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, Chanel 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 — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
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. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. 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.
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 Crystal Embellished Runway Shoes, Size 36
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chanel Crystal Embellished Runway Shoes 36- Pristine The matching Chanel evening bag pictured is sold separately. Slim heeled slip on sandal in black grosgrain with black leather acc...
Chanel 1990s Black High Top Sneakers
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate your sneaker game with a piece of fashion history - the Chanel 1990s Black High Top Sneakers, an iconic blend of rarity, style, and timeless Chanel elegance. These incredible...
Gold leather plateforme pumps MASSARO for CHANEL HAUTE - COUTURE
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Gold leather plateforme pumps. Heel's height = 13cm Plateforme height = 2cm Shoe size : 41
Chanel, Black suede comet star loafer
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, Black suede comet star loafer. The item has some faded spot on the suede and the ribbed cap toe has some signs of wear. Comes with box and booklet. • CONDITION: good conditi...
Chanel, Black shearling boots
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, Black shearling boots. The item is in good condition and comes with box and dustbag. Lights signs of wear on the leather.
$1,282
Chanel Boots
By Chanel
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Chanel boots in sued leather + patent leather, color blue and black. Size 37,5 EU. Condition: Really good, slight scratches on the patent leather.
Gunmetal & Black Chanel Cap-Toe Distressed Cutout Booties
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Gunmetal and black leather cap-toe distressed heeled ankle boots by Chanel. Cutouts at sides. Block heels. Buckle closures at ankle straps. 4.5" shaft height, 3.5" heel height.
NEW Chanel Turquoise Cork Camellia Straw Details Slide Sandals Heels CC Logo 37
By Chanel
Located in Switzerland, CH
This impressive pair of leather sandals are a style statement in itself. Keep it simple yet gorgeous in these sandals from the house of Chanel. Stay comfortable and effortlessly luxurious and stylish while you step out wearing those beautiful Chanel Camellia slides...
Chanel Bottines Cuir Pointu Noir EU39.5 Black Leather Pointy Boots UK6 US8.5
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel ankle boots in black leather and grosgrain, pointed toe, small straight heel, zip fastening on the inside of the ankle, leather lining, inner and outer soles. Size EU39.5 or U...
Chanel Espadrilles Cuir 2 tons EU37 CC Navy Blue Leather Flat Shoes UK4 US6.5
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Flat Chanel espadrilles in two-tone navy blue and black leather, embroidered with a large CC logo across the instep, black leather almond toe, rope outsole lined with rubber, leather...
Chanel Dove Grey Patent Sandals
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
A chic pair of summer sandels by Chanel. In a dove grey patent leather , they have a quilted leather band, and 3 3 /4'' heel. Leather soled and lined. Made in Italy Size EU 39 1 /2.
Chanel Mocassins Noir EU38 Black Ottoman CC loafers Flat Shoes UK5 US7.5
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel loafers in black ottoman, small CC logo in blackened silver metal on the top, almond-shaped toe, black leather interior, leather outsole. Size 38E...
Black suede pump with a gold metal chain and suede bow Chanel
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black suede pump with a gold metal chain and suede bow. High of the Heels = 8,5 cm Shoes Size : 39 ( It)
2000s Chanel black and brown sandals in size 38.5 it
By Chanel
Located in Capri, IT
2000 Chanel black Brown sandals size 38.5 Used
CHANEL Size 11 Metallic Silver Navy Crackled Leather Lace-Up Sneakers
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
CHANEL sneakers in a metallic silver tone leather with navy accents featuring an all over crackled design, rubber sole, and lace-up closure. Shoe trees not included. Comes with dust ...
Chanel Bottines FR38 CC Black Tweed Army Boots UK5 US7.5
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel Combat style boots in black wool felt and black leather piping, closed by laces on 5 holes and 3 hooks, nori leather interior, wide leather outer sole lined with a wide black ...
Chanel Bottines EU39 Black Wool Tweed and Chain Combat Shoes Boots UK6 US8.5
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel combat style boots in a multi-material version in quilted felt, iridescent canvas and black tweed, closed by a lace on 8 eyelets and 4 hooks, round toe in black suede, black c...
Chanel Matelasse Leather Block Heels Size 36.5
By Chanel
Located in Glasgow, GB
Black quilted, matelasse leather block heels from Chanel. With rounded toes and lattice straps fastened with oval, gold toned metal chain and leather buckles. With 7cm matelasse leat...
Suede Calfskin Lambskin Neoprene High Top CC Sneakers 40 White Fluo Orange
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Suede Calfskin Lambskin Neoprene High Top CC Sneakers 40 White Fluo Orange White leather Light grey suede Orange neoprene trim throughout Black Chanel CC ...
Tweed and wool platform derbies Chanel NEW
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Tweed and wool platform derbies. Height of the heel= 9 cm Height of the from platform = 4,5 cm Leather, suede and fabric lining. Tiny "CC" brand in metal on the top middle back on...
Chanel Black Leather Ballet Flat Shoes, Size 38
By Chanel
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The flats feature black leather with black elastic around the foot and CC stitched on the outside of each foot,
Chanel Open toe Ankle Boots IT 37
By Chanel
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful and chic Chanel open toe ankle boots Leather Zipped CC Logo Heel height cm 10,5 (4,13 inches) Worldwide fast shipping included in the price
Chanel Metallic Silver Leather High Top Sneakers
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Metallic Silver Leather High Top Sneakers Metallic silver leather and smooth white rubber paneled high-top trainers. Designed with an embossed interlocking CC lateral logo, ...
Chanel, woven leather moccasin loafer
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, woven leather moccasin loafer in blue. The item is in very good condition. Comes with box and booklet.
Black Chanel Leather Cap-Toe Heeled Booties Size 41
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Black leather cap-toe heeled booties by Chanel. Silver-tone metal capped heels. Lace-up tie closures at tops. 3.5" shaft height, 5.5" heel height.
Chanel, 19P pink lycra CC logo low top trainers
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, 19P pink lycra CC logo low top trainers. The item is in very good condition and comes with box and extra set of laces.
Chanel Denim Heels with Grommets and Ankle Strap - 36.5
By Chanel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chanel Denim Heels with Grommets and Ankle Strap - 36.5. These sandals have a demin fabric look to them. They have bronze colored grommets on the ankle str...
Chanel Logo Embossed Lambskin Cork Slides
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
We Adore - Chanel Logo Embossed Lambskin Cork Slides Black slides crafted from lambskin leather and adorned with the 'CHANEL' logo lettering to the front. Featuring beige cork sole...
Chanel, Black shearling boots
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, Black shearling boots. The item is in good condition and comes with box and dustbag. Lights signs of wear on the leather.
$1,116Sale Price|20% Off
Black Chanel Pointed-Toe Knee-High Boots Size 37
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Black leather pointed-toe knee-high smocked boots by Chanel. Tan covered heels. 20" shaft height, 3" heel height. Designer Size: 37 US Recommended Size: 7
Chanel Beige CC Print Lambskin Ankle Boots, F/W 2000 Runway
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
From Karl Lagerfeld’s Fall/Winter 2000 runway collection for Chanel, these ankle boots are a quintessential example of the designer’s bold reinterpretation of the house’s classic cod...
$1,000
Chanel sequined pumps
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in Italy) Black patent leather pumps with blue sequins. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Size 40 SKU:CH82
Chanel Logo Brown Leather Knee High Boots
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Do not miss out on these exquisite Chanel Logo Brown Leather Knee High Boots. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these boots seamlessly blend classic elegance with contempo...
Chanel Escarpins EU39.5 Orange Suede Heels Pumps US8.5 UK6
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Chanel pumps in tangerine orange suede, straight heel covered in leather, embroidered CC logo tongue on the back, gold leather interior, leather outsole encrusted with a metallic Cha...
Chanel Two-tone Shimmer Lace-up Oxford Shoes - '10s
By Chanel
Located in Milano, Lombardia
These timeless Chanel Oxford Shoes feature a shimmery light gold leather with a distressed sprayed black and gold finish in two-tone contrast desig...
Stivali Chanel Double Trapuntato Nylon Nero
By Chanel
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Stivale firmato Chanel, modello Double, realizzato in nylon trapuntato con rifiniture in pelle verniciata nera e hardware dorati. Presenta un tacco alto 4 centimetri in metallo nella...
Chanel Metallic Tweed and CC Cap Toe Espadrilles Size EU 36
By Chanel
Located in Amman, JO
Channel effortless Parisian chic with these stunning Chanel tweed and metallic leather espadrilles. Featuring a multicolor woven tweed upper and a luxe metallic leather cap toe embos...
Chanel, High-top espadrille ankle boots in black
By Chanel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Chanel, High-top espadrille ankle boots in black. The item is in very good condition. The item fits like a eu 38.5 - 39