Handbag

A handbag is a medium-to-large accessory with handles used for carrying personal items.

In North American English, these are commonly called purses. In parts of the United States, people also use the term pocketbook. While the word "purse" originally described a small bag for holding coins, a handbag is larger. It holds many objects beyond just currency. The term "handbag" first appeared in the early 1900s. At that time, it often referred to men's hand-luggage. As women's bags grew more complex, the name was applied to them.

Bags have been used since antiquity to carry tools, weapons, and supplies.

Early examples from Egyptian burial sites, dating from 2686 to 2160 BCE, were made of leather. These bags had two straps or handles for carrying or suspending from a stick. The ancient Greeks used leather, papyrus, or linen purses called byrsa to store coins. This term is the etymological origin of the English word "purse." The rise of money also led to the creation of drawstring purses. These were often hung from a belt or kept in clothing folds. A handbag was even discovered with the remains of Ötzi, who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC.

History shows that handbags have often been symbols of wealth.

One famous example is a leather purse found at the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk, England. This purse dates to approximately 625 CE and belonged to King Roewald. Although the leather had decayed, it contained forty gold coins. The purse featured gold ornaments, a gold belt buckle, and golden hinged straps. These items displayed opulence and made the purse part of a lavish collection. Another significant find is the Courtauld bag. Thought to be from Mosul in the early 1300s, it is likely the oldest surviving handbag in the world. It may have belonged to an Ilkhanate noblewoman.

Fashion changes throughout history have dictated how bags are used.

Until the late 1700s, both men and women carried purses for coins. In the 17th century, young girls learned embroidery, which helped them create beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, women preferred slender shapes inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome. They used reticules, which were small drawstring bags made of silk or velvet. These were popular in France and Britain, where they were called "indispensables." Men did not follow this trend. Instead, they used pockets sewn into their trousers to carry money and items like pipes or knives.

The modern luxury handbag emerged during the Industrial Revolution in England.

In 1841, a confectionery entrepreneur named Samuel Parkinson ordered special traveling cases. He noticed his wife's purse was too small and the material was not durable for travel. He requested various handbags of different sizes for different occasions. He insisted they be made of the same leather as his traveling trunks. This distinguished them from the cloth carpetbags used by the popular classes. The London maker H. J. Cave produced these first modern luxury sets. This collection included the clutch and the tote, which was then called a "ladies traveling case."

Handbags have also been shaped by social and psychological views.

In the early 20th century, some critics viewed them as unfeminine. Sigmund Freud even argued that the structure of a purse was sexually suggestive. Before handbags, women used internal pockets to retrieve items discreetly. Because handbags are carried in the open, they exposed personal items. As they became mainstream, handbags transitioned into symbols of social status. The brand names and materials became as valuable as the bag's function. In the 1940s, textile rationing during World War II led to bags made of raffia or crocheted yarn.

Today, there is a massive variety of bag types and a large market for men's accessories.

Common styles include the baguette, which is narrow like a loaf of bread, and the bucket bag, which uses a drawstring. There are also clutches, which are small bags without handles, and messenger bags, which are inspired by urban mail delivery. While women's bags are often fashion accessories, men's bags have historically focused on business. Men use items like briefcases, backpacks, or messenger bags. The global trade for men's bags and small leather goods is a $4-billion-a-year industry. This industry includes many designers like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Coach.