Handbags have been essential to daily life ever since people have had something precious to carry around with them, the items have changed over time, like the designs or materials to create a bag. The very first handbag mention in written literature comes from the 14th century, the embroidery and jewels adorned these articles and were used to show status – the richer the person, the more elaborate the bag. In the 16th century fashion dramatically changed, and handbags took on more of an air of practicality with the use of everyday materials such as leather. In the 17th century saw more variety and both fashionable men and women carried small purses with more complex shapes. Young girls were taught embroidery as a very necessary skill to make them marriageable and we see the rise of beautiful and unique stitched artwork in handbags. By the 18th century Women had a different bag for every occasion and every fashion magazine had arguments on the proper carrying of these purses showing that a handbag was a Fashion trend.
The term “handbag” first came into use in the early 1900’s and generally referred to handheld luggage bags usually carried by men. These were an inspiration for new bags designs that became popularised for women, including the details of complicated fasteners, internal compartments, and locks. There was a demand for new purse styles that were more durable and could hold more items. By the time traveling was in vogue and this resulted in luggage makers beginning to create purses for women to use while travelling on trains.
The woman’s handbag as we know it, however, is a much more recent development in the long, humble history of the bag. As the years progressed and handbags became further entrenched in women’s daily lives, they became a barometer for the times, adroitly reflecting the sensibilities of the women who sported them and the culture in which those women lived. The history of the handbag is the history of women: women’s changing tastes, priorities, and roles in society. Handbags have thrived in times of excess and survived in times of scarcity, and even defied repeated calls by feminists to replace them with pockets. Overall, the variety and adaptability of the bag are the very components which allow its evolution to creatively persist.
Today a modern-day handbag is a fashionable bag with straps that easily go over the shoulder, used for carrying personal items such as money, make-up, electronic devices and more. Purses are mainly designed for and worn by women sometimes with a message to empower them and or to simply walk with pride out on the streets. We cannot divine the future of the woman’s handbag. But, for sure today is about expressing yourself thought it and feel conformable with the bag you wear. Untitled Barcelona Handbags have a playful bag design and always with a message to empower the divine feminine, they are full of magic and art.
