$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
$500
Size: vintage 12; comparable to size M
Dove Gray A-Line Shift Dress with Bead-Crusted Neckline and Pockets - M, 1960s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Perfect for brunch, weddings and cocktail parties, this heavyweight linen dress combines crisp geometry with masterful but discrete beading. Its Mod fingertip pockets and gentle A-li...
Giorgio Armani Vintage Dress Hand Beaded Fleurette on Tulle Formal Gown 40
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare and vintage Giorgio Armani gown so divinely exquisite that it can take you from the Red Carpet to the White House. Breathtaking and the epitome of the Giorgi...
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...
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 ...
$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 ...
1890S Purple Wool Victorian With Taffeta Cape
Located in New York, NY
1890S Purple Wool Victorian With Taffeta Cape
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...
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...
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...
New Atelier Versace S/S 1994 Collection Velvet Lace Purple Pink Dress Gown
By Atelier Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Atelier Versace Velvet Lace Watercolor Purple/Pink Dress Gown S/S 1994 Collection Purple and Pink Watercolor Crushed Velvet and Lace, Corset Style, Fully Lined in Crinkle Silk, S...
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...
1960s Givenchy Haute Couture Silk Organza Blue Sheath Cocktail Dress
By Givenchy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1960s Givenchy Haute Couture Blue Silk Linen Dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy. Sleeveless and large collar at the back. Fit best size: Small 2 or 4. Perfect for cocktail dinner ...
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
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress
By Alexander McQueen, Givenchy
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Givenchy Couture Collection: A/W 1997- Runway look #20 Designer: Alexander McQu...
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.