$507
Size: 10"x2"x4" / 34" Waist Band
PRADA spring 1999 Charcoal grey Wool Bum Bag - Rare Runway Waist Bag
By Prada
Located in Sheffield, GB
PRADA spring 1999 Charcoal grey Wool Bum Bag - Rare Runway Waist Bag Crafted from Charcoal Grey
Prada Textured Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in New York, NY
This Prada black textured shoulder bag has a flap including a buckle located at the bottom for
90s Prada Strap Tote Bag
By Prada
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage 90s Prada tote bag with plastic shoulder strap. - Made in Italy. - Measurement: Length
Prada brown colour tortoise shoulder bag
By Prada
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage 90s Prada brown colour in python pattern and tortoise shoulder strap. - Featuring brown
Prada Vintage Black Nylon Flat Messenger Bag
By Prada
Located in New York, NY
Prada Black Nylon Messenger Bag Made In: Italy Color: Black Hardware: Silvertone Materials: Nylon
Prada White Floral Shopper Calfskin Leather Tote Bag
By Prada
Located in Paris, FR
Prada White Floral Shopper soft calfskin leather Tote bag featuring floral leather detailing on the
Vintage Prada Square Leather Red&Brown Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada 1990's red&brown leather bag. Features top handle, two tones colour brown and red, Prada
Vintage PRADA Calfskin Leather Belt Bag Dark Brown
By Prada
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage PRADA belt bag is crafted of calfskin leather in dark brown featuring a front front
1998 Prada Black Tessuto Plastic Links Top Handle Bag
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Timeless Prada small tote bag from 1998. Classic Prada durable black nylon with black plastic rings
PRADA olive green nylon TURTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag B7402
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Prada tote is crafted from olive green nylon and features matching olive green
Prada green nylon brown leather resin chain strap shoulder bag
By Prada
Located in Milano, IT
Prada shoulder bag Green nylon and brown leather Tortoiseshell resin chain strap Zip pocket inside
1990s Prada Black Satin and Pony Hair Mini Crossbody Bag
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Mini Prada crossbody bag from the 1990s. Classic Prada black satin with black pony hair exterior
S/S 1999 Miu Miu Runway&Campaign Olive Nylon Asymmetric Utility Bag
By Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada
Located in Berlin, DE
This asymmetric olive green utility bag from Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 1999 collection is a striking
Black Prada Tessuto Satchel Bag
By Prada
Located in Sundbyberg, SE
Black Tessuto nylon Prada satchel with - Gold-tone hardware - Dual rolled handles - Black leather
Prada Vintage Tessuto Nylon Messenger Bag
By Prada
Located in Roslyn, NY
Black nylon. Gold-Tone hardware. Dual chain and leather shoulder straps. Prada logo at front. Three
Unavailable
H 9.45 in W 10.63 in D 2.76 in
Vintage Prada Milano Canapa Jacquard Crossbody Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
This bag features a jacquard body with soft supple leather trim. Top zip closure and interior
Leather
Unavailable
H 11 in W 9.4 in D 6.1 in
Prada Vintage black leather geometric patchwork tote bag with metallic handles
By Prada
Located in Kashiwa, Chiba
1990s. Vintage Prada black leather geometric patchwork tote bag with metallic hardware handles. So
Prada Vintage 1999 Fur Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada 1999 tan fur bag with snakeskin leather orange pocket. Features shoulder length strap, velcro
Prada Vintage 1999 Fur Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada 1999 tan fur bag with snakeskin leather pocket. Features shoulder length strap, velcro
Prada Vintage 1999 Fur Crossbody Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada 1999 fur Burgundy bag. Features adjustable length strap, velcro fastening zip at the back and
Prada Spring/Summer 1999 Canvas Waist Bag
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
This authentic Prada waist bag from the 1999 Spring/Summer collection features classic canvas with
Prada Vintage 1999 Dark Grey Wool Hobo Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada from 1999 collection dark grey wool hobo bag. Features a keychain and zip closure. Pre-loved
Prada Vintage S/S 1999 Grey Wool Crossbody Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Vintage Prada Spring Summer 1999 grey wool shoulder bag. Features dual-wear shoulder and cross body
PRADA 1999 Vintage burgundy nylon red sports logo crossbody body bag
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PRADA 1999 Vintage burgundy nylon red sports logo crossbody body bag Reference: KNCN/A00042 Brand
PRADA 1999 Vintage Runway brown suede scaled skin metal plate underarm bag
By Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PRADA 1999 Vintage Runway brown suede scaled skin metal plate underarm bag Reference: TGAS/E00794
Prada brown crocodile bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
Prada bag in brown crocodile Very good condition, opacification on the bottom of the bag Width:22
Prada Orange Leather Bag
By Prada
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful Prada bag Vintage Leather Orange color Double handle Internal zip pocket Additional three
1990s Prada beije Textile bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
1990s Prada beije Textile bag
Black Prada Mini Doctors Bag
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Austin, TX
Black leather Prada mini frame bag with silver-tone hardware, creme contrast stitching throughout
Prada Black patent leather Flower Bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
Prada Black patent leather Flower Bag Prada bag with Flower on the front , silver tone hardware
Prada multicoloured python leather shoulder bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
Prada multicoloured python leather shoulder bag totally made in italy measurements: 30 * 35 cm
Prada '90s Black Nylon Tote Bag
By Prada
Located in Paris, FR
Prada Nylon Tessuto Tote Bag featuring Rolled top-handles & metallic Signature triangle logo plaque
Prada '90s Black Nylon Tote Bag
By Prada
Located in Paris, FR
Prada Nylon Tessuto Tote Bag featuring Rolled top-handles & metallic Signature triangle logo plaque
1990s Prada Beige Leather Bowling Bag
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Prada's iconic 1990's bowling bag. Beige leather with silver tone metal hardware. Monochromatic
Prada Leather Brown Shoulder Bag 1990s
By Prada
Located in Brindisi, Bt
Prada 90s vintage bag. Shoulder bag with adjustable shoulder strap. Square rigid model, brown color
Prada 90s Grey Nylon Backpack Bag
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Paris, FR
Prada Grey nylon Tessuto triangle logo drawstring backpack bag featuring enamel triangle logo
Prada Black Leather Rigid Shoulder Bag 1990s
By Prada
Located in Brindisi, Bt
Prada vintage 90s bag. Shoulder bag, black color, 100% leather fabric. Rigid trapeze model, zip
Prada Vintage 1990's Black Nylon Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
excellent condition. Brand: Prada Color: Black Hobo Bag Fabric: Nylon Dustbag: No Serial Number: 31
Vintage PRADA Jacquard Crossbody Bag Brown Unisex
By Prada
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage PRADA flat crossbody bag is crafted of Prada’s jacquard in brown and brown leather
Vintage Prada 1990's Olive Acrylic Handle Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Vintage Prada 1990's olive nylon bag. Crafted with the iconic nylon in an olive-mustard colour
Prada Black Nylon Tessuto Mini Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in Paris, FR
Prada black nylon Tessuto mini shoulder bag featuring the enameled metal triangle logo on the front
Prada small black nylon bag with beading
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Austin, TX
Prada small black nylon bag with beading, drawstring closure. Condition: Excellent. 5 1/2" W x 7
Prada Vintage Red Nylon Canvas Backpack Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in Rome, Rome
Prada Vintage Red Nylon Canvas Backpack. Nylon with silver hardware. Adjustable straps. Drawstring
Prada Vintage 1990’s Beige Tessuto City Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada 1990’s Tessuto beige city bag. Features Prada hardware, black leather strap, inside zip back
Prada Blue Brown Denim Leather Hobo Bag 1990s
By Prada
Located in Brindisi, Bt
Prada 90s vintage denim hobo bag. Blue color, finished with brown leather details and silver
Prada Brown Ostrich Leather Vintage Plain Bag 1990s
By Prada
Located in Brindisi, Bt
Prada vintage 90s ostrich leather bag. Plain shoulder bag, brown color. Zip closure, equipped with
Prada Vintage Black Nylon Tessuto Tote Bag with Defects
By Prada
Located in Rome, Rome
This beautiful Bag will come with a Certificate of Authenticity provided by Entrupy. The
Prada Vintage Black Nylon Tessuto Tote Bag with Defects
By Prada
Located in Rome, Rome
This beautiful Bag will come with a Certificate of Authenticity provided by Entrupy. The
1990s Prada Bright Yellow Madras Leather Chain Hobo bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
FREE UK and WORLDWIDE DELIVERY Madras Leather Prada hobo bag in bright Yellow featuring magnetic
PRADA Vintage navy green nylon triangle logo crossbody bag
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PRADA Vintage navy green nylon triangle logo crossbody bag Reference: CNPG/A00106 Brand: Prada
Prada Vintage Black Nylon Tessuto Shoulder Bag with Lucite Chain
By Prada
Located in Rome, Rome
Vintage PRADA Shoulder Bag with double lucite chain shoulder strap with interwoven leather. Crafted
1990s Prada Red Suede Hand Bag with Gold Chain Handles
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Prada square hand bag from the 1990s. Red suede with gold chain link top handles. Suede can read
Prada Vintage Black Nylon Tessuto Triangle Logo Tote Bag Handbag
By Prada
Located in Rome, Rome
Elegant Prada Tessuto nylon tote bag. The bag is crafted of black nylon and it features black
Prada 90s Brown Suede Eyelet Frame Bag
By Miuccia Prada
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
A striking vintage handbag from Prada, crafted in rich brown suede and adorned with an all-over
PRADA Vintage dark brown leather acrylic logo buckle flap bag
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PRADA Vintage dark brown leather acrylic logo buckle flap bag Reference: SNKO/A00608 Brand: Prada
1990s Prada Navy Blue and Red Quilted Tessuto Impunto Tote Bag
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Prada tote bag from the 1990s. Navy blue nylon with red quilted top stitching and triangular Prada
PRADA Vintage 1990s Flower navy green nylon brown floral applique shoulder bag
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PRADA Vintage 1990s Flower navy green nylon brown floral applique shoulder bag Reference: TGAS
Prada Long Black Pleated Dress, Circa 1990
By Prada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a black pleated dress by Prada, from the 1990's. The dress is compleately pleated with an
Prada Dark Brown Alligator Embossed Handbag, Circa 1990
By Prada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a dark brown alligator embossed handbag by Prada, from 1990. The handbag has a black velvet
MIU MIU Vintage Runway green floral canvas wooden frame clutch bag
By Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
MIU MIU Vintage Runway green floral canvas wooden frame clutch bag Reference: TGAS/E00487 Brand
Sold
H 5.52 in W 10.63 in D 3.15 in
vintage PRADA 1999 Runway black XL Linea Rossa red tag grey nylon belt bag
By Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
vintage PRADA 1999 Runway black XL Linea Rossa red tag grey nylon belt bag Reference: TGAS/B01815
Prada Purple bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
Prada Purple bag silver tone hardware Totally made in Italy Total lenght with shoulder 49 cm
Prada Bow Bag
By Prada
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful Prada bag Sailcloth Pearl grey color Leather handle Central bow Zip closure Internal zip
Prada leather shoulder bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
Prada leather shoulder bag totally made in italy measurements: 31*14 cm
Prada Tessuto Nylon Camel Crossbody Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Nordic Poetry is excited to present this Prada Tessuto nylon camel crossbody bag. Features Prada
Prada Nude tone Textile Shoulder bag
By Prada
Located in Capri, IT
Prada Nude tone Textile Shoulder bag
2000s Prada Micro Clutch Minaudiere Bag
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Prada mini clutch bag, black plastic sides, shiny silver metalware, top clutch closure with logo
1990s Prada Black Leather Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Prada bag from the early 1990s. Black leather fold over style with navy blue grosgrain and macramé
1990s Prada Tessuto Nylon Embellished Bag
By Prada
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1990s Black Tessuto Prada nylon shoulder bag with silver-tone hardware. One side is embellished
1990s PRADA GOLD CRYSTAL MINI BAG
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Unique Prada mini pouch crystal bag, top chain double handles, a front logo plaque, silver - tone
New Dsquared Size 10 - 12 / 46 Flattering Bubblegum Pink Short Sleeve Dress
By Dsquared2
Located in San Diego, CA
Brand new Dsquared2 bubblegum pink short sleeve flattering dress! Features a higher neck with a scoop back that reveals just the right amount of skin. Flattering gathers at the waist...
Celine Wrap Bodycon Dress
By Celine
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous red jersey dress from Celine. It has a wide V neckline, 3/4 length sleeves and a wrapped ruched bodice. The dress is semi fitted through to the hips then falls straight ...
Prada Cleo Black Smooth Leather Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Prada Cleo Black Smooth Leather Shoulder Bag These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags. The Prada Cleo Black leather shoulder bag is a timeless classic. It i...
$12,508
Size: FR40 - UK12 - US6/8
John Galliano Pink Bias-Cut Satin Evening Dress with Rhinestone Straps, SS 2002
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
John Galliano, Spring-Summer 2002. Bias-cut evening dress in rose-toned crepe-back satin. The fitted bodice features a draped cowl neckline, with rhinestone-embellished straps. The g...
Beautiful Bill Blass Vintage Sz 6 / 8 Navy Blue Silk Satin 90s Gown + Shawl
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1990s BILL BLASS Couture navy blue silk satin strapless mermaid gown and matching shawl. Strapless bodice features a super soft silk velvet in navy. Interior support holds ...
Alexander McQueen New Silk Top with Tulle and Lace Sleeves S/S 1999
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible grey fine silk knit top from Alexander McQueen. It is semi fitted with a crew neckline and elaborate grey net, tulle and lace layered sleeves. Unworn condition. Fits s...
John Galliano Pink Silk Gown
By John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A spectacular John Galliano silk gown in ombre shades of pink. The bodice has spaghetti straps and gathers onto 2 angled bands crossing at the waist. It has a 2 tier skirt, the sho...
$1,450
H 8 in W 2.5 in L 12 in
Gucci Leather Vintage Sherry Web Line Leather Crossbody Shoulder Bag, 1980.
By Gucci
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Gucci Leather Vintage Sherry Web Line Leather Crossbody Shoulder Bag, 1980. This extremely popular and classic Sherry web line bag was originally introduced during the 1960's and ins...
$245Sale Price|34% Off
H 11 in D 3.5 in L 11.5 in
Unique Thespian Needlepoint Comedy and Tragedy Handbag c 1960
Located in University City, MO
Unique thespian needlepoint comedy and tragedy handbag The stylish large scale retro handbag is designed with comedy and tragedy mask on both exterior sides The theatrical ma...
John Galliano for Christian Dior One Shoulder Silk Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful ethereal one shoulder dress from Christian Dior comprised of layers of semi sheer black silk over an opaque silk under dress. It has one shoulder with 2 panels of softly...
Fendi Vintage Leather Bag Convertible in Length
By Fendi
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful vintage bag designed by the great designer Fendi in the 1980s, made in France. The bag has rectangular shape, leather, with a crocodile texture, black color. The bag is sig...
UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford Black Dragon Pearl Jeweled Mink Fur Evening Bag Clutch
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
EXTREMELY RARE GUCCI BY TOM FORD GORGEOUS FUR EVENING BAG WITH STUNNING JEWELED DRAGON DETAIL DETAILS: A GUCCI signature piece that will last you for many years From one of GUCC...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1996 Brown Plunging Keyhole Neck Bodycon Midi Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1996 Brown Plunging Keyhole Neck Bodycon Midi Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 1996 Designer: Alexander McQueen Sty...
Versace Silk Cut out Back Dress
By Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful pink silk dress from Versace. It is is a simple sleeveless sheath from the front. The back is exposed from the shoulders to low back with the exception of draping framin...
Extremely Rare Gucci Black Leather Bamboo Handle Handbag c 1970s
By Gucci
Located in University City, MO
GUCCI Italy extremely rare black leather bamboo handle handbag c 1970s The iconic vintage handbag is covered in smooth structured black leather Paired with an organic wood bamboo ha...
Art Deco Pave Crystal Clutch
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Pave Crystal Clutch with elaborate pave crystal frame. Crystals are set into mesh to form the body of clutch, lined in satin. 1930's France.
The House of Savoy coat of arms and knotted rope on Prada’s seal herald that the iconic Italian luxury fashion house was named Official Supplier to the Italian Royal Household in 1919. Started in 1913 by Mario Prada, the brand’s original shop in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II still has the mahogany shelves that displayed its early wares such as travel items and handbags. Today, these fine leather goods are joined by the clothing, wallets and other various accessories that keep the brand on the cutting edge of fashion.
When Mario Prada’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada (b. 1949), inherited the business from her mother in the late 1970s, Prada was recognized for its quality craftsmanship, yet it was still a modest-sized company. Miuccia, an enthusiast of unconventional Italian filmmakers who’d earned a Ph.D. in political science, introduced the concept of using pocone — a military-grade water-resistant nylon that feels like silk.
Nylon revolutionized the fashion house’s business, with the first Prada nylon backpack released to universal acclaim in 1984. Soon the durable, water-resistant material was incorporated into Prada’s ready-to-wear collections for both men and women. No one had previously considered nylon a part of luxury fashion, and it wasn’t long before the family-owned company best known for its luggage was leading modern style that emphasized function as much as form.
Characterized by clean lines and a refined elegance that signaled the new direction of the legacy brand, Miuccia Prada debuted her first ready-to-wear collection for women in Fall/Winter 1988. More inventive fashion would follow in the ensuing years, such as the 1993 launch of the more affordable, more playful Miu Miu line, which was aimed at a younger audience, and the introduction of Prada Sport in 1997 — a collection now widely seen as prescient for its embrace of athleisure.
Prada has regularly gone against the grain to elevate styles that have long been out of fashion. In 1996, there were dresses and skirts in clashing patterns and muted earth tones that seemed flat and outdated, all worn with chunky high wedge sandals. Fanny packs followed three years later, and elaborate lace in 2008. Each season continues to bring new eye-catching innovations for the historic brand, including enhanced attention to sustainability with Prada Re-Nylon, a new line of bags created from recycled ocean plastic.
Today, find a wide variety of vintage Prada evening dresses, bags and other items on 1stDibs.
For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, who never wear the same thing twice. And because fast fashion didn’t yet exist, the design associated with 1990s fashion — vintage '90s handbags, clothing and accessories — has a quality appreciated by the millennial generation: authenticity.
If there was one concept unifying fashion in the 1990s, it was the lean silhouette. “Fashion is a game of proportion,” Alexander Fury wrote in the New York Times in 2016. “Narrow-shouldered and narrow-hipped, the ’90s were skinny.”
If it takes a practiced eye to identify that single concept, that’s because in truth, ’90s fashion was many things to many people. After the 1980s era of strong-shouldered working women, glossy aerobicized bodies and Madonna, fashion branched out.
The industry gained momentum from big-money relaunches of the great Paris houses Dior, Givenchy and Balenciaga, rescued at long last from the constraints of licensing. Japan and Belgium gave fashion new avant-garde ideas to play with. From America came denim, minimalism, '90s grunge fashion and hip-hop. From Italy came sex appeal. And Prada.
For the colorful corsets of her 1990 Portrait collection, audacious British designer Dame Vivienne Westwood drew on 18th-century oil paintings — her models donned the pearl choker necklaces that have become a social media star and a favorite of influencers and fashion lovers all over the world. For a jacket-and-shorts suit from her Fall/Winter 1996–97 Storm in a Teacup line, the designer used the extreme asymmetry of a tartan mash-up to confront, according to Westwood, “the horror of uniformity and minimalism.”
“The ethos of the time was, you could have style, you could be into all kinds of cool stuff. It wasn’t about money, it wasn’t about status,” says Katy Rodriguez, cofounder of Resurrection. In contrast, “our last 10 years have seen the domination of nonstop luxury, money and status.”
Vintage 1990s Chanel bags, for example, are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings — at Newfound Luxury, proprietor L. Kiyana Macon has "clients who only buy ’90s Chanel because they recognize that it is the best quality.”
Things were different in the ’90s, and the difference is reflected in the clothes. Pull up any recent “How to Do the 1990s” fashion article (or look at photos of current supermodels Gigi, Kendall and Bella), and you’ll see iconic '90s outfits — knee socks, cardigans, fanny packs, fishnet stockings, slip dresses, flannel shirts and combat boots.
Rodriguez has recently noticed something similar happening. Before COVID, customers searched 1990s stock “for very sexy Galliano, Dior, Cavalli — that kind of thing,” she explains, noting that just a few months ago, “people were posting [on social media] the poshest things they could.” Now, in the age of shutdown, “that would just look out of touch.”
Instead, people are looking for “things that are cool but also easy and comfortable, not necessarily super-luxe,” Rodriguez continues. They’re “heading back to the more avant-garde, anti-fashion designers, like Helmut Lang, [Martin] Margiela and [Ann] Demeulemeester.”
Late designer Franco Moschino shocked and titillated the ’80s fashion elite with his whimsical, irreverent parodies of bourgeois finery. Whether emblazoning a sober blazer with smiley faces or embellishing a skirt suit with cutlery, Moschino rendered high style with a hearty wink. He famously said, “If you can’t be elegant, at least be extravagant” — words that, with all due respect to Susan Sontag, epitomize the essence of camp.
Vintage Moschino pants, jackets and other '90s Moschino garments remain so bold and fresh today that even the house's former creative director, Jeremy Scott, drew on the brand's past and the pop culture of the decade for his debut collection in 2014.
Find vintage 90s dresses, skirts, sweaters and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs — shop Thierry Mugler, Miuccia Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier and more today.
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.