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Chanel Vintage Chain Bag

Chanel Vintage Bag Sac Medaillion Chain Gold
Chanel Vintage Bag Sac Medaillion Chain Gold

Chanel Vintage Bag Sac Medaillion Chain Gold

$2,876

H 6.3 in W 9.45 in D 2.76 in L 25.99 in

Chanel Vintage Bag Sac Medaillion Chain Gold

By Chanel

Located in 10707, DE

vintage Chanel shoulder bag in bordeaux Very good historical condition Gold hardware in very good

Category

1960s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel 80s Black Vintage Leather Shoulder Chain Bag
Chanel 80s Black Vintage Leather Shoulder Chain Bag

Chanel 80s Black Vintage Leather Shoulder Chain Bag

By Chanel

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Chanel excellent vintage black shoulder bag, partially quilted. Gold tone hardware. Collection 1986

Category

1980s Italian Shoulder Bags

CHANEL Vintage Gold Black Glitter Evening Bag with Chain Strap
CHANEL Vintage Gold Black Glitter Evening Bag with Chain Strap

CHANEL Vintage Gold Black Glitter Evening Bag with Chain Strap

By Chanel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Chanel vintage gold black glitter evening bag with chain strap. The only significant flaw with this

Category

1980s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

Very Rare Vintage Chanel Leather Chain Quilted Wicker Picnic Basket Bag
Very Rare Vintage Chanel Leather Chain Quilted Wicker Picnic Basket Bag

Very Rare Vintage Chanel Leather Chain Quilted Wicker Picnic Basket Bag

By Chanel

Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta

Extremely rare vintage Chanel picnic basket. Very coveted vintage piece. Slight signs of storage

Category

1990s Tote Bags

Chanel Vintage Black Nylon Flap Bag with Woven Gold Chain Strap
Chanel Vintage Black Nylon Flap Bag with Woven Gold Chain Strap

Chanel Vintage Black Nylon Flap Bag with Woven Gold Chain Strap

By Chanel

Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR

CONDITION: VERY GOOD This previously owned and used item is in very good condition with light signs of use. Creases on the leather. Scuffs around the corners, edges of the flap. Scr...

Category

2010s French Shoulder Bags

Chanel 2004 Vintage Black Lambskin Chain Embellished Punk Edgy Clutch Flap Bag
Chanel 2004 Vintage Black Lambskin Chain Embellished Punk Edgy Clutch Flap Bag

Chanel 2004 Vintage Black Lambskin Chain Embellished Punk Edgy Clutch Flap Bag

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Chanel Vintage Black Lambskin Chain-Embellished Clutch Flap Bag Year: 2003-2004 {Vintage 20 Years

Category

Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel 2002 Vintage Edgy Punk Fringe Chain Quilted Mini Tote Crossbody Bag
Chanel 2002 Vintage Edgy Punk Fringe Chain Quilted Mini Tote Crossbody Bag

Chanel 2002 Vintage Edgy Punk Fringe Chain Quilted Mini Tote Crossbody Bag

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Chanel 2002 Vintage Edgy Punk Fringe Chain Quilted Mini Tote Crossbody Bag Year: 2002-2003

Category

Early 2000s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel Chain Vintage Muff Black and White Grey Tweed Fur Cross Body Bag
Chanel Chain Vintage Muff Black and White Grey Tweed Fur Cross Body Bag

Chanel Chain Vintage Muff Black and White Grey Tweed Fur Cross Body Bag

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Chanel White Fur Chain Vintage Muff Crossbody Tote 2001 {VINTAGE 21 Years} Silver and gold with

Category

Early 2000s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel 1990 red lambskin and canvas crossbody bag, iconic leather chain, France
Chanel 1990 red lambskin and canvas crossbody bag, iconic leather chain, France

Chanel 1990 red lambskin and canvas crossbody bag, iconic leather chain, France

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in Stuttgart, DE

Iconic vintage Chanel shoulder bag made of red lamb leather and natural colored quilted canvas. The

Category

1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Recent Sales

1996 Chanel vintage jumbo snake chain flap bag
1996 Chanel vintage jumbo snake chain flap bag

1996 Chanel vintage jumbo snake chain flap bag

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Excellent vintage condition Minor scratches to interior lambskin flap lining some minor knicks to

Category

1990s Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Vintage Yellow Canvas Chain Tote Bag
Chanel Vintage Yellow Canvas Chain Tote Bag

Chanel Vintage Yellow Canvas Chain Tote Bag

Unavailable

H 14 in W 14 in D 5 in

Chanel Vintage Yellow Canvas Chain Tote Bag

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in Montreal, Quebec

Color: Yellow Material: Synthetic Condition: Fair. Discoloration, marks, stains throughout. Made in Italy Measurements~ Height 14” Length 14” Depth 6”

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags

Vintage Chanel Cabas bag Navy leather and gold chain
Vintage Chanel Cabas bag Navy leather and gold chain

Vintage Chanel Cabas bag Navy leather and gold chain

By Chanel

Located in Paris, FR

Vintage Chanel Cabas Circa 1980 Navy Leather / Half quilted leather at the bottom Inside Red

Category

1980s French Luggage and Travel Bags

Chanel Vintage CC Chain Frame Bag Quilted Satin Small
Chanel Vintage CC Chain Frame Bag Quilted Satin Small

Chanel Vintage CC Chain Frame Bag Quilted Satin Small

By Chanel

Located in NY, NY

", Depth 3", Strap Drop 20.5" Designer: Chanel Model: Vintage CC Chain Frame Bag Quilted Satin Small

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Vintage Chanel Black Caviar Leather Chain Strap Shoulder Bag
Vintage Chanel Black Caviar Leather Chain Strap Shoulder Bag

Vintage Chanel Black Caviar Leather Chain Strap Shoulder Bag

By Chanel

Located in Chicago, IL

Caviar leather Chanel bag featuring flat shoulder straps with interwoven chain-leather detailing

Category

1990s Italian Shoulder Bags

CHANEL Vintage Tassel Chain Shoulder Bag Black Quilted Zipper Lamb
CHANEL Vintage Tassel Chain Shoulder Bag Black Quilted Zipper Lamb

CHANEL Vintage Tassel Chain Shoulder Bag Black Quilted Zipper Lamb

By Chanel

Located in Takamatsu-shi, JP

An authentic CHANEL Vintage Tassel Chain Shoulder Bag Black Quilted Zipper Lamb. The color is Black

Category

1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags

CHANEL Vintage Classic Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted Lamb
CHANEL Vintage Classic Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted Lamb

CHANEL Vintage Classic Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted Lamb

By Chanel

Located in Takamatsu-shi, JP

An authentic CHANEL Vintage Classic Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted Lamb. The color is Black

Category

1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags

CHANEL NAVY Vintage Chain Shoulder Bag Lambskin Flap Quilted Purse
CHANEL NAVY Vintage Chain Shoulder Bag Lambskin Flap Quilted Purse

CHANEL NAVY Vintage Chain Shoulder Bag Lambskin Flap Quilted Purse

By Chanel

Located in Takamatsu-shi, JP

An authentic CHANEL NAVY Vintage Chain Shoulder Bag made of black Lambskin Quilted Flap Purse. The

Category

1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags

CHANEL Vintage Half Moon Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted
CHANEL Vintage Half Moon Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted

CHANEL Vintage Half Moon Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted

By Chanel

Located in Takamatsu-shi, JP

An authentic CHANEL Vintage Half Moon Chain Shoulder Bag Single Flap Quilted. The color is Black

Category

1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Vintage Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Leather Tall Chain Shoulder Bag
Vintage Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Leather Tall Chain Shoulder Bag

Vintage Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Leather Tall Chain Shoulder Bag

By Chanel

Located in Fukuoka, Kyushu

Vintage Chanel Tall Shoulder bag in Black quilted lambskin leather. It has the classic double C

Category

1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Vintage CHANEL massive pae blue calf leather chain shoulder tote bag
Vintage CHANEL massive pae blue calf leather chain shoulder tote bag

Vintage CHANEL massive pae blue calf leather chain shoulder tote bag

By Chanel

Located in Kashiwa, Chiba

Vintage CHANEL milky blue calf leather extra large chain shoulder tote bag with gold tone CC ball

Category

1990s Italian Tote Bags

Vintage Chanel Red Lizard Asymmetric Flap Chain Link Strap Shoulder Bag
Vintage Chanel Red Lizard Asymmetric Flap Chain Link Strap Shoulder Bag

Vintage Chanel Red Lizard Asymmetric Flap Chain Link Strap Shoulder Bag

By Chanel

Located in Chicago, IL

Red genuine lizard asymmetric flap shoulder bag from Chanel circa pre-1986. Interlocking gold-tone

Category

1980s Italian Shoulder Bags

Vintage Chanel Black Caviar Leather Front Envelope Pocket Chain Shoulder Bag
Vintage Chanel Black Caviar Leather Front Envelope Pocket Chain Shoulder Bag

Vintage Chanel Black Caviar Leather Front Envelope Pocket Chain Shoulder Bag

By Chanel

Located in Fukuoka, Kyushu

Chanel shoulder bag in black caviar leather. It has 1 flap pocket in an envelope shape with a large

Category

1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Vintage CC Lambskin  Leather Gold Chain Framed Shoulder Bag
Chanel Vintage CC Lambskin  Leather Gold Chain Framed Shoulder Bag

Chanel Vintage CC Lambskin Leather Gold Chain Framed Shoulder Bag

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in Montreal, Quebec

This Chanel shoulder bag from the 2000-2002 collection by Karl Lagerfeld is made of beige caviar

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags

Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Canvas Gold Metal Chain Shoulder Flap Bag
Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Canvas Gold Metal Chain Shoulder Flap Bag

Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Canvas Gold Metal Chain Shoulder Flap Bag

By Chanel

Located in Kowloon, HK

Color: Black Material: Canvas Condition: Rank A Overall: Good, few minor defects Surface: Minor Scratches Corners: Minor Scratches Edges: Minor Scratches Handles/Straps: Minor Scr...

Category

1990s Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Vintage Matelasse 25 Double Flap Black Leather Chain Shoulder Bag
Chanel Vintage Matelasse 25 Double Flap Black Leather Chain Shoulder Bag

Chanel Vintage Matelasse 25 Double Flap Black Leather Chain Shoulder Bag

By Chanel

Located in Kowloon, HK

Color: Black Material: Quilted Lambskin Leather Condition: Rank B Overall: Fair. Few defects Surface: Obvious Scratches Corners: Minor Scratches Edges: Minor Stains Handles/Str...

Category

1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags

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Chanel Black Leather Shoulder Tote Bag
Chanel Black Leather Shoulder Tote Bag

Chanel Black Leather Shoulder Tote Bag

$2,344

H 8.67 in W 5.12 in L 11.42 in

Chanel Black Leather Shoulder Tote Bag

By Chanel

Located in Paris, FR

Chanel black patent leather shoulder tote bag featuring a perforated logo pattern, shoulder chain handles, silver tone hardware, an inside detachable pocket by a detachable hook. Ci...

Category

Early 2000s French Tote Bags

CHRISTIAN DIOR burgundy CROCODILE LADY DIOR MEDIUM Tote Bag
CHRISTIAN DIOR burgundy CROCODILE LADY DIOR MEDIUM Tote Bag

CHRISTIAN DIOR burgundy CROCODILE LADY DIOR MEDIUM Tote Bag

By Christian Dior

Located in Zürich, CH

This 100% authentic Christian Dior Medium Lady Dior bag is crafted in glossy burgundy crocodile leather with a luxurious sheen. The structured silhouette is accented with two hard to...

Category

2010s French Tote Bags

Chanel RARE COLLECTORS Black Vintage Quilted Satin Micro Flap Bag Necklace
Chanel RARE COLLECTORS Black Vintage Quilted Satin Micro Flap Bag Necklace

Chanel RARE COLLECTORS Black Vintage Quilted Satin Micro Flap Bag Necklace

By Chanel

Located in New York, NY

Chanel Black Vintage Quilted Satin Micro Flap Bag Necklace Made In: France Year of Production: 1990s Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Satin Lining: Leather Closure/Opening...

Category

1990s French Novelty Bags

Chanel Red Quilted Lambskin Vintage Rectangular Mini Full Flap Bag
Chanel Red Quilted Lambskin Vintage Rectangular Mini Full Flap Bag

Chanel Red Quilted Lambskin Vintage Rectangular Mini Full Flap Bag

By Chanel

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Chanel Red Quilted Lambskin Vintage Rectangular Mini Full Flap Bag Product Details Xupes Ref: HB4485 Brand: Chanel Model: Rectangular Mini Full Flap Bag Type: Shoulder, Crossbody Se...

Category

1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress
Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress

Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress

By Christian Dior, John Galliano

Located in Water Mill, NY

A gorgeous black silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The body of the dress is made of fine black stretch silk with functional adjustable lacing at the center front and b...

Category

1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Rare Chanel Casino Charms Medium Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag
Rare Chanel Casino Charms Medium Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag

Rare Chanel Casino Charms Medium Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag

$14,950

H 5.91 in W 2.37 in L 9.85 in

Rare Chanel Casino Charms Medium Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag

By Chanel

Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta

Rare iconic chanel casino charm in size medium. Overall very good condition. Series #22. Comes with its holo intact and dust bag.

Category

2010s Shoulder Bags

New Emilio Pucci Runway Pumps Heels Wedges Sz 37
New Emilio Pucci Runway Pumps Heels Wedges Sz 37

New Emilio Pucci Runway Pumps Heels Wedges Sz 37

By Emilio Pucci

Located in Conroe, TX

Brand New Emilio Pucci Gorgeous Blue Suede Wedge Heels Size: 37 Suede Adjustable Ankle Strap Pucci Painted Cork Heel Heels: 5" Platforms: 1" New With Dust Cover

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes

Chanel 1992 Vintage Diamond Quilted Soft Lambskin CC Shoulder Camera Bag
Chanel 1992 Vintage Diamond Quilted Soft Lambskin CC Shoulder Camera Bag

Chanel 1992 Vintage Diamond Quilted Soft Lambskin CC Shoulder Camera Bag

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Chanel Vintage 90's Diamond Quilted CC Shoulder Bag Year: circa 1992 {vintage 32 Years} leather diamond quilting signature interlocking CC turn-lock fastening gold-tone hardware la...

Category

1990s Italian Shoulder Bags

Chanel Cc Logo Reindeer Muff Vintage Rare Limited Edition White Fur Satchel
Chanel Cc Logo Reindeer Muff Vintage Rare Limited Edition White Fur Satchel

Chanel Cc Logo Reindeer Muff Vintage Rare Limited Edition White Fur Satchel

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Chanel' White CC Reindeer Rabbit Muff 2001 {VINTAGE 21 Years} CC Logo with reindeer Gold hardware Detachable brushed-gold interwoven chain White rabbit fur Filled with down Black sa...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel Vintage Leather Timeless Single Flap Bag
Chanel Vintage Leather Timeless Single Flap Bag

Chanel Vintage Leather Timeless Single Flap Bag

By Chanel

Located in London, GB

Chanel Vintage Timeless Single Flap Bag Black diamond stich leather with 24k gold plated hardware. 'CC' logo and a single chain and leather shoulder strap. Burgundy leather interi...

Category

1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Chanel Lurex Linen Mini Tote
Chanel Lurex Linen Mini Tote

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...

Category

1980s French Top Handle Bags

Chanel 90s Vintage Canvas & Leather Duffle Bag
Chanel 90s Vintage Canvas & Leather Duffle Bag

Chanel 90s Vintage Canvas & Leather Duffle Bag

$2,799Sale Price|20% Off

H 11 in W 8 in L 20 in

Chanel 90s Vintage Canvas & Leather Duffle Bag

By Chanel

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Chanel late 80s early 90s canvas and leather quilted duffle bag. Gold tone hardware. Handle drop 6.5". Detachable strap measures 44". Small glue residue on top, interior smell due to...

Category

1990s Italian Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags

Ivory wild silk cocktail dress with beadwork and sequin embroideries Circa 1960
Ivory wild silk cocktail dress with beadwork and sequin embroideries Circa 1960

Ivory wild silk cocktail dress with beadwork and sequin embroideries Circa 1960

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Ivory wild silk cocktail dress with beadwork and sequin. rayon lining. Handmade. Zip and hook&eye closure on the middle back. SIZE 40 (Fr) L

Category

1960s Cocktail Dresses

1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock
1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock

1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock

$48,999

H 2.15 in W 1.6 in D 1.15 in L 2.15 in

1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock

By Cartier

Located in Miami, FL

This aesthetically captivating authentic circa 1950 Cartier eight-day desk clock is made with a solid 14K yellow gold case. It is rendered in artfully textured gold, adding a glitter...

Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Desk Accessories

Materials

14k Gold, Gold

Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Lambskin Crossbody with Braided Strap - 1987
Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Lambskin Crossbody with Braided Strap - 1987

Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Lambskin Crossbody with Braided Strap - 1987

By Chanel

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Lambskin Crossbody with Braided Strap - 1987. This quilted lambskin crossbody has a braided strap and a "CC" stitched on the bottom. The bag is a fold ov...

Category

1980s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

1980s Celine Grey Wool Coat
1980s Celine Grey Wool Coat

1980s Celine Grey Wool Coat

$640Sale Price|20% Off

L 42 in

1980s Celine Grey Wool Coat

By Celine

Located in Toronto, Ontario

1980s grey wool Celine coat. Double breasted, with epaulets and cinched waist with a matching grey wool belt. Celine marked cream and grey plastic buttons. Excellent vintage conditio...

Category

1980s French Military Jackets

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Chanel Vintage Chain Bag For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the vintage or contemporary chanel vintage chain bag you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Our collection includes a variety of colors, spanning Black, Brown, Gray and more. If you’re looking for a chanel vintage chain 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 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. If you’re browsing our inventory for these accessories, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men and unisex.

How Much is a Chanel Vintage Chain Bag?

Prices for a chanel vintage chain bag can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $530 and can go as high as $12,500, while, on average they fetch $2,292.

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.