Handbags were first mentioned in literature back in the fourteenth century however Egyptians were shown wearing some sort of pouch in the hieroglyphs they left behind. During the Medieval era people wore what was called a girdle that were fastened about the waist and often a bag was attached to this apparatus. Sometimes the bags were decorated with intricate embroidery or they were festooned with jewels. Bags were not just for carrying money and some were used for holding food for pet falcons or for gaming supplies. There were ecclesiastical purses made to hold holy relics used in the mass and the one that was the most significant during this period of time was the Seal Bag for the Lord Chancellor.
Sixteenth century handbags were a bit more practical being made of leather and having a draw string to keep them shut. There were also large fabric bags made that were carried by travelers strapped on by a strap held diagonally on the body. In the seventeenth century purses were embroidered to mirror the embroidery a women would do in a sampler to show her skill and advertise that her abilities would make her a good wife.
Women carried their purses under their voluminous Elizabethan skirts so they were out of the way. Men also concealed their purses under their breeches. Other types of bags were carried and one was the sweat bag. This bag was a fabric bag usually embroidered that was stuffed with sweet smelling herbs and flowers. It was thought that bathing was detrimental to the body at this time so many fragile aristocrats carried these bags to their noses to make the overpowering scents of the city better.
In the eighteenth century the poofy skirts with multitudes of undergarments went out of style and women did not want to distract from the clothing they wore. Women had become dependent on a hand bag by this time so they began to carry bags called reticules in which where stored face powder, hand fans, perfume, a card case with their visiting cards and smelling salts. Each outfit had to have a matching bag.
Things called handbags came about in the 1900's and referred to a smaller piece of luggage that were carried by men. Some were made by popular women's purse designers of the present day like Theirry Hermes and Louis Vuitton. Women liked the look of them because they had internal compartments, locks and more complicated fasteners. Bags were made for women that had compartments for cosmetics and fans.
The bags no longer had to match the outfit women wore in the 1920's. Bags became a little different and it was popular for women to carry a doll that had an outfit and bag to match her own. The clutch purse was invented but was called the pochette and hand beautiful designs on them. This handbag no longer had a handle. The Boulevard Bag that was made of leather and was big enough to carry a few groceries became popular to women who worked outside the house as did the briefcase that had straps enabling it to be worn over the shoulder.
During the 1930's the modern handbag was well in style and included the classic bag that had a handle and frame, the clutch, the satchel, and the shoulder bag and these were made of all kinds of materials including plastic. Patterns were geometrical during the Art Deco period and they used all different colors. During the 1940's bags got a bit larger and many looked military probably because of the war. People like Chanel and Vuitton were beginning to make designer bags in the 1950's and it seemed feminine women carried a small and dainty bag while a working women who was very independent would carry a larger bag.
Since then the handbag has gone through the same evolution and women's clothing. When the leather cowboy look with suede fringe was in so was the fringed hand bag. The hippie era with bright colors and flowing fabrics also took over that same look in women's hand bags. When women became obsessed with health and fitness the handbag also reflected that looking somewhat like undersized gym bags.
Handbags today do not have to match but enhance clothing worn and they are made in leather, wicker, fabric and all other types of materials. Some bags are small and some are large and even men are beginning to care what is called the Man Purse. Designers are still designing beautiful purses and inexpensive versions can be purchased just about anywhere. Most women have several different handbags and change them to either contrast or match the clothing they do wear. Bags can be simple or they can have many different outer compartments, zippers and buttons. They are quite different than the little pouches worn in ancient times but are more utilitarian than ever before.
Today you can find handbags in any color or made from any material from plastic to wicker and leather. They are made from small to very large and not only women enjoy using a handbag but also men have come up with the Man Purse.