$225Sale Price|23% Off
1980s Vintage Anne Klein for Oroton Black Patent Leather Clutch / Crossbody Bag
By Anne Klein
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage Anne Klein for Oroton black patent leather convertible clutch/purse/crossbody purse
Sold
H 3.25 in D 2.25 in L 8.5 in
1970's Anne Klein for Calderon Quilted Silver Leather Clutch Evening Handbag
By Anne Klein, Calderon
Located in Atlanta, GA
Be a disco diva with this stylish silver leather clutch handbag designed by Anne Klein for Calderon
Anne Klein Vintage Black Leather Quilted Handbag Shoulder Bag Lion Logo
By Anne Klein
Located in Portland, OR
This pretty quilted black patent leather vintage handbag is from Anne Klein. This great bag has a
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1998 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Ruby Red Wool Button Front Dress
By Givenchy, Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1998 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Ruby Red Wool Knit Fitted Button Front Dress Circa: 1998 Label(s): Givenchy / Couture / Made In France / Paris / 8HG 8520152830 Desig...
$680Sale Price|20% Off
PRADA light blue nylon QUILTED CROPPE Jacket 40 S
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Prada quilted jacket in soldier blue, navy, and yellow nylon (100%). With flat collar, two buttoned flap pockets on the front sides, belted cuffs, and wide buttoned wa...
$775Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in L 6.75 in
Opulent Mother of Pearl Crystal Lizard Encrusted Artisan Clutch c 1970s
Located in University City, MO
Opulent mother of pearl crystal lizard encrusted artisan clutch purse c 1970s The exquisite artisan clutch is designed with an organic mother of pearl clam shell Embellished with a ...
Pierre Balmain Couture Ballgown 1955 Iconic Gown Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Berlin, BE
'La Robe Broderie À Ramages' PIERRE BALMAIN PARIS Made In France, ca.1955 Majestic evening gown in silk and cream satin with the most astonishing embroiderery by PIERRE BALMAIN Haut...
Christian Dior Haute Couture Wool and Feather Suit, Ferre
By Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior Haute Couture Wool and Feather Trimmed Suit by Gianfranco Ferre. Ivory wool is lined in silk, with 2 extravagant cuffs of varied white feathers, hand painted in silver...
Thierry Mugler Silk Corset Dramatic Sculptural Bustier Top
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Stunning extremely rare Thierry Mugler Collectors piece. Dramatic pure Silk bustier, assuming Spring 1985 Collection. A masterpiece of sartorial artistry by the legend Mister Mugler...
A French Couture Beaded Chocolate Velvet Dress Circa 1940-1950
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1940 France A cocktail dress, probably Haute Couture, dating from the 1940s. Dress in chocolate velvet panne with puffed three-quarter sleeves adorned with embroidery in sablé ...
White sleeveless silk jacquard cocktail dress with shell pattern Grès Paris
By Madame Gres
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
White sleeveless silk jacquard cocktail dress ( or wedding dress ) with shell pattern. Zip in the middle back + hook&eye. Silk lining. Could be a show or commercial sample because i...
2008 F/W Alexander McQueen Gold Embroidered Strapless Tulle & Satin Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Studio City, CA
2008 F/W Alexander McQueen creme-colored strapless cocktail dress with an embroidered bird, branches and flower motif sewn out of gold and copper metallic thread and tiny copper sequ...
$6,999
Size: 31Lx3Wx13H CM Handledrop 22 CM
UNWORN VALENTINO Rare Exotic Lizard Skin Evening Crystal Clutch Bag - Full Set
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Switzerland, CH
Extremely rare and special VALENTINO evening bag Made of finest exotic lizard skin Wonderful green colors Bejeweled with Swarovski crystals, intact "Snake" opening the bag So versati...
$225
H 5 in D 2.5 in L 5.25 in
St John Embossed Black Vinyl Diminutive Size Handbag- Shoulder Bag c 1990
Located in University City, MO
St John embossed vinyl diminutive size handbag - shoulder bag c 1990 The stylish compact size rounded purse is covered with embossed patent black vinyl that emulates reptile skin ...
Oscar De La Renta F/W 2011 Collection Green Persian Lamb Russian Sable Coat US 4
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Montgomery, TX
Oscar De La Renta Green Persian Lamb with Russian Sable Collar Coat F/W 2011 Collection US size - 4 100% Real Fur - Persian Lamb, Russian Sable Collar, Dark Green Color, A-Line Style...
1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA black long sleeve RUNWAY dress with pointelle knit accents
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Azzedine Alaïa, 1985 A rare black long sleeve gown from Azzedine Alaïa’s 1985 collection, made in his signature stretch knit. The long, body-skimming silhouette is defined with poin...
John Galliano S/S 1998 see on Jennifer Aniston SAG Awards Mesh Overlay Dress
By John Galliano
Located in Montgomery, TX
John Galliano S/S 1998 see on Jennifer Aniston SAG Awards Lace Overlay Dress Vintage John Galliano Mesh Overlay Maxi Dress S/S 1998 Collection Jennifer Aniston stole the show with h...
$15,600Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 42
Gianni Versace Couture Vintage Sequin & Bead Embellished Evening Gown Size 42IT
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Gianni Versace Couture Vintage Sequin & Bead Embellished Evening Gown Size 42IT
Christian Lacroix Patou Haute Couture "Joy" Jeweled Dress with Cape, 1985 / 1986
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Christian LaCroix Haute Couture for the House of Patou ... #24 "JOY" of the Fall/Winter 1985/1986 collection. Both pieces fashioned of navy blue silk chiffon. Halter dress wit...
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.