We’ve come a long way.
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You probably grab your go-to handbag without much of a second thought.
So whether youre merely curious or are looking for some party fodder, keep reading.
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Ancient hieroglyphs were also seen of men with small drawstring pouches around their waist.
Predating the empowering era of pockets was the girdle pouch.
The reticule was a go-to through the Industrial Revolution, though it was a sleeker, more improved adaptation.
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This new version better matched the dresses of the time, which were becoming slimmer.
Thanks to the manufacturing boom of the Industrial Revolution, major changes occurred in the fashion industry.
Accessories started taking center stage in womens fashion, and handbags became the crown jewel, she says.
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Interestingly enough, one of the first known handbag designers for women was founded by a woman.
In 1839, Harriet Jane Cave (or H.J.
Cave) created the railway basket and leather trunks for travel in England, Blumenthal says.
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Factory workers needed sturdier, larger bags, and the high-class elite opted for the luxury version.
Handbags were evolving into status symbols for commercialization.
This bag became known as the Hermes Bolide, the first handbag with a zipper closure.
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Around this time, top-handle bags with structured frames also rose in popularity, providing a bit more function.
Mid 20th Century
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A lot happened in the mid 20th century.
Itd later gain fame as the “Kelly Bag” when Grace Kelly used it to conceal her pregnancy.
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Larger, structured bagslike frame bags and satchelsreturned to the forefront, reflecting the renewed post-war prosperity.
It was also around this time when the now iconic Chanel 2.55 introduced a quilted silhouette with chain straps.
Straw and raffia were imported and added to a new basket bag silhouette.
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Hippie favorites included fringed suede, hand-tooled leather, macrame, and tote-like shoulder bags.
Thanks to the disco-dazzling aesthetic of the 1970s, bohemian fashion took the spotlight.
The 1980s embraced maximalist style with a focus on designer labels.
The famous interlocking CC of Chanel became a fashion staple, as well as Pradas nylon bags.
The pandemic certainly reshaped our priorities with a deeper appreciation for ease and comfort across the spectrumeven in fashion.
