Purses or handbags and pouches have taken on many looks over the years. Purses or handbags history: The documentation of them date back to Egyptian hieroglyphics of pouches worn around the waist. The next documentation dates back to 14th century Europe. In Europe they often times showed social status based on the embroidery and quality of the bag. At this time the purses were for women mainly and were therefore attached to their girdle. In the 15th century, both men and women wore purses. Purses or handbags often times finely embroidered or ornamented with gold. It was also customary for men to give their new brides purses embroidered with an illustration of a love story. Later in the century, women, now wearing finer dresses, preferred to wear their pouches under their skirts.
In Africa, priests carried beaded bags and wizards also carried unadorned bags. A wizard bag was said to carry powder to interact with the supernaturals. Therefore, African men did not open these bags, much like nowadays when normal men don't open women's bags, in fear of what it will unleash. In the 16th century, handbags were made out of common everyday materials. They were leather and fastened with drawstring on top. Also, large cloth bags were introduced and and worn by travelers diagonally across the body.
In the 17th century, bags became more complex and elaborate. At a young age, girls were taught necessary skills such as embroidery, that would make them marriageable. This caused the rise of lovely and unique stitched artwork on purses. Also at this time in 1670, men's breeches were made with built-in pockets which caused them to stop carrying purses. They did however carry little netted purses in their pocket to carry money.
In the 18th century, as neo-classical clothing came into fashion, women started carrying their handbags as not to ruin their outfits. They renamed these bags reticules. Women also had more of them and certain ones for each occasion. In these new, better bags, you would commonly find rouge, face powder, a fan, a scent bottle, visiting cards, a card case, and smelling salts.
In the early 1900's, people then began calling their bags, handbags. This term referred to luggage that men carried. They then inspired women ,who began carrying bags with complicated fasteners, internal compartments, and locks.
In the 1920's, it became popular that bags no longer had to match your outfit. The new fashion for upper class women then changed. It was then common for them to carry a doll dressed exactly like them that carried a matching bag, which was a smaller version of the doll. In the 40's, with WWII, women's purses were made out of wood or plastic since metal was being saved for supplies. In the 50's, popular designers rose to the top. They included Chanel, Gucci Louis Vuitton, and Hermes.