Hermès Cotton Sweater
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 25.6 in (65 cm)Marked Size: 40 (EU)Bust: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Circa 1975 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Cotton
- Condition:
- Seller Location:SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
- Reference Number:
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel Buttonless Beige Corduroy Cashmere Mesh CardiganBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRChanel - (Made in France) Buttonless iridescent beige corduroy cashmere mesh jacket with elements in silvery and golden lamé trimmings. Size 44FR, it better fits 38FR. Additional in...Category
Early 2000s French Cardigans
- Morabito Cardigan in Parma Color Cotton and Silk Printed with Marine PatternBy MorabitoLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRMorabito -(Made in Italy) Cardigan in parma color cotton and silk printed with marine pattern. Size indicated 44IT, it corresponds to a 40FR. To note, some pulled threads. Additiona...Category
1980s Italian Cardigans
- Lanvin "Babar" Cardigan, Fall 2019By Lanvin ParisLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRLanvin -(Made in Italy) Long sleeve top in pale pink cotton and silk fabric printed with the "Babar" motif. Fall/Winter 2019 collection. No size indicated, it corresponds to a 38/40...Category
2010s Italian Cardigans
- Dior Blended Cashmere Sweater Sewn with Pearls Fall, 2007By Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior - (Made in Italy) Blended cashmere sweater sewn with pearls. Size 38FR. Fall-Winter 2007 Ready-to-Wear Collection designed under the artistic direction of John Galliano. Additi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pullovers
- Chanel Set Composed of Dress and Long CardiganBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRChanel - (Made in France) Blue and red striped set composed of a dress and a long cardigan in wool, cotton, and cashmere. Size 36FR. Additional information: Condition: Very good con...Category
Early 2000s French Cardigans
- Chanel Cashmere and Wool Sweater Fall, 2007By ChanelLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRChanel - (Made in Italy) Cashmere and wool sweater. Size 36FR. Fall-Winter 2007 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Shoulder...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pullovers
- Chanel Cotton Top & Matching HoodieBy ChanelLocated in London, GBChanel Sport Cotton Top & Matching Hoodie Ivory sleeve top top with large 'CC' logo and stripped, ribbed neckline, arms and hem. Matching hoodie with pockets and 'CC' logo pull zipp...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cardigans
- Off-white cardigan with beads and rhinestone embellishement REDValentinoBy REDValentinoLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FROff-white cardigan with beads and rhinestone embellishement. Knit composition: 40% wool, 30% rayon, 20% polyamide, 10% cashmere. Buttons are covered with the same knit. Size MCategory
2010s Italian Cardigans
- Chanel & Karl Lagerfeld runway Pre-Fall 2014 Paris-Dallas cashmere sweater jumpeBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Алматинский Почтамт, KZChanel & Karl Lagerfeld runway Pre-Fall 2014 Paris-Dallas cashmere sweater jumper Creative Director: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: Chanel Pre-Fall 2014 P...Category
2010s Italian Sweaters
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Astro Dior 100% cashmere beige Zodiac embroidery vest FR36 SBy Christian Dior, MARIA GRAZIA CHIURILocated in Hong Kong, NTCHRISTIAN DIOR Astro Dior 100% cashmere beige Zodiac embroidery vest FR36 S Reference: AAWC/A00238 Brand: Christian Dior Designer: Maria Grazia Chiuri Collection: 2021 Material: 100%...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pullovers
- YOHJI YAMAMOTO cream beige 100% wool rolled edge wide sleeve sweater MBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in Hong Kong, NTYOHJI YAMAMOTO cream beige 100% wool rolled edge wide sleeve sweater M Reference: AEMA/A00063 Brand: Yohji Yamamoto Material: Wool Color: Cream Pattern: Solid Extra Detail: Rol...Category
2010s Sweater Vests
- Vintage Kenzo CardiganBy KenzoLocated in London, GBA fun cardigan by Kenzo. The cardigan has a floral detail on the back and ribbed detail on the shoulders, collar and cuffs. The fabric is a wool mix, wool, rayon ,angora, cashmere an...Category
1970s Unknown Cardigans
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.