How The Handbag Became the Ultimate Fashion Accessory

You would be surprised to know that these purses/handbags were first used by men, and not by women but as the time has changed and things have evolved, it has become the ultimate fashion accessory for ladies. Early women used to stay at home, do domestic chores and so they didn’t need any purse or bag to carry their stuff but men used to go out, hunt, gather food and fight in wars. So they needed a sling, pouch or small waist belt type bag to store their essentials like coins, alms, knives and relics. These bags were also in use because till the 17th century there were no pockets in the clothes and so a small bag was mandatory to carry/hold some necessities.

Handbags are the transformation of purses and cloth pouches in this modern day, which has become a humble fashion accessory with the time. The meaning of purse, means a small bag for carrying your belongings and its bigger and better form is handbags which are more functional, appealing and provide more comfort like cross body bags for women is a good example. In ancient times, bags were used for practical purposes, and act as an exterior pocket for men and women both, without making it in their clothes. With the passage of time women also started doing work, travel and leisure, so they required bags to carry their belongings. The concept of these handbags and purses has a long history, competing with fashion and trends has made them an important element of women’s wardrobe which is functional as well as fashionable too. So these bags, unlike earning or jewelry items, they provide benefit with style and grace, so they’ve made their space in the ultimate fashion accessory, but first let’s see what its history is all about:

The first purse found:

The history of purses dates back more than 5000 years, back when a man ‘otzi the iceman, that is Europe’s oldest natural mummy found in the Italian in 1991, was wearing a pouch, made out of chamois hide, attached to his belt containing flint, a drill, an owl and dried fungus. Archaeologists discovered many different purses and pouches like ornamental leather purses, red silk featuring embroidered lions on a blue background having gilt, silver and garnets along with coins.

Handbags evolution during countries:

Quick review from 15th to 18th century:

After making bags from hides, leather and other natural stuff, by the 15th century big handbags with metal frames came in fashion and were carried by aristocrats and royalty. As the time grew, these bags became fancier with beautiful decorations on them. One of the early bags that is displayed at the museum of London is a crocheted bag shaped like a frog, made from crème colored silk and silver mesh.

16th to 17th century handbags:

The era was all about small handbags, which were made from hand embroidered herbs, spices and dried rose petals to deal with the body smell, fight with infections and bacterias. This era saw the emergence of evening bags too, where both men and women had flat bags to carry chips and coins for gambling. Bags bottoms were embellished with coats of arms for recognition. The game of handbag designs started changing in the last years where more unique shapes were introduced.

3- 18th century modification:

In this century men and women bags started to differentiate, as the men used to wear coin purses attached to their waist belt with buckle whereas women started carrying small bags hanging from their wrists, even large bags were also in trend. Bags for different purposes were introduced like work bags, pear shaped and novelty bags were in fashion.

19th century evolution:

In the early 19th century velvet bags, silver mesh bags, handmade tapestry bags made by women, showing their hand needle work skills, hand carved frames along with lather bags with straps drooling on shoulder with dresses worn by ladies. This style gained serious popularity during the 1914 war. Bags like cross body bags for women which held close to the body were more trending.

This era was when the actual term handbag came about due to traveling increased and many variations and new designs came in occurrence, with different materials and designs. Due to the industrial revolution, many new manufacturing methods and techniques were invented. New materials like PVC, plastic, iron, polished steel emerged  which were used to make new designs and shapes too.

In 20th century:

This century had some major art and fashion improvements which were also successful and impacted the hand bags too. Women emancipation has the most great impact on this evolution because they’ve become more mobile and these bags give them a variety of practical needs, various brands like Hermes, louis vittion, loco by chanel, Gucci, prada gained popularity in this century. Designs which don't change in decades now change every year, every season because they are now fashion accessories.

Conclusion

Handbags have gained popularity and thus made their place in every woman's wardrobe very smartly. Different styles, materials and variety has actually made them reside in your closet, not only one but not less than three to four at least. They are beautiful and practical pieces one can’t ignore.