Chloe Tote Bags
Vintage Chloé bags and purses are cult favorites — the French house made waves during the late ‘60s and ‘70s with designs by a young Karl Lagerfeld, and it is among today's most celebrated and prominent fashion labels.
Chloé came to life in Paris in 1952 and is widely known for its stylish, sensual and feminine aesthetic. The brand expanded its accessory lines — including handbags, shoulder bags, totes and clutches — in 2002.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Gaby Aghion established her fashion label in 1952 with her business partner Jacques Lenoir to develop her own source of income, separate from her husband’s. Aghion was inspired to empower independent working women to break from the conservative dress of the 1950s and don more free-spirited, feminine designs that were appropriate for both work and social life. She was one of the first designers to embrace the concept of luxury prêt-à-porter as a middle ground between haute couture and off-the-rack for the masses.
Many talented early-career designers were tapped to lead Chloé over the years — its impressive roster has included Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and others. Under Phoebe Philo’s leadership, Chloé expanded from women’s clothing to an accessories line and debuted the legendary Paddington bag in 2004.
The padlocked satchel, notorious for weighing a hefty three pounds while empty, became an instant success and one of the “It bags” of the decade (the brand’s double-handled Marcie holds its own in that regard). The entire 8,000-bag initial production run of the Chloé Paddington sold out via preorders.
Today, Chloé’s many leather bags are made in Italy and are known for their elegant appeal, and the accessories’ branding is also quite subtle compared to that of other designer labels. The Faye, the Drew, the Nile and the Marcie bags are some of the most popular styles.
The double-handled Marcie, which comes with a removable cross-body strap, is probably Chloé’s most popular and instantly recognizable satchel. Inspired by the equestrian world and imbued with ’70s nostalgia, it was designed in 2010 by the brand’s creative director at the time, Hannah MacGibbon.
Find a collection of vintage Chloé bags and accessories on 1stDibs.
2010s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chloe Tote Bags
Late 19th Century Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Chloe Tote Bags
20th Century Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
20th Century Chloe Tote Bags
20th Century Italian Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chloe Tote Bags
1950s American Chloe Tote Bags
1960s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
Early 2000s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
1990s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Chloe Tote Bags
20th Century Chloe Tote Bags
1980s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary American Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chloe Tote Bags
Early 2000s French Chloe Tote Bags
Early 2000s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary British Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary British Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Italian Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
2010s Chloe Tote Bags
Shop Designer and Vintage Tote Bags on 1stDibs
From classic medium-sized Louis Vuitton leather tote bags to authentic cube-like Loewe shoulder bags woven in raffia, the large selection of vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs offers something for special occasions as well as everyday needs.
Although part of a modern look, tote bags have been roomy and versatile accessories since at least 1944, with the launch of L.L.Bean’s “ice bag.” The Maine retailer, then largely known for rugged field coats and hunting shoes, had introduced a big, durable canvas bag that was initially intended to carry firewood or ice. In those days, to keep produce and other foods cool in refrigerators, consumers had to regularly replace the blocks of ice that were doing all the work in their bulky appliances. There was no better bag to help haul big blocks of ice from the trunk of your car to your front door and, subsequently, to your kitchen.
Years later, during the 1960s, L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote was introduced as an overhauled structured canvas version of the ice bag. Tested to lug up to 500 pounds, the Boat and Tote became a best seller. Also during the 1960s, American designer Bonnie Cashin created the Cashin Carry for Coach. Cashin was Coach’s first lead designer, and she liked leather, large pockets and earth tones. Her modern interpretation of the tote bag introduced a touch of elegance to this increasingly ubiquitous accessory.
In the subsequent decades, more brands debuted their own iterations of the tote bag, from Tory Burch’s Perry leather tote bag to Goyard’s luxurious Saint Louis.
Pay tribute to this long and interesting history of a well-loved accessory by browsing the vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs.
Designers Similar to Chloé
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024To tell if a Chloé tote bag is real, check the inside for a date code stamp. The first two digits of this code correspond to the month or season of manufacturing, and the second two tell you the year of production. Finally, the last digits represent the style number. Cross-reference this information with data shared on trusted online resources, looking for any discrepancies. For example, your piece may be counterfeit if the style number doesn't correspond to your particular bag or isn't found. Similarly, if Chloé didn't produce that bag during the month and year stamped in your bag, your tote may not be real. When in doubt, ask a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert to inspect your bag and give their opinion on its authenticity. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Chloé tote bags.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The main difference between Chloé and See by Chloé bags is the vision behind their designs. See by Chloé is a brand geared toward the tastes of a younger audience, while Chloé bags have a more timeless romantic style that appeals to a broad range of ages. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Chloe bags.
- Where are Chloe sunglasses made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Chloe sunglasses are made in Italy by Kering Eyewear. The French luxury fashion house entered an agreement with the company to handle the production of their sunglasses in 2020. Kering also produces sunglasses for Cartier and Montblanc. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Chloe sunglasses.