Vintage Beaded Bags to Personalize Your Look

A recent article in British Vogue (‘Tis the Season to Invest in a Vintage Party Bag’ by Alice Cary) sparked a train of thought. My party bag of the last 15 years is a Calvin Klein black leather clutch with a smoked pewter clasp and a chain that closes inside the clutch when not needed. This bag goes with everything and the ability to keep it hanging from my shoulder for hands free movement is an added attraction. But, what if you want a bag that is less minimalist and more of a personal statement?

Reflecting on evening bags reminded me of my own small collection of beaded and mesh bags in a drawer upstairs in our studio. Let’s take a look. This black beaded bag with flowers of pale pink, peach, and blue belonged to my grandmother. My mother kept it wrapped in tissue in her dresser drawer and would occasionally take it and several others out for me to study. The clasp at the top front is another beaded flower on a scallop-edged metal hinged piece. The satin inside still smells of my grandmother’s perfume. One New Year’s Eve my mother let me carry it to a party where I wore a pale gray velvet skirt with a matching peplum jacket and some 1940’s style ankle strap heels. The vintage beaded bag was the single most ornamental element and carrying it gave me such joy.

This bag, another of my mother’s, is quite similar. The clear beaded flowers and stems on the background of pearl white beads embellish the bag in a tone on tone form similar to damask.  This would be a lovely bag for a bride.

This bag came from a shop in Fredericksburg, Texas. The beaded area only partially covers a loosely woven fabric base. The curved edges and the sprinkled circle design appealed to me as these elements give the bag a somewhat modern, pared down feel.

This circa 1900 bag seen online is reminiscent of my own.

This bag too, was purchased in a vintage store in Fredericksburg, Texas. It is open at the top and doesn’t have a handle. The silver-colored beaded fleur de lis and Greek key design as well as the hanging loops of beads are enormously appealing. You might find a way to create a closure for it sewing a snap or two on the inside to keep it shut and carry the pouch as a small clutch. For me, it is fascinating as is and something to place on a table top.

This bag belonged to my great grandmother. Not only have I carried it, I made a ceramic replica of it in a college course on slab construction with clay, firing, and glazing.

This tiny metal mesh bag means a great deal to me. One of my former students saw it and bought it for me as a gift. Her thoughtfulness and awareness of what might appeal to me will always be remembered.

If you are now thinking you might like to have a vintage evening bag of your own, here are images of some seen online you might find appealing.

These two clutch bags are similar in style. The first is a vintage Gucci bag, while the second is from the Art Deco period.

This gold pleated evening bag with a diamante clasp would be lovely with an austere cream or black dress.

This one is magical; a gold beaded scallop shell!

This vintage bag with a wide cloth handle and a metal hummingbird perched on the front beneath the clasp is elegant and whimsical at the same time.

Perhaps something more ornate as a punctuation point to a severe and monochromatic look.

This black corded handbag with matching handle originates from the 1940’s and is unique and stunning. The shape and size help make it timeless.

This black-on-black beaded handbag from the 1950’s reminds me of my white-on-white bag.

Perhaps brown is more appealing to you. The brown lace is unusual and quite nice; a bit of a bohemian look.

An examination of vintage evening bags would never be complete without this circa 1925 French bag of 18 karat gold, enamel, and diamonds. The chinoserie style and materials make this a distinctive piece.

As I was preparing to close and upload this post, interior designer, Kristen Ellen Hockman shared a photo of herself wearing a monochromatic outfit and carrying her newly acquired beaded vintage bag. This was lovely to see and further confirmation of the trend for personalizing our look with a vintage element.

On your next trip to the vintage shops, consider the evening bag as a gift to yourself!