Ungaro Bag
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
1980s French Clutches
20th Century Top Handle Bags
1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags
1980s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
Early 2000s Italian Shoulder Bags
Mid-20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
People Also Browsed
1950s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Top Handle Bags
1920s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
Discover the essence of Italian luxury with the iconic 1990s Versace Versus Nylon Medusa Clutch Bag, featuring a vibrant blue Medusa pin graphic print ...
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
1980s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
1920s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
1970s Italian Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
1990s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century Top Handle Bags
1930s Evening Bags and Minaudières
1920s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
1960s Hong Kong Wallets and Small Accessories
1920s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century Wallets
2010s Spanish Tote Bags
Recent Sales
1980s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
20th Century Unknown Structured Shoulder Bags
1980s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1970s French Shoulder Bags
1970s French Handbags and Purses
Late 20th Century Unknown Novelty Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
1980s Italian Backpacks
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1980s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
1970s French Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
20th Century Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
1970s French Handbags and Purses
1970s French Structured Shoulder Bags
Finding the Right handbags-purses-bags for You
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.