Imagine a world without purses! It sounds inconvenient, doesn’t it? Well, for most of history, women have been carrying their essentials in various ingenious ways, and the evolution of the handbag is a story of fashion, function, and a hint of rebellion.

* Medieval Money Bags: Forget fanny packs, picture medieval pouches!  These early purses were simple drawstring bags made of leather or fabric, worn around the waist or slung over the shoulder.  Fancy? Not quite, but they did the job of carrying coins and small treasures.

* The Secret Stash (16th-17th Centuries): As dresses became more voluminous and pockets became scarce, women got creative.  Hidden pockets were sewn into undergarments, perfect for stashing precious trinkets or love letters (wink wink).  These hidden compartments might not have been the most practical, but they added a touch of intrigue to a lady’s attire.

* The Rise of the Reticule (18th Century): The 18th century saw the arrival of the reticule, the handbag’s coming-out party!  These small, decorative bags were crafted from fancy fabrics like silk and velvet, and were adorned with embroidery, beads, or even jewels.  They were a fashion statement in themselves, a way to show off your style and maybe even your social status.

* Form Meets Function (19th Century):  As women ventured out more, purses needed to adapt.  The 19th century saw the rise of structured bags made from sturdier materials like leather.  Compartments were all the rage, allowing women to organize their ever-growing essentials, from handkerchiefs to smelling salts (because fainting spells were a thing, apparently).

* The Modern Marvel (20th Century Onward):  The 20th century was the golden age of handbags.  Ready-to-wear fashion boomed, and purses became a reflection of a woman’s personality.  Iconic designs like the Chanel flap bag and the Hermes Kelly bag emerged, and materials like canvas and nylon joined the game.  Today, handbags are as diverse as the women who carry them, serving not just as functional totes but as works of art and fashion statements.

*Some information in this blog post was generated by Bard, a large language model created by Google AI.  The images were created by Microsoft Designer.

Created by Melissa Stone