Gucci bag 1999 Collection by Tom Ford
Located in Carnate, IT
Gucci handbag in burgundy lizard leather. Steel metal details. 1999 Collection by Tom Ford.
Gucci bag 1999 Collection by Tom Ford
Located in Carnate, IT
Gucci handbag in burgundy lizard leather. Steel metal details. 1999 Collection by Tom Ford.
1990s Ferragamo Black Leather and Brass Hardware Top Handle Bag
By Ferragamo, Salvatore Ferragamo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This vintage 1990s Salvatore Ferragamo top handle bag is a classic example of Italian leather craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Crafted in black lizard-embossed leather, the handb...
1950s High Quality Embossed Black Leather and Brass Italian Shoulder Bag
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Expertly crafted from high-quality black leather embossed with a fine lizard-skin texture, the handbag features a structured, rectangular silhouette with refined accordion-style side...
Judith Leiber Ivory Lizard Compartment Purse with Gold Chain Handles, 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in Tucson, AZ
Hard-sided handbag of lizard skin leather; envelope-style front flap with gold tone touch point and push-latch closure.
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 bag — Birkin, 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.
Inspired by a leading figure in the Op art movement, this Baguette is a masterpiece.
What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.
Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.
Accented with a sculptural golden handle and a pair of swishy tassels, the design never went into production.
These celebrities prove that the famous design works with both sleek dresses and streetwear.
Fashion designers are revisiting and reimagining the era's It bags.
The sale sets a new record for the highly coveted handbag.
Does wicker get more high-end than this?