HERMES blue cashmere HALF SLEEVE KNIT Dress 34 XS
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- Reference Number:
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- DOLCE & GABBANA black & white ROSE PRINT & LACE Dress 42By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Zürich, CHDolce & Gabbana shift dress in black and white viscose (82%) cotton (16%) nylon (2%) with a rose print and lace part at the bottom, stand-up collar, puffed shoulders, long sleeves wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- VALENTINO black silk BEDED Short Sleeve Dress 40By ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CHValentino embroidered short-sleeve dress in black/multi polyamide (100%) and silk (100%) with a round neck. Has a bead and lace pleated bottom. Closes on the back with a concealed zi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- CHRISTIAN DIOR black wool 2016 LUREX TWEED MINI Dress 34 XSBy Christian DiorLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Christian Dior tweed sheath dress in black wool (55%), nylon (34%), metalised yarn (4%), polyamide (3%), viscose (3%) and polyester (1%) Features a fit and flare silho...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- CHANEL black wool 2017 17A COSMOPOLITE PANELLED KNIT Dress 40 MBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel panelled knit dress in black wool (46%), nylon (29%), mohair (16%) and polyester (9%). Features long sleeves, a rib-knit top and lattice skirt, drop waist with ...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- BRUNELLO CUCINELLI grey cotton RUFFLE TRIM MINI KNIT Dress SBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Brunello Cucinelli sleeveless jersey dress in grey cotton and elastane. The design features a round neck, flounces on one shoulder and opens with a zipper on the back....Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- BOTTEGA VENETA black silk 2019 CHAIN TRIM TURTLENECK BOUCLE Dress 36 XSBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Bottega Veneta midi dress in black Bouclé silk (90%), polyamide (9%) and elastane (1%). Features a multi chain embellished cut-out at the cleavage, long sleeves and a ...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- 1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressCategory
1970s Casual Dresses
- 1990S GIANNI VERSACE Style Silk Crepe De Chine Leopard Baroque Scarf Print DressLocated in New York, NY1990S GIANNI VERSACE Style Silk Crepe De Chine Leopard Baroque Scarf Print DressCategory
1990s Casual Dresses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Peach Silk Jersey Dress With Cutout Front & 1930S Floral TrimBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Peach Silk Jersey Dress With Cutout Front & 1930S Floral Trim MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
- 1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownLocated in New York, NY1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownCategory
1970s Formal Gowns
- Paganne by Gene Berk Dress Long Maxi Column Sleeveless Mod Op Art Vintage 70sBy Paganne by Gene Berk, PaganneLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLVintage maxi dress, made by Paganne and designed by Gene Berk, most likely in the early 70s. Made from a poly/nylon blend jersey fabric, it features a bold abstract print in shades o...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Vintage Jean Varon mini dressBy Jean VaronLocated in London, GBWho doesn’t just love a Jean Varon number especially such a rare mini number! With a white cotton bodice with a oversized dagger collar, ruffle lace button stand and these incredibl...Category
1970s British Day Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.