The History of Handbags
Handbags are a staple of every woman’s wardrobe these days and most women have a number of handbags to co-ordinate with different outfits. In fact, according to one, the average 30 year old Englishwoman owns 21 handbags and buys a new one every 3 months!
We regularly admire handbags, totes, clutches and purses in shops and magazines, but have you ever wondered about the history of handbags? When were handbags invented and how did they come about?
Early handbags
Although the advent of the ‘man bag’ is well-documented these days, we primarily associate handbags with women’s fashion. However, handbags were in fact first used by men to carry goods such as pomander (scented oranges), seeds, flint and money. Of course, these weren’t the handbags that we know and covet today. They were usually in the form of pouches that went on to form the basis of the handbag as we know it today.
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact date for when handbags came about, but it’s fair to say handbags aren’t a modern invention-many Egyptian hieroglyphs even depict early versions of the handbag.
By the 1400s both men and women were using handbags and the handbag started to be valued as being stylish as well as practical. Handbags became fashion items and accordingly they became increasingly decorative and ornamental, with embroidery and gold used to embellish the handbags. By the 16th century it was normal for handbags to be made from everyday materials such as cloth and leather.
Handbags disappeared from view for a while as women began to prefer to wear their handbag pouches under their skirts. Breeches became popular for men, and as they had built-in pockets men didn’t need to carry handbags around.
The handbag revolution
Following the French Revolution it came to be fashionable for women to wear delicate clothing with tight skirts and blouse. This meant women had to bring their handbags out into the open again.
Handbags became especially popular with the advent of the ‘hobble skirt’. Because such skirts were so restrictive, handbags were a necessity and large handbags with long chains or strings were especially fashionable.
The actual term ‘handbag’ didn’t come into use until the 1900s. Handbag had previously been used to refer mainly to men’s handheld luggage and these bags inspired new styles of handbags for women, with locks, compartments and complicated fastenings.
From the 1920s onwards clothes became skimpier and more lightweight, and so the handbag became an indispensable part of any woman’s wardrobe. Handbags became a practical necessity and a style choice.
In the 40s, due to the war effort materials such as metal frames, zips and leather were in short supply so manufacturers began to experiment with materials such as plastic and wood to make handbags.
Handbags now
There are a wide range of handbag choices these days, with handbags available in every shape and size. Celebrities set trends with their choice of handbags and the prices range from a few pounds up to the thousands.
The development of new materials has further diversified the handbag market. Leather is still a popular handbag choice, but there are also waterproof bags, delicate silk evening bags, and trendy plastic clutches.
Handbags or ‘man bags’ as they are known are also becoming popular again for men. Messenger bags and satchel styles are particularly trendy.
Designer bags are popular, as are cheaper copies of them. As the handbag is so popular these days and such a fashion staple, handbag designs are likely to become even more unusual and imaginative in the future.