History of Handbags

Joules CanberraWomen had different handbags for
The last half of the century saw a leap in technologydifferentoccasions, and used it to carry perfume, a
and the introduction of new materials and textilesfan, smelling salts and visiting cards. These handbags
forprocesses also meant that handbags could bewere called
produced at a lower cost, allowing people to buy“reticules.”
beautiful handbags ataffordable prices.Joules. TheThe term “handbags” actually only emerged
history of handbags comes full circle at the start ofin the 1900’s, and was used to describe the
the century. At first, handbags were a men’sluggage (similar to today’ssatchels or briefcases)
accessory,which they abandoned until it becamethat men would carry. Not to be outdone, designers
associated with women. But as men’s fashionof women’s handbags made similarversions that
grows more streamlined, men’shandbags arewould suit the feminine sensibility and needs, including
once again making a comeback. At least they’retiny compartments for fans, gloves andmakeup. Then
a little sturdier than leaves.Joules Clothing">The veryin the 1920’s, handbags really came into its own.
first handbags were literally crude pouches fashionedThere was more variety in terms of designs,
from leaves and animal hide.materials,accents and colors—in fact, some of the
However, the first documented use of handbags ismost popular handbags from that period reflected
from the 14th century—Egyptian hieroglyphicsEgyptian art, a tribute tothe discovery of the tomb
which depict mencarrying little sacks around theof Tutankhamun.
waist. Called “pockets”, these handbagsWhen it became fashionable for women to carry dolls
were hung by thongs at the back of thegirdle, andwearing miniature versions of their outfit (a mini-me,
were used mainly by men to carry flint or money.so tospeak), designers of handbags would make two
By the 1400’s both men and women were usingsizes of their designs—capturing even the smallest
handbags, which gradually became a status symbol.detail in thedolls’ tiny handbags.
People would adorntheir handbags with jewelry orWhen the Second World War led to a shortage of
embroidery to reflect their wealth, and use expensivemetal and leather, manufacturers of handbags began
materials such as silk.using plastic andwood. It was the beginning of many,
Needless to say these fragile handbags were notmany decades of exploring non-conventional shapes
very practical—although the mentality was that ifand material. In the 50’s, certain designers gained
you could affordthose handbags, you could afford areputation for creating bold, beautiful and elegant
servant to carry your things for you. Portraits of thehandbags. This signaledthe emergence of important
most affluent andinfluential people of the time oftendesigner houses: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes. Up to
depict what you could consider the firstthis day, handbags carrying theirlabels command a
“designer handbags”, prominentlyfastened topremium price. Joules Canberra
the dress with tasseled strings.The last half of the century saw a leap in technology
Then it became fashionable for women to wear theirand the introduction of new materials and textiles
handbags under their skirts, and handbags literallyforhandbags (such as waterproof canvas, space age
disappearedfor several decades with littlesynethics, faux reptile skin). Improvement of
development in design. Embroidery and jeweledmanufacturingprocesses also meant that handbags
accents were abandoned for practical,everydaycould be produced at a lower cost, allowing people to
materials like leather. Men also abandoned usingbuy beautiful handbags ataffordable prices.Joules. The
handbags because of development of built-in pocketshistory of handbags comes full circle at the start of
inpants. It was only in the 1800s that handbagsthe century. At first, handbags were a men’s
“reemerged”. It was no longer fashionable toaccessory,which they abandoned until it became
wear puffed skirts, and thestreamlined clothes madeassociated with women. But as men’s fashion
it impractical to wear bulky handbags. This led to thegrows more streamlined, men’shandbags are
development of the “real”handbags—heldonce again making a comeback. At least they’re
in the hand and seen as a complement to the clothes.a little sturdier than leaves.