I spent last week photographing a portion of our collection of antique and vintage 1920s and 1930s purses and bags for the vintage shop. I love fancy little purses like these to dress up a simple skirt and blouse outfit or understated dress. I have this one vintage purse that I purchased awhile back from A Current Affair Vintage Market and I went through a phase of carrying it to the grocery store.

Of course I should have known a 1920s beaded beauty shouldn't be taken to a grocery shop (or in a bike basket on the way to farmer's market) but I was so attached to this vintage purse... the lining finally started shattering and there were a few bead casualties... anyhow... if you are looking for your own antique beaded (or crochet purse) to fawn over, here are some coming soon to Adored Vintage!



Shop Vintage Bags + Purses

This week at Adorevintage we're bringing you lots of pretty little extras to top off your ensembles. Be sure to check out { the shop } to see more images and to call first dibs!

Vintage peep toe slingbacks, so darn cute! I love the chic little details on these, especially the tiny bow on the back of the ankle. I'm simply dying over the navy blue slingbacks with the white dashed threading, can't you just see those being remade today?

All of these shoes are quite classic and if you can't hunt down the vintage pair, a quick pop over to Endless.com will probably result in a vintage inspired pair. I'm not quite sure about gloves, I've never cared much for them, although I still think they are quite appropriate for the opera. I do however, ADORE the white "double nylon" pair for $1.09 (save .40!) those are just so cute!

Image Credits: All scanned catalog images from Cemetarian -Alden Catalog 1955

Vintage 1950s dresses, very "Mad Men" style, don't you think? I love the bright happy colors and pretty prints. Especially the pink dress, it's such a graphic and modern print yet still very prim and proper and girlie.

I will be adding these in the { vintage shop } over the weekend along with a few other vintage dresses and jewelry pieces I haven't photographed yet.

Here's a great tip on dating vintage purses! It's usually easier to date a vintage dress as most vintage collectors and sellers can recognize the silhouettes and pinpoint the decade, but what to do about vintage accessories? So without further ado...


In the 1940s lucite was used for purse frames and handles usually for crocheted or corde bags.

In the 1950s lucite and acrylic were used to create entire purses usually in boxy geometric shapes with hinged lids (like a bucket). These clear purses were popular for only a short time in the 50s and therefore highly collectible and sought after today fetching prices from $150 to $400.

Lucite and acrylic were used in later years, but were not as common as they were in the 40s (frames/handles) and 50s (entire purses).

So, now you know! ^_^

My replacement camera has finally arrived and it's back to updating the shop again! This week I am adding vintage handbags & purses in the shop from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

In the mix we have a couple leather handbags, beaded framed purses, and my personal favorite, the floral tapestry bag. It's so Granny/Mary-Poppins (which I love).

Most of these vintage purses are under $30! With the exception of the tapestry bag and the candy colored beaded frame purse. ($48.99 and $42.99)

Please visit the vintage shop for more info and to purchase!

This vintage novelty straw box purse is so cute! Don't you just love the seashell turtle? It even featues lucite handles. What a find! Novelty purses and handbags were very popular in the 1950s. The most recurring themes usually centered around nature.

MISS KITSCH PURSE by Addicted2Vintage on etsy