1970s Louise Fontaine Green Crocodile Clutch / Shoulder Bag
Located in London, GB
A rare early 1970s Louise Fontaine hunter-green porosus crocodile clutch/shoulder bag, comprising of one compartment with one gusseted zipper pocket, fully lined in black, suspended ...
Gianni Versace Red Leather Motorcycle Jacket and Skirt A/W 1994
By Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous and rare red patent leather motorcycle jacket with matching skirt from Gianni Versace. It has all of Versace's amazing attention to detail including Medusa head pulls on t...
Stunning Vintage Bill Blass Lipstick Red Strapless Silk Mermaid Dress / Gown
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage Bill Blass red silk Mermaid dress! Vibrant liptick red color, with intriicate stitching, which produce an unbelievable sexy fit! Super flattering, and utterly jaw dr...
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
GIANNI VERSACE COUTURE S/S 2000 Purple Silk Blouse with Swarovski BUTTONS Y2K
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Switzerland, CH
Beautiful GIANNI VERSACE COUTURE SS 2000 silk blouse Finest purple silk Versace SS 2000 Jungle Collection Extremely versatile Sexy deep cleavage Swarovski crystal buttons Made in ...
$549Sale Price|51% Off
Two piece Wool Tweed Suit with Black Fox Fur Collar
Located in Amsterdam, NL
We offer more exclusive vintage items, view our frontstore. Details: 2-piece suit with a skirt and a jacket. Made from wool/tweed The black fox fur collar is non- detachable. Size f...
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2009 Runway One Shoulder Silk Toga Dress $3, 200 BNWT
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing brand new with tags Oscar de la Renta silk one shoulder dress! Detailed for $3,200! Featured in the Resort 2009 Oscar Runway Collection (see pictures). One shoulder can be wo...
$1,840Sale Price|43% Off
GUCCI brown Ostrich leather LARGE Shoulder Bag
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
Gucci large tote bag in pale brown ostrich leather. Lined in ochre monogram canvas with one zip pocket against the back. Has been carried with some soft color transfer, bag is slight...
$2,159Sale Price|20% Off
New W Box Gucci Malika Large Python Clutch Bag in Bronze Pewter Spring 2011
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Brand New With Tags & Box A Rare Find New Spring 2011 Runway $3950 Bronze Metallic Pewter Full 100% Python Throughout the Bag Braided Double Straps Wrap Around and Connect ...
1960's Nina Ricci Black Couture Dress with Mink Trim
By Nina Ricci
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Elegant couture made late 1960's black silk cocktail dress with fitted corset bustier and dark brown mink fur trimmed bodice. The full skirt adds a touch of volume to the dress. Hand...
Alexander McQueen Asymmetric Dress with Chain Cutout SS 2006
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk jersey dress by Alexander McQueen. It is fitted with a scoop neckline, one short sleeve and a circular nude mesh cut out at one side covered with rows of drapi...
1990s Geoffrey Beene Grey Silk Gown
By Geoffrey Beene
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegant Vintage Geoffrey Beene charcoal grey maxi silk gown. Matching coat sold separately. see listing from our store. Bust : 36. /hip: 36 Fit US Size : 4-6
1990s Moschino "Roman CarWash" Bandage Bodycon Top
By Moschino
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A rare style from Moschino early 90's "Roman Carwash" Bandage bodycon top with black piping at the seams. This top as 3 thick straps that makes a sexy cap sleeve marked a size 8 but ...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1996 2pc Floral & Denim Print Blazer Pant Suit Set
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1996 2pc Floral & Denim Print Blazer &Pants Suit Set Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Autumn / Winter 1996 Designer: Alexander McQueen Sty...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Green Knit and Satin Evening Ensemble, SS 1999
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
A two-piece ensemble from Christian Dior by John Galliano, Spring-Summer 1999, consisting of a fitted cable-knit sweater and a coordinating column skirt in a muted seafoam green hue....
Custom 1960's Sapphire Blue Beaded Gown with Sequins Size Small Medium
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This dress features heavy embellishment with beading and sequins in hues of blue. There is a leaf motif in beading and iridescent sequins. Center back zipper closure. In excellent vi...
Sexy 1990s Lane Davis Size 8 Beverly Hills Hand Made Red Avant Garde Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexiest 1990s Lane Davis of Beverly Hills red Avant Garde dress! AMAZING cut, that looks to die for on! Lipstick red, with matching red rhinestones throughout. Couture quality! Asymm...
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.
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?
Several of the pieces sold for well above their estimates.