History of the Handbag Part 1: Ten History Facts
We have
been working hard at Borne Naked H.Q to re-launch THE HANDBAG BLOG. Thanks to an overwhelming amount of interest we’ve decided to give our blog a makeover.
We’ve been researching our humble friend – the handbag – and have compiled some amazing facts! In fact, there is so much to discover about the history of the Handbag, we’ve had to make it into three parts.
Ten handbag history fast facts
- Handbags were originally worn by men and were called a pocket or a sack and were used to carry fruit, tobacco and money. Not a PDA or lipstick in sight!
- By the 1400’s, the pocket or sack became a purse and was decorated with gold and elaborate embroidery. This ‘bling’ had to be hidden from view as it was considered scandalous for the time.
- By the end of the 1400’s, the birth of the drawstring ‘IT’ purse had arrived and moved into the hands of women, where it truly belongs.
- Post French Revolution (circa 1600’s), the handbag was known as a “reticule”. Men being men liked to call it a “ridicule” as it was their idea of a bad joke. As skirts got bigger and dresses grew tighter, the purse disappeared…for a while….
- With the advent of the hobble skirt, and not being able to fit pockets on the skirt, the purse became a handbag with a long string or a chain (the very first Chanel 2.55 perhaps…)
- Women started doing the Charleston and wearing flapper dresses in the 20’s, and a handbag became THE MOST indispensable fashion item around. It became a fashion item reflecting personal style. Every woman had a handbag to suit any size, shape or colour.
- During WW2, there was a shortage of staples like metal and leather, so handbag manufacturers started to use plastic and wood. This started the trend to explore different types of shapes and materials for our handbags.
- During the 50’s, designer houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes started to design elegant and luxurious handbags for the discerning and fashionable woman. The importance of the design house emerged and now can command a premium price for their ‘IT’ bags.
- Technology and the introduction of new materials (canvas, synthetics, faux fabrics, and hemp) have created outstanding improvement of the manufacture of handbags. This has led to designers and fashion houses producing gorgeous bags at now affordable prices giving us girls wider variety and choice.
- Even the boys are rewriting fashion and have discovered the convenience of toting their belongings in a manbag (…and premier on-line fashion destination, Net-A-Porter is launching a male version, so the boys even have their own Men-A-Porter! – not sure about this bit)
….There is now a handbag for every mood, outfit and occasion. Remember – it’s all in the handbag.