A purse is a woman's haven on a day out. It has everything she needs: her keys, ID, a picture of her dog, her favorite shade of lipstick, makeup wipes, lip balm, some pain relievers…you know, the essentials.
That being said, a woman's purse doesn’t just serve a utilitarian purpose. It also anchors her outfit and needs to be stylish as well as functional. The mystery of a woman's purse is more than just what she needs when she leaves the house; it also reveals a lot about her style and personality.
Purses and handbags, as we know them today, have been an essential part of women's style for over a century, but why is that? Why do women love their handbags? Why do they spend so much money on them? Why do they sometimes own so many?
Well, as The Purse Ladies, we feel rather qualified to answer this question and unlock the mysteries of the handbag. From historical implications to progressive empowerment and simple style fun, this is a deep dive into the societal significance of designer purses in women's lives.
The History of Handbags
The concept of an external bag to hold belongings has been found to exist since the Ice Age but began to hold significance for women in 1300s Europe. Many women wore little pouches attached at the waist to carry pocket change or scented spices. We can’t blame them for carrying the early iterations of perfume everywhere because the thought of a world without deodorant and proper showering makes us a little sick.
As the years went on, these little pouches began to develop into more than just a functional item but into an indicator of class and style. The size and ornamentation of these pouches began to set women apart. The more decorative the bag, the wealthier the woman. Tassels, patterns, embroidery, and beading all became more prominent through the Renaissance and began to show women's personal styles to the world.
As the Industrial Revolution kicked off and women began to leave the home and enter the workforce, early versions of the purse became something women saved up for. An attainable and approachable luxury, the “Chatelaine” bag, made of smooth fabrics and metal fastenings, became a beloved item in women's wardrobes.
In the early 20th century, many designers and fashion houses began to release handbags as we know them today. Available to both the wealthiest of society's women and the average working woman or housewife, purses developed into a unifying piece that all women carried. Chanel was one of the first designers to create a larger handbag for women, with utility and style in mind. Their bag, released in the 1920s, was made of the same material as military packs and was one of the first bags on the market that could be worn over the shoulder, not just held in your hands.
Today, handbags are among the most coveted items in a woman's closet. They serve both a practical and fashionable purpose. A long way from the belt bags of past centuries, today's purses still convey the class and style of the woman carrying them.
The Symbol of the Handbag
For many women, one of the first "grown-up" purchases they will make is a good quality handbag. Likely still in their closets, many women view their first handbag as a big step into adulthood. A handbag, as for women in the past, is a symbol of women's freedom: the freedom to leave home, go to work, go out with friends, and go shopping, all activities that many women in generations before could not do. For many, a purse can serve as physical evidence of women's empowerment.
Beyond the handbag itself, the shape, style, color, size, and brand of a purse are all symbolic representations of the woman carrying it. Bold bags often reflect an eccentric style or personality, while canvas totes and structureless hobo bags can represent a casual, laid-back woman.
The type of bag a woman carries can also indicate her phase of life. A working woman can carry a large leather bag on her way to her 9:00 to 5:00 job, a college student may carry a backpack, and a large waterproof tote can serve as a diaper bag for a new mom. The bags women carry change throughout their lives and serve as milestones in every woman's story.
Designer Details
The story of luxury designers and houses in the history of the handbag is one of intrigue. As luxury brands began to release purses and handbags for women, they made a practical item that would otherwise be an eyesore on a well-curated outfit into a focal point of style and something everyone wanted to carry.
The logos and labels on purses are now the object of many women's desires and envy. Luxury brands encourage women to save their pennies for a piece that shows the world their hard work and style. These pieces bring women together and unite women of various backgrounds under one umbrella or, rather, one handbag.
Making Statements
The ancestor of the purse, the belt-tied pouch, made its way into the background of style during the Victorian era. Women kept these under skirts, which were viewed as undergarments. As women's roles in society changed, and items needed to be more accessible, it became a risque statement to carry handbags openly. It was, however, a statement to do so and helped change the narrative on practicality in women's fashion.
While we are still waiting for our jeans to have functional pockets, purses are a statement that men's and women's fashion is still not equal, although we still love matching our outfits to our bags.
Today, women still make statements with their purses and handbags. Many women are opting to buy pre-owned designer bags in an effort to reduce fashion waste and combat climate change. Gently used luxury bags also offer a more accessible avenue for those with less affluent backgrounds to find high-quality bags and create a more level playing field, especially in fashion in the workforce.
Women have always been forces for change, and handbags have been a small part of that story. The next time you see a fashionable woman walking down the street with a gorgeous designer bag or you grab your favorite pre-loved designer bags from your closet, think of the statement that can be made and the history on display. It can add a bit of pep to your step and confidence to your day, knowing that you are a part of fashion and feminist history.