Handbags in History

A woman’s purse is an intricate part of her life Anything and everything might be found within it.The history of the handbags we carry today dates back long ago. It may surprise you that women did not even carry the first handbags .

In Greek and Roman Civilizations men carried a small pouch to hold coins. In the middle ages, during the Crusades, men carried bags hung on girdles around their waists, filled with alms for the poor. At this point in time, women wore chatelaines, hook like clasps ant their waists attached with necessities such as scissors or keys.

The development of the pocket came in the Sixteenth Century. They were much different than the pockets of today. These early pockets were tied around the waist with long ribbon sashes. They were worn under clothing and accessed via slashes. It was not until later that pockets were sewn onto clothing.

Current fashions in the Eighteenth Century necessitated a new direction; reticules. Often made of luxurious fabrics such as velvet or silk, and embellished with ribbons and tassels, these bags draped daintily at the wrists of the ladies who carried them.

The Industrial Revolution changed everything. With the onset of women’s rights, work and travel (trains, autos and airplanes) needs were rapidly changing. The precursor of our current handbags have their roots in the railroads. Luggage makers made leather bags with handles, similar to luggage, but designs to be hand carried. Fashion trends, necessity and our desires continue to dictate the handbags we carry today and into the future.