1980s Chanel Haute Couture Cream Pant Suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU228214680942
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1970s Bonnie Cashin Cream and Green Houndstooth Coat and Skirt EnsembleBy Bonnie CashinLocated in Toronto, OntarioDarling Bonnie Cashin coat and skirt wool ensemble from the 1970s featuring an oversized cream and sage green allover houndstooth pattern. Cream leather collars, cuffs, belt and trim...Category
1970s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Geoffrey Beene Grey Long Sleeve JumpsuitBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s wool jersey Geoffrey Beene grey long sleeve jumpsuit with black striped front panel detail. Round neckline, curved detail at the waist and s...Category
1980s American Jumpsuits
- 1980s Valentino Midi Skirt Suit with Red Jacket and Velvet DetailsBy ValentinoLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Valentino midi skirt suit with velvet details. The collarless jacket is made of a horizontally ribbed red fabric with two front pockets on t...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1990s Akris White and Blue Polka Dot & Embroidered Leaf Cotton EnsembleLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery pretty Akris shirt and skirt set from the 1990s. Beautiful white cotton with an all over royal blue abstract polka dot print that looks hand painted. The set is further detailed...Category
1990s Swiss Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1980s Adolfo Black Wool Knit Plaid Skirt Suit with Yellow TrimBy AdolfoLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Adolfo skirt suit. Black tweedy knit with grey, taupe and cream plaid and butter yellow grosgrain trim. Jacket features a Mandarin collar and horizo...Category
1980s American Skirt Suits
- 1980s Adolfo Navy Blue and White Knit Skirt SuitBy AdolfoLocated in Toronto, OntarioLovely Adolfo wool knit skirt suit from the 1980s. Navy blue with 1" thick white and cream trim on both the jacket and the skirt. Jacket is collarless...Category
1980s American Skirt Suits
- John Galliano white broderie anglaise cotton skirt suit, ss 1996By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano white broderie anglaise cotton skirt suit comprising: fitted blazer jacket with hidden front button fastenings, notched lapel and acc...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1960S White Nylon Lace Tiered JumpsuitLocated in New York, NY1960S White Nylon Lace Tiered JumpsuitCategory
1960s Jumpsuits
- Cream & Red Embroidered Silk Chinese Five-Clawed Dragon And Flaming Pearl PajamLocated in New York, NYCream & Red Embroidered Silk Chinese Five-Clawed Dragon And Flaming Pearl PajamasCategory
1990s Pajamas
- 1990S White Status Print Washed Silk Medium Dead Stock EnsembleLocated in New York, NY1990S White Status Print Washed Silk Medium Dead Stock EnsembleCategory
1990s Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1970S GEORGIO SANT'angelo White & Blue Leather Suede Beaded Fringe Jacket SkirtLocated in New York, NY1970S GEORGIO SANT'angelo White & Blue Leather Suede Beaded Fringe Jacket Skirt EnsembleCategory
1970s Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1930S Grey & White Embroidered Stripe Wool French Theatrical Jacket Knickers SuLocated in New York, NYSome areas show signs of age 1930S Grey & White Embroidered Stripe Wool French Theatrical Jacket Knickers SuitCategory
1930s Twin Sets
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
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.