By Caroline Palmer
Vogue
Dec. 4, 2013
While the debut of Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel No.5 bottle bag surely adds yet another item to many a fashion follower’s sartorial bucket list, it also got us thinking about one of the brand’s other, ever-present offerings: the 2.55. The bag was first dreamed up by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in the early 1920s when, ever-practical and tired of having to carry her bag in her hands, the designer took inspiration from soldiers’ packs and incorporated an extended strap into her own carryall. After World War II, she launched the quilted bag in earnest, in February 1955 putting a long, chain strap model forth (hence the name) and captivating women ever since.