Celestina Stingray Wood Clutch Evening Bag
Located in Water Mill, NY
Celestina Vintage Stingray Wood Clutch Evening Bag with Little Mirror
Celestina Stingray Wood Clutch Evening Bag
Located in Water Mill, NY
Celestina Vintage Stingray Wood Clutch Evening Bag with Little Mirror
$933Sale Price|25% Off
Chanel Wallet on Chain Beige Suede Lace Over Effect, 2013-2014
By Chanel
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Chanel Wallet on Chain Beige Suede Lace Over Effect, 2013-2014 These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags. CONDITION: Fair CONDITION This preloved item...
$1,238Sale Price|44% Off
Size: 40
Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels 2004 Pumps Sz 40
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Worn Twice. Only signs of Use is to the Sole, the Uppers are Perfect * Tom Ford Lotus Runway Ad Heels * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent...
Art Deco Jeweled Bakelite Flapper Minaudiere
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Jeweled Bakelite Minaudiere. Black Celluloid with blue bakelite fittings and sapphire crystal inlay. Large black silk tassel conceals lipstick holder. Lid opens to reveal po...
Zushi Handpainted Red Snake Clutch
Located in New York, NY
Unusual red snake clutch with handpainted gilt floral wood frame. Signed "Zushi". Excellent condition. 1980's USA. 8" x 7" x 3"
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
New With Tags Valentino Fall 2018 Python Evening Bag Minaudière $2975
By Valentino
Located in Conroe, TX
Valentino Minaudière $2975 Fall 2018 New With Tags & Box Python and Leather Exterior Gold-Tone Hardware Chain-Link Shoulder Strap Leather Lining Push-Lock Closure at Top Shoulder S...
Judith Leiber Small Red Alligator Handbag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
BEAUTIFUL Judith Leiber Small Red Alligator Handbag in excellent condition. Red alligator leather exterior trimmed with gold hardware and a top glass gemstone closure. Red satin inte...
$32,902Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 3.08 in L 9.26 in
Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
There's the Kelly, the Birkin, the Constance, and the PASSE-GUIDE Bag ...! To me, the most beautiful Purse Ever! Here is a rare opportunity to get an exceptional Authentic Hermès P...
Judith Leiber Black Patent Leather Clutch
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Judith Leiber Black Patent Leather Clutch in good vintage condition. Black patent leather in unique diagonal pleated design along front side trimmed with gold hardware. Black enamel ...
$2,875
H 5.5 in L 7.25 in
Opulent Handmade Silver Metal Artisan Leaves Evening Bag designed by Perez Sanz
Located in University City, MO
Opulent handmade silver metal artisan leaves evening bag designed by Perez Sanz c 1980s The exquisite evening bag is designed with a collection of silver plated large scale hand sol...
$1,508Sale Price|54% Off
1990s Chanel Quilted Mint Green Top Handle Bag
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Vintage Chanel Mint Green (pastel light mint green) quilted top handle tote bag, matte gold handle with beautiful pearl stud edges, two separate purse opening slots with pearl pink c...
Chanel Grey Beaded Stingray Evening Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Chanel stingray crystal decoration evening clutch. Metal frame and silk lining. Collection 17. Comes with hologram and original dust cover.
Chanel Black Quilted Satin CC Tassel Box Clutch
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Listing Title: Chanel Black Quilted Satin CC Tassel Box Clutch SKU: 138211 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Good Condition Comments: Item is in good condition with apparent s...
Whiting & Davis silver mesh clutch with matching change purse
By Whiting & Davis
Located in New York, NY
Whiting & Davis silver mesh evening clutch has detailed rhinestone clasp closure. The evening clutch comes with a matching silver mesh change purse. Both items have the signature "Wh...
Lambertson Truex 182 Framed Clutch
Located in London, GB
-100% Leather -LT signature blue leather interior -Silver-toned LT hardware -Fits an iPhone, cardholder & keys -Internal zip pocket -Good Condition: Signs of wear on the corners, min...
Judith Leiber Black Lizard Green Enamel Top Clutch
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Judith Leiber Black Lizard Green Enamel Top Clutch in very good condition. Black lizard leather trimmed with silver hardware and green enamel detail along top edge. Lift latc...
Vintage Judith Leiber Top Flap Crystal Shoulder Bag Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Judith Leiber Top Flap Crystal Shoulder Bag Minaudiere in excellent condition. Clear swarovski crystals with gold hardware. Unique top flap design. Gold leather interior. Att...
Vintage and designer clutches are the perfect size to hold exactly what you need. While they’re typically small purses, Chanel clutches, Gucci clutches and other kinds of clutches can make a big impact on an outfit. They also have a fascinating history.
Clutches are handbags without handles that are carried by hand. One of the oldest known clutches was made in Mosul, Iraq, in the 14th century. It was made of brass and inlaid with gold and silver in geometric patterns. Although the loops on the side indicate it likely had handles to wear as a shoulder bag, manuscripts show a similar example being carried by hand.
Fashion designers often made clutches to reflect the wealth of the holder. In Medieval Europe, men and women securely carried items in small bags hidden inside their clothing as tie-on pockets. Women carried their possessions, scented and secreted, in the folds of their voluminous skirts. Pockets eventually became integral to garment design, but bigger sacks were needed to carry books and documents. When women’s clothing became lighter, consisting of fewer layers, it could no longer easily hide their handbags or pockets.
Changes in fashion led to handbags becoming a popular fashion accessory, and today, even as we’re overwhelmed by options from a variety of high-end brands, iconic luxury handbags still rule. The highly decorative bags of the 19th century faded from popularity when women entered the workforce and the clutch became the dominant business accessory. Flappers in the 1920s, clad in the dazzling Art Deco jewelry of the era, also loved the freedom of carrying clutches as they didn’t get in the way of dancing.
The simplicity of the clutch remains stylish today. Once made to be carried on special occasions, they are now an accessory for everyday use. Find a collection of vintage and designer clutches from Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and more on 1stDibs.
What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.
Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.
Accented with a sculptural golden handle and a pair of swishy tassels, the design never went into production.
These celebrities prove that the famous design works with both sleek dresses and streetwear.
Fashion designers are revisiting and reimagining the era's It bags.
The sale sets a new record for the highly coveted handbag.
Does wicker get more high-end than this?
Several of the pieces sold for well above their estimates.