Hervé Leger Rare Multifaceted Minaudière Metallic Grey Metal and Leather Clutch
By Herve Léger
Located in Miami, FL
Hervé Leger Rare Multifaceted Minaudière Metallic Grey Metal and Leather Clutch Gunmetal hardware Black leather Multi-faceted metal geometric shape Herve Legerl logo engraved on lat...
Herve Leger Snake + Leather Taupe Brown Extra Large Wristlet Large Clutch
By Herve Léger
Located in San Diego, CA
The perfect HERVE LEGER Taupe Snake and leather oversized wristlet clutch!
Sold
H 5 in W 5 in L 7 in
Hervé Leger Rare Multifaceted Minaudière Metallic Grey Metal and Leather Clutch
By Herve Léger
Located in Miami, FL
Super cool sold-out Herve Leger clutch as carried by Kim Kardashian.
Herve Leger Orange and Pink Acrylic Chip Fringe Clutch
By Herve Léger
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Herve Leger Orange and Pink Acrylic Chip Fringe Clutch in excellent condition.
Rochas Vintage Inspired Harlow Bias Cut Silk Gown NWT
By Rochas, Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
As seen on the runway Jean Harlow 1930's inspired gown designed by Rochas. Fashioned of eggshell white silk charmeuse with plunging neckline; spaghetti straps; chemise style bodice...
Museum Chanel Vintage F/W 1996 Gold Brocade Mughal Jeweled Gripoix 96A Jacket
By Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
This exceptional Chanel Fall/Winter 1996 gold jacket is a rare masterpiece inspired by Coco Chanel’s fascination with Orientalism in the 1930s. Featuring a structured Mandarin collar...
Chanel Black Lucite Minaudiere Clutch / Chain Wristlet Collectors Spring 2002
By Chanel
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This exquisite Vintage Chanel Black Lucite Minaudiere Clutch from the Spring 2002 collection is a rare and timeless collector's item. The glossy black lucite grid design is complemen...
$775Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.25 in D 1.5 in L 7.75 in
Gucci Italy Rare Sleek Gilt Metal Minaudiere' Clutch c 1970s
By Gucci
Located in University City, MO
Gucci Italy Rare opulent gold plated minaudiere' clutch c 1970s The elegant gold metal clutch is designed with a green leather embossed band that runs vertically across the center o...
$12,920
H 12 in W 16 in D 3 in
Chanel 2004 Rare Vintage Bible Book CC Limited Edition Minaudière Clutch Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 2004 Rare Vintage Bible Book CC Limited Edition Minaudière Clutch Bag Year: Fall 2004 Gold accent Black suede book motif Diamond quilted Signature CC patch Tassel detail In...
Vintage Brigette Romanek Red Lizard Leather Clutch Evening Purse
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Circa 1990 Featuring red burgundy animal/ lizard leather evening clutch with interior pocket with zip closure, double silk lining Signed Made in the USA
Alexander McQueen Gown The Cosmic Rain Dress Embroidery Corset
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Berlin, BE
Breathtaking Alexander Mcqueen Corset Gown. Cosmic rain, comet and astral crystal embroideries are hand-sewn to this stunnig evening gown. Powder blue Paris net bustier dress featuri...
$562Sale Price|25% Off
New 1960s Belgium Made Hand Beaded Gold + Bronze Silk Vintage 60s Hand Bag Purse
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful never worn 1960s Belgium made hand beaded silk evening hand bag / purse. Thousands of gold and bronze beads throughout, in an abstract pattern. Lined in gorgeous golden sil...
Thierry Mugler Sweetheart Neckline Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
In this stunning dress, Thierry Mugler once again proves that fashion is not merely worn - it’s performed. A masterclass in theatrical femininity, this mid-century-inspired silhouett...
$32,491Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 3.08 in L 9.26 in
Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
There's the Kelly, the Birkin, the Constance, and the PASSE-GUIDE Bag ...! To me, the most beautiful Purse Ever! Here is a rare opportunity to get an exceptional Authentic Hermès P...
EPIC John Galliano Evening Gown Black Silk Dress FW 08/09
By John Galliano
Located in Berlin, BE
This black silk evening gown by John Galliano, from his Fall/Winter 08/09 Collection is one of those moments: a love letter to the art of couture at its most theatrical and refined. ...
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Oscar de la Renta Multicolored Silk Patchwork Evening Bag with Silver Hardware
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Oscar de la Renta Multi-Colored Patterned Silk Patchwork Evening Bag - SHW. This unique evening bag is multi-colored and has a silver decoration on the front. The strap is removable....
Christian Dior by Gianfranco Ferré FW 1994 Black Velvet Jacket
By Christian Dior
Located in Berlin, BE
Christian Dior by Gianfranco Ferre, FW 1994 Collection, numbered archival piece. Documented and famously worn by Carla Bruni on the Runway. From the illustrious atelier of Christian...
$120,900
H 8.5 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Chanel 1997 Rare Vintage Crocodile Alligator Top Handle Micro Mini Kelly Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Chanel Vintage 90's Crocodile Alligator Top Handle Micro Mini Kelly Tote 1997 {VINTAGE 25 Years} Gold Hardware Interior zipper pocket Black Lambskin interior lining 8.5” H x ...
Chanel Gift Box Minaudière Black Plexiglass GHW
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Black Plexiglass Gift Box Minaudière Gold Hardware, 2017. The interior is lined in black leather. Includes authenticity card, and dust bag. This pre-owned Chanel® item has b...
$10,285Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in W 0.99 in L 3.55 in
Chanel 1980s Beaded Jeweled Minaudiere Ultra Rare
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptionally rare archival piece from Chanel, estimated to date back to 1988. This cylindrical clutch features intricate hand-applied beading, vibrant cabochons, and a bold centr...
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.