Whether they are XXL daily bags, minaudieres or cross body bags, different versions of bags come in every size and format imaginable. Over the centuries, bags have gone from utilitarian objects to attaining the status of genuine fashion items, real must-haves in any wardrobe. This strategy made them one of the most recognizable and sought after purse brand of the 1990s.Leather goods: a go-to section for the females of the species. Coach recognized this gap in the market and started producing high quality bags with a price tag that women could afford (typically a few hundred dollars). Prior to this time period, women had two choices: shelling out thousands of dollars for a high-end designer bag or wearing a cheap knock-off. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that Coach pioneered a new bag type: the affordable luxury bag. In the 1960s, the company rebranded as Coach when they brought on Bonnie Cashin, an iconic designer who started incorporating more industrial and organic materials as well as bright, rich colors into the designs. There hasn’t been a particular model of Coach bags that’s had a huge impact – but the brand as a whole has been a leader in the purse world for over 75 years, and all of their vintage models are considered collector’s items by purse enthusiasts.Ĭoach was founded in 1941 under the name “Manhattan Leather Bags.” Inspired by the craftsmanship of baseball gloves, the company produced bags made out of high-quality tan leather with an impeccable attention to detail (as illustrated in the intricate stitchwork). Coach bags Black coach bag via on Instagram Vintage coach bags via on Instagram Vintage coach bag via on Instagram VINTAGE COACH PLAZA via on Instagram VINTAGE COACH MINI SAFARI TOTE via on Instagram Today, the most affordable Birkin bag is a whopping $11,900 with vintage Birkin bags easily fetching hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions. Hermes produced a limited number of bags each year, and despite its hefty price tag, the bag quickly gained a rabid following with wait lists of up to six years. Launched in 1984, the bag was an immediate hit. Dumas pressed her for more details on what her ideal purse would look like, even having her sketch it on a napkin, and by the time the flight landed, he knew he needed to create the handbag for Hermes. The two got to talking, and when Birkin knocked over her bag and spilled the contents on the floor, she commented about how she really needed a bag with pockets. The Birkin Bag is named after Jane Birkin, a British actress who ended up sitting next to former Hermes chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. When it comes to using purses as a status symbol, no bag in history has had as much of an impact as the Hermes Birkin Bag. Hermes Birkin Bag Hermes Birkin 30 via on Instagram Kwanpen Ostrich/Canvass Birkin via on Instagram Hermes Birkin 30 toile via on Instagram Hermes Birkin 30 toile via on Instagram Hermes Birkin via on Instagram Vintage Chanel bags are one of the most desired items for collectors and fashionistas alike – and a vintage Chanel flap bag is one of the most desired models. In the 1980’s, designer Karl Lagerfeld changed the lock to feature Chanel’s Double C logo, which is now a staple on all Chanel flap purses. The original designs featured a logo-free lock with the word “Chanel” printed on the bottom. New iterations of the Chanel classic flap bag have been released for decades. It wasn’t until 1955, when Coco released the shoulder-strapped 2.55 flap bag, that the brand really took off – and purse history changed forever. Coco Chanel designed her first purse in the late 1920s, but the hand-carried model wasn’t a hit. Perhaps the most iconic bag of all time, the Chanel classic flap bag has been the status symbol of the purse world since the 50’s. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the most popular vintage bags throughout the ages: Chanel Classic Flap Bag Chanel 2.55 reissue in 225 size, in aged calfskin with silver hardware via on Instagram Chanel flap bag via on Instagram Red Chanel bag via on Instagram There’s seemingly as many types and styles of purses as there are people – and that’s definitely been apparent when you look at vintage purses over the years.įrom vintage Coach to vintage Chanel bags, vintage leather messenger bags to vintage suede foldovers, there have been some many vintage purse trends over the years, it’s hard to keep track. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to purses. A purse is the perfect blend between fashion and function it acts as both a stylish accessory to accentuate a great outfit and a carryall for keeping all the things you need (wallet, phone makeup, jewelry) with you throughout the day. Most women (and some men!) can’t live without their purse.