Handbags: From Rags to Riches

Handbags have always been used to carry belongings during everyday life.  Handbags were first used to carry precious items. As handbags evolved, they were used to carry different things by both men and women.  Today, regardless of what is carried in them, handbags can be designer showpieces all on their own.

Egyptian hieroglyphs depict pouches being worn around peoples’ waists, but handbags weren’t mentioned in literature until the 14th Century.  Handbags were worn around the waist and were more or less ornate depending on the financial status of the wearer.  Rich people had ornate handbags while poorer people wore plain handbags.

Handbags evolved during the 16th Century to be more practical.  Handbags were made out of leather and had more secure closures.  Larger cloth handbags were also made for travelers that could be worn diagonally across the chest for comfort.  This trend continued into the 17th Century, when both men and women carried fashionable handbags.  Embroidery was an important skill taught to young women during those times, so many handbags bearing beautiful embroidery and stitch work were made.

During the 18th Century, handbags were called reticules and were not considered to be very fashionable.  Among the things found in reticules were face powder, rouge, a fan, a scent bottle, a card case with cards, and smelling salts.

Handbags finally found a place in the 20th Century.  They were first called handbags in reference to hand-held luggage usually carried by men, but those designs evolved into handbags to be carried by women complete with fasteners, internal compartments, and even locks.  Special compartments in handbags were even created for glasses, cosmetics, and fans.  Egyptian artwork on handbags was popular due to the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.

During the 1940s, plastic and wood had to be used in the manufacturing of handbags because of the war effort when other materials were difficult to get.

A very important development occurred in the 1950s when major designers began taking an interest in handbags.  Designers such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Hermes still produce designer handbags today.

There are many styles of handbags to serve many purposes.  Clutch style handbags are slim and designed to be carried under the arm or by hand, eliminating the need for a strap.  These are perfect handbags to carry for evening events.  Bucket style handbags are large and designed to carry many necessities.  Backpack style handbags are designed to keep the hands free for other things.

Handbags have a colorful history from being used to carry possessions to designer fashion statements.  Styles and colors may pass, but handbags will always be useful fashion accessories.