THE ROW natural leather LARGE TR1 Shoulder Bag Light Cuir
By The Row
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic The Row Large TR1 shoulder bag in Light Cuir (sand) smooth calfskin.
THE ROW natural leather LARGE TR1 Shoulder Bag Light Cuir
By The Row
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic The Row Large TR1 shoulder bag in Light Cuir (sand) smooth calfskin.
THE ROW light blue cashmere wool RIB KNIT MOCK NECK Sweater S
By The Row
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic The Row rib-knit sweater in baby blue wool (65%) and cashmere (35%). Features a longline silhoutter, a mock-neck and long sleeves. Unlined. Has been worn and is in exc...
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...
$5,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in L 18 in
Louis Vuitton LV x TM Murakami White Speedy Bandoulière 25 New 2025 Release
By Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton
Located in West Chester, PA
LOUIS VUITTON EXTREMELY LIMITED EDITION Remake of the original ICONIC Murakami White Multicolor Speedy Our pictures are of the actual bag you will receive Dimensions: 9.8" L x 7.5"...
Gucci Tom Ford Era 2004 Limited Edition AD Era Bag Bamboo Chain Metallic
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Melbourne, VIC
prémode presents Gucci Tom Ford Era 2004 Bag. This limited edition bag was designed by Tom Ford for his final collection as the Creative Director for Gucci. Featuring absolutely gorg...
Hermes Birkin 50cm HAC
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous, authentic Hermes 50cm HAC Birkin. Dark brown leather with chrome finish hardware, dual-belt turnstile lock closure. Embossed above the closure is spelled in silver letterin...
Hermès 1991 Sac Bolide 35 Brown Leather Bolide Bag With Strap Hermes Spa
By Hermès
Located in PARIS, FR
Hermès Bolide model bag, size 35, in lightly grained brown (hazelnut) leather, interior in soft, coordinated leather with a large patch pocket, 2 handles for carrying by hand and a r...
$265,233
H 9.06 in W 11.82 in D 6.3 in
Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya Crocodile Niloticus Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Berlin, DE
Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya in crocodile niloticus leather with palladium hardware. The bag is unworn and comes as full set including the receipt and Cites. Stamp Y (2020)
SCHIAPARELLI black viscose 2023 BIJOUX BUTTON WRAP Dress 34 XS
By Schiaparelli
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Schiaparelli evening dress in black viscose (100%) embodies the house’s signature surrealist codes. Designed with a relaxed, floor-sweeping silhouette, it feature...
$1,995Sale Price|33% Off
$2990 New 2025 Oscar De La Renta "The Topaz" Calf Leather Tote Bag
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Conroe, TX
Oscar De La Renta Brand New Pre-Spring 2025 "The Topaz" $2990 Deep Red Wine With Dust Cover & Tags Crafted from full-grain pebbled leather, this large tote seamlessly blends el...
BOTTEGA VENETA black Intrecciato leather LARGE CABAT Tote Bag
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Bottega Veneta black intrecciato large cabat bag is an iconic representation of luxury and craftsmanship. Handwoven in the brand’s signature intrecciato technique...
S/S 1998 Christian Dior by John Galliano Red Velvet Fringe Metal Handle Lady Bag
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a red velvet interpretation of the classic 'Lady Dior' silhouette designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior's Spring/Summer 1998 collection. This piece features two sil...
S/S 2004 Ralph Lauren Runway Pink Lizard Skin Chain Flap Shoulder Bag
By Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From the Spring/Summer 2004 collection, alternative versions of this fabulous hot pink lizard skin Ralph Lauren bag debuted on the season's runway. This beautiful Ricky-style shoulde...
Hermes Kelly Kellywood 22 Wood Kelly Barenia Leather Limited Edition
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an exquisite limited edition Hermes Kellywood "Kelly Wood" 22 bag featured in bog oak and Barenia leather. Not since the Sterling Kelly bag, has Hermes offered a ba...
CELINE red leather 2017 CLASP MINI Shoulder Bag
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Céline Clasp Mini shoulder bag is crafted from red smooth calfskin, accented with elegant gold-tone hardware for a sleek, minimalist design. The interior is lined...
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
BURBERRY by Christopher Bailey Brown Textured Pebble Grain Leather Messenger Bag
By Burberry
Located in San Francisco, CA
BURBERRY by Christopher Bailey bag comes in a brown textured leather featuring a messenger style, gold tone hardware, top handles, detachable crossbody strap, front flap design, inne...
THE ROW black leather HUNTINGTON 7 Crossbody Bag
By The Row
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic The Row Hunting 7 crossbody bag in black smooth calfskin leather. Features an adjustable shoulder strap with gold-tone hardware and exterior pocket on the back. Closes...
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. And while lovers of luxury handbags and purses are savvier now and have a wider range of shopping options, classics created by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
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 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.