Vintage 90s Paisley Tote Bag with Tortoiseshell Handles – Etro

A distinctive vintage Etro Milano paisley tote bag, dating to approximately the late 1990s, combining the Italian house’s signature paisley vocabulary with sculptural tortoiseshell-effect handles. The structured rectangular body is crafted from Etro’s richly patterned coated paisley textile, developed in warm shades of burgundy, tobacco brown, bronze, muted green and ochre. The intricate pattern has an almost tapestry-like quality, while the coated finish gives the surface greater structure and protection. Two glossy tortoiseshell-effect resin handles introduce a strong decorative contrast and give the otherwise understated tote a distinctly late-1990s character. The interior is finished in a neutral-toned lining and includes a zipped compartment for smaller belongings. A leather tab with magnetic fastening secures the open top, while the interior leather detail is stamped ETRO Milano. Particularly desirable, this example retains its original Etro care booklet, which describes the house's hand-crafted bags and the special waterproofing/plastification process used for its paisley fabric. The booklet also confirms that the leather finishing is natural hide and therefore develops warmer tones with exposure to light. An expressive yet very wearable example of vintage Etro: a piece that brings together the house's textile heritage, paisley signature and distinctly Italian approach to decorative accessories. Also available at our London Marylebone Store.