How handbags evolved...?

The humble, but oh so useful, handbag has a history that goes back centuries. Archeologists say that the first instances of anything vaguely resembling handbags could be seen in Egyptian hieroglyphs. These wall paintings, a favorite form of record keeping in ancient Egypt, depicted pouch-like containers strapped to the user’s waist with a girdle. These pouches were used to carry money, flint, and even spices. The next appearance of handbags in history is talked about in the literature of the fourteenth century in Europe. The writings mention that these small bags were used to safely carry around valuable items. The bags themselves were quite elaborate, being embellished with embroidery and precious stones. During that period where a lot of importance was laid on the position of the person in society, the quality of the bag was supposed to depict the owner’s wealth.

While earlier, carrying of bags was not very prevalent among the masses, towards the 1500s, the usage of bags reached the mainstream of society and bags were now used for carrying more than just valuables. These bags were now made of cloth or leather and could be fastened with a drawstring, keeping the contents safe within. Being more practical, these bags were bigger and could be diagonally slung over the shoulders. In the next century, handbags were made more aesthetically appealing and were used by members of both the sexes. In the mid 1600s, handbag usage saw a temporary decline when breeches having pockets were invented. A few decades later, the popularity of handbags saw another surge when hobble skirts began to be used. The design of these skirts eliminated the possibility of there being any pockets.  

By the turn of the eighteenth century, handbags were now regarded as fashion accessories and stylish pre-Victorian women began carrying them.  These bags began appearing in fashion magazines and aristocratic women even had different handbags for different occasions. The handbags of that era were refereed to as reticules.

It was only in the twentieth century that the term ‘handbags’ became prevalent. The handbags now were made in a more commercial manner, with multiple compartments, fasteners such as buckles and zips, and even theft-proof locks. Bag manufacturers designed bags with compartments to hold frequently used items like makeup kits, opera glasses, visiting cards, hand fans, and even handkerchiefs.

After the mid 1900s, gauging the fame of handbags, a number of fashion designers and fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Coach, Dior, and Gucci began entering the handbag manufacturing industry. Contemporary handbags, like Belisi handbags from www.belisi.com have an aesthetic appeal and are also built for durability. Belisi Fashions handbags are intended to suit most outfits and can be carried to both formal and informal occasions. The luxury line of handbags from Belisi is coming soon. These days the Fashion fanatics even own handbag related blogs and people are always on the lookout for trendy handbags for less. Nowadays, bling bling handbags are sold alongside relatively more staid men’s handbags. Antique purses and vintage handbags are popular amongst collectors and handbag freaks, for their historical value.