The Chanel 2.55 classic double flap in small / medium (9-10 inches) is probably the most counterfeited bag in the world! We've put together 6 quick tips that may help you avoid a fake!

Above is an authentic Chanel! Gorgeous, right?

TIP 1: Look at the CC Clasp.

The CC logo clasp on the 2.55 should look like the one on the top. Sometimes, it will be in silver, and sometimes it will be in gold. When it is in gold, it may have a hallmark to represent the gold plating on the hardware.

Fake CC logo clasps can be too skinny or too squat like the ones shown.

TIP 2: Quilting should be symmetrical and line up.

Craftsmanship on Chanel is impeccable. Quilting is always symmetrical, and quilting will always or very closely line up. See how the quilting on the pocket on the left (authentic) Chanel is aligned to the rest of the bag.

TIP 3: Inside leather should be structured.

The inside will be made of leather that perfectly fits inside the bag. This means no wrinkling.

TIP 4: Sticker on the inside left corner.

All late 1980's and newer Chanel 2.55 double classic flap will always have a sticker on the left inside corner. Sometimes, stickers can be lost over time, but a sticky residue spot usually remains in this spot when this occurs. Please note that some fakes will have stickers as well.

TIP 5: Hardware color always matches stamp color.

If the hardware is gold, the inside Chanel stamp will be gold. If the hardware is silver, the inside Chanel stamp will be silver.

TIP 6: Chanel serial card does not have a rainbow reflection.

An authentic Chanel serial card will never have a rainbow reflection on the border or number.

**Please note that these are quick tips and would be considered a beginner's authentication guide. While this will help weed out poor counterfeits, more in-depth knowledge is utilized by experts to weed out the more convincing fakes.

Please note that this authentication guide is in reference to the classic double flap in small/medium (9 inch length) and medium/large (10 inch length). Most of the public oftentimes refers to this iconic bag as the 2.55. However, some only think of the 2.55 as the reissue bag.

People ask us all the time about how well lambskin leather ages throughout the years. Being an avid Chanel fan and a founder of Lollipuff, I've had the fortune of handling many beautiful Chanel bags. To answer our lovely user's question, we'll show you one of our oldest Chanel bags!

Can you tell which Chanel bag is older?

Maybe, if we take a peek inside the bag, we'll know which one is older.

If you're really familiar with Chanel, you'll know that the bag on the left is the older bag. The CC embroidery gives away that this bag was produced prior to 1986, when they started serial stickers for Chanel bags. The bag on the right was produced after Chanel started adding serial stickers to their handbags.

The bag on the left was made in the early 1980's, while the bag on the right was made more than 10 years later. Amazing, right?

Black lambskin ages majestically. Have you noticed that pre-owned black Chanel sometimes have this magical sheen to it? It makes the leather look like a mix between satin and leather, and the effect is ridiculously luxurious. That magical sheen is actually developed over use. The more you use a black caviar or lambskin bag, the more it will shine! Wonderful reason why Chanel should be used rather than kept in storage!

I'm sure some of you are wondering if there are any differences to note between these bags. One of the amazing things about Chanel is just how consistent the quality is! The leather on both is soft, smooth and regal looking. I must note that there is one notable difference. While the structure of the newer Chanel is strong, the very old piece from the early 80's is really rigid. Aside from this, there is really no difference.

Please note that the quilting on black lambskin will flatten over the years. If proper storage is practiced, the puffiness will last longer.

Quite possibly the most famous bag in the world, the Chanel 2.55 flap comes in an array of beautiful sizes, making it nearly impossible to pick only one.

Out of all these sizes, the small and medium/large are the most similar and also the most classic in size and shape. Naturally, a common question is which bag should I get?

Here are a few pictures to help you decide. As you can see the proportions are very similar.

Both the medium/large and small can have double flaps. The detailing and features are pretty much the same except the size difference.

Obviously, by looking at them, the size difference is not very noticeable when worn. Our opinion is that if you tend to like bigger bags, stick with m/l. If you tend to like more petite purses, get the small. Either choice is absolutely gorgeous!

The Chanel 2.55 purse commonly comes in two types of leathers: caviar and lambskin. The retail cost for either is about the same. Here we’ll go over the differences between black lambskin vs. black caviar leather: how they age, maintenance, and look. We’ve taken two iconic Chanel bags and put them side to side.

The lambskin on the left is from 1995. The caviar on the right is from 2004.

In general, the caviar leather is much more sturdy than its lambskin counterpart. Although a few years ago, lambskin was more expensive than caviar due to its very smooth and soft finish. Which look do we prefer? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer!

The lambskin rates higher for being very luxurious looking. The gleam from the black lambskin is quite dramatic and striking. But, trust us when we say either purses are dangerously beautiful!

For a day to day purse, the caviar rates higher due to its amazing ability to withstand abuse. Black lambskin is not fragile and is relatively easy to maintain due to its dark color.

To store a 2.55 Chanel, one must keep some tissue paper or other soft clean material in the body of the purse and set it on its bottom in a dry place out of the sunlight. For lambskin, the chain should not rest too heavily on the bag, and a soft sheet of fabric should be placed between the flaps. All materials used for storage should not have color rub off.

The caviar bag’s leather does not need to be conditioned. Contrary to popular belief, lambskin does not require conditioning either. This information was given to us by a Chanel specialist at the Chanel boutique! The shiny patina that you see on many older Chanel, both lambskin and caviar, is actually produced by wearing the bag over time!

These bags age magnificently. The striking lambskin is 17 years old! With age, the puffy quilting on lambskin will most likely flatten somewhat, and some wrinkling may show when the bag is not filled. Although, the lambskin is more prone to scratches and scuffs, you can see that none of it is very significant given moderate care.

Caviar will maintain its puffy quilting throughout time if stored correctly. It’s also harder to scratch and scuff. This makes it more ideal for an everyday purse.

If needed, either bag may be sent to a Chanel store for a full restoration for less than $300. Please keep in mind, neither bags in the photos have had to be repaired. This speaks to the impeccable quality of Chanel!

The Chanel 2.55′s interior is just as well made as the outside. This means superb strong structure on either bag.

Hope you loved this post and all the Chanel eye candy!