FASHION ITEM THAT HAS STOOD THROUGH TIME: THE HANDBAG

HANGBAG, PURSE, POUCH, CARRIER, TOTE, SACK, POCKET- whatever you chose to call it, its been around since forever and its here to stay!

 The earliest handbags have been verified historically were small sacks carried by gentlemen containing pomanders (scented seeds and oranges), flint and money.These were called "pockets" and were hung by thongs from the back of the girdle. Pockets were often cut and stolen from behind by thieves and were soon nicknamed "cut purse".
Early modern Europeans wore purses for one purpose, to carry coins. Purses were made of soft fabric or leather and were worn by men as often as ladies, the scottish sporran is a survival of their custom.
The term 'handbag' began appearing in the early 1900s. Initially it was most often used to refer to men's hand-luggage. Women's accessory begs grew larfer and more complex during that period, and term became attatched to womens accessories. The post war economic boon of the 1950s catapulted handbags into cult status. 

Major designers such as Vuitton, Hermes, and Channel enjoyed a culture where accessorizing and color coordinating were held to an almost moral standard. 

1960s and 70s saw a rise of youth culture rules of “appropriate” dress relaxed in response to the women’s’ movement and the rise of the youth culture. As the rules of correct dressing began to breakdown, the narrow long clutch was one of the earliest types of handbags to make the transition into the age of informality and youth fashion because it had always been thought suitable for a youthful look. The small and dainty shoulder bag with long chains or thin straps also began to dominate because it kept with informal child-like qualities of the miniskirt.

90s saw a unisex bags for the first time, a concern with health and fitness sports bags and shoes were an additional group of accessories that influenced high fashion. Major changes occurred in 21^st century where modern bags have evolved to include the ‘man bag’. Handbags, which for so long had been associated with the feminine are now becoming more popular with men. Both the modern man and woman can strap on or sling over a hands-free bag and go. We now see women carrying bags which the size of luggage bags, it has become a fashion accessory where people are paying thousands of dollars to get themselves the latest designer bags. Bags today are continually changing from large to small, men, women, unisex, strapped and no straps – the limits are endless!