Chanel Cruise 1996 White Tweed Skirt Suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 42 (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3229221719262
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Chanel Cream Tweed Skirt Suit with Coco Chanel ButtonsBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Cream Skirt Suit with Coco Chanel Buttons. This Chanel ensemble is classic and sophisticated. The large black Coco Chanel buttons give this p...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Patrick Kelly Early 1980's B&W Skirt Suit with CorsetBy Patrick KellyLocated in New York, NYPatrick Kelly Early 1980's B&W Skirt Suit with Corset. This is a super fun three-piece skirt suit in a black and white leopard print pattern. This set is fearlessly bold, reminiscent...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Alaia Green Jacket With Matching Pants & SkirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Green Jacket With Matching Pants & Skirt. This look is sophisticated and versatile, while still embracing Azzedine Alaia's impeccable attention to form & silhouette through des...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Chanel Collection 25 1991 Cream Skirt SuitBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Collection 25 1991 Cream Skirt Suit. This such a classic & timeless Chanel piece, its elegant cream colored tweed with the contrasted black tri...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Thierry Mugler 1980s Shocking Pink Skirt SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYThierry Mugler Hot Pink Jacket and Black Mini Skirt Circa 1980's.Vibrant pink jacket with signature pointed details and back mini skirt with hidden zipper closure. - Monochromatic ...Category
1980s Skirt Suits
- Richard Tyler 1990s PantsuitBy Richard TylerLocated in New York, NYRichard Tyler Stitched Pinstripe Brown Pantsuit Circa 1990's.Oversized yet tailored blazer jacket with four front buttons and matching pants with front zipper closure. Embellished w...Category
1990s Trouser Pant Suits
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche copper sequins Skirt suitBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRSkirt suit in copper sequins and black satin borderCategory
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Printed and beaded bobysuit and skirt Kenzo Jungle ( no tag )By Kenzo JungleLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRPrinted and beaded bobysuit and skirt. Fabric composition: cotton stretch jersey. No tag brand (but we are sure it's Kenzo Jungle because we have the dress exactly with the same pri...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Giorgio di Sant Angelo Suede Vest and Skirt Ensemble, Circa 1970sBy Giorgio di Sant' AngeloLocated in Brooklyn, NY1970s two piece vest and skirt set. Midnight blue suede & interior leather. Circle cut outs with electric green leather "polka dot" inlay. Sleeveless v...Category
1970s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior Red Linen and Cotton Three-Piece SetBy Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferré for Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior -Red linen and cotton three-piece set with leather buttons. No composition label or size indicated, it fits 36FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Jacket: Shoulder width: 4...Category
1990s French Twin Sets
- Morphew Collection Sea Green Polka Dot Print Cold Rayon Bias Draw String PajamasBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMorphew Collection Sea Green Polka Dot Print Cold Rayon Bias Draw String Pajamas MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pajamas
- Morphew Collection Green & Yellow Dragon Novelty Print Cold Rayon Bias Draw StrBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMorphew Collection Green & Yellow Dragon Novelty Print Cold Rayon Bias Draw String Pajamas MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials so...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pajamas
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.