Chanel Votez Coco Gold O-Case Zip Clutch 92cas81
By Chanel
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 20957232 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 9.2" Width: .5" Height: 7" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 8/10 or AB ) Accessories: Serial Sticker Signs ...
$1,014Sale Price|35% Off
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag Reference: TGAS/C01209 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: O Case Material: Leather Color: Bl...
Unavailable
Chanel 2015 O-Case Leather Clutch
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel 2015 O-Case Leather Clutch. Multicoloured.
Chanel 2017 Flp O-case Large Quilted Leather Clutch
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel 2017 Flp O-case Large Quilted Leather Clutch.
Chanel Gold Caviar Leather Medium O Case Clutch (Circa 2008)
By Chanel
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Gold caviar leather. cc charm. top zip closure. sliver hardware. black microfiber interior. Chanel bags with the serial number starting with 5xxxxxx are manufactured between 2008 to ...
Chanel Valentine Hearts O Case Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
This beautiful Clutch Chanel is a limited edition bag. Crafted from dark red quilted patent leather, this clutch features heart charm with a ladybug detail on zipper pull, silver CC...
Chanel Multicolor O-Case Pouch Clutch 861325
By Chanel
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 20548540 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 10.5" Width: .5" Height: 7.5" OVERALL LIKE NEW CONDITION ( 9.75/10 or SA ) Accessories: Box, Serial Seal ...
CHANEL 2015 Hot Pink Perforated Lambskin "O Case" Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel 2015 Hot Pink Perforated Lambskin "O Case" Clutch Bag Features quilted leather and gunmetal CC logo at top center Made in: Italy Year of Production: 2015 Col...
Chanel Multicolor Woven Tweed O-Case Pochette Clutch Zip Pouch 2ck310s
By Chanel
Located in Dix hills, NY
Chanel Multicolor Woven Tweed O-Case Pochette Clutch Zip Pouch 2ck310s Date Code/Serial Number: 21248293 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 11" Width: .5" Height: 8" OVERALL _...
Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Boy O Case Zip Pouch Clutch 95ck516s
By Chanel
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 21074735 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 10.5" Width: .5" Height: 7.75" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 8/10 or AB ) Accessories: Box, Dust Bag, Seria...
CHANEL O-case Paris Salzburg tweed pouch wool silver quilted clutch bag
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL O-case Paris Salzburg tweed pouch wool silver quilted clutch bag Designer: CHANEL BY KARL LAGERFELDModel / Season: Chanel Pouch Material: cotton, wool Color: multicolouredPat...
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag Reference: TGAS/C01209 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: O Case Material: Leather Col...
Chanel Timeless Extra Large Black Caviar CC Logo Clutch Document O-Case 1c61
By Chanel
Located in Dix hills, NY
Date Code/Serial Number: 4282718 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 14.5" Width: .5" Height: 10.2" OVERALL EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION ( 8/10 or AB ) Accessories: Serial Stic...
CHANEL Fluo Boy O-Case quilted grey neon pink yellow nylon clutch bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Fluo Boy O-Case quilted grey neon pink yellow nylon clutch bag Reference: TGAS/F00007 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: Fluo Boy O-case 16-17 Material: Nylon Color...
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Large Boy O Case black quilted leather chain trim flat pouch clutch bag Reference: TGAS/C01209 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: O Case Material: Leather Color: Bl...
Chanel Lambskin Leather Patchwork O-Case Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Chanel Navy, Mint Green, Orange. Green, Fuchsia & Pink Lambskin Leather Patchwork O-Case Clutch Brand- Chanel Model- Patchwork O-Case Clutch Product Type- Pouch Serial Number- 21***...
Chanel Classic Quilted Ombre O-Case Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Chanel quilted clutch in a coral ombre is an absolutely stunning piece. The bag features a top zipper closer, gold CC logo, one interior compartment and one medium sized open fl...
Chanel Purple Lambskin Leather Quilted Medium O Case Clutch
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
100% Authentic Chanel Purple Lambskin Leather Medium O Case. This classic quilted case is the perfect size to use as a clutch bag, or to hold an iPad or tablet.
Chanel Black Caviar Leather Quilted O-Case Clutch/Cosmetic Bag
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Features silvertone cc with zip top closure. Can be used as a clutch, pouch inside a larger bag or as a cosmetic bag Made in: Italy Year of Production: 2012 Color: B...
CHANEL O Case black smooth leather matelasse quilted zip clutch bag
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL O Case black smooth leather matelasse quilted zip clutch bag Reference: TGAS/D01113 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Model: O Case Material: Leather Color: Black, Silver...
Chanel Quilted Leather O’Case Pouch Clutch Black Silver SHW 24-series
By Chanel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather O’Case Pouch This Chanel O’Case Pouch is crafted from durable black quilted caviar leather and finished with the iconic silver-tone CC logo.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Denim Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Denim Large, crafted in blue quilted denim, features CC tweed logo and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Small
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Small, crafted from black quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Tweed Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Tweed Large, crafted from green quilted tweed, features a CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium, crafted from black quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Chevron Caviar Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Chevron Caviar Large, crafted from red chevron caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Colorblock Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Colorblock Leather Large , crafted from blue, green and multicolor leather, it features a CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, crafted from black quilted lambskin leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from pink quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Colorblock Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Colorblock Leather Large, crafted from multicolor leather, features a CC logo on the front and aged silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, crafted from yellow quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from pink quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium, crafted from dark blue quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large, crafted from black quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from gray quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gunmetal-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Denim Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Denim Large, crafted in blue quilted denim, features CC tweed logo, top zip closure and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, crafted from pink quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from red quilted lambskin leather, features CC logo on the front, and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Nylon Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Nylon Large, crafted from black quilted nylon, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from silver quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gunmetal-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, features exterior back slip pocket, CC logo and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Nylon Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Nylon Large, crafted from black quilted nylon, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from silver quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gunmetal-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium, crafted from pink quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from green quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, crafted in pink quilted lambskin, features exterior back slip pocket, CC logo and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large, crafted from black quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large, crafted from pink quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Small
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Small, crafted from pink quilted lambskin leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Medium, crafted in teal quilted caviar, features zip closure and opens with teal fabric interior with zip pocket.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium adds a touch of elegance to your everyday outfits.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large, crafted from pink quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, crafted from pink quilted lambskin leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from red quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from black quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Medium, crafted from green quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Lambskin Large, crafted from pink quilted lambskin, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Colorblock Leather Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Colorblock Leather Large, crafted from colorblock leather, features a CC logo on the front and gold-tone hardware.
Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large
By Chanel
Located in NY, NY
This Chanel O Case Clutch Quilted Caviar Large, crafted from pink quilted caviar leather, features a tiny CC logo on the front and silver-tone hardware.
Chanel Slot Machine Casino Minaudière Clutch 2023
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
This Casino Minaudière Evening Clutch Bag by Chanel is a highly sought-after and exclusive piece from the 2023 Cruise collection. - Circa 2023 - From the Chanel 2023 Cruise collectio...
Chanel CC Sport Line Duffle Travel Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
CHANEL CC Sport Line Duffle Travel Bag Year: 2001 {VINTAGE 21 Years} Black nylon Dual flat canvas shoulder straps Logo embroidery Dual rolled handles at sides Sip pocket at front To...
Christian Dior by John Galliano 2002 Matte Python Skin Saddle Bag & Mirror
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Switzerland, CH
A rare Christian Dior mini evening saddle bag designed by John Galliano From a collectable, limited edition in 2002 Offered only in Dior flagship stores to a limited clientele Get th...
Alexander McQueen New Silk Dress with Ruffle Hem 'NO. 13' S/S 1999
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk dress from an early collection of Alexander McQueen. It skims the body has a scoop neckline and 3 rows of ruffles beginning at knee level in the front and 8 sta...
UNWORN Exotic Fendi Embroidered Sequin Mini Croissant Bag - Special Piece
By Fendi
Located in Switzerland, CH
Special Piece! Stunning Mini Croissant Bag by Fendi Champagne-colored satin is beautifully embroidered with sequins & pearls FF Logo buckle closure Exotic snakeskin trimming Adju...
Chanel Lurex Linen Mini Tote
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Mini Tote in lurex linen with gold leather lining. Linen is metallic gold with over quilting with signature chain handles. Charming miniature shopping bag size with logo clasp...
Prada Blue Silk Top with Neck Drape
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous navy blue silk top from Prada. It is semi fitted, sleeveless with a crew neck. An 11" drape falls from one side of the neckline. It has a back invisible zipper. Fits siz...
Chanel Vintage 1994 Wine Burgundy Caviar Briefcase Tote Bag 24k GHW 68743
By Chanel
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Store item: 68743 A rare beauty in a rich red wine burgundy caviar leather from more than 31 years ago, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel when Chanel's quality was at its height. For 20 ye...
$37,796
Size: FR38 - IT42 - UK10 - US6
Gucci by Tom Ford Aqua Blue Dyed Fox Fur Oversized Coat, FW 1997
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in London, GB
Gucci by Tom Ford, Fall-Winter 1997. Oversized, mid-thigh coat in dyed aqua fox, cut with a collarless deep V front, dropped shoulders and long straight sleeves. ▪ Brand: Gucci ▪ C...
Alexander McQueen Astrakhan Coat, Fall/Winter 2000
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Norwich, GB
UK shipping only for this item Alexander McQueen Astrakhan Coat, Fall/Winter 2000 'Eshu' collection. Rare example in the full length runway version. From the collection of a former ...
Chanel Limited Edition La Pausa Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Chanel limited Edition La Pausa bag from the collection of 2019. This beautiful bag is supposed to be a lifebuoy in black in white. On the front it's written La Pausa and Chanel. Als...
$15,523
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Métiers d'Art 'Paris-London' Lesage Tweed Coat, PF 2008
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Chanel ▪ Creative Director: Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Collection: Métiers d'Art, 'Paris-London', Pre-Fall 2008 ▪ Fabric 1: Tweed, 52% Wool, 45% Silk, 2% Viscose, 1% Polyester ▪ Fabri...
Limited Edition Christian Dior by John Galliano Victim Saddle Bag
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Rare Christian Dior by John Galliano Spring 2003 "Victim" Saddle bag. Condition: Good / Really good. Signs of use on the leather edges, please check the photos. Measurements: 24cm ...
$29,920
H 3.5 in W 5.1 in D 2 in
Chanel Minaudière Rare Micro Mini Paris London Pearl Crown Tiny Purple Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Ultra Rare Micro Mini Paris London Runway 2008 Pearl Crown Minaudière 2008 {VINTAGE 16 Years} Purple quilted lambskin leather Gold-tone hardware Pearl Crown Paris London e...
$9,920
H 11.25 in W 14 in D 2.25 in
Chanel Rare Pink Tie Dye Graffiti Flower Paintbrush Large Maxi Shoulder Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Shoulder Bag From the Spring/Summer 2015 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld Pink Floral Print Silver-Tone Hardware Chain-Link Shoulder Strap Twill Lining & Dual Interior Pockets Fl...
$29,920
H 2.5 in W 3.65 in L 5.5 in
Chanel Minaudière Moscow Leo Runway Rare So Black Charcoal Grey Metal Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Minaudière Moscow Leo Runway Rare So Black Charcoal Grey Metal Clutch Metal in a quilted pattern Crinkled patent leather Toggles that open like a change pocket Satin all bla...
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.
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.
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.