Never Full Bag Medium
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Italian Suitcases and Trunks
2010s French Top Handle Bags
1990s Top Handle Bags
Early 2000s Contemporary Mixed Media
Leather, Wool, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Wallets
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Hobo Bags
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Tech Accessories and Cases
2010s French Luggage and Travel Bags
1990s Italian Briefcases and Attachés
2010s Italian Shoes
21st Century and Contemporary British Sunglasses
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
2010s Italian Tote Bags
2010s Italian Clutches
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s French Tech Accessories and Cases
21st Century and Contemporary French Luggage and Travel Bags
2010s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
1990s French Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Mixed Media
Spray Paint, Other Medium
21st Century and Contemporary French Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
2010s French Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary French Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
Finding the Right shoulder-bags for You
Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions.
Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.
While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.
The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.
A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors and lovers of luxury are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.
Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.
Read More
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.
A Chanel Wicker Handbag Gives Impossibly Chic Picnic Vibes
Only Chanel could elevate humble materials like denim and wicker to icon-level status.
Chanel’s Boy Brick Lego Bag Transforms a Barcode into Art
In the hands of Karl Lagerfeld, even running errands became a chic exercise.
A Chanel Obsessive’s Cache Extends Well beyond Her Walk-In Closet
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
14 Ways to Spot a Fake Chanel Bag
How do you tell if a Chanel purse is a knockoff or the real deal? We spoke with handbag experts Alexa Ridolfi and Gerry Gallagher about how to authenticate a Chanel bag. Of course, you don’t have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where all our sellers are highly vetted.
14 Iconic Luxury Handbags and the Stories behind Them
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.