Chanel Handbags and Purses
Vintage Chanel handbags and purses are some of the most well-known and sought-after accessories in the world. With a subtle and chic aesthetic, many of the legendary French house’s crossbody bags, shoulder bags, tote bags and other bags are popular among celebrities and fashion obsessives.
Crafted from top-quality materials, Chanel’s elegant iconic purses are coveted not only for their timelessness but also for their high resale value. The brand’s best-known bag, the Classic Double Flap bag, includes Chanel’s signature quilting and leather interlaced through a chain strap. Chanel Classic flap bags have been going strong since Karl Lagerfeld updated the beloved 2.55 handbag in the 1980s with the addition of the interlocking double Cs on the flap.
Other iconic bag styles are the Gabrielle and Boy bags. (Also designed by Lagerfeld, Chanel’s playful Boy Brick Lego bag has become a collector's item.) And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
For its spectacular seasonal runway shows, Chanel designs special bags that are typically produced in smaller editions, making them all the more desirable and prompting long waiting lists for the most flamboyant creations. The widely hunted rare Chanel bags and many of the other bags much sought after today are objects of pure fantasy conjured up by the late couturier Lagerfeld, whose prolific tenure at the helm of the house lasted from 1983 to 2019.
Just like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands, Chanel has had to fight counterfeiters who manufacture and sell fake bags under its name. These days, provenance is as essential for Chanel bags as it is for a Chagall painting. And with forgeries improving, it's worth knowing how to spot a fake Chanel bag.
Find a collection of vintage Chanel totes, clutches, minaudières and other bags on 1stDibs today.
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
Late 20th Century European Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary American Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s European Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Chanel Handbags and Purses
1960s Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
1990s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Chanel Handbags and Purses
Early 2000s French Chanel Handbags and Purses
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Italian Chanel Handbags and Purses
2010s Chanel Handbags and Purses
Shop Vintage Handbags, Shoulder Bags, Clutches and Other Bags and Purses on 1stDibs
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, handbag lovers are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classic bags 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.
Designers Similar to Chanel
- How do I store Chanel Boy bags?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel recommends storing your boy bags by wrapping the chains or straps in tissue paper and storing them upright in the original pouch. Other sources suggest stuffing the bag with acid-free tissue paper to support its shape and make sure the chain or strap is well-padded so it doesn’t imprint the bag. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can buy a Chanel Mini Flap bag directly from Chanel’s website or one of Chanel’s boutiques. Additionally, you may find a Chanel Mini Flap bag in one of Chanel’s retail partners’ stores. Shop a collection of authentic Chanel Mini Flap bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Who is Coco Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Chanel in France in 1883, was a fashion designer who got her nickname during her short-lived career as a cabaret singer. In 1910, she opened a boutique in Paris to sell her hats, which were beloved by the popular French actresses of the era. Her success with hats led her to open the first Chanel Couture House five years later, where she designed and sold women’s sportswear made of jersey — which until then was used to make men’s underwear. Her revolutionary style catapulted her to fame, and in the decades that followed, Coco Chanel remained on the cutting edge of fashion, creating modern, timeless clothing, perfumes and accessories — and, of course, her iconic bags, which are revered to this day. Shop a collection of Chanel from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Who owns the Chanel brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022The Chanel brand is owned by brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer. The Wertheimer brothers, whose grandfather acquired Chanel with his brother in 1924, are very private, known as the fashion industry’s “quietest billionaires.” The brand’s founder, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, saw the purchase by French brothers Pierre and Paul Wertheimer as an opportunity to reach more customers, but she tried unsuccessfully to regain control of the house in 1941. Shop our Chanel collection of vintage and new bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The classic ballerina flats by Chanel are a must-have for every shoe lover. The chic design and versatility make them perfect to wear with any outfit, whether jeans or dresses. Shop a selection of Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 4, 2024You can buy Chanel espadrilles in one of Chanel’s boutiques. The website offers a location service that can help you find the nearest official Chanel boutique. Additionally, you may find a new pair of Chanel espadrilles in one of the luxury brand’s authorized retailers’ stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. Shop a collection of authentic vintage Chanel espadrilles and other Chanel footwear from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 29, 2024You can buy Chanel costume jewelry directly from the brand’s official website as well as in its boutiques. See the site’s store locator in order to find the official Chanel boutique nearest you. You can also find Chanel products on offer at any of the luxury house’s authorized retailers as well as through resellers.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced her costume jewelry in the 1920s, when the economy was roaring and fine jewelry was the main mode of adornment among her clients. Fearless about giving offense, Chanel proclaimed, “I love fakes because I find such jewelry provocative, and I find it disgraceful to walk around with millions of dollars around your neck, just because you are rich.” Then, in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, Chanel dramatically switched gears and designed her first and only diamond jewelry collection, Bijoux de Diamants.
Find vintage Chanel costume jewelry for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the bag's material, a vintage Chanel can be quite expensive. For instance, a vintage crocodile top handle bag costs around $130,000. The classic quilted leather bag is around $10,000.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The latest prices for the Chanel wallet on chain is $3,100. There are many variations of this classic design, with some selling for closer to $2,100.
- Is Chanel a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, Chanel is one of the most desirable luxury brands in the world. This top-class designer brand creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the best-known talent in the fashion world. Find many Chanel accessories and apparel on 1stDibs.
- How much is a Chanel tote?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Chanel tote's price can vary on the second depending on size, model, condition, and age. New Chanel small clutches start at around $1,900 while totes and other purses fetch $4,000-$5,000.
- Do Chanel bags come with tags?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022All Chanel bags are guaranteed to be authentic, as they come with a unique tag and authentication card.This is an easy way for you to determine the authenticity of your bag. Shop a large selection of vintage or modern Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
- Does Chanel make men’s belts?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Chanel doesn’t make men’s belts and they do not have a menswear line. That said, there are men who do wear Chanel belts and other items from the women’s line to create their own noteworthy style. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Chanel garments and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- Are Chanel pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although some Chanel jewelry contains real freshwater pearls, much of their costume jewelry is made from coated glass, though they are still high quality.
- Does Chanel have men’s clothes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel doesn't usually make men's clothing. The brand has never offered a full menswear line. However, Chanel does have partnerships with designers that occasionally yield items for men such as suits or neckties.
- Are Chanel earrings real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021All of Chanel's fine jewelry is made with 18K Gold (both yellow and white) and platinum and all of the diamonds used have very high clarity and color with a perfect set, resulting in some of the highest quality jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To remove creases from Chanel can be done with care, of course. Use a clean cloth and dry cleaning solution but stay away from any chemicals on the bag as they can damage it permanently. On 1stDibs, find vintage and modern Chanel pieces.
- How to make Chanel jacket trim?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can make Chanel jacket trims feathery, flat or embellished ribbons and stitched on wool bindings are worth all the effort with a seamstress. You'll find a vast collection of authentic Chanel twill jackets from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.
- What is Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Chanel is a luxury French fashion house founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910. Focused on women’s ready-to-wear clothing and haute couture, Chanel is most famous for the 1921 perfume Chanel No. 5, the 1925 Chanel Suit and the iconic 1926 little black dress, which remains a staple in women’s closets around the world to this day. Shop a collection of vintage and designer Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
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