Chanel White Lambskin Chain Frame Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Listing Title: Chanel White Lambskin Chain Frame Drawstring Bucket Bag SKU: 154957 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Very Good Condition Comments: Item is in very good conditi...
Chanel Pink Quilted Lambskin Pearl Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Listing Title: Chanel Pink Quilted Lambskin Pearl Drawstring Bucket Bag SKU: 153790 Condition: Pre-owned Handbag Condition: Excellent Condition Comments: Item is in excellent condit...
Chanel Bucket Bag White Caviar Leather Drawstring Shoulder
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Effortlessly capturing the relaxed elegance of 1990s Chanel, this vintage drawstring bucket bag reinterprets the house’s signature codes through a more casual, softly structured silh...
CHANEL Metallic Gold Quilted Calfskin Drawstring Bucket Bag Mini
By Chanel
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Accessories: ID card size: Width:29cm,height:23cm Designer: CHANEL Model: Metallic Gold Quilted Calfskin Drawstring Bucket Bag Exterior Material: Leather Exterior Color: Gold I...
Chanel 1986 Vintage Diamond Stitch Drawstring Crossbody Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Vintage Diamond Stitch Drawstring Crossbody Bucket Bag circa 1986 black leather diamond quilting gold-tone hardware signature interlocking CC logo internal logo stamp drawstr...
Chanel 1991 Vintage Drawstring Black Lambskin Mini Bucket Crossbody Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Vintage Drawstring Black Lambskin Mini Bucket Crossbody Shoulder Bag Year: 1989-1991 Chanel's iconic bags have unique traits, ones only an authentic piece could have.
Chanel 1993 Vintage Gold Silk Brocade Bucket Drawstring Bag 24k GHW 68439
By Chanel
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Store item: 68439 Chanel 1993 Vintage Gold Silk Brocade Bucket Drawstring Bag 24k GHW For 20 years, Boutique Patina has specialized in sourcing and curating the most pristine vintag...
Chanel Collectible BN Bucket Chain Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Chanel square bucket bag made out of super smooth and soft lambskin. The bag is in a leather-threaded gold chain cage which continues to be the shoulder strap (19’) on top ...
Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Micro Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Faint wear along interior. Brand: Chanel Model: Black Quilted Lambskin Micro Bucket Bag Origin Country: Italy Handbag Silhouette: Bucket Bag;Shoulder Bag Occasions: Everyday Size (Ge...
Chanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket Bag Color: black, gold Condition: Very Good; minor fading on hardware. please refer to photos. Dimensions: 9" L x 8.5" W ERA: Contemporary: 1990s Ma...
Chanel Contemporary Women's Drawstring Bag in Black Leather, Circa 2020
By Chanel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chanel Black Patent Drawstring Purse with two-tone silver and gold metal chain and hardware.
Chanel 1992 Black Caviar Leather Triple Interlocking CC Drawstring Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel 1992 Black Caviar Leather Triple Interlocking CC Drawstring Shoulder Bag is a timeless piece that embodies sophistication and luxe craftsmanship. Crafted from sumptuous bl...
Chanel Yellow Floral Multicolor Canvas Bucket Bag circa 2003
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Chanel Yellow Floral Multicolor Canvas Bucket Bag from circa 2003 is a vibrant and eye-catching accessory that combines playful design with sophisticated craftsmanship. Featuring a l...
Chanel 1991 Black Caviar Leather Vintage Drawstring Drum Shaped Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Black Caviar Leather Vintage Drawstring Drum Shaped Shoulder Bag Year: 1991 Color: black, gold Condition: Very Good; minor fading on hardware. please refer to photos. Dimens...
Chanel Black Iconic Bucket Vintage Rare Collectors Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket Bag Color: black, gold Condition: Very Good; minor fading on hardware. please refer to photos. Dimensions: 9" L x 8.5" W ERA: Contemporary: 1990s Ma...
Chanel Cuba Cruise Bucket Bag Quilted Lambskin Black Pink 2-Way Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Guangzhou, CN
These are professional pictures of the actual item offered by Eluse. Condition: Normal signs of wear: slight darkening and wear on the edge chain, scuffs on the four corners, stains...
Chanel Black and Tan Leather Gabrielle Bucket Shoulder Bag Rare Color
By Chanel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Chanel Black and Tan Leather Gabrielle Bucket Bag in excellent condition.
Chanel 2018 Spring Summer Transparent Clear PVC Camellia Small Mini Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Spring Summer 2018 Runway Transparent Clear Camellia Printed Small Mini Bucket Bag This bucket bag from the brand delicately displays Coco Chanel’s favorite flower, the came...
Chanel 22 Mini Shiny Calfskin Bag
By Chanel
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A lovely Chanel 22 Mini Bag. The exterior is crafted in quilted black shiny calfskin leather with gold-tone hardware. It features a gold tone logo in the front, a dangling CC logo me...
Chanel Paris-Edinburgh Small Tartan Boy Bag
By Chanel
Located in Krakow, PL
Chanel Paris-Edinburgh Small Tartan Boy Bag Condition: Very Good Condition details: Minimal signs of use; small scratches inside the flap. Details: Model: Boy Collection: Pre-Fall ...
Chanel Boy Crossbody Bag Pre-Fall 2014 Collection
By Chanel
Located in Krakow, PL
Chanel Boy Crossbody Bag – Pre-Fall 2014 Collection Condition: Very good (minor signs of wear, slight rubbing on corners) Description: Chanel Boy crossbody bag from the Pre-Fall 2014...
2009-2010 Chanel quilted nylon chain tote bag
By Chanel
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Produced during the late Karl Lagerfeld era, this Chanel bag exemplifies the house’s ability to reinterpret its most recognizable design codes through contemporary materials and rela...
Chanel Rock in Moscow Abstract Print Nylon Accordion Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Rome, Rome
A striking and collectible piece from Chanel, the 'Rock in Moscow' Accordion Flap Bag is crafted from metallic grey padded nylon featuring an abstract quilted pattern that gives it a...
Chanel Mini Timeless Mini Shoulder Bag In Red Quilted Leather - '90s
By Chanel
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Mini Chanel Timeless Mini Shoulder Bag In Red Quilted Leather with an iconic leather-interwoven gold-tone chain, a symbol of the French fashion house. The compact design makes it id...
Chanel Beige Lambskin Drawstring Bucket
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Elevate your wardrobe with this stunning CHANEL Beige Lambskin Drawstring Bucket Bag. Crafted from high-quality leather, this medium-sized bucket bag features a drawstring closure, m...
Chanel 1992 Red Caviar Plaque Bucket Drawstring Tote Crossbody Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 1992 Red Caviar Plaque Bucket Drawstring Tote Crossbody Bag Gold hardware Red caviar leather Triple CC logo plaques Top drawstring fastening Main compartment Interior pouch B...
Chanel Drawstring Bucket Mini Black Lambskin Leather Cross Body Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Micro Mini Vintage Crossbody Bucket Drawstring Lambskin Bag 1994 {VINTAGE 28 Years} Gold hardware Classic interwoven chain CC stitched logo at front Drawstring closure Gold ...
Chanel Gray Metallic Quilted Lambskin Pearl Crown Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel Gray Metallic Quilted Lambskin Pearl Crown Drawstring Bucket Bag is a stunning addition to any fashionista's collection.
Chanel 1994 Vintage Diamond Quilted Drawstring Bucket Backpack Rucksack Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 1994 Diamond Quilted Drawstring Backpack Featuring gold-tone hardware, a diamond quilted finish, an internal logo stamp, adjustable shoulder straps, an internal zipped pocket...
Chanel 2014 Dallas Drawstring Bucket Quilted Rare Fringe Lambskin Leather Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2014 Dallas Drawstring Bucket Quilted Rare Fringe Lambskin Leather Bag Year: 2014 Antique Gunmental Hardware CC Logo Feather Charm Classic interwoven micro sized chain Drawst...
Chanel Drawstring Bucket Caviar Mini Black Lambskin Leather Cross Body Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Micro Mini Vintage Crossbody Bucket Drawstring Lambskin Bag 1994 {VINTAGE 28 Years} Gold hardware Classic interwoven chain CC stitched logo at front Drawstring closure Gold ...
Chanel 1992 Caviar Triple CC Around Plaques Bucket Drawstring Crossbody Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 1992 Caviar Triple CC Around Plaques Bucket Drawstring Crossbody Bag Year: 1992 {Vintage 22 Years} Gold hardware Caviar Leather Signature CC gold logo plaques Leather and ch...
Chanel 2014 Dallas Drawstring Bucket Quilted Rare Fringe Lambskin Leather Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2014 Dallas Drawstring Bucket Quilted Rare Fringe Lambskin Leather Bag Year: 2014 Antique Gunmental Hardware CC Logo Feather Charm Classic interwoven micro sized chain Drawst...
Chanel 1992 Vintage Raffia Straw Jute Gold CC Balls Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel small sized woven straw and lambskin drawstring bucket bag 1992 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Gold hardware Interwoven lambskin chain and leather strap detail Drawstring closure Hangin...
Chanel Drawstring Bucket Cruise 2015 Tweed Fringe & Lambskin Mini Blue Denim Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Cruise 2015 Denim Tweed Fringe Bucket Bag Antiqued ruthenium hardware Blue denim Chanel bucket bag Drawstring CC Logo closure at front Classic interwoven chain strap Cha...
Chanel Drawstring Bucket Quilted Two Tone Light Pink Lambskin Leather Hobo Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel baby soft pink mini drawstring quilted tote bag 1989 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Two tone pink lambskin on exterior Gold CC printed hardware Lambskin multi strand fringe drawstring cl...
Chanel 1993 Vintage Raffia Straw Jute Gold CC Balls Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
circa 1993 beige drawstring fastening chain-link shoulder strap embossed logo to the front main compartment Made in Italy
Unavailable
H 9.5 in W 9.25 in D 6.1 in
Vintage CHANEL black lamb leather hobo bucket shoulder bag with drawstrings
By Chanel
Located in Kashiwa, Chiba
Vintage CHANEL black lamb leather hobo bucket shoulder bag with drawstrings and CC stitch mark.
1990's Chanel Drawstring bag in Black Vinyl
By Chanel
Located in Westmount, Quebec
Brand: Chanel Size: 11" height x 11" length x 5" depth and 17" strap Material: Vinyl and Gold Hardware Serial Number: 4128953 Made in: Italy Comes with: Authenticity Card Abs...
Chanel 2000s Black Patent Leather Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dramatic black patent leather bucker bag by Chanel. Heavily embellished with gold tone hardware - grommets, chain, logo medallions and quilted beads. Attached coin purse. Very sligh...
Unavailable
H 11 in W 4.75 in L 14.75 in
Chanel Black Lambskin Leather Quilted "Paris Dallas" Drawstring Fringe Bag
By Chanel
Located in Chicago, IL
Comes with dust bag and autentication card. Black quilted lambskin leather "Paris-Dallas" drawstring bucket bag from Chanel circa 2014 features layers of fringe.
Vintage Chanel Bucket Beige Leather Medium Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Fukuoka, Kyushu
Chanel bucket shoulder bag in beige leather. It has stitched CC logo at the bottom. Main access has leather string closures. Inside has leather lining with 2 zipper pockets and attac...
Unavailable
H 12.5 in W 5.5 in L 14 in
Chanel Drawstring Quilted Ponyhair Chain Tote 225066 Black Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 10758058 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 14" Width: 5.5" Height: 12.5" Shoulder strap drop: 6" OVERALL GOOD- CONDITION ( 6.5/10 or BC ) Includes Serial ...
Chanel Boston 223850 Brown Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 8063995 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 14.75" Width: 6" Height: 10" Shoulder strap drop: 9.5" OVERALL GOOD- CONDITION ( 6.75/10 or B- ) Includes Serial...
Chanel Jumbo 223591 Beige Quilted Cotton Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 12107181 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 20.5" Width: 4.5" Height: 14.5" Shoulder strap drop: 7.5" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or B+ ) Includes...
Chanel Chain Logo Tote 224938 Grey Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 11457350 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 13" Width: 4" Height: 10" Shoulder strap drop: 8.5"-15.75" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or B+ ) Include...
Unavailable
H 10.25 in W 4.25 in L 13 in
Chanel Caviar Turnlock Tote 224477 Biege Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 4667271 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 13" Width: 4.25" Height: 10.25" Shoulder strap drop: 15" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 7.75/10 or AB ) Includes ...
Chanel Quilted Chain Tote 224935 Black Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 0827634 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 13.5" Width: 3.5" Height: 15" Shoulder strap drop: 6" OVERALL VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or B+ ) Inclu...
Chanel hand bag / clutch in calfskin foal and turquoise leather
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel in black calf leather, foal effect and turquoise leather finishes. Can be worn as a handbag or clutch. Good condition. Rare. Sold in its ovine box and with its card of authent...
Chanel Black Calfskin Leather Coco Boy Flap Bag Shoulder Handbag
By Chanel
Located in Corona Del Mar, CA
Designer: Chanel Type: Handbag Condition: Exterior: Pre-owned in very good condition - minor wear Interior: Pre-owned in very good condition - minor wear Color: Black Mate...
Unavailable
H 7.08 in W 6.88 in L 14.37 in
Chanel Hobo Quilted Charm 218519 Salmon Coral Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
This item will ship immediately!! Previously owned. Date/style Code: 10548333 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 6.88" Width: 14.37" Height: 7.08" Shoulder strap drop: 6" (adjustab...
Unavailable
H 10.5 in W 2.5 in L 11 in
Chanel Quilted Lambskin Chain Tote 221034 Black Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 1161133 Made In: text rubbed off Measurements: Length: 11" Width: 2.5" Height: 10.5" Shoulder strap drop: 12" OVERALL VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or...
Unavailable
H 9 in W 3 in L 10.5 in
Chanel Hobo Quilted Chain 226579 Beige Shearling Wool Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 10465751 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 10.5" Width: 3" Height: 9" Handle drop: 10.5" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or B+ ) Includes Serial Seal...
Chanel Cc Chain Tote 227177 Black Rabbit Fur Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
This item will ship out immediately. Previously owned, unless otherwise stated. Date Code/Serial Number: 6189539 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 14" Width: 4.25" Height: 11" Han...
Chanel Cc Logo Ball Tote 220122 Beige Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: Serial code has faded, unable to read some numbers. Made In: France Measurements: Length: 13.5" Width: 3.75" Height: 10.25" Shoulder strap drop: 8.5" OVERAL...
Unavailable
H 10.25 in W 4.5 in L 13.75 in
Chanel Tweed Chain Tote 223685 Ivory X Black Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 13124652 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 13.75" Width: 4.5" Height: 10.25" Shoulder strap drop: 8.5" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7.25/10 or B ) Include Ser...
Unavailable
H 10 in W 2.5 in L 12.5 in
Chanel Cc Logo Chain Tote 221851 Natural Straw X Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
This item will ship out immediately. Previously owned, unless otherwise stated. Date Code/Serial Number: sticker present but numbers are faded/illegible Made In: Italy Measurements: ...
Unavailable
H 9.5 in W 5.75 in L 11.5 in
Chanel Médallion Quilted Fringe Tote 223626 Beige X White Leather Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Forest Hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 9618871 Made In: France Measurements: Length: 11.5" Width: 5.75" Height: 9.5" Shoulder strap drop: 5.75" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 7.5/10 or B+ ) Include...
90s Chanel green leather drawstring bucket crossbody bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning 90s Iconic CC bucket bag in a very rare color GREEN 24k gold plated cc ball hardware double large zippered interior pockets with cc charm round flat bottom green caviar lea...
Unavailable
H 9 in D 4 in L 11.5 in
Chanel Electric Blue Large Drawstring Bucket Bag with Flap Closure
By Chanel
Located in Westmount, Quebec
Brand: Chanel Manufactured: France Color: Electric Blue Size: Medium Bag Length: 11.5" Bag Height: 9" Bag Depth: 4" Strap Drop: 18"
1990s Chanel ICONIC CC vintage navy blue drawstring bucket bag
Located in Miami, FL
Navy Blue extremely rare color ONLY ONE on the market! Gently used with minor scratches to CC hardware Minimal wear on bottom corner barely noticeable other areas are in excellent ...
CHANEL Drawstring Bucket Bag Black Lambskin 1990s Collection
By Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Magnifique sac à main CHANEL modèle Seau, réalisé en cuir d’agneau noir et rehaussé d’une bijouterie dorée. Pièce iconique des années 1990, ce modèle illustre à merveille l’esprit de...
Chanel Black Lambskin Leather "CC" Drawstring Bucket Shoulder Bag with Pouch
By Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage early 90s Chanel black lambskin leather drawstring bucket shoulder bag with a pouch bag.
Chanel Vintage Lambskin Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Chanel Vintage Lambskin CC Drawstring Bucket Bag in Black.
Chanel Black Caviar CC Drawstring Bucket Bag
By Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage 90s Chanel black caviar drawstring bucket bag. - Six CC gold toned hardware on both sides at the bottom
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.