Even
though handbags have
been around for quite some time, styles and symbols have changed quite
a bit over the years. While the first handbags certainly have some
similarities to modern-day counterparts, there are quite a few differences
as well.
It may surprise some to learn how long handbags have truly been around.
Handbags are documented to have been used in the 14th Century by the
Egyptians. The hieroglyphs and parchments depict pouches being carried
around the waist of ancient Egyptians.
Much like today, handbags were meant to show status. The handbags
that people carry around with them nowadays are often used for the
same purpose. Only today, it is possible that the handbag does not
need to be flashy to show status. Rather, as long as it has a brand
name on it, then it is probably something that will raise your status
level.
A few decades later, the handbags that were being used turned a bit
more toward practicality and less toward glamour. They began to use
things like a drawstring and a fastener on top. This made the bags
much easier to carry for those who used them.
Around this time people began carrying bags diagonally across the
body. People soon realized that carrying in such a manner was easier
on them when carrying heavy loads, therefore they began to make larger
bags so they could carry more at a time.
However, this does not mean that it still was not fashionable to
carry such a bag. In fact, the 18th century saw these bags become
even more fashionable among both genders. Likewise, young girls were
taught to sew and embroider these bags. The embellishments only helped
make the bags that much more appealing and popular.
In the 1800s the amount of underclothing worn by women decreased.
The wearing of a purse was thought to detract from the look of this
fashion, so the more social and fashionable ladies began to carry
their bags by hand instead of over the shoulder. It wasn’t long
before women started to have a different bag for every occasion.
Now, in the 20th and 21st centuries, these handbags are more popular
than ever. They have evolved, but it is hard to say what is fashionable
and what isn’t. Most agree that it depends on the attitude and
overall look of the wearer more than anything else.
Regardless of what century you are interested in, it is likely you
will be able to find some kind of historical information about handbags.
They have been a part of fashion for hundreds of years and as long
as people have a need to carry things, they probably always will be.