2008 Chanel Large Calfskin Essential 31 Rue Cambon Shopping Tote
Located in PARIS, FR
A sophisticated and highly versatile Chanel shopping tote from the 2008 collection, featuring the iconic 31 Rue Cambon address associated with the House of Chanel. Crafted in black c...
Chanel Cambon Large Tote Olive Green Calfskin Leather Snakeskin Logo
By Chanel
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Named after the Cambon street in Paris the Chanel store is located. CONDITION: VERY GOOD Light leather creases and rubbing around the corners, edges, and handles. Color was profess...
Chanel Qulited 'Cambon' Extra Large Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Qulited 'Cambon' Extra Large Tote Bag. This oversize Cambon tote has a sports-luxe appeal and is great for toting your essentials to the gym, or even as a small weekend bag.
Sold
H 11.03 in W 15.36 in D 6.3 in
Chanel Black Quilted & Grey Smooth Calfskin Leather Vintage Cambon Shoulder Tote
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Chanel Black Quilted & Grey Smooth Calfskin Leather Vintage Large Cambon Shoulder Tote Brand- Chanel Model- Large Cambon Shoulder Tote Product Type- Shoulder, Tote Serial Number- 97...
Chanel Cambon Large Navy Striped Canvas Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Chanel Cambon Large Navy Striped Canvas Tote Bag These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags.
Chanel Large Ligne Cambon Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Chanel Large Ligne Cambon Bucket Bag was made in Italy and it is finely crafted of quilted calfskin leather with silver-tone hardware features. It has black rolled leather shoul...
Quilted Chanel Tweed CC Cambon Large Shopper Tote
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
A large shopper tote bag by CHANEL, the bag is in a quilted tweed and has a pink interior with zip closure. The bag has a open back pocket, a large 'CC' in a contrasting tweed on the...
Sold
H 11.03 in W 11.42 in D 6.3 in
CHANEL Black Quilted & Grey Smooth Calfskin Leather Vintage Large Cambon
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
CHANEL Black Quilted & Grey Smooth Calfskin Leather Vintage Large Cambon Xupes Reference: CB721 Serial Number: 9803162 Age (Circa): 2000 Authenticity Details: Serial Sticker (Made ...
CHANEL black leather ESSENTIAL LARGE 31, RUE CAMBON Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel Essential large tote bag in smooth black calfskin with slightly faded off-white stitched canvas logo lettering. Opens with a zipper on top and is lined in black...
CHANEL Tan/Black Quilted Leather Large Cambon Tote Bag rt $2, 250
Located in New York, NY
CHANEL Tan/Black Quilted Leather Large Cambon Tote Bag Features interior leather strap with lobster clasp, a cellphone holder and two pen holders Made in: France Year of...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large, crafted from pink quilted leather, features large patent leather interlocking CC side logo, dual rolled leather handles with knotted en...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 9", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Item Number: 48544/3
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Measurements: Handle Drop 9", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Item Number: 42755/1
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 10", Width 11.5", Depth 5.5" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Item Number: 47913/3
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Large Quilted Leather Tote
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's popular Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's popular Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's popular Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is a finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large, crafted from black diamond quilted leather, features a large patent leather interlocking CC side logo, dual rolled leather handles with...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted from black diamond quilted leather.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large is finely crafted bag from the brand's Cambon Collection.
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Measurements: Handle Drop 9", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 5.5" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Item Number: 39503/56
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Item Number: 35821/08
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Dust Bag Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 11", Width 14", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large Exterior Material: Tweed Exterior Color:...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exte...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exte...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 5.5" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Ext...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 9", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 5.5" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exte...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 10.5", Width 13.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large Exterior Material: Tweed Ext...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Dust Bag Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exterior C...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 9.5", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card, Dust Bag Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: ...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 8", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Ex...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leathe...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather E...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Ex...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 10", Width 12", Depth 5.5" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Ext...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 11", Width 14.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large Exterior Material: Textile, Twe...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leathe...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Authenticity Card Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leathe...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: Dust Bag Measurements: Handle Drop 8", Height 10", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exterior Co...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8", Height 10", Width 11.5", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exter...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exte...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 7.5", Height 9.5", Width 12", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Leather Large Exterior Material: Leather Exte...
Chanel Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Handle Drop 8.5", Height 11", Width 14", Depth 6" Designer: Chanel Model: Cambon Tote Quilted Tweed Large Exterior Material: Tweed Exterior ...
Chanel Cambon Flap Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic hard-to-find Chanel Cambon Flap Tote Quilted Leather Large is a stylish and functional accessory perfect for daily excursions.
Chanel Cambon Flap Tote Quilted Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel Cambon Flap Tote Quilted Leather Large is a stylish and functional accessory perfect for daily excursions.
$4,061
H 9.85 in W 15.75 in D 2.37 in
"Nr 5 Stars" handbag mix leather and patent leather shoulder bag Chanel 2002/03
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
"Nr 5 Stars" handbag mix leather and patent leather shoulder bag. Opens with snaps. The inside is divided into 2 compartments. Zipper pocket against the back. Size: height: 25,5 cm...
2006-2007 Chanel Cambon leather shopper bag
By Chanel
Located in Milano, Lombardia
2006–2007 Chanel Cambon leather shopper bag This Chanel Cambon shopper bag from the mid-2000s is crafted from quilted leather and showcases the collection's signature oversized int...
Chanel 2005 Caviar Cerf Executive Business Timeless Large Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2005 Caviar Cerf Executive Business Timeless Large Tote Bag Year: 2005 Gold hardware Red burgundy caviar leather Quilted CC logo on the front Tall leather shoulder straps N...
$1,395
H 14.25 in W 13.5 in D 4.25 in
Chanel Vintage Timeless CC Tote Bag Black Lambskin Leather 1989-1991
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Indulge in luxury with the Chanel Vintage Timeless CC Tote. Handcrafted in Italy with smooth black lambskin leather and gold-tone hardware, this timeless tote radiates sophistication...
$7,920
H 6.7 in W 11.4 in D 5.3 in
Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Leather Small Medium CC Logo Black Shopping Tote
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Leather Small Medium CC Logo Black Shopping Tote black lambskin diamond quilting signature interlocking CC logo top zip fastening two leather and chain-...
$6,920
H 9 in W 16.75 in D 4.5 in
Chanel 2005 Caviar Square Quilt Large Executive Shopping Bag Cerf Tote
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Caviar Square Quilt Large Executive Shopping Bag Cerf Tote Year: 2005-2006 Karl Lagerfeld Era Silver Gunmetal Hardware Black caviar leather & square quilted pattern Rolled ...
$14,920
H 8 in W 14.5 in D 7 in
Chanel 2006 Large Classic Flap Patent Kiss-lock Multi Compartment Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Large Classic Flap Patent Kiss-lock Multi Compartment Tote Bag 2006 {Vintage 19 Years} Silver Hardware Classic Flap with Interlocking CC Logo at front Quilted Pattern & ...
Chanel Caviar Executive Shopper Tote Brown
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Brown, copper, and iridescent CHANEL Caviar Executive Shopping Tote. This traditional shopper tote is classy and stylish despite its simplicity. The bag is made from textured leather...
$7,545
H 15.36 in W 13.39 in
We Adore - Chanel 22 Calfskin Leather Logo Hobo Bag With A Matching Pouch
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
We Adore - Chanel 22 Calfskin Leather Logo Hobo Bag With A Matching Pouch From the Spring-Summer 2022 collection is this black hobo bag crafted from soft, shiny quilted calfskin lea...
Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Satchel Bowler Medium Tote Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Satchel Bowler Medium Tote Bag Year: 2007 {Vintage 17 Years} Antique finish silver hardware CC detail at front Two handles Zip around top closure CC ...
$8,920
H 8 in W 12.5 in D 5.3 in
Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Leather Large Jumbo CC Logo Black Shopping Tote
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2007 Vintage Calfskin Leather Large Jumbo CC Logo Black Shopping Tote black lambskin diamond quilting signature interlocking CC logo top zip fastening two leather and chain-l...
2009 CHANEL Calfskin Leather Mini Shopper Tote Bag Black
By Chanel
Located in Bangkok, TH
This stylish Chanel mini shopper tote bag is crafted of calfskin leather in black with letters CHANEL in white fabric sewn on the front. Karl Lagerfeld once admitted to collecting ch...
$10,920
H 8.5 in W 12.5 in D 5 in
Chanel 2011 Limited Edition Medium Boy Classic Grand Shopping Tote Travel Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Limited Edition Medium Boy Classic Grand Shopping Tote Travel Bag Year: 2011 Aged gold-tone hardware Black glazed calfskin leather Chain-link straps with leather pads Boy p...
Chanel, Grand shopper in black lambskin leather
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, Grand shopper in black lambskin leather. The gold in the chain has a little discoloration further the item is in very good vintage condition. Item comes without card and se...
2005-2006 Chanel Cambon Ligne leather tote bag
By Chanel
Located in Milano, Lombardia
2005–2006 Chanel Cambon Ligne leather tote bag An iconic Chanel Cambon Ligne tote from the 2005–2006 collection, crafted from supple quilted leather and finished with the oversized ...
Chanel Jelly Logo Tote -'00s
By Chanel
Located in Milano, Lombardia
An iconic tote bag from Chanel, crafted in a transparent jelly-effect material. The design features a lightweight, modern structure enhanced by a contrasting front logo and the sign...
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.
From classic medium-sized Louis Vuitton leather tote bags to authentic cube-like Loewe shoulder bags woven in raffia, the large selection of vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs offers something for special occasions as well as everyday needs.
Although part of a modern look, tote bags have been roomy and versatile accessories since at least 1944, with the launch of L.L.Bean’s “ice bag.” The Maine retailer, then largely known for rugged field coats and hunting shoes, had introduced a big, durable canvas bag that was initially intended to carry firewood or ice. In those days, to keep produce and other foods cool in refrigerators, consumers had to regularly replace the blocks of ice that were doing all the work in their bulky appliances. There was no better bag to help haul big blocks of ice from the trunk of your car to your front door and, subsequently, to your kitchen.
Years later, during the 1960s, L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote was introduced as an overhauled structured canvas version of the ice bag. Tested to lug up to 500 pounds, the Boat and Tote became a best seller. Also during the 1960s, American designer Bonnie Cashin created the Cashin Carry for Coach. Cashin was Coach’s first lead designer, and she liked leather, large pockets and earth tones. Her modern interpretation of the tote bag introduced a touch of elegance to this increasingly ubiquitous accessory.
In the subsequent decades, more brands debuted their own iterations of the tote bag, from Tory Burch’s Perry leather tote bag to Goyard’s luxurious Saint Louis.
Pay tribute to this long and interesting history of a well-loved accessory by browsing the vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs.
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.