Tapestry Shoulder Bags
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Hobo Bags
2010s Italian Hobo Bags
1980s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
Finding the Right Shoulder-bags for You
Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions. And while lovers of luxury handbags and purses are savvier now and have a wider range of shopping options, classics created by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.
While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.
The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.
A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.
Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Several different styles of big shoulder bags exist, including tote bags and backpacks that are worn over the shoulder. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of tote bags and other shoulder bags from brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Christian Dior.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023No, Birkin bags don’t have shoulder straps. As a result, the iconic bag is best toted by gripping the double handles in your hand or slipping them over your wrist. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hermès Birkin bags from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024Coco Chanel invented a shoulder bag that was based on the backpacks that soldiers carried on the battlefield. Some experts suggest that this is the first handbag designed with a shoulder strap.
In 1929, when the pioneering French fashion designer grew tired of toting around her belongings in a purse she carried by hand, she added an adjustable chain to her accessory. This meant that she’d freed up her hands, and her bag could be slung over her shoulder. It was reintroduced decades later as Chanel’s iconic 2.55, a vast improvement on the day’s top-handle accessories and clutches.
Named for the month (February) and the year (1955) that the designer formally brought the bag to the greater market, the Chanel 2.55 was a smashing success, a chic, rectangular accessory in soft quilted leather. Find a large collection of Chanel shoulder bags on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, you can wear the Chanel 19 as a shoulder bag. All of the sizes of the handbag feature a shoulder strap. They include the Round Clutch, the Flap Coin Purse, the Wallet on Chain, the Medium, the Large and the Maxi. Find a large collection of Chanel 19 bags on 1stDibs.
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