Chanel 25cm black "CC" caviar tote bag
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage Chanel black caviar "CC" tote bag from year 1997 to 1999 collection. - Hardware: Gold
Chanel 25cm black "CC" caviar tote bag
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage Chanel black caviar "CC" tote bag from year 1997 to 1999 collection. - Hardware: Gold
Chanel 25cm black "CC" caviar tote bag
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage Chanel black caviar "CC" tote bag from year 1997 to 1999 collection. - Hardware: Gold
$1,056Sale Price|42% Off
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in L 9.85 in
25cm Chanel multi-coloured Camellia CC print nylon small tote bag
By Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- We always love an iconic print on a designer piece! This spring/summer 1997 to 1999 Chanel multi
$7,436Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in W 8.67 in D 3.15 in
Chanel Rare Medium 25cm Caviar Boy In Rainbow Colours Bag SHW
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
/Summer 2018 collection. This Rainbow Chanel Boy Bag stole the show with its vibrant design. Crafted from
WOW! Rare Chanel 25cm Blue 'Window-Pane' Check Denim Bag with Palladium Hardware
By Chanel
Located in By Appointment Only, GB
A Rare Très Chic Chanel 25cm Bag in Blue 'Window Pane' check Denim, complemented with silver
Bag Mademoiselle Baguette 25cm
By Chanel
Located in Castries, FR
Bag in quilted black caviar leather, with the Chanel sign clasp chrome steel flap handle chain
Unavailable
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 2.37 in
Chanel Around 1995 Made Tortoiseshell Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 1995 Made Tortoiseshell Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black Additional information
Chanel Around 1990 Made Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm in Black
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 1990 Made Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black Additional information: Measurements: H
Unavailable
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 2.76 in
Chanel 2003 Cotton Flower Design Print Classic Flap Chain Bag 25cm
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 2003 Made Cotton Flower Design Print Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Yellow/Soft Blue
Unavailable
H 5.52 in W 9.85 in D 2.37 in
Chanel Around 1992 Made Mademoiselle Stitch Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 1992 Made Mademoiselle Stitch Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black Additional
Unavailable
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 2.37 in
Chanel Around 2009 Made Watercolor Logo Print Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 2009 Made Watercolor Logo Print Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Pink/Blue/White
Unavailable
H 6.3 in W 9.85 in D 2.37 in
Chanel Around 1990 Made Suede V Stitch Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Red
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 1990 Made Suede V Stitch Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Red Additional information
Unavailable
H 5 in W 10 in D 2.5 in
PRISTINE Chanel Rose Pink 25cm Lambskin Medium Flap Sac 'Timeless' Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in By Appointment Only, GB
An absolutely pristine Chanel Rose Pink Lambskin 'Timeless Classic' medium Flap Bag with Silver
Unavailable
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 2.76 in
Chanel Around 1995 Made Caviar Skin Diana Flap Chain Bag 25cm Baby Pink
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 1995 Made Caviar Skin Diana Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Baby Pink Additional information
Chanel Timeless shoulder bag in blue chevrons quilted caviar leather , PHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Splendid "Must-have" Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm shoulder flap bag in blue
Chanel Bag Timeless Classique Leather Black 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel bag, Timeless Classique line, Double Rabat model, 26 cm format, in quilted black leather, CC
Chanel Bag Classique Double Flap Leather Black 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel bag, Classic line, Double Flap model, 26 cm format, in quilted black leather, silver metal
Chanel Beige Quilted Timeless Classic 2.55 Shoulder Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
certificate will be provided at no further cost Chanel 'Timeless Classic 2.55 - 25 cm - Medium' Quilted
Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Timeless Classic 2.55 Shoulder Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
Chanel 'Timeless Classic 2.55 - 25 cm' Quilted Double Flap Bag in Black color. Periord/Era: 1991
Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Timeless Classic 2.55 Shoulder Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
Chanel 'Timeless Classic 2.55 - 25 cm' Quilted Double Flap Bag in Black color. Periord/Era: 1991
Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Timeless Classic 2.55 Shoulder Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
certificate will be provided at no further cost Chanel 'Timeless Classic 2.55 - 25 cm' Quilted Double Flap Bag
Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Timeless Classic 2.55 Shoulder Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
certificate will be provided at no further cost Chanel 'Timeless Classic 2.55 - 25 cm' Quilted Double Flap Bag
Chanel Vintage Red Quilted Timeless Classic 2.55 Shoulder Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
Classic 2.55 - 25 cm' Quilted Double Flap in red color. Periord/Era: 1989-1991. Features double 'CC' turn
Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather Grand Shopping Tote Gst
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
excellent pre-owned condition accompanied by Chanel dust bag, box, authenticity card, care cards. Circa 2015
Chanel 25cm Diana Shoulder Bag
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel Boutique
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Chanel black lambskin quilted “Diana" shoulder bag in 25cm length. Height is 16cm x width 7cm
Chanel 2.55 Bag 25 cm
By Chanel
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Eternally classy Chanel 2.55 bag in extremely soft and smooth lambskin. Measures 25 cm in length
1990s Chanel Vintage Classic 25 cm Bag
By Chanel
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Classic Chanel vintage 2.55 bag made of black quilted leather from the 1990s. 25 cm of width
Chanel Black Caviar Leather Boy Bag 25cm
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Black Caviar Leather Boy Bag - Palladium hardware - Black grained leather body - CC
Chanel Black Python Medium Flap Bag 25cm
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Black Python Classic Double Flap Bag - Gunmetal palladium hardware - Classic turnlock CC
Chanel 2.55 Double Flap Classic Shoulder Bag 25cm
By Chanel
Located in Hiroshima City, JP
-25cm (9.84 inches) , Single - 43cm (16.92 inches) Comes with : Authenticity card, Dust bag, Chanel
1990s Chanel 2.55 Black Leather Bag 25 cm With Chain
By Chanel
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Chanel 2.55 bag 25 cm black bag with diamond matelassè lamb leather and gold tone chain with
1990s Chanel 2.55 Black Leather Bag 25 cm With Chain
By Chanel
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Chanel 2.55 bag 25 cm black bag with diamond matelassè lamb leather and gold tone chain with
1990s Chanel 2.55 Black Leather Bag 25 cm With Chain
By Chanel
Located in Lugo (RA), IT
Chanel 2.55 bag 25 cm black bag with diamond matelassè lamb leather and gold tone chain with
Chanel Blue Denim Patchwork Classic Flap Bag 25cm
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Blue Patchwork Denim Flap Bag - Silver hardware - Chain strap - Denim - Classic turnlock CC
Vintage Chanel 2.55 Double Flap Classic Shoulder Bag 25cm
By Chanel
Located in Hiroshima City, JP
multiple storage compartments. Vintage Chanel bag from 1990's. Kept in excellent condition. Lambskin quilt
Chanel Around 1990 Made Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Red
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 1990 Made Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Red Additional information: Measurements: H 15
A Classic Chanel 25cm 'Camera' Bag in Navy Quilted Lambskin
By Chanel
Located in By Appointment Only, GB
This classic, sought-after Chanel 'Camera' bag, is in superb condition both inside and out. The
Chanel Timeless medium 25 cm bag with double flap in black quilted leather, GHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The coveted Chanel Timeless medium 25 cm bag with double flap in black quilted leather, gold metal
Sold
H 5.91 in W 9.85 in D 2.37 in
Chanel Around 2000 Made Caviar Skin Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Around 2000 Made Caviar Skin Classic Flap Chain Bag 25Cm Black Additional information
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Very chic Chanel Timeless Classique 25cm bag in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Sold
H 7.68 in W 9.85 in
Super Chanel 25cm, Quilted Calfskin Flap Bag in Beige with Palladium Hardware
By Chanel
Located in By Appointment Only, GB
This very chic Chanel quilted 25cm bag, is in excellent condition and finished in soft lamb-skin
Chanel 25cm shoulder bag in black box calfskin leather and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
. Signature: "Chanel®Made in France". Dimensions: 25 * 18 * 6 cm. In very good general condition despite
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal hardware, a
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal hardware, a
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Very Classy Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in beige quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in beige quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in beige quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in beige quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal trim, a
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, GHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The iconic «Must have» Chanel Timeless medium 25 cm double flap shoulder bag in black quilted
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in black quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, GHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The Iconic «Must have» Chanel Timeless medium 25 bag double flap shoulder bag in black quilted
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, GHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The Iconic «Must have» Chanel Timeless medium 25 bag double flap shoulder bag in black quilted
Chanel Classic 25cm shoulder bag in Red quilted lambskin and gold hardware
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
Very chic Chanel Classique shoulder bag 25 cm in red quilted lambskin leather, gold-tone metal
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, SHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
L'Iconique "Must Have" Chanel Timeless medium 25 cm bag with double flap in black quilted lamb
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, SHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
L'Iconique "Must Have" Chanel Timeless medium 25 cm double flap shoulder bag in black quilted
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, GHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The Iconic «Must have» Chanel Timeless medium 25 bag double flap shoulder bag in black quilted
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin SHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The Iconic "Must Have" Chanel Timeless medium 25 double flap shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin
Chanel Timeless Medium 25cm double flap shoulder bag in black lambskin, SHW
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
The Iconic "Must Have" Chanel Timeless medium 25 double flap shoulder bag in black quilted lambskin
$6,544
Size: IT44 - FR40 - UK12 - US8
Dolce & Gabbana Chartreuse Lace Mini Dress with Red Bead Embroidery, FW 1999
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Dolce & Gabbana ▪ Creative Director: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 1999 ▪ Fabric: Chartreuse Chantilly lace, crimson red stretch silk satin ▪...
$19,566
Size: FR 40 - UK 12 - US 8
Givenchy by Alexander McQueen beige angora wool and shearling coat, c. 1999-2001
By Alexander McQueen, Givenchy
Located in London, GB
▪ Givenchy beige maxi coat ▪ Designed by Alexander McQueen ▪ Large shearling collar and cuffs ▪ Double breasted ▪ Center pleat to the back ▪ 65% Angora, 35% Wool ▪ 100% Acetate linin...
$625Sale Price|30% Off
Size: 2 or 4
Pierre Cardin Haute Couture Green Silk Crepe Sequined Cocktail Dress ca. 1967
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Studio City, CA
A circa 1967 Pierre Cardin haute couture green sequined silk crêpe cocktail dress that features a keyhole opening at the back. The main draw of this slinky silk cocktail dress are t...
$5,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in L 18 in
Louis Vuitton LV x TM Murakami White Speedy Bandoulière 25 New 2025 Release
By Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami
Located in West Chester, PA
LOUIS VUITTON EXTREMELY LIMITED EDITION Remake of the original ICONIC Murakami White Multicolor Speedy Our pictures are of the actual bag you will receive Dimensions: 9.8" L x 7.5"...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior in brightly colored flowers on a navy and burgundy background. The spaghetti strap bodice is semi fitted and adorned on one ...
Dolce & Gabbana S/S 01 burgundy backless tie neck midi maxi slim line dress XS-S
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2001. This dress is an incredibly rare version of Look 5 from the runway, in full length burgundy, a version that is virtually impos...
$13,237
H 0.87 in W 0.87 in Dm 0.87 in
Chanel 1989 Montre Mademoiselle 16 cm Yellow Gold Pearls bracelet Watch M
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel Mademoiselle model watch, square yellow gold case, quartz movement, white background with Roman numeral indexes, crown with a small half pearl, yellow gold and pearl bracelet,...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
$2,295
Size: Small - Medium
Christian Dior John Galliano Fall 2001 Black White Novelty Domino Print Cami Top
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in San Diego, CA
Collectible CHRISTIAN DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO Fall 2001 runway vintage black and white novelty print playing cards and domino semi sheer mesh camisole top! Kris Jenner ( Mother of Kim ...
$4,000
H 13.39 in W 18.51 in D 10.63 in
Large Louis Vuitton Bag, Large Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag, Vuitton Boston Bag
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-ouen, FR
This bag is a very unusual model. Horizontally, it opens on a rigid compartment to put fragile items like make up, perfume bottles, after shave and so on. There is a separation betwe...
$43,181
Size: FR 40 - UK 12 - US 8
Christian Dior by John Galliano black full length lamb and lace coat, fw 2001
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior black full-length coat ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Mongolian lamb with lace overlay ▪ Heavyweight ▪ Large button fastening at the waist ▪ 100% lamb, lace - 100%...
NEW Chanel Signature 2-Piece Top Bottom Bikini Swimsuit Swimwear 36
By Chanel
Located in Switzerland, CH
Classic CHANEL signature two-pieces bikini swimsuit Beautiful cut Two pieces Fully lined Comes brandnew with tags Made in France Size 36 Complete in the origi...
Gucci mini bamboo handle wallet/ crossbody
By Gucci
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Gucci Black Nylon Bamboo Handle Mini Wallet Handbag Material Nylon Color Black Length 18 cm /7,08 inches Height 12 cm/ 4,72 inches Authentic Gucci Mini Wallet Hanbag in black ny...
$1,595
H 4.75 in W 3.25 in
Vintage Chanel 2000s Black Patent Leather CC Logo Quilted Wristlet Micro Clutch
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Chanel black patent leather mini wristlet purse from 2003/2004. Bag has square quilting throughout with CC logos, large CC logo at top. Dangling large gunmetal silver metal C...
Chanel 1998 Vintage Blue Denim Square Mini Flap Bag 24k GHW 68466
By Chanel
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Store item: 68466 This Chanel 1998 Vintage Blue Denim Square Mini Flap Bag 24k GHW is another vintage collector's staple - from a later 90s era style with the petite CCs, a deep med...
Alexander McQueen New Pink Skirt Suit S/S 1999
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous pink wool skirt suit by Alexander McQueen' from his 1999 Spring/Summer Collection. It is comprised of a blazer style jacket with peaked lapels, front welt flap pockets, pr...
$885Sale Price|31% Off
Todd Oldham Black Accented with Double-Chain Rhinestone Evening Dress
By Todd Oldham
Located in New York, NY
Todd Oldham for the famed Fred Hayman of Beverly Hills, wonderfully detailed elegant yet whimsical evening double-chain rhinestone encrusted slightly flared black evening dres...
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions. And while lovers of luxury handbags and purses are savvier now and have a wider range of shopping options, classics created by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.
While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.
The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.
A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.
Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.
Only Chanel could elevate humble materials like denim and wicker to icon-level status.
In the hands of Karl Lagerfeld, even running errands became a chic exercise.
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
How do you tell if a Chanel purse is a knockoff or the real deal? We spoke with handbag experts Alexa Ridolfi and Gerry Gallagher about how to authenticate a Chanel bag. Of course, you don’t have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where all our sellers are highly vetted.
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.