A History of Handbags

Early handbags were just sacks and men carried scented oranges, flint and money in them.  They were known as "pockets" and were hung by thongs from the back of their girdle.  Thieves who knew how to make the most of a friendly pat on the back often cut them from behind; hence the name "cut purse".

By the 1400's both men and women were wearing purses, and as times got better the little sacks got fuller. They were ornamented with gold or elaborate embroidery and handbags became important to fashion history ever since people had these things to carry around with them. Only the items have changed over time.

In the 1500s, the drawstring bag was a status possession. Artwork of that era shows flat bags gathered by tasseled strings. By the end of the century, however, fashion went undercover, as women preferred to wear their pouches under their skirts.

In the1600s, breeches with built-in pockets came into fashion and men dispensed with their handbags. But they did continue to carry a little netted "purse" for money inside the pocket.  Actual handbags became more practical using everyday materials such as leather with a drawstring fastener on top. Also during this period, travelers used larger cloth bags. They wore the bags diagonally across their body.

The 1700s saw more variety and both fashionable men and women carried small purses with more complex shapes. Girls were taught embroidery as a very necessary skill and we see this in the beautiful and unique stitched artwork in handbags of the period. 

In the 1800s the style of women's clothes was so delicate that it was impossible for them to contain a pocket.  Ladies started carrying their handbags, which were called reticules. Women had a different bag for every occasion and every fashion magazine argued on the proper carrying of these handbags.

The term "handbag" first came into use in the 1900s and referred to hand-held luggage bags carried by men. These bags inspired bags that became popular with women. The "new" women's handbags included complicated fasteners, internal compartments, and locks.  Later, special compartments for opera glass, cosmetics, and fans were added.

The 1920s saw a revolution in fashion with varying hemlines and lighter clothing as dresses got skimpier. Handbags became indispensable, and have remained so until the present, both as a utility and as a fashion item. Every fashion now had its own handbag to compliment every woman's wardrobe.

The 1940s saw austerity in clothing materials, including handbags.  Because of the war, metal frames, zippers, leather, and mirrors were in short supply so manufacturers used plastic and wood.

The 1950s saw the rise of authentic designer handbags and with that the advent of the replicas or "knockoffs" of the authentic designer handbags.

Tthe twenty-first century has given us many new materials from which to craft handbags. In short, the sky is the limit.  One thing will not change though, authentic designer handbags will never be out of vogue.