Which fashion accessory did Coco Chanel make famous by wearing it across her body?

Coco Chanel helped make the shoulder bag a fashionable everyday accessory.

Earlier handbags were often carried by hand, but Chanel’s designs used long straps that allowed the wearer to keep both hands free. This practical idea became especially important in the house’s postwar handbag designs, including the 2.55 model introduced in 1955.

The shoulder bag reflected Chanel’s broader design philosophy: clothing and accessories should support movement rather than restrict it. Her use of chains and quilted leather later became recognizable Chanel signatures.

The 2.55 and later Classic Flap bags are often treated as identical, but they are distinct models with different hardware and branding histories.