1960s French Riviera Style Glossy Black Wicker and Brass Italian Shoulder Bag
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Italian vintage shoulder bag is a striking blend of elegant texture and mid-century charm, combining traditional materials with a refined silhouette. The bag is crafted from glo...
Joseph Magnin Co. Silver-Tone Beaded Cylindrical Mini Evening Bag circa 1960s
By Joseph Magnin Co.
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This stunning Joseph Magnin Co. Silver-Tone Beaded Cylindrical Mini Evening Bag from the circa 1960s epitomizes the glamour and elegance of mid-century fashion. Crafted with meticulo...
1960s DEUTZ Black Patent Leather Top Handle Box Bag w/ Coin Medallion Mirror 60s
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and striking 1960s black patent leather box handbag by DEUTZ, featuring a dramatic gold-tone coin medallion framed in rhinestones at the center front.
Hand-Painted "SAFARI" 1960s Artist Up-Cycled Dark Blue Leather Top-Handle Bag
Located in Munich, DE
up-cycled hand-painted 1960s vintage handbag by Lilli Grill. Talented Munich-based illustrator Ursula Baur alias Lilli Grill is the first artist I am happy to work together on this ...
Vintage Hermès “Sac de Mangeoire” Bag Bucket Tote Black Box Calf Leather 1960s
By Hermès
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Preowned and wonderfully rare, this vintage Hermès Sac de Mangeoire dates to the 1960s and showcases the house’s deep equestrian heritage. Crafted in black Box calf leather, its scul...
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.
What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.
Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.
Accented with a sculptural golden handle and a pair of swishy tassels, the design never went into production.
These celebrities prove that the famous design works with both sleek dresses and streetwear.
Fashion designers are revisiting and reimagining the era's It bags.
The sale sets a new record for the highly coveted handbag.
Does wicker get more high-end than this?
Several of the pieces sold for well above their estimates.