Christian Dior Handbags and Purses

Today, vintage Dior handbags, totes, shoulder bags and clutches are known for the feminine sensibility and sophistication that has long been associated with the brand. Art dealer turned designer Christian Dior founded his fashion house in Paris in 1946. His haute couture New Look collection expressed glamorous optimism after World War II, and the brand gained wide popularity for its luxurious, lavishly full garments.

The most popular signature Dior bag is the Lady Dior, which was designed by the house's then-artistic director Gianfranco Ferré (prior to its 1995 debut, it was called the Chouchou). With its rigid structure and arched top handle, the Lady Dior handbag soared to immense popularity after French first lady Bernadette Chirac gave a version in black leather to Princess Diana. (Also a fan of simple black dresses designed by Versace, the Princess of Wales became a fashion icon early on, and she remained one until the end.)

Each Lady Dior bag is made from 130 pieces of leather and worked on by seven Dior craftsmen who spend at least eight hours perfecting it. The design takes its cues from house codes — the metal charms are inspired by the lucky charms treasured by the superstitious Monsieur Dior, and the signature quilting is based on the Napoleon III-style chairs guests sat on during Dior fashion shows.

A limited-edition version of the Lady Dior bag was issued as part of the 2019 Dioriviera cruise collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri. It featured a 1947 house of Dior toile de Jouy print with subtle beading.

The Lady Dior is available in various colors, sizes and leathers. Dior bags are known for their intricate, cannage quilting style and often include a dangling, leather-backed charm with the brand’s letters.

Some of the best known Dior bags include the Saddle, which was created by John Galliano, an audacious British designer who has garnered universal acclaim for genre-breaking collections not only at his eponymous label but also for Dior. Other favorites include 30 Montaigne and Book tote, both of which were designed by Chiuri.

When Dior launched his couture house, he wanted nothing less than to make “an elegant woman more beautiful and a beautiful woman more elegant.” He succeeded, and in doing so the visionary designer altered the landscape of 20th century fashion.

Find exquisite vintage Dior handbags for sale on 1stDibs.

Vintage Handbags and Designer Purses for Sale 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 Christian Dior

Questions About Christian Dior Handbags and Purses

Does Dior have Black Friday sales?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024
No, Dior doesn’t have Black Friday sales. Founded by Christian Dior in 1946, the legendary French couture house is known for its clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories. The brand has established more than 220 boutiques around the world, and the locations of its stores can be found on its official website. Some of Dior’s new offerings may only be available on its website, while other items may be exclusive to its boutiques.

And you don’t need to book an appointment to visit a Dior boutique.

Find vintage Dior dresses and gowns, shoulder bags and other items for sale on 1stDibs.
What are Dior bags made of?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2024
Dior bags are made of a variety of materials. Some of the bags created by the acclaimed French luxury house come in fabrics, including cotton canvas, jacquard, satin, blue denim and velvet. Other bags hand-crafted in Dior’s leatherworking ateliers have included those made with grained calfskin, durable bull calf leather and goatskin. Patent lambskin bags are also part of the brand's offerings as well as bags made with wicker, python leather and crocodile leather.

Some of the best known Dior bags include the Lady Dior, the Saddle and the Book tote.

You’ll find a large selection of Dior shoulder bags, totes and other handbags for sale on 1stDibs.
What is Dior?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Dior is a luxury French fashion house that celebrates opulence, extravagance and femininity in fashion. It was founded in 1946 by French fashion designer Christian Dior and gained fame for revolutionizing women’s fashion after World War II. Find a collection of authentic Christian Dior clothing, jewelry and other stunning items on 1stDibs.
Are Dior bags handmade?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Yes, Dior bags are handmade at the brand's ateliers. The brand's artisans complete all of the assembly and stitching by hand, making the construction of each bag a painstaking and time-consuming process. For example, a Dior Caro handbag’s signature quilted effect requires roughly 18,000 stitches. You’ll find a large selection of Dior bags on 1stDibs.
How do I clean a Dior canvas bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To clean a Dior canvas bag, moisten a soft cloth with lukewarm water. Add a few drops of mild dish soap and rub the ends of the cloth together to create lather. Gently wipe the entire bag. Then, moisten a second cloth and wipe again to remove the soap. Shop a large selection of Dior canvas bags on 1stDibs.
How do I pronounce Dior Homme?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To correctly pronounce the first word in Dior Homme, say "dee-OAR." The second word sounds like the word "home" but without the letter H. Dior is the French last name of the brand's founder, Christian Dior. "Homme" is the French word for man. Find a selection of Dior Homme on 1stDibs.
Who is Christian Dior?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Christian Dior, born in Granville, France in 1905, was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century. His “New Look,” which featured a sensuous silhouette complete with rounded shoulders, a cinched waist and a full skirt, revived extravagance in women’s fashion after the poverty of World War II. Find an opulent collection of Dior pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Where can I do a Dior serial number check?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 5, 2024
You can't do a Dior serial number check because Dior bags and other accessories created by the revered luxury brand have date codes rather than serial numbers. While it’s true that some online resources refer to this text as a serial number, it is instead an indication of where and when a product was made and is more commonly referred to as a date code.

Examine the Dior date code to ensure it consists of a series of two numbers, two letters and four additional numbers separated by dashes (the order and number of characters in the date codes on older accessories will differ slightly from those on newer items). The last four digits in a Dior date stamp indicate the month and year. The first and third digits represent the month, while the second and fourth digits represent the year. The letters in the date code refer to where the product was made. In order to assess authenticity, you can also look for imperfections in the stitching or irregular lettering when it comes to the appearance of the house’s logo on the item’s labels.

Find a collection of vintage Dior totes, shoulder bags and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Who is the current designer for Dior?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
The current designer for Dior is Maria Grazia Chiuri as of December 2021. She became the first woman to lead creative designs at the brand when she took on the role in 2016. Previous chief designers for Dior include founder Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan and Gianfranco Ferré. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of Dior garments, jewelry and accessories.
Do all Dior bags have serial numbers?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
No, Dior bags don't all have serial numbers. In fact, the brand uses date codes in place of them. The date code begins with a two-digit number that represents the manufacturing year. A two-letter code specifying which factory produced the bag comes next. At the end of the date code is a four-number sequence. The first and third numbers correspond to the month of production, and the second and fourth numbers tell you the calendar date. For example, a date code ending in 1212 means the date of production was November 22. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Dior bags.
Does dior go on sale?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Dior boutiques often have sales at the end of the season on select items. The best way to find out is to ask your nearest location or keep an eye on the inventory. For physical store locations, consult the brand’s website. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Dior clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
When was Dior founded?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The company Christian Dior was originally founded in 1946 at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, France. From there, Dior strove to deliver fashion for an optimistic post-war future, leading to the great success of his company. Shop a collection of designer Christian Dior pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What influenced Christian Dior?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Christian Dior was influenced by his years working as an art dealer and fashion illustrator before finally opening a fashion house of his own. He was initially interested in art and architecture. Prior to his work in fashion design, Dior ran an art gallery with a friend, where he showed the work of Max Ernst, Picasso, Joan Miró and others. In 1946, Dior opened his fashion house and strove to deliver bright fashions for a new era, discarding the sexless utilitarian garbs that had been forced upon people during the war. Three very talented women who worked in Dior’s studio — Madame Raymonde Zehnacker, Marguerite Carré and Mitzah Bricard — are also said to have inspired him. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Dior clothing on 1stDibs.
How can I wear a Dior Mitzah?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
You can wear a Dior Mitzah in many ways. Wrap the long, narrow strip of fabric around your neck and tie it in a bow like a scarf, or coil it around the handles of your Dior handbag. The dimensions of the scarf also allow it to function as a headband or a wrist wrap. Shop a large selection of Dior scarves on 1stDibs.
How can I wear a Dior belt bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
You can wear a versatile Dior belt bag many different ways. The most traditional position is around your waist. If you wish, you can pull the belt through loops on your jeans, pants or skirts. Another option is to sling the belt lower so that the bag hangs just below your hips. Shop a range of Dior belt bags on 1stDibs.
Is Dior a public company?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Yes, Dior is a publicly traded company. Its full name is Christian Dior SE. The stock trades on the Euronext 100 market under the initials "CDI." The largest shareholder and primary owner of the company is the French corporation LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. You’ll find a large selection of Dior on 1stDibs.
Is the Dior saddle bag a classic?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
No, the Dior saddle bag is generally not considered a classic bag. It debuted in 1999 in the Spring/Summer 2000 collection designed by John Galliano. Because of its introduction year, the saddle bag isn't a vintage style and is usually thought of as a modern design. Shop a range of Dior saddle bags on 1stDibs.
When did Christian Dior start designing?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
After seven years as an art dealer, Christian Dior retrained as a fashion illustrator, eventually landing a job as a fashion designer for French fashion designer Robert Piguet. In 1941, following a year of military service, Dior joined the fashion house of Lucien Lelong. Five years later, he was able to open a fashion house of his own at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris. At 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and modern Christian Dior clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
How can I tell if a Dior bag is real?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are several signs to look for to tell whether your Dior bag is authentic or fake. Check the handles to make sure they’re sturdy and don’t bend. The leather used for inner implements should be an exact match to the leather used on the outside of the bag. Check for any signs of sloppy workmanship in the stitching, hardware or in the shape of the bag. Authentic Dior bags will always retain their shape, even if they’re vintage. Date code tags should be rectangular with rounded edges. Keep in mind that Dior stopped making their handbags in France in 1990, so a newer bag with a “Made in France” stamp is another warning sign. While Christian Dior has inspired knockoffs, 1stDibs partners with only top-vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.
Who makes Dior sunglasses?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
As of 2021, Dior eyewear is manufactured by Thélios, an Italian company owned by Dior’s parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton. The change happened after the 23-year long license deal with the eyewear company Safilo expired in 2020. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Dior eyewear from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.