Vintage Wallets & Purses

Vintage Wallets and Purses

For fans of retro fashion, carrying vintage wallets and purses is a beautiful way to honour the styles of days gone by. Well-made purses stand the test of time and even if you don't carry them, vintage accessories are fun to collect. Created in a wide array of styles, vintage purses from the 50s and up represent a different era of fashion while a cocktail or casual purse from decades ago makes an eye-catching accent to any outfit.

As with many other types of accessories, vintage purses are categorised by the decades they came from. The term "vintage" represents anything from the 50s to the 80s. Purses and wallets from the 50s have a glamourous look and sophisticated style. Elegant and simple, designs range from beaded options to hand-tooled leather purses. Things got bohemian in the 60s and 70s, with the popularity of leather purses surging, and elaborately detailed evening bags becoming all the rage. In the 80s, bright colours bags caught shoppers' eyes, as well as logo-embossed wallets and purses and anything metallic.

Fabrics vary when it comes to vintage purses. Some of the most popular styles throughout the decades were mesh vintage wallets and purses. This metallic material crafted many pieces, including purses, coin purses, glasses cases and wallets. Other popular fabrics from the past include authentic leather, canvas and even cotton. For evening bags, check into silk, satin or sequined styles. Most genuine fabrics hold up well over the years and may just require spot cleaning from time to time to keep them looking fresh.

One of the most popular vintage purse brands is Glomesh. Glomesh created some of the most iconic purses of the past few decades. Other brands you may see while browsing include Park Lane, Oroton, Givenchy and Buxton. Prices vary according brand and designer. Many brands that crafted purses decades ago are still around today, so you may already be familiar with them. Some of these include Nautica, Gucci, Christian Dior and Fendi.

When you're shopping for anything vintage, you'll notice that not only can you get original pieces, but you'll see reproductions of purses as well. Though reproductions may cost less than the real thing, there's something exciting about stumbling across a beautiful vintage bag that's in great condition. However, if you simply enjoy the look of a vintage bag but don't care much whether it's actually from a specific decade, a bag designed to look like something old may fit the bill as far as your budget and needs go.