Ever Wondered Where Our Love of Bags Began?
Bags are a massive part of our lives, but where did it all start?
The handbag has been around for centuries, but did you know that they were originally used by men to carry flints or coins? Pockets did not appear in clothing until the 17th century, so until then, a small bag was an essential.
Pockets
Men’s pockets have always been built into their clothing, but pockets for women were an entirely separate garment. They were worn under the clothing, hung from the waist beneath voluminous skirts and were considered to be undergarments. Although these pockets were often beautifully embroidered to match the outer garments, they were highly impractical as they were very difficult to access. The pocket was considered a symbol of inequality in society by many as women did not have the luxury of having pockets incorporated into their clothing.
Image:kingandallen
Early bags
Small drawstring bags or ‘reticules’ began to be carried by women. However, these were considered by many to be vulgar and that women should not be parading about carrying their underwear for all to see! It seems so absurd to imagine this today, doesn’t it?
Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Travel
With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, there was a large increase in travel. Larger, functional bags became more popular as well as necessary, and structured bags featuring handles for carrying also contained functional pockets and compartments. This was the era when women claimed the handbag and made it their own.
Image: Waiting at the Station, Willesden Junction by James Tissot, 1874
Modern day bags
Bag designs have reflected the times - from simple and practical in the 1940’s following the war to extravagant in the early 1990’s.
Image: Christian Lacroix
Here to stay
Today, many of us change our bags regularly and have multiple bags to co-ordinate with our outfits. I think it’s safe to say - the handbag is here to stay!
Image: Vogue
Do you have any interesting handbag anecdotes? I would love to hear them.