Bags that Defined the Decades

Many of the cult classic handbags that we know and love today have been making their mark in fashion for decades.

Shining a spotlight on vintage bags allows us to appreciate the true circularity of handbags. Great designs will never go out of style and investing in vintage pieces helps preserve these icons for generations to come. Here, we look at bags that defined the decades.

1940’S – GUCCI BAMBOO

The 1940s was dominated by WWII which impacted the production of garments for luxury fashion houses, including Gucci .

Guccio Gucci championed the use of bamboo when leather became a rationed material because of it being prioritised to produce soldier’s boots. Within his designs, Guccio wanted to ensure Gucci could continue to push sought-after bags that would provide temporary escapism from the chaos that pursued everyday living.

Gucci continue to produce bamboo designs as a nod to this decade and vintage Gucci bags are highly sought after styles that depict transition and originality.

1950’S – HERMÈS KELLY

The 1950’s epitomised traditional femininity.

Grace Kelly was flying high in Hollywood, cinched waistlines were all the fashion and not wearing heels out of the house was not negotiable.

Being a household name, Grace Kelly, was pivotal for determining forthcoming trends and spearheading what accessories women must have. Pictured with a structured Hermès on her arm in the 1950’s, to conceal her pregnancy, the fashion house were floored by the demand of the trapeze shaped bag and the Hermès Kelly was born, as a nod to the actress.

Vintage Hermès Kelly’s don’t differ visually to the contemporary designs, but the charm of a vintage Kelly is unmatched, making it a true collectors essential.

1960’S – LOUIS VUITTON SPEEDY

We have long adored Audrey Hepburn for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but we also need to thank her for the birth of the Louis Vuitton Speedy in 1965.

Wanting a miniaturised version of the Keepall, Hepburn asked Vuitton to craft her a bespoke bag and the fashion house altered a smaller design they’d originally released in the 1930s to birth the Speedy that we know and love today.

Vintage Louis Vuitton Speedy’s are hard to source but they offer an abundance of charm and character from the patina of the Vachetta, which will have seen countless holidays, city breaks and adventures over the decades.

1970’S – PRADA NYLON

Another war meant another restriction of materials for fashion houses.

The Vietnam war imposed a limitation on silk and leather imports and Prada chose to get creative with designs.

Nylon had been in circulation since the early 1900’s but it wasn’t a texture that fashion houses chose to work with.

In 1977, Prada started crafting designs and a few years later, released their first range of Nylon backpacks and the rest is history. And, thanks to Miuccia Prada’s design interpretation in the 1990’s, this groundbreaking, utilitarian style is here to stay.

1980’S – CLASSIC CHANEL

We couldn’t delve through the decades of handbags and not spotlight the Classic Chanel for the 1980’s.

Spearheaded by Karl Lagerfeld in 1983, the design is now a better investment than stocks and shares and the vintage Chanel Classics are like gold-dust in the luxury market.

Inspired by Coco Chanel’s 2.55 creation, the Chanel Classic encompasses the classic flap style but with a twist on the lock, to instead present interlocking CC’s, as a nod to the creator of the fashion house.

Vintage Classic Chanel’s host 24k gold hardware, which is devoid of tarnishing or needing to be re-plated, ensuring that your vintage Chanel bag will be ready to wear for years to come.

1990’S – FENDI BAGUETTE

The birth of the Fendi baguette bag and flip phones. Let’s be honest, could this decade be more iconic?

Inspired by the French bread we all know and love to pair with pastrami and cheese, this bag continues to take the fashion world by storm, with vintage Fendi baguette bags selling out in minutes.

Whether they’re being stolen on Sex and the City or crafted in multicoloured sequins, vintage Fendi baguettes host a true charm that is replicated in the re-designs that the fashion house releases every season.

2000 – DIOR SADDLE

Giddy up and add a vintage Dior Saddle to your basket asap when you come across one.

Since the birth of the Dior Saddle in 2000 by John Galliano, the style has retained its cult classic status among the fashion elite by being reinvented in leather, canvas, fabric and embellished variations that cater for all aesthetics.

You’ll often find vintage Dior Saddles in the original Dior Oblique Canvas, which we adore at The Handbag Clinic. If well looked after and stored appropriately, the canvas will be free of yellowing or marks; to reveal a 00’s charm that screams low rise jeans, oversized sunglasses and pin-straight hair.

2010 – CELINE LUGGAGE

Vintage refers to anything that’s older than 10 years, so it would be rude to not include the Celine Luggage bag that dominated the decade from 2010.

The Celine Luggage tote needs no introduction. Phoebe Philo (let’s all take a bow for her minimalist creations) took the world by storm when she dropped this bag, as it provided a practical style that no other fashion house at the time offered.

If you’re wanting to enhance your handbag collection, vintage Celine is one that you need to add to the list. Often crafted in muted tones and classic structures, the designs will elevate your everyday looks.

Looking to discover the value of your vintage bags? The demand for vintage has never been bigger so now is the time to sell yours.