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Chanel Tortoise Bag

Chanel Alligator Faux Tortoise Chain Bag
Chanel Alligator Faux Tortoise Chain Bag

Chanel Alligator Faux Tortoise Chain Bag

$6,499

H 8 in W 2.5 in L 9.25 in

Chanel Alligator Faux Tortoise Chain Bag

By Chanel

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Chanel rare black Alligator faux Tortoise Chain Bag it is from collection 5, 1997/1999. The handles

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags

Recent Sales

Chanel Tortoise Resin Snake Chain Bag
Chanel Tortoise Resin Snake Chain Bag

Chanel Tortoise Resin Snake Chain Bag

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H 4.5 in D 2 in L 5 in

Chanel Tortoise Resin Snake Chain Bag

By Chanel

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Chanel Tortoise Resin Snake Chain Evening Bag- Pristine Condition; appears never carried

Category

Late 20th Century French Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Tortoise Resin Vintage Evening Bag
Chanel Tortoise Resin Vintage Evening Bag

Chanel Tortoise Resin Vintage Evening Bag

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H 3.5 in W 5.25 in D 1.5 in

Chanel Tortoise Resin Vintage Evening Bag

By Chanel

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This authentic Chanel Tortoise Resin Evening Bag is in very nice vintage condition from the early

Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel Vintage Tortoise Shell Handle Bucket Bag
Chanel Vintage Tortoise Shell Handle Bucket Bag

Chanel Vintage Tortoise Shell Handle Bucket Bag

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H 9.85 in W 3.94 in L 9.85 in

Chanel Vintage Tortoise Shell Handle Bucket Bag

By Chanel

Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta

Rare Tortoise Shell Handle Bucket Bag. Soft lambskin quilted bag that's perfect for your everyday

Category

1990s Italian Top Handle Bags

CHANEL BROWN CAVIAR  BAG WITH TORTOISE CHAIN STRAP
CHANEL BROWN CAVIAR  BAG WITH TORTOISE CHAIN STRAP

CHANEL BROWN CAVIAR BAG WITH TORTOISE CHAIN STRAP

By Chanel

Located in Alford, MA

Chanel unstructured bag in brown caviar leather, the shoulder strap composed of a tortoise chain

Category

1990s French Handbags and Purses

Chanel Vintage Beige Quilted Tortoise Motif Handle Bag
Chanel Vintage Beige Quilted Tortoise Motif Handle Bag

Chanel Vintage Beige Quilted Tortoise Motif Handle Bag

By Chanel

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Chanel Vintage Quilted Tortoise Motif Handle Bag. Crafted of quilted leather in beige. Featuring an

Category

1990s Italian Top Handle Bags

Chanel Black Quilted Suede Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag
Chanel Black Quilted Suede Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag

Chanel Black Quilted Suede Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag

By Chanel

Located in Sheung Wan, HK

- Chanel black quilted suede tortoise lucite top box bag from 1996 collection. It is in excellent

Category

1990s French Clutches

Chanel Beige Leather Quilted Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag
Chanel Beige Leather Quilted Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag

Chanel Beige Leather Quilted Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag

By Chanel

Located in Sheung Wan, HK

- Chanel beige leather quilted tortoise lucite top box bag from 1996 collection. - Boxy design

Category

1990s Italian Shoulder Bags

Vintage Chanel Beige Lambskin Camellia Bucket Bag Tortoise Handle
Vintage Chanel Beige Lambskin Camellia Bucket Bag Tortoise Handle

Vintage Chanel Beige Lambskin Camellia Bucket Bag Tortoise Handle

By Chanel

Located in Sheung Wan, HK

printed bucket bag with a round shape tortoise handle. Featuring a "magnetic" closure and two interior

Category

1990s Italian Clutches

Chanel Black Leather Crossbody Bag with Resin Tortoise Chain Strap
Chanel Black Leather Crossbody Bag with Resin Tortoise Chain Strap

Chanel Black Leather Crossbody Bag with Resin Tortoise Chain Strap

By Chanel

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This authentic Chanel Black Leather Tortoise Chain Crossbody Bag is in beautiful vintage condition

Category

20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

CHANEL black leather 1997-99 CC TORTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag
CHANEL black leather 1997-99 CC TORTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag

CHANEL black leather 1997-99 CC TORTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag

By Chanel

Located in Zürich, CH

-interwoven tortoise chain straps for a refined yet distinctive touch. The bag closes with two magnetic snaps

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

CHANEL blue 1996-99 CC DENIM TORTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag
CHANEL blue 1996-99 CC DENIM TORTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag

CHANEL blue 1996-99 CC DENIM TORTOISE CHAIN Tote Bag

By Chanel

Located in Zürich, CH

denim-interwoven tortoise chain straps for a distinctive finish. The bag closes with two magnetic snaps

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

CHANEL burgundy red rabbit fur tortoise resin chain link crossbody bag
CHANEL burgundy red rabbit fur tortoise resin chain link crossbody bag

CHANEL burgundy red rabbit fur tortoise resin chain link crossbody bag

By Chanel

Located in Hong Kong, NT

CHANEL burgundy red rabbit fur tortoise resin chain link crossbody bag Reference: GIYG/A00089

Category

2010s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel tortoise shell evening box bag with snake chain
Chanel tortoise shell evening box bag with snake chain

Chanel tortoise shell evening box bag with snake chain

By Karl Lagerfeld

Located in London, GB

Incredibly rare and unique Chanel tortoise shell evening box bag. The bag has a gold 'CC' Chanel

Category

1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel Tortoise Pattern Resin Chain Bag
Chanel Tortoise Pattern Resin Chain Bag

Chanel Tortoise Pattern Resin Chain Bag

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H 4.5 in D 3.5 in L 5.5 in

Chanel Tortoise Pattern Resin Chain Bag

By Chanel

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Chanel Tortoise Patterned Resin Shoulder Bag- Pristine Condition; appears never carried

Category

1990s Structured Shoulder Bags

CHANEL RARE Vintage 90's Tortoise Shell Crossbody Bag
CHANEL RARE Vintage 90's Tortoise Shell Crossbody Bag

CHANEL RARE Vintage 90's Tortoise Shell Crossbody Bag

By Chanel

Located in New York, NY

CHANEL RARE Vintage 90's Tortoise Shell Crossbody Bag Features tortoise shell oversized chain link

Category

1990s Italian Novelty Bags

Chanel Tortoise Resin Evening Bag
Chanel Tortoise Resin Evening Bag

Chanel Tortoise Resin Evening Bag

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H 4.25 in W 5 in D 2.5 in

Chanel Tortoise Resin Evening Bag

By Chanel

Located in Malibu, CA

Chanel Tortoise Resin Evening Bag- PRISTINE A rare piece that is a must have for any collector

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel White Lambskin Bucket Bag with Tortoise Chain
Chanel White Lambskin Bucket Bag with Tortoise Chain

Chanel White Lambskin Bucket Bag with Tortoise Chain

By Chanel

Located in Malibu, CA

Chanel White Lambskin and Tortoise Chain Small Bucket Bag- Nearly Pristine condition Starkly

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags

Chanel Classic Flap Bag Nude with Tortoise Details
Chanel Classic Flap Bag Nude with Tortoise Details

Chanel Classic Flap Bag Nude with Tortoise Details

By Chanel

Located in Antwerp, BE

Chanel Classic Flap Bag Nude with Tortoise Details The iconic classic quilted flap bag by Chanel

Category

20th Century French Top Handle Bags

Authentic Rare Chanel Vintage Tortoise Resin Top Handle Bag
Authentic Rare Chanel Vintage Tortoise Resin Top Handle Bag

Authentic Rare Chanel Vintage Tortoise Resin Top Handle Bag

By Chanel

Located in Pasadena, CA

Authentic Chanel Vintage Tortoise Resin Top Handle Bag. Bag has front and back compartments. Chanel

Category

19th Century French Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Vintage Brown Lambskin Leather Tortoise Medium Flap Bag
Chanel Vintage Brown Lambskin Leather Tortoise Medium Flap Bag

Chanel Vintage Brown Lambskin Leather Tortoise Medium Flap Bag

By Chanel

Located in Irvine, CA

Brown quilted lambskin vintage Chanel Small Flap Bag with brown tortoise shell resin chain-link and

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags

Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tortoise Shell Charm XL Tote Bag
Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tortoise Shell Charm XL Tote Bag

Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tortoise Shell Charm XL Tote Bag

By Chanel

Located in Irvine, CA

This Chanel XL tote bag is crafted in black Caviar leather, two flat shoulder straps, vertical

Category

20th Century Tote Bags

Chanel Beige Tortoise Shell Chain Classic Flap Bag (Circa 1994)
Chanel Beige Tortoise Shell Chain Classic Flap Bag (Circa 1994)

Chanel Beige Tortoise Shell Chain Classic Flap Bag (Circa 1994)

By Chanel

Located in Montreal, Quebec

This Chanel shoulder bag is made with tan quilted lambskin leather with tortoiseshell resin

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

1990s Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Flap Bag W Tortoise Resin Strap & Lock
1990s Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Flap Bag W Tortoise Resin Strap & Lock

1990s Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Flap Bag W Tortoise Resin Strap & Lock

By Chanel

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Bag is quintessential Coco! Features signature soft diamond quilted

Category

1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tortoise Shell Tote Bag
Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tortoise Shell Tote Bag

Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tortoise Shell Tote Bag

Located in Irvine, CA

Chanel black Caviar leather small tote bag with resin tortoise shell chain-link handles, CC

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags

Chanel Caviar Top Handle Tote with Tortoise Resin Handles
Chanel Caviar Top Handle Tote with Tortoise Resin Handles

Chanel Caviar Top Handle Tote with Tortoise Resin Handles

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld

Located in Westhampton Beach, NY

This wonderful CHANEL Quilted Caviar Tortoise Resin Bag is the perfect choice for those who love

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags

Chanel Black Quilted Suede Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag
Chanel Black Quilted Suede Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag

Chanel Black Quilted Suede Tortoise Lucite Top Box Bag

By Chanel

Located in San Diego, CA

This Chanel Suede Box Bag is perfect for the vintage-loving fashionista! Perfect for a night out

Category

1990s Italian Handbags and Purses

Chanel Brown Beaver Fur Tortoise Shell Chain Handle Tote Bag
Chanel Brown Beaver Fur Tortoise Shell Chain Handle Tote Bag

Chanel Brown Beaver Fur Tortoise Shell Chain Handle Tote Bag

By Chanel

Located in Chicago, IL

beaver fur with leather and tortoise shell style chain top handles. Chanel logo tag purse charm accent

Category

1990s French Tote Bags

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Chanel New Black Shearling Logo Earmuffs
Chanel New Black Shearling Logo Earmuffs

Chanel New Black Shearling Logo Earmuffs

By Chanel

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Original Chanel CC Shearling Ear Muffs in black and white. The earmuffs are made out of shearling and have a CC logo on each side. The piece is brand new.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beanies

John Galliano for Christian Dior Pink Silk Flower Dress
John Galliano for Christian Dior Pink Silk Flower Dress

John Galliano for Christian Dior Pink Silk Flower Dress

By Christian Dior, John Galliano

Located in Water Mill, NY

A beautiful blush pink silk dress with green and bright pink flowers by John Galliano for Christian Dior. It has ruched straps forming a front V, the skirt falls in gentle folds to ...

Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

John Galliano Lace Cardigan and 2 Camisoles Set
John Galliano Lace Cardigan and 2 Camisoles Set

John Galliano Lace Cardigan and 2 Camisoles Set

By John Galliano

Located in Water Mill, NY

A fabulous cardigan and camisole set in black knit lace plus an additional matching red camisole all from John Galliano. The set consists of 2 flower pattern lace knit camisoles one ...

Category

1990s French Cardigans

CHANEL black grained leather CLASSIC 11.12 MEDIUM Bag
CHANEL black grained leather CLASSIC 11.12 MEDIUM Bag

CHANEL black grained leather CLASSIC 11.12 MEDIUM Bag

By Chanel

Located in Zürich, CH

This 100% authentic Chanel Classic 11.12 Medium double flap bag in black grained calfskin Caviar leather epitomizes timeless elegance. Accented with silver-tone hardware, it features...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel  Quilted Gilt Gripoix Cross-body Vintage Handbag
Chanel  Quilted Gilt Gripoix Cross-body Vintage Handbag

Chanel Quilted Gilt Gripoix Cross-body Vintage Handbag

$5,100

H 6 in W 8.3 in D 1.75 in L 17 in

Chanel Quilted Gilt Gripoix Cross-body Vintage Handbag

By Chanel

Located in Palm Springs, CA

One of the most scarce Coco Chanel handbags - black quilted suede and kidskin lamb leather in a half-moon shape, with a gilt-metal woven leather chain. The chic bag is adorned by lar...

Category

1980s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

CHRISTIAN DIOR taupe FOX FUR Winter Coat Sz. F38 / M
CHRISTIAN DIOR taupe FOX FUR Winter Coat Sz. F38 / M

CHRISTIAN DIOR taupe FOX FUR Winter Coat Sz. F38 / M

By Christian Dior

Located in Zürich, CH

Christian Dior coat in off-white, brown, and taupe fox fur with wide collar. Two side pockets. Opens with two hooks on the front. Lined in black silk. Has been worn and is in excelle...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fur Puffer Coats

Alexander McQueen New Silk Dress with Ruffle Hem 'NO. 13'  S/S 1999
Alexander McQueen New Silk Dress with Ruffle Hem 'NO. 13'  S/S 1999

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...

Category

1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford Black Dragon Pearl Jeweled Mink Fur Evening Bag Clutch
UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford Black Dragon Pearl Jeweled Mink Fur Evening Bag Clutch

UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford Black Dragon Pearl Jeweled Mink Fur Evening Bag Clutch

By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci

Located in Switzerland, CH

EXTREMELY RARE GUCCI BY TOM FORD GORGEOUS FUR EVENING BAG WITH STUNNING JEWELED DRAGON DETAIL DETAILS: A GUCCI signature piece that will last you for many years From one of GUCC...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Clutches

UNWORN Rare Gucci by Tom Ford SS 1996 Black Lace Mini Dress Gown 38
UNWORN Rare Gucci by Tom Ford SS 1996 Black Lace Mini Dress Gown 38

UNWORN Rare Gucci by Tom Ford SS 1996 Black Lace Mini Dress Gown 38

By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci

Located in Switzerland, CH

Stunning Gucci by Tom Ford lace dress From his SS 1996 collection for Gucci Finest black lace Fully lined with nude silk Made in Italy Dry Clean Only Size 38 Seen in the AD campaig...

Category

1990s Italian Mini Dress

Hermès Birkin 35 Black GHW
Hermès Birkin 35 Black GHW

Hermès Birkin 35 Black GHW

$59,000

H 11.03 in D 7.09 in L 13.78 in

Hermès Birkin 35 Black GHW

By Hermès

Located in London, GB

- Black - Exotic leather - Crocodile Porosus - Gold hardware - Two rolled top handles - Front flap closure with twist-lock fastening - Includes dust bag, clochette, keys, and padlock...

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Vintage Chanel 2000s Black Patent Leather CC Logo Quilted Wristlet Micro Clutch
Vintage Chanel 2000s Black Patent Leather CC Logo Quilted Wristlet Micro Clutch

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...

Category

Early 2000s French Clutches

Alexander McQueen New Fur Jacket  'ESHU' A/W 2000
Alexander McQueen New Fur Jacket  'ESHU' A/W 2000

Alexander McQueen New Fur Jacket 'ESHU' A/W 2000

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Water Mill, NY

An incredible rare black, shiny, soft, silky goat fur jacket from Alexander McQueen's F/W 2000 Eshu collection. It has a standup collar, V neckline, front fur hook closures and is li...

Category

1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear

1980s Louis Feraud Size 4 Lipstick Red Silk Chiffon 80s Vintage Dress + Shawl
1980s Louis Feraud Size 4 Lipstick Red Silk Chiffon 80s Vintage Dress + Shawl

1980s Louis Feraud Size 4 Lipstick Red Silk Chiffon 80s Vintage Dress + Shawl

By Louis Feraud

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful vintage late 1980s LOUIS FERAUD lipstick red silk chiffon sleeveless dress and large shawl! Features a flattering ruched bodice with thin spaghetti straps at each shoulder....

Category

1990s German Cocktail Dresses

A Rare 1990s Black Satin Silk Evening Bag by Chanel
A Rare 1990s Black Satin Silk Evening Bag by Chanel

A Rare 1990s Black Satin Silk Evening Bag by Chanel

$3,857

H 5.52 in W 6.7 in D 1.19 in L 27.56 in

A Rare 1990s Black Satin Silk Evening Bag by Chanel

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld

Located in Aci Castello, IT

This rare 1990s Chanel minaudière is a quintessential example of the house’s transition into modern evening luxury under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Designed for the mo...

Category

Late 20th Century French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Dolce & Gabbana black and cream silk floral shirt dress, S/S 1997
Dolce & Gabbana black and cream silk floral shirt dress, S/S 1997

Dolce & Gabbana black and cream silk floral shirt dress, S/S 1997

By Dolce & Gabbana

Located in London, GB

Dolce & Gabbana black and cream silk floral shirt dress Spring-Summer 1997

Category

1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

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Chanel Tortoise Bag For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact vintage or contemporary chanel tortoise bag you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Many people prefer Black, but fashion is all about individuality — you can find Brown, Beige and more options on these pages. If you’re looking for a chanel tortoise bag from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing accessory such as this — no matter the origin — is easy, but Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld each produced a popular version that is worth a look. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking these accessories, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Chanel Tortoise Bag?

The price for a chanel tortoise bag starts at $1,200 and tops out at $7,940, and on average, selling for $3,250.

Chanel for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right Handbags And Purses for You

An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.

Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.

“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bagBirkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”

First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.

They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”

From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.