Handbags: A Representation Of Fashion Through Time

The first handbag that showed up in written word was in the fourteenth century, but since the beginning of time people have needed something to carry their things in including Egyptians who have pouches attached to them in ancient hieroglyphics. Pictures from the Medieval period showed both women and men wearing a girdle that was like a large belt gathered about the waist and you would see a bag attached to it and hanging down. This ancient handbags were often ornate with embroidery or had sparkling jewels attached to them. They did not use them just to carry possessions but also for carrying food for their falcons, a popular pet of the era or they would hold supplies they needed for playing certain games. The Seals Bag was carried by the Lord Chancellor and it held relics of the church that were used during the mass.

During the sixteenth century practical bags were produced and they were made of either fabric or leather and had a draw string sewn in to open and shut them. Travelers would carry big bags made of fabric that were held to the body with a strap that went on a diagonal. Women in the seventeenth century would show their skills in embroidery by making samplers and this transferred to their handbags that would also advertise that they had the skills to be a great wife.

During this era both men and women carried small purses when out in public. Because Elizabethan clothing was rather voluminous prestigious woman wore bags under their skirts and men had leather pouches that were kept inside their breeches. Often times personal hygiene was not of importance in many countries and people of high station carried bags that were a small fabric bag filled with sweet smelling herbs and flowers. They would hold these bags to their noses whenever the scent of the city became too much for them.

In the eighteenth century the poofy skirts with multitudes of undergarments went out of style and women did not want to distract from the clothing they wore. Women had become dependent on a hand bag by this time so they began to carry bags called reticules in which where stored face powder, hand fans, perfume, a card case with their visiting cards and smelling salts. Each outfit had to have a matching bag.

The actual word handbag started to be used in the 1900\’s but it was not the same as what we think of today but was a piece of luggage carried by men. Designers that would soon design purses started to make this luggage so it was smart and popular. Women wanted something similar because of all the compartments that were included inside the luggage, because they locked and because the fasteners were intricate. Soon smaller bags for women were being produced that included these compartments to hold their fans and their cosmetics.

The bags no longer had to match the outfit women wore in the 1920\’s. Bags became a little different and it was popular for women to carry a doll that had an outfit and bag to match her own. The clutch purse was invented but was called the pochette and hand beautiful designs on them. This handbag no longer had a handle. The Boulevard Bag that was made of leather and was big enough to carry a few groceries became popular to women who worked outside the house as did the briefcase that had straps enabling it to be worn over the shoulder.

The 1930\’s gave women all the styles of bags they have today including the classic bag with handles, the clutch, the shoulder bag and the satchel. They were made from all kinds of materials but this is the first time they started to be made of plastic. This was the Art Deco Style period of time and purses reflected this in abstract patterns that were placed on them along with the variety in color. That all stopped in the 1940\’s when bags took on a more military look and became larger. Soon there were designer bags made by designers like Chanel. It was thought that the more feminine woman used a smaller bag while a woman who was independent and worked outside the home used a larger bag.

From the 1950\’s on women\’s clothing and handbag designs have gone hand in hand. When bright psychedelic colors were in handbags were made in those colors and in wild styles as well. When the cowboy look was in with all the fringe leather bags had suede fringe. The health and fitness trend was also reflected in handbags that started to look more like gym bags for awhile.

Handbags today are made from many different materials and come in a variety of shapes an colors. Some are large and some are very tiny and even men have started to use the Man purse in some countries. Designers are still making beautiful bags and you can also find the knock off designs in just about any town and city. Every woman has several bags from which to choose that either contrast or match their outfit. Bags today come with many different compartments inside and outside and are much more utilitarian that the ones that were carried by ladies of the court or Egyptians.

Today you can find handbags in any shape or made from any material from plastic to wicker and leather. They are made from petite to rather large and not only women enjoy using a handbag but also men have come up with the Man Purse.