This Coveted Chanel Bag Has Reached Cult Status

It has become abundantly clear that some of the best bags of the season have arrived in the form of reinterpreted classics. Often, these are bags that go beyond trends and instead revisit the iconic house codes of luxury brands. Shoppers have shown interest in purchasing forever items, including updated releases of popular bags from designer brands. Case in point: the Chanel 22 Mini Handbag.
The original Chanel 22 bag was introduced at the French fashion house's S/S 22 runway show in Paris, which was full of '90s nostalgia and fresh takes on iconic pieces. Among them is the 22 bag—a big shopper tote designed with Chanel's signature quilted leather, two chain straps adorned with a double-C charm, the brand name written on the side in metal letters, and a drawstring top that has a scrunched effect when the straps are pulled closed.
The bag became an It item immediately when it was released among luxury shoppers and the fashion set, as well as a modern classic for Chanel. This was cemented when it again appeared on the runway for the brand's S/S 23 collection in a shrunken version. It's perhaps a bit less utilitarian than the big tote version but equally as covetable. The mini bag can be worn with the straps pulled to full length as a crossbody bag, as a handheld tote when held by the smaller chain straps, or styled as a clutch with the straps tucked inside. Now, it's a core collector's bag from Chanel, and there are new, just-dropped iterations, including metallic colorways and fuzzy shearling. Ahead, see more on the Chanel 22 Mini Handbag.
On the Runway
Though the original Chanel 22 bag debuted on the spring/summer 2022 runways, we caught a first glimpse of the bag's mini version a year later in the spring/summer 2023 collection. The season showcased styles such as a butter-yellow leather design and a black leather style with a chain and pearl handles. The new mini bags were first released in March 2023.
On the Fashion Set
Since the release of the Chanel 22 mini bags, the fashion set has been quick to snap up the coveted bags, which have been spotted everywhere from fashion month to the streets of New York City and Los Angeles. Take some styling notes by wearing the bag in the many ways the straps allow—from crossbody to tote to clutch.
Shop the Chanel 22 Mini Handbag
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany Co., and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
-
25 Designer Bags Everyone Will Be Scrambling for This Fall
Get them before they're gone.
-
Tory Burch Just Released a Bag Version of Its Viral Pierced-Toe Mules, and We're Obsessed
Can you say sell out?
-
The Rare, Iconic Pieces You Can Only Buy on the Vintage Market
Here's what fashion insiders are collecting.
-
Not All Designer Pieces Achieve It Status, But These 14 Luxury Finds Are Set to by Fall
Smart, long-term purchases.
-
I Found The Row's Next Viral Bag, and Elsa Hosk Is Already Wearing It
It could very well be the next Margaux.
-
It's Not All About the Birkin—These Are the Hermès Bags Insiders Are Investing In
Here's what the fashion set is buying.
-
The Results Are In: These Are the Designer Shoes Dominating Summer 2025
Sneakers, sandals, and more.
-
We Know It's Still Summer, But This Soon-to-Be Fall It Bag Will Be on Every Cool Girl Come September
Guaranteed.