produced from 1986 to 1988. If you can't find a serial number in your bag, you can enlist the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer for assistance. Find a large selection of vintage Chanel bags on 1stDibs.

To authenticate a Chanel jacket, take a close look at the neck tag. You should see the style number, size in French sizing and a two digit number followed by the letter C for cruise, P for spring or A for autumn. This represents the year and collection. For example, 14C is the 2014 cruise collection. Once you know the style number and collection, use reputable online resources to ensure that Chanel actually produced that jacket for that season with that number. Shop a wide range of expertly vetted Chanel jackets on 1stDibs.

For Chanel bags, any piece produced more than 20 years ago is considered vintage. While Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel began to design handbags during the 1920s, the 2.55, which debuted in February 1955, is an iconic vintage Chanel bag. The brand's best-known bag, the Classic Double Flap bag, includes Chanel's signature quilting and leather interlaced through a chain strap. Chanel Classic flap bags have been going strong since Karl Lagerfeld updated the beloved 2.55 handbag in the 1980s with the addition of the interlocking double Cs on the flap. Other celebrated bag styles are the Gabrielle and Boy bags. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of vintage Chanel bags.

Yes, some vintage Chanel bags have real gold on their chain straps and hardware. Specifically, Chanel utilized 24-karat gold alloy plating on its pieces prior to 2008. After that, Chanel switched to a gold-tone metal that doesn't contain pure gold. Shop a selection of Chanel bags on 1stDibs.

Vintage Chanel jewelry always has a date stamp and logo located somewhere on the piece that you can use for authentication. Everything on the date stamp should be easy to read, and the Chanel logo should look immaculate. Fake logos are often hard to read and have mistakes in the font. All the details should be exquisite, and the necklace should feel substantial. If it feels light and cheap, it’s probably a fake. Shop a collection of authentic vintage Chanel necklaces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Vintage Chanel bags can vary in price and at times be worth more than new production Chanel bags. It all depends on the model, condition, age, and rarity of the bag. A vintage Chanel bag in good condition can start at $2,000 and go up to $30,000.