We make luxury accessible for all. We are proud to offer only the finest certified vintage and second-hand fashion accessories from the world's most exclusive fashion houses. All products meet our strict standard of excellence.
We are proud to offer only the finest certified vintage and second-hand fashion accessories from the world's most exclusive fashion houses. All products meet our strict standard of excellence | About us
Elevate weekday commutes and city appointments with this vintage Chanel tote in black leather, detailed with a stitched CC and tortoise-patterned handles. Its open top and roomy silhouette keep daily essentials close at hand, making it a refined choice from desk to dinner and a stylish companion for weekend outings.
Please note that the majority of our items are vintage and therefore have tales to tell unless stated otherwise. Therefore, please look at pictures, descriptions and measurements provided as they give you the best idea of the story this item has to tell.
* Please note that when you buy a vintage product, the dimensions may vary slightly from a new one depending on previous care and storage.
Q: What typically fits inside this tote? A: With approximate measurements of 39 × 35 × 15 cm, it comfortably holds A4 documents, a diary, water bottle, cosmetics pouch and daily essentials. It fits most 13–14 inch laptops easily; devices up to about 31–32 cm in width are a safe fit. Larger 15–16 inch laptops (around 35.5 cm wide) are unlikely to fit without angling and may not fit at all—please check your device dimensions against the measurements on this page.
Q: Can I wear it on the shoulder? A: This is a handheld tote with tortoiseshell-effect top handles. The handle drop is about 7 cm, which is designed for carrying by hand or in the crook of the arm rather than over the shoulder.
Q: Is this bag vintage and which year was it made? A: Yes, it is a vintage Chanel piece. The 7‑digit serial number beginning with 5 (5072951) indicates production in the late 1990s, approximately 1997–1999.
Q: Are the “tortoise” handles real tortoise shell? A: No. Chanel used tortoiseshell‑effect synthetic materials (such as acrylic/resin or similar plastics) for these handles. They give the warm mottled look of tortoise shell while remaining lightweight and animal‑friendly.
Q: How should I care for the resin handles and leather body? A: For the handles, dust with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid solvents, perfumes, alcohol wipes and prolonged direct sunlight or heat, which can cause plastics to yellow or become brittle. For the leather, wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth, allow to air‑dry away from heat, and store the bag loosely stuffed in a breathable dust bag to help maintain its shape. Avoid overfilling to minimise creasing at the top edges.
Q: How secure is the open top? A: The bag has an open top for quick access and a fabric‑lined interior with two zipped pockets for valuables. For travel or busy commutes, we recommend using a zip pouch inside for small essentials.
Q: Does it come with a shoulder strap? A: No. This model is designed with fixed top handles only and does not include a shoulder strap or strap attachments.
Q: Is “Made in Italy” correct for an authentic Chanel bag? A: Yes. Chanel produces handbags in both France and Italy (among other European workshops for certain categories). A “Made in Italy” stamp is consistent with authentic Chanel production.
Q: What accessories are included with this item? A: This piece includes the serial number tag. Any additional items such as a dust bag, box or authenticity card would be listed under Accessories; if not listed, they are not included.
Q: How do you authenticate this bag? A: Every item at A Retro Tale undergoes rigorous, multi‑point checks of materials, stitching, stamps, serial sticker/tag, and hardware, benchmarked against known Chanel references. Vintage pieces may be missing cards or have worn stickers; our assessment focuses on the overall construction and corroborating details, and we stand behind the authenticity of all items we sell.
SHIPPING
All orders are insured and trackable. Once your shipment has been issued, a link to our Track & Trace service will be provided where you can track your shipment and check delivery status online.
A Retro Tale is registered for UK VAT. All prices on the website include shipping, customs, and VAT for deliveries to the UK.
These charges are typically collected by the shipping carrier at the time of delivery and are not included in the product price.
We offer secure shipping via DHL and UPS with the following delivery time:
Outside Europe: 3-6 business days.
RETURNS
A Retro Tale offers 14 days return policy upon receipt of your order.
In order to request a return, please email [email protected] with your order number and state ”return request” in your email. From there, our Customer Support will confirm that your return request has been approved and further instructions will be provided by email.
Please note that the return shipping fee is covered by the returnee and all return shippings to A Retro Tale must be traceable. Thus, please retain your receipt of shipping and tracking number until your return has been completed and you have received your refund.
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED
A Retro Tale specialises in vintage and pre-owned goods from the world's most loved fashion houses. We guarantee that all of our products are 100 percent authentic. Every item sold on our site undergoes a rigorous authentication process, in which our experts delve deep into the heritage of a brand via its craftsmanship techniques. This requires a rigorous and methodical process.
For us, authentication is about more than expertise; it offers a fascinating insight into the history of fashion and the craftsmanship involved in production.
Please allow up to 10 business days for your return to be completed from the return shipping date as shipping time might vary depending on shipping country and shipping provider.
/ Chanel
/ Bags
/ Chanel Totes
1 113 £
• Black leather with a stitched CC logo
• Tortoise patterned top handles
• Black fabric lining with two internal zipped pockets
• Open top
• Vintage
The authenticity of this bag has been checked and verified by our experts who have over 10 years of experience in vintage and luxury bags. We also use a well established 3rd party authentication tool to verify our bags.
