Ted Lapidus Bag
1980s French Top Handle Bags
1980s French Tote Bags
1970s French Shoulder Bags
1970s French Clutches
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1980s American Classical Roman Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Gold Plate
1970s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
1990s Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Discover the essence of Italian luxury with the iconic 1990s Versace Versus Nylon Medusa Clutch Bag, featuring a vibrant blue Medusa pin graphic print ...
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
1930s Top Handle Bags
20th Century Italian Top Handle Bags
1960s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century Retro Charm Bracelets
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1990s Italian Shoes
Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags
Vintage 1960s French Pocket Watches
2010s French Scarves
Recent Sales
1970s Shoulder Bags
1980s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1980s French Handbags and Purses
1970s French Day Dresses
Finding the Right handbags-purses-bags for You
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.