• Country of Origin - Made in USA
• Colour Palette - Gold
• Seasons - All Seasons
• Fabrics & Materials - Metal Mesh
• Decade of Production - 1970s
• Approximate Age of the Piece - 50 to 54 years
Fabulous Whiting and Davis mini evening bag on a glamorous long chain. The iconic Whiting and Davis gold metal mesh with gold leather. Envelope style with a magnetic snap button closure. The long gold tone chain can be worn on the shoulder or crossbody. The chain can also be removed with the lobster clasps on either end. Clean beige grosgrain interior. Please note that this bag will not fit a phone, just cards, cash and a lipstick for a night out. Excellent vintage condition.
Sizing Measurements & Fit - Small Bag - 5" x 4.5" x 1.5". Strap is 23" long.
Vintage clothing often runs differently than contemporary styles, so it's best to rely on the measurements provided rather than the size tag. If you have any questions about a specific item, don't hesitate to ask.
Condition notes - This piece is rated 10/10 - Very good condition with no obvious flaws.
When purchasing a vintage item, please keep in mind that it has had a previous life and may show minor imperfections as a result of its age and previous use. I take great care to ensure that every piece in my collection is in the best possible condition and ready for you to wear. Each item is stored in a smoke and odor-free environment and will be sent to you freshly cleaned.
Care instructions - Special Care Required
Dry Clean or Hand wash in cool water to preserve this rare and important piece of fashion history.
Shipping - Free Worldwide Shipping
We ship within 7-14 business days. We professionally dry clean items before they are shipped, this is why our processing time takes a little longer, but we believe the benefits are really worth it. You will enjoy your special piece arriving ready to wear and in beautiful packaging.
Returns - All Sales are Final
Please choose carefully and read the description provided. Due to the special nature of these garments, we do not offer returns. If you have questions about a garment you are interested in, please reach out and we will be more than happy to discuss the details with you.
Styling Suggestions - How to Wear It
Style with a Silk evening dress and matching gold stiletto heels.
About the Designer - The very first mesh purse was created by Charles Whiting (1864–1940) in 1892 while working for the jewelry manufacturer Wade Davis & Company in Plainville, Massachusetts. Whiting joined the company at the age of 16, and by 1896 he formed a partnership to purchase it, renaming it the Whiting & Davis Company.
While the original Whiting & Davis mesh purse was made entirely by hand — artisans hammered out the links and wove them together — the company developed a machine to automate fabrication in 1912. With the ability to produce more rapidly and prolifically, Whiting & Davis became a veritable mesh empire, creating handbags and purses in all shapes, styles and colors, including ones made from precious metals, painted with Art Deco designs and silk-screened with Impressionistic images. The purses became status icons for the stylish elite, particularly with the flappers of the 1920s.
Over the years, Whiting & Davis struck up partnerships with some of the most talented designers of the time, including Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli and Elsa Peretti, who used their mesh in elegant pieces for Tiffany & Co, propelling their popularity even further. After a brief hiatus during World War II, when Whiting & Davis produced radar equipment rather than handbags, the brand continued to develop an ever-expanding line of products that included clothing.
In the 1970s, Whiting & Davis accessories and clothing were the rage of the disco scene. By the early 2000s, everyone from Paris Hilton to Lady Gaga donned the brand’s mesh handbags.
Recent innovations to their offerings include color mesh and fine mesh, with the brand refocusing on fashion jewelry with the launch of a new collection in 2013 featuring a revamped vintage snake-bracelet design. The company has been based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, since 1995, also supplying its renowned chain mesh for industrial uses like work gloves and protective applications such as shark suits for divers.
