$225Sale Price|23% Off
1980s Vintage Anne Klein for Oroton Black Patent Leather Clutch / Crossbody Bag
By Anne Klein
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage Anne Klein for Oroton black patent leather convertible clutch/purse/crossbody purse!
Anne Klein Vintage Black Leather Quilted Handbag Shoulder Bag Lion Logo
By Anne Klein
Located in Portland, OR
This pretty quilted black patent leather vintage handbag is from Anne Klein.
Chanel Black Petal Textured Swim Cover-Up Dress, Cruise 2009
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chanel vintage 2000s black sleeveless dress with tiers of petal shaped fabric at front. From the Cruise 2009 collection. Metal CC logo at back top. Lightweight fabric, great as a b...
PRADA light blue nylon QUILTED CROPPE Jacket 40 S
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Prada quilted jacket in soldier blue, navy, and yellow nylon (100%). With flat collar, two buttoned flap pockets on the front sides, belted cuffs, and wide buttoned wa...
$775Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.25 in D 1.5 in L 7.75 in
Gucci Italy Rare Sleek Gilt Metal Minaudiere' Clutch c 1970s
By Gucci
Located in University City, MO
Gucci Italy Rare opulent gold plated minaudiere' clutch c 1970s The elegant gold metal clutch is designed with a green leather embossed band that runs vertically across the center o...
Cartier Baignoire Mini 18K Yellow Gold Bangle Watch 17
By Cartier
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Sold out worldwide with a waitlist extending over a year, this petite timepiece is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Skilfully created in the house's Swiss atelier, it boasts 18-karat ...
Chanel 1994 Iconic Spring Runway Vintage Pearl Round Sunglasses Rare
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 1994 Spring Runway Vintage Pearl Round Sunglasses Rare Silver-tone metal Chanel vintage round sunglasses with faux pearl trim at frames and arms, adjustable nose pads and tin...
$295Sale Price|37% Off
H 2.75 in D 1.25 in L 4.5 in
Opulent Mother of Pearl Crystal Encrusted Compact Evening Bag by Elgin c 1950s
By Elgin
Located in University City, MO
Opulent mother of pearl crystal encrusted evening bag- compact case designed by Eligin c 1950s The elegant evening purse - cosmetic case is designed with exotic mother of pearl ti...
$5,599Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 31Lx3Wx13H CM Handledrop 22 CM
UNWORN VALENTINO Rare Exotic Lizard Skin Evening Crystal Clutch Bag - Full Set
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Switzerland, CH
Extremely rare and special VALENTINO evening bag Made of finest exotic lizard skin Wonderful green colors Bejeweled with Swarovski crystals, intact "Snake" opening the bag So versati...
Rare Vintage HELMUT LANG Oversized Black Leather Bag
By Helmut Lang
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare 1990s Vintage Helmut Lang black leather bag from early 2000s. Light minor scratches on sides of bag ( see pictures) Interior is perfect ( no stains/ no scratch) Bag Measurement:...
Important Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Coat, 1970 Fall/Winter
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary Museum Quality Yves Saint Laurent Early Haute Couture coat from fall/winter 1970 in a Russian style which predates his Opera Ballets Russes collection by half a decade...
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress
By Givenchy, Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Givenchy Couture Collection: A/W 1997- Runway look #20 Designer: Alexander McQu...
Hermes Limited Edition Octogone Pochette Clutch Bag Blue Indigo Epsom Leather
By Hermès
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare authentic never worn Hermes Limited Edition Octogne Pochette Clutch in navy Bleu Indigo color. This was the first edition of the Octogane series. Extremely durable epsom leather...
$220,900
H 8.5 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Chanel Green Crocodile Alligator Vintage Mini Minuadiére Kelly Top Handle Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Green Chanel Crocodile mini top handle flap with classic CC closure 1997 {VINTAGE 25 Years} Gold Hardware Interior zipper pocket Black Lambskin interior lining 8.5" H x 7" W x 2.5" ...
1970s Louise Fontaine Green Crocodile Clutch / Shoulder Bag
Located in London, GB
A rare early 1970s Louise Fontaine hunter-green porosus crocodile clutch/shoulder bag, comprising of one compartment with one gusseted zipper pocket, fully lined in black, suspended ...
$6,920
H 30 in W 2 in L 29.5 in
Chanel Gold Gold-mesh Multi Strand Chain Tortoise Cc Logo Spring 1997 Belt
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Add a splash of regal, ultra stylish appeal to your ensemble with this belt! We love the tortoise shell - it really adds such a gorgeous textural feel to the piece! Designer: Chanel...
1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA black long sleeve RUNWAY dress with pointelle knit accents
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Azzedine Alaïa, 1985 A rare black long sleeve gown from Azzedine Alaïa’s 1985 collection, made in his signature stretch knit. The long, body-skimming silhouette is defined with poin...
$14,421
Size: IT42 - FR38 - UK10 - US6
Dolce & Gabbana Gold Embroidered Magenta Moiré Evening Dress Coat, FW 1997
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
This Dolce & Gabbana Fall-Winter 1997 collection dress coat is crafted from magenta moiré fabric and features fully embroidered floral motifs gold and amber tones. The design showcas...
Vintage and designer clutches are the perfect size to hold exactly what you need. While they’re typically small purses, Chanel clutches, Gucci clutches and other kinds of clutches can make a big impact on an outfit. They also have a fascinating history.
Clutches are handbags without handles that are carried by hand. One of the oldest known clutches was made in Mosul, Iraq, in the 14th century. It was made of brass and inlaid with gold and silver in geometric patterns. Although the loops on the side indicate it likely had handles to wear as a shoulder bag, manuscripts show a similar example being carried by hand.
Fashion designers often made clutches to reflect the wealth of the holder. In Medieval Europe, men and women securely carried items in small bags hidden inside their clothing as tie-on pockets. Women carried their possessions, scented and secreted, in the folds of their voluminous skirts. Pockets eventually became integral to garment design, but bigger sacks were needed to carry books and documents. When women’s clothing became lighter, consisting of fewer layers, it could no longer easily hide their handbags or pockets.
Changes in fashion led to handbags becoming a popular fashion accessory, and today, even as we’re overwhelmed by options from a variety of high-end brands, iconic luxury handbags still rule. The highly decorative bags of the 19th century faded from popularity when women entered the workforce and the clutch became the dominant business accessory. Flappers in the 1920s, clad in the dazzling Art Deco jewelry of the era, also loved the freedom of carrying clutches as they didn’t get in the way of dancing.
The simplicity of the clutch remains stylish today. Once made to be carried on special occasions, they are now an accessory for everyday use. Find a collection of vintage and designer clutches from Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and more on 1stDibs.