Kieselstein Cord Handbags
1990s American Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
Early 2000s Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s European Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
1990s Clutches
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
Vintage 1980s American More Earrings
1920s Evening Bags and Minaudières
1950s Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
1960s Italian Top Handle Bags
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
1990s French Bustiers
1960s French Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1920s English Evening Bags and Minaudières
1960s Unknown Top Handle Bags
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
Recent Sales
1990s Italian Clutches
Late 20th Century Italian Handbags and Purses
20th Century Italian Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Shoulder Bags
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
1980s American Handbags and Purses
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
Late 20th Century Italian Clutches
21st Century and Contemporary Handbags and Purses
1990s American Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary British Backpacks
21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
Late 20th Century Italian Shoulder Bags
1990s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
1990s American Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags
Late 20th Century Italian Top Handle Bags
1990s Italian Handbags and Purses
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Novelty Bags
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
1990s Top Handle Bags
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
1990s American Top Handle Bags
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Novelty Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Handbags and Purses
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
20th Century Top Handle Bags
20th Century Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
20th Century Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
1990s Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Clutches
1970s American Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Handbags and Purses
1990s American Handbags and Purses
1990s American Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Backpacks
1990s Italian Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary American Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Handbags and Purses
Finding the Right Handbags and Purses 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.