Chanel Haute Couture tweed skirt suit, Circa 1960s
View Similar Items
Chanel Haute Couture tweed skirt suit, Circa 1960s
About the Item
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, she 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 introduced in 1955 with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. Chanel's 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.
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld ivory silk embellished evening pant suit, ss 1996By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel ivory silk evening pantsuit ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Short sleeve jacket with front zip fastening ▪ Embellished trim with yellow and pink sequined florals ▪ Matching s...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana cheetah print pants and turtle neck vest set, ss 1996By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana cheetah print pants and turtle neck vest set. Spring-Summer 1996Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Roberto Cavalli yellow iridescent snakeskin pant suit with sequins, ss 2001By Roberto CavalliLocated in London, GB▪ Roberto Cavalli yellow iridescent snakeskin pant suit ▪ Fitted jacket with double-ended gold zipper ▪ Zip-up cuffs ▪ Matching slim-fit snakeskin pants...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood 'Punkature' dungarees and shirt set, ss 1983By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBIntroducing the revolutionary Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren 'Punkature' ensemble from the Spring-Summer 1983 collection, a symbol of rebellion and innovation. ...Category
1980s British Trouser Pant Suits
- Christian Dior by John Galliano floral silk chiffon top and skirt set, fw 2001By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior top and skirt set ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Floral printed silk chiffon in shades of cream, pink and brown ▪ Top with bugle beads sewn over denim-printed silk ▪...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli beige croc-embossed leather jacket and mini skirt set, fw 2000By Roberto CavalliLocated in London, GB▪ Roberto Cavalli beige croc-embossed leather 2-piece set ▪ Fitted leather jacket ▪ High-waisted mini skirt ▪ Matching wide belt ▪ Jacket: Sma...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia S/S 1991 Vintage Skirt and Crop Top 2 Piece SetBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia F/W 1991 Vintage Skirt and Crop Top 2 Piece Set Size SCategory
1990s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- S/S 15 look#25 VERSACE WHITE LASER CUT LEATHER JACKET SKIRT SUIT as seen on KatyBy VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE LASER CUT LEATHER SUIT Actual runway sample Spring/Summer 2015 look #25 Embellished with grommets Content: 100% leather IT Size 38 - US 2 Unlined measures: jacket: sh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Skirt Suits
$3,587 Sale Price37% Off - Gucci Crystal Embellished Silk JumpsuitBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLGucci Crystal Embellished Silk Jumpsuit IT 40 Excellent Condition! Gucci peach crystal embellished jumpsuit featuring gold-tone hardware at waist and b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Hanae Mori Kimono Dress Set (1970’s)By Hanae MoriLocated in Los Angeles, CAKimono Dress Set by Hanae Mori Circa 1970's Red satin dress Black bow detail at back Side zipper Multicolor textured Kimono lined in red satin G...Category
1970s Japanese Dress and Coat Ensembles
$2,657 Sale Price29% Off - Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2000 Abstract Psychedelic Top &Skirt Ensemble 2 Piece SetBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier S/S 2000 Abstract Psychedelic Print Mesh Top & Maxi Skirt Ensemble 2 Piece Set Size M Please note the size tag on the skirt has been removed and the top is M.Category
Early 2000s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Couture pale pink skirt-suit in silk Lecoanet HemantLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRJacket : Double breasted jacket in pale pink silk with monogram "LH" tone on tone inside the frame of the fabric. Le collar is in raffia (bast fiber) and the big decorative button i...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
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.
This Vintage Chanel Fur Muff Is Après-Ski Chic
It might not be as practical as a pair of mittens, but for something that looks this good, practicality really doesn't matter.