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. Opens with a
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. Opens with a
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...
S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Brown Velvet Rhinestone Shoulder Bag
By Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a gorgeous deep brown velvet adjustable shoulder bag designed by Donatella Versace. This bag features iridescent rhinestone accents featured on both the S/S 2000 runway. A...
CHRISTIAN DIOR taupe FOX FUR Winter Coat Sz. F38 / M
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
Christian Dior coat in off-white, brown, and taupe fox fur with wide collar. Two side pockets. Opens with two hooks on the front. Lined in black silk. Has been worn and is in excelle...
F/W 2001 Christian Dior by John Galliano Abstract Nylon Saddle Bag Pochette
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This is a rare variation of the iconic saddle pochette bag designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior, constructed of brown watercolor-printed nylon with patent leather trim. The s...
$920Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Hermes Diamond Nantucket Watch With Alligator Strap
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Hermes Diamond Nantucket Watch With Alligator Strap Flaunting brilliant white diamonds to the stainless steel case and the face. Set with 55 diamonds totalling 30cts. Bright red ...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
$269,166
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)
$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...
CELINE deep burgundy smooth leather MINI CLASP Shoulder Bag
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Céline Clasp Mini shoulder bag in deep bordeaux smooth calfskin featuring gold-tone hardware. Lined in black leather with three credit card slots. Has been carried and...
Vintage Dark Brown Exotic Leather Handle Bag
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Exquisite rare vintage kelly style handbag made of quality exotic leather with gold hardware. We offer more exclusive items, view our frontstore It's in preloved vintage condition ...
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 Christian Dior, John Galliano for 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...
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...
DOLCE & GABBANA Brown Fur Tote Bag Handbag HOBO Purse New Never used
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Wallkill, NY
Dolce Gabbana Hand Bag with a wide black leather strap. Inside zippered pocket. Animal Print Lining. Authenticity card inside pocket. New old stock Circa late 1980s early 90s, never ...
$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...
Halston Metallic Gown
By Halston
Located in London, GB
Brand New - Halston Metallic Gown Metallic crepe long 'Raelynn' dress embellished with twisted halter-neckline and open back with concealed zip fastening. Rrp Approx. £460 Size – ...
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.