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 Spring 2007 Midnight Blue Crepe Chiffon Pleated Drop Waist Mini Dress
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweet and sexy black mini dress from Chanel's Summer 2007 collection, as seen on the runway. Lagerfeld channels the roots of the house with the 1920s-style drop-waist and blouson dre...
CHANEL 1990s Rare Black Tweed Suit with Giant Camellia Buttons 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Rares Black Tweed Suit with CC Giant Camellia Button — Early 1990s Karl Lagerfeld Era • Collectors value: museum-level (connoisseur market) — An early-90s Lagerfeld relic ...
CHANEL 2001 Collectible Timeless Lesage Tweed Jacket 42 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Timeless Collectible Lesage Tweed Jacket — Fall 2001 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — // Boutique value: over $10,000 – A museum-worthy artifact, preserved from a season now w...
CHANEL Paris / Venice Iconic Navy CC Buttons Tweed Jacket 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Navy Tweed Jacket with Gilded Trim Paris / VENICE Cruise Collection by Karl Lagerfeld ~ An ode to Venetian grandeur, This Chanel navy tweed jacket from the Paris / VENICE...
CHANEL 13K$ New Paris / Dubai Ribbon Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Museum Level Paris / DUBAI Cruise Collection 2015 Jacket by Karl Lagerfeld — Boutique value: over $11,000 at release — Comparable creations today exceed $15,000, yet few app...
CHANEL Paris / Shanghai Eastern Grace Red Dress 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Paris // Shanghai Runway Dress — As seen on Kristen Stewart in the Campaign — –A silhouette cast in ceremonial fire, this red velvety knit dress from Chanel’s Paris–Shanghai...
CHANEL 15$K Rare Tweed Jacket CC Embroidered Camellias 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL — Ribbon Tweed Jacket with CC Embroidered Camellias — Runway of the Legendary CHANEL AIRLINES Cruise 2008 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique value exceeded $15,000. Tr...
CHANEL New Paris / MONACO Amethyst Tweed Jacket 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Collectible Amethyst Tweed Jacket — Paris / Monte Carlo Runway by Karl Lagerfeld – From the shimmering Riviera spirit of Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris / MONTE-CARLO Collection emer...
CHANEL 12K$ Paris / Versailles Baroque Style Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Pastel Pink Lesage Tweed Jacket with Camellia Brooch Runway Paris / VERSAILLES Cruise Collection 2013 · by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique Value: over $12,000 // Tr...
CHANEL Bi-Color Denim Pants with CC Logo Buttons 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Bi-Color Denim Pants — The Duality of Light and Shadow — A Rare Contemporary Artefact of Chanel Modernism — // Boutique value: over $2,300. – A study in dual essence, these C...
CHANEL Iconic SUPERMARKET Candy-Pink Distressed Lounge Suit 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Iconic Candy-Pink Distressed Lounge Suit — SUPERMARKET Fall 2014 Collection, Karl Lagerfeld • As seen on Cara Delevingne on Runway & and on Kim Kardashian • — The Fa...
Off-white sleeveless evening dress with embroideries CHANEL
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Off-white sleeveless evening dress with embroideries . Main fabric composition: 79% acetate, 21% rayon. Silk lining. Biais. Hook&eye closure on the top middle back. SIZE 36
CHANEL Collectors Vintage Jacket with Bows 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
– A rare treasure of Chanel’s vocabulary, where femininity and allure are sculpted into couture — a Chanel masterpiece where fabric becomes language, detail becomes devotion – Th...
CHANEL Paris / Venice Legendary Ecru Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chanel Paris / VENICE Écru Tweed Jacket — Lion of Eternal Waters – There are Chanel jackets. And then there are the legends. From Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris–Venice Cruise Collection c...
Pair of Chanel Black Cap-Toe Ballet Flats with Bow in Lambskin & Patent Leather
By Chanel
Located in valatie, NY
A Pair of Chanel Leather Cap-Toe Ballet Flats with a Leather Bow. The shoes are Black Lambskin and Patent Leather With a Subtle White Contrast Piping and Embossed with the Chanel Log...
CHANEL 5K$ Collectible Runway Ribbon Tweed Skirt 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chanel Collectible Runway Ribbon Tweed Skirt – Boutique Value: Over $5,000 – An opus in miniature, this Chanel skirt is crafted from the most precious ribbon tweed, a textile that ...
CHANEL Paris / Byzance Legendary Black Tweed Coat 50 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
– A relic of couture mythology, this masterpiece coat from Karl Lagerfeld’s legendary Paris / BYZANCE Métiers d’Art 2011 Collection stands as one of the most exalted creations of th...
CHANEL Rare Miley Cyrus Style Provocative Black Suit 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Collectors Black Sheer Suit — Spring 2013 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — As seen in Chanel’s official Ad campaign and captured on Miley Cyrus — – A rare apparition from the ...
CHANEL 9K$ Rarest Vogue Cover Tweed Trench Coat 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Collector’s Gem – Houndstooth Tweed Trench — Runway of Spring 2005 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — Boutique valuation: over $9,000 – A relic for true connoisseurs of Chanel...
CHANEL New Paris / SHANGHAI Timeless Black Tweed Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Paris / SHANGHAI Métiers d’Art Collection — The Imperial Nocturne Jacket – A Timeless Masterpiece by Karl Lagerfeld ~ – From the Runway of the Paris / Shanghai Métiers d’A...
CHANEL New Spring 2020 ICONIC Pink Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Pastel Pink Lesage Tweed Jacket — Spring 2020 Collection By Virginie Viard • As seen on Lily-Rose Depp and in the official Chanel campaign – An audacious alchemy of couture...
Chanel Resort 2014 Blue Lace Blouse & Shorts Set, Size FR 38
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Rubiera, RE
CHANEL Collection Resort 2014 Singapore Blue navy floral lace blouse and shorts set Blue navy lace , lining in white cotton 52% cotton 32% rayon 16% nylon Lining: 100% cotton Size FR...
CHANEL 15K$ New Paris / Dubai Ribbon Tweed Ensemble 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Museum Level Paris / DUBAI Cruise Collection 2015 “Ribbon Mosaic Ensemble” — Jacket & Matching Vest by Karl Lagerfeld — Boutique value: over $15,000 at release — Comparable cr...
Chanel Paris / Saint-Tropez Collection Lavender Tweed Suit 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Paris / Saint-Tropez Cruise Collection by Karl Lagerfeld – A vision of refined harmony, this ensemble consists of a perfectly tailored jacket and a matching skirt, rendered in ethe...
CHANEL 14K$ Masterpiece Beige Ribbon Tweed Coat 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Beige Ribbon Tweed Trench — Immortalized in AD Campaign of Fall 2016 Collection · By Karl Lagerfeld – With a boutique valuation surpassing $14,000 and the pric...
CHANEL 13K$ Black Pearl Embellished Dress with Jewel Brooch 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Haute Couture “Gatsby Nocturne” Bejewelled Dress with Pearl Brooch — An Extremely Rare Collectible Masterpiece by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique valuation: over $13,000 – The si...
CHANEL grey denim mini skirt FR 34
By Chanel
Located in Rubiera, RE
CHANEL Collection Spring 2011 Mini skirt Denim jeans, grey, distressed red Size FR 34 Made in Italy Flat measures: Length cm. 36 Waist cm. 34 Hip cm. 42 Very good cond...
CHANEL ARCTIC ICE Collectible Runway Suit 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Fall 2010 — From the “Arctic Ice” Runway by Karl Lagerfeld – Graphite Cashmere Suit - Dress with Fantasy Fur Accents and The Fluffy Cashmere Bouclé Jacket evokes both glac...
CHANEL Rare Lesage Tweed Coat CC Jewel Buttons 42 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Lesage Tweed Coat with CC Jewel Buttons — A textile masterpiece rather than a garment // Boutique value: over $13,000 – Millennium Collection Vault — mid-2000s — Creation...
CHANEL 16K$ Black Silk Maxi Dress with CC Logo Print 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Black Silk Maxi Dress with CC Logo & Paris Skyline Print — Spring 2020 “PARIS ROOFTOPS” Runway by Virginie Viard • Boutique value: over $16,000 · seen on Jennie Kim · Maga...
CHANEL 12K$ Iconic 2020 Anna Wintour Style Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chanel Iconic Lesage Tweed Sequinned Jacket — Virginie Viard’s 2020 Cruise Collection — – As seen gracing the legendary presence of Anna Wintour herself – Retailing at over $12,00...
CHANEL Paris / VENICE Iconic Black Tweed Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
– An ode to Venetian grandeur, this Chanel black tweed jacket from the Paris / VENICE Cruise Collection stands among the house’s most poetically coveted creations – Each detail wh...
CHANEL 16K$ Jewel Embellished Black Tweed Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Museum-Grade Black Tweed Jacket with Jewel Embellishment — — Ad Campaign of Fall 2011 “Lonely Day” Collection by Karl Lagerfeld – With a boutique valuation originally surpas...
White cotton tank-top with lace and crochet edge CHANEL
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
White cotton tank-top with lace and crochet edge . SIZE 44 /M
CHANEL Fall 1993 Runway Navy Sequin Tweed Suit 44 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Navy Sequin Tweed Suit with 64-karat Gold Plated CC Buttons — Fall 1993 Runway by Karl Lagerfeld • Museum level value, rarest connoisseur’s find — A Fall 1993 relic in two ...
CHANEL 9K$ Melania Trump Style Black Tweed Jacket with Chains 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
— This Chanel jacket from the illustrious Paris / SALZBURG Metiers d'Art 2015 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld ~ an Ode to sartorial refinement and modern authority – As seen on Melani...
CHANEL Camellia Motif Lesage Tweed Ensemble 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Camellia-Motif Lesage Tweed Ensemble — Mid-2000s Karl Lagerfeld— Exceptionally rare · archival-era collectible · motif echoed again in Fall 2024 — – A mid-2000s Lagerfeld ...
CHANEL Runway AIRLINES Collection Tweed Jacket with CC Giant Buttons 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
– Minimalist CHANEL Navy Lesage Tweed Jacket with CC buttons — Runway of AIRLINES Collection by Karl Lagerfeld _ A study in precision and restraint, this navy tweed jacket from Karl...
CHANEL Extremely Rare CC Logo Penguin Boucle Hoodie 42 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Museum Rare Collectible Grey Silk Bouclé Hoodie with Penguin Motif & CC Logo — Runway of 2007 Fall by by Karl Lagerfeld — – Extremely Rare Trophy of Chanel Mythology –...
CHANEL 14K$ Extremely Rare 2009 Pearl Embellished Dress 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Exceptionally Rare Navy Dress with Jewel Pearl Embellishment — Runway Spring 2009 Collection · by Karl Lagerfeld — // As seen on Audrey Tautou and featured on multiple magaz...
CHANEL Paris / Salzburg Denim Trousers with Eagle Buttons 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Iconic Chanel Denim Trousers with Eagle Buttons — Ad Campaign of Paris / SALZBURG 2015 Métiers d’Art Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — As seen on Cara Delevingne – A statement piece ...
CHANEL Paris / EDINBURGH Collectible Ecru Tweed Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Ecru Tweed Jacket with Tartan Detail — Paris / EDINBURGH Métiers d’Art 2013 Collection · by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique Value: Over $9,000 – The superstar piec...
Black rayon mesh jacquard see-through top with balloon sleeve CHANEL
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black rayon mesh jacquard top with balloon sleeve . SIZE 46
Pale pink knit Twin-set CHANEL
By Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink knit Twin-set . Knit composition: 85% rayon, 15% cashmere. SIZE 42 on tag but fit more likely 38/M
CHANEL 14K$ Statement Yellow Tweed Jacket with Chain Detail 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL — Statement Sunlight Reverie Jacket with Metallic Chain Link Trim – A Timeless Icon by Virginie Viard Spring 2020 Collection ~ — Boutique value: over $14,000 — yet its wort...
CHANEL New Legendary 2019 White Tweed Jacket 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Exceptional Advert Legend Tweed Jacket — Spring 2019 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — ~ As seen on Margot Robbie in the global campaign, emblazoned across billboards worldwide ...
CHANEL CC Buttons Shimmer Lesage Tweed Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Metallic Silver Tweed Jacket — Spring 2015 Campaign Era, Karl Lagerfeld — This jacket that reads like light made wearable — not “silver” as a color, but silver as a state: ...
CHANEL Vogue Cover Paris / VERSAILLES Denim Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Blue Denim Jacket with CC Silver Buttons — Cruise 2013 Paris / VERSAILLES Runway by Karl Laferfeld Cultural reference: as seen on Pharrell Williams and on the Vogue cover ...
CHANEL Rare Black Tweed Jacket with CC Camellia Buttons 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Timeless Black Tweed Jacket with Camellia CC Buttons & Bows — A Chanel jacket that doesn’t “reference” the House — it states it. Black tweed as the original language; c...
CHANEL Paris / Edinburgh Collectible Lesage Tweed Cape Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Navy Lesage Tweed Cape Jacket — — Paris / EDINBURGH Métiers d’Art 2013 Runway · By Karl Lagerfeld — – Originally offered at a boutique price surpassing $10,0...
CHANEL 12K$ Rare Paris / EDINBURGH Runway Tweed Jacket 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Rare Collectible Lesage Tweed & Leather Highland Jacket — Runway of the Paris / EDINBURGH 2013 Métiers d’Art Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — // Boutique value: over $12,0...
CHANEL 2001 Runway Ecru Tweed Suit with CC Buttons 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Ecru Tweed Suit with CC Buttons — Fall 2001 Runway by Karl Lagerfeld • Collectors value: investment piece, captured on many modern-day celebs and Chanel connoisseurs — See...
CHANEL Sex & The City Iconic Grey Ribbon Tweed Jacket 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Steel-Grey Lurex Ribbon Tweed Jacket — Paris / LONDON 2008 Métiers d’Art, Karl Lagerfeld — As seen on Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City — As seen on Keira Knightley...
CHANEL 13K$ Museum Rare Chain Trim Ecru Tweed Jacket 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
— An exceptionally rare Chanel tweed jacket from the Spring 2008 Runway, conceived under the hand of Maestro Karl Lagerfeld — Boutique priced above $13,000, it carries the aura of a...
Chanel 2020 Pre-Fall Velvety Deep Blue Relaxed Jacket with CC Belt 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Deep Blue Velvet Knit Jacket/Coat with CC Chain Buckle Belt — 31 Rue Cambon 2020 Pre-Fall Métiers d’Art, Virginie Viard — This is Chanel’s modern regalia in a relaxed cut: ...
CHANEL New ROBOT Collection Statement Black Tweed Jacket 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Iconic Timeless Black Tweed Jacket Runway of the 2017 Spring Robot Collection by Karl Lagerfeld – One of the most coveted black jackets in all of Chanel’s history — as seen ...
CHANEL Paris / Saint-Tropez CC Laurel Embroidery Jeans 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Blue Denim Jeans with Embroidery — Paris Saint-Tropez Cruise Collection · By Karl Lagerfeld // A boutique valuation surpassing $4,800 affirms its rarity, while...
CHANEL Architectural 2008 Black Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectors Architectural Black Tweed Jacket with Jewel Gripoix Buttons — Fall 2008 Collection · By Karl Lagerfeld — ~ As seen on Anna dello Russo for true connoisseurs a...
CHANEL New Paris / CUBA Beige Belted Dress 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Timeless Beige Knit Belted Dress — Paris / CUBA Cruise Collection 2017 by Karl Lagerfeld — ~ A quiet manifesto of elegance, born where Parisian discipline met Havana’s fadi...
CHANEL Iconic Jennie Kim Style Tweed Jacket Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Iconic Tweed Jacket Dress — Spring 2020 by Virginie Viard ~ Immortalized in the Spring 2020 campaign, worn by Jennie Kim and other icons of modern myth, this piece transcen...
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.