A handbag, commonly known as a purse or pocketbook in
North American English
North American English (NAmE, NAE) is the most generalized variety of the English language as spoken in the United States and Canada. Because of their related histories and cultures, plus the similarities between the pronunciations (accents), ...
, is a
handled medium-to-large
bag used to carry personal items.
Purse, handbag or pouch
The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins. In many English-speaking countries, it is still used to refer to a small money bag. A "handbag" is a larger accessory that holds objects beyond currency, such as personal items. American English typically uses the terms purse and handbag interchangeably. The term handbag began appearing in the early 1900s. Initially, it was most often used to refer to men's hand-luggage. Women's bags grew larger and more complex during this period, and the term was attached to the accessory. "Pocketbook" is another term for a woman's handbag that was most commonly used on the East Coast of the United States in the mid-twentieth century.
Modern origin
Early modern Europeans wore purses for one sole purpose: to carry coins. Purses were made of soft fabric or
leather
Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hog ...
and were worn by men as often as ladies; the Scottish
sporran
The sporran (; Scottish Gaelic and Irish for " purse"), a traditional part of male Scottish Highland dress, is a pouch that performs the same function as pockets on the pocketless kilt. Made of leather or fur, the ornamentation of the sporra ...
is a survival of this custom. In the 17th century, young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage; this also helped them make very beautiful handbags.
By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape for these accessories, inspired by the silhouettes of Ancient Greece and Rome. Women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so
''reticules'' were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, carried with wrist straps. First becoming popular in France, they crossed over into Britain, where they became known as "indispensables." Men, however, did not adopt the trend. They used purses and
pocket
A pocket is a bag- or envelope-like receptacle either fastened to or inserted in an article of clothing to hold small items. Pockets are also attached to luggage, backpacks, and similar items. In older usage, a pocket was a separate small bag ...
s, which became popular in men's trousers.
The modern purse, clutch, pouch, or handbag came about in England during the
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States, that occurred during the period from around 1760 to about 1820–1840. This transition included going f ...
, in part due to the increase in travel by railway. In 1841 the
Doncaster
Doncaster (, ) is a city in South Yorkshire, England. Named after the River Don, it is the administrative centre of the larger City of Doncaster. It is the second largest settlement in South Yorkshire after Sheffield. Doncaster is situated in ...
industrialist and confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson (of
butterscotch fame) ordered a set of traveling cases and trunks and insisted on a traveling case or bag for his wife's particulars after noticing that her purse was too small and made from a material that would not withstand the journey.
He stipulated that he wanted various handbags for his wife, varying in size for different occasions, and asked that they be made from the same leather that was being used for his cases and trunks to distinguish them from the then-familiar
carpetbag and other travelers' cloth bags used by members of the popular classes.
H. J. Cave (London) obliged and produced the first modern set of luxury handbags, as we would recognize them today, including a clutch and a tote (named as 'ladies traveling case').
These are now on display in the
Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam. H. J. Cave did continue to sell and advertise the handbags, but many critics said that women did not need them and that bags of such size and heavy material would 'break the backs of ladies.' H. J. Cave ceased to promote the bags after 1865, concentrating on trunks instead, although they continued to make the odd handbag for royalty, celebrities or to celebrate special occasions, the Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee being the most recent. However, H.J. Cave resumed handbag production in 2010.
20th century
When handbags started to become popularized, they were heavily criticized as it was seen as unfeminine. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud argued that purses were sexually suggestive as the structure of the purse symbolized female genitalia and sexuality. Before handbags, pockets were secured inside of a woman's dress which held personal items and retrieving items was done discreetly and modestly. Due to handbags being carried in the open, the accessory exposed a woman's personal items. Freud compared women retrieving items from their purse as a representation of masturbation. According to Freud's argument, women who carried purses openly displayed their sexuality due to the sexual symbolism of the purse.
As handbags grew into the mainstream in the 20th century, they began to transform from purely practical items to symbols of the wearer's wealth and worth in society. The styles, materials, prices, and, most importantly, the brand names of purses and handbags became just as (if not more) valuable than the functionality of the bags themselves. Handbags transitioned from being seen as unfeminine, to being seen as specifically feminine and unmasculine. While women's bags served as fashion accessories not meant to hold more than a few personal and beauty items (feminine things), men's bags stayed more in the realm of briefcases: square, hard-edged, plain; containing items pertaining to the “man’s world”: business-related items, documents, files, stationery and pens. The gendered division between the personal bag and the business bag meets in the middle with the unisex alms purse originating in the Middle Ages meant to carry coins to donate to the church or the poor. The charitable symbolism of the alms purse later carried over to women's handbags in general; a woman carrying a bag was seen as upper class and therefore potentially using the bag to hold her donations.
During the 1940s, the rationing of textiles for World War II led to the manufacturing of handbags made in materials like
raffia
Raffia palms (''Raphia'') are a genus of about twenty species of palms native to tropical regions of Africa, and especially Madagascar, with one species (''R. taedigera'') also occurring in Central and South America. ''R. taedigera'' is the sour ...
or crocheted from yarn. Some women crocheted their own small handbags from commercial patterns during this period.
Men's bags
The oldest known purse dates back more than 5000 years, and was a pouch worn by a man,
Ötzi the Iceman. Men once carried
coin purses. In early modern Europe, when women's fashions moved in the direction of using small ornamental purses, which evolved into handbags, men's fashions were moving in another direction. Men's trousers replaced men's
breeches
Breeches ( ) are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Formerly a standard item of Western men's c ...
during the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, and pockets were incorporated in the loose, heavy material. This enabled men to continue carrying coins, and then paper currency, in small leather wallets. Men's pockets were plentiful in the 19th century and 20th century trousers and coats, to carry possessions, such as pipes, matches, and knives, and they were an item frequently mended by their wives.
Men's purses were revived by designers in the 1970s in Europe. Since the 1990s, designers have marketed a more diverse range of accessory bags for men. The names man bag, man-purse and murse have been used. The designs common in the U.S. are typically variations on backpacks or
messenger bag
A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...
s, and have either a masculine or a more unisex appearance, although they are often more streamlined than a backpack and less bulky than a briefcase. These bags are often called
messenger bag
A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...
s or organizer bags. In many other countries, it is common for men to carry small rectangular shoulder bags, often made of leather. The leather
satchel is also common. Men's designer bags are produced by well-known companies such as
Prada
Prada S.p.A. (, ; ) is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 in Milan by Mario Prada. It specializes in leather handbags, travel accessories, shoes, ready-to-wear, and other fashion accessories. Prada licenses its name and branding t ...
,
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly known as Louis Vuitton (, ), is a French high-end Luxury goods, luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton (designer), Louis Vuitton. The label's LV monogram appears on most of its produc ...
,
Coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Coac ...
, and
Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta () is an Italian luxury fashion house based in Milan, Italy. Its product lines include ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, accessories, and jewelry; and it licenses its name and branding to Coty, Inc. for fragrances.
History
Foun ...
in a variety of shapes and sizes. The global men's bag and small leather goods trade is a $4-billion-a-year industry. Sales of men's accessories including "holdall" bags are increasing in North America.
Types
As a fashion accessory, handbags can be categorized according to the silhouette of the bag, as well as the type of handle.
*
Baguette
A baguette (; ) is a long, thin type of bread of French origin that is commonly made from basic lean dough (the dough, though not the shape, is defined by French law). It is distinguishable by its length and crisp crust.
A baguette has a dia ...
: a small, narrow, rectangular shape purse, resembling a French loaf of bread (baguette).
* Barrel: shaped like a barrel or closed tube, usually with shoulder-length straps.
* Bowling bag: a popular 1990s "retro" style for younger women, modeled after American bags used to carry bowling balls.
* Bucket bag: a round bag, shaped like a bucket, medium-size or large, with shoulder straps and a drawstring closure.
*
Carpet bag: The carpet bag, popular in the 1920s-1940s made a resurgence in the 1960s-1970s and was made popular by
Mary Poppins It may refer to:
* ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fantasy novels that introduced the character.
* Mary Poppins (character), the nanny with magical powers.
* ''Mary Poppins'' (film), a 1964 Disney film star ...
. It was typically an oversized tote bag not constructed of carpet, but rather a thicker fabric that resembled carpet which incorporated crushed velvet and a variety of patchwork fabrics.
* Clutch: a handbag without handles, rectangular in shape, often an evening bag but used during the day as well. Some will feature a strap that can be worn over the shoulder.
* Doctor's bag: also known as a
Gladstone bag, modeled after a Victorian-era doctor's bag for making housecalls.
* Drawstring bag: a bag that closes with a drawstring at the top, and often has two straps to be worn over the shoulders like a backpack.
*
Fanny pack
A waist bag, or fanny pack (American English), belt bag, moon bag, belly bag (American English), or bumbag (British English) is a small fabric pouch worn like a belt around the waist by use of a strap above the hips that is secured usually with ...
: is typically a smaller bag that can be worn around the waist, over the shoulder, or even across the chest area. Called a ''Bumbag'' in the UK.
* Half-moon bag: is shaped like a half-moon.
*
Hobo bag: medium-size crescent-shaped bag with a top zipper and often a slouch or dip in the center; a modern, casual silhouette.
*
Kiondo
A kiondo is a handwoven bag made from indigenous vegetable twine with leather trimmings. It is indigenous to the Taita people, Taita, Kikuyu people, Kikuyu and Kamba people, Kamba tribes of Kenya.
The Swahili language, Swahili word for a kiondo ...
: a handwoven handbag made from sisal with leather trimmings. It is indigenous to Kenya.
* Lighted: a handbag with a lighting system which has been attempted since the 1950s without success until recently when in 2011 the first successful lighted handbag was brought to market.
*Lucite handbags: Post World War 2, there was an abundance of plastic in the United States. This gave rise to the Lucite Handbag. Each bag was produced off an injection mold and designed in an array of stunning colors and shapes. Llewellyn and Patricia of Miami were some of the largest producers of these types of bags.
*
Messenger bag
A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...
: a bag with typically one long strap worn across the body, inspired by bags worn by urban messengers to deliver business mail, a modern silhouette.
*
Minaudière: a small rectangular evening bag, usually hard-bodied, sometimes held inside a soft fabric bag that serves as a sleeve.
*
Muff: a winter bag made of real or faux fur, wool, or velvet that has zippered compartments and a slip opening for hands.
* Pocketbook: is a small purse, rectangular in shape.
*
Pouch: a small bag such as a pocket, teabag, money bag,
sporran
The sporran (; Scottish Gaelic and Irish for " purse"), a traditional part of male Scottish Highland dress, is a pouch that performs the same function as pockets on the pocketless kilt. Made of leather or fur, the ornamentation of the sporra ...
, etc.
*
Reticule: also known as a ''ridicule'' or ''indispensable'', was a type of small
drawstring handbag or purse, similar to a modern evening bag, used mainly from 1795 to 1820.
*
Saddlebag
Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles.
Horse riding
In horse riding, saddlebags sit in various positions, on the back, side, or front of the saddle. Most attach to the saddle by straps and ties. They can be made from various material ...
: shaped like a horse saddle, may have equestrian motifs and hardware to emphasize the design.
*
Satchel: a soft-sided case usually of leather.
*
Tote bag: is a medium to large bag with two straps and an open top.
* Trapezoid bag: is shaped like a trapezoid, usually made of stiff material.
* Wristlet: a small handbag with a short carrying strap resembling a bracelet that can be worn around the wrist. Similar to a clutch in design, but with the added wrist strap.
According to the type of handle, handbags are often categorized as:
* Crossbody bag: one long strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting by the waist.
* Clutch: is typically a small handbag without handles with an optional shoulder strap.
*
Fanny pack
A waist bag, or fanny pack (American English), belt bag, moon bag, belly bag (American English), or bumbag (British English) is a small fabric pouch worn like a belt around the waist by use of a strap above the hips that is secured usually with ...
: is typically a smaller bag that can be worn around the waist, over the shoulder, or even across the chest area.
* Shoulder bag: any bag with shoulder-length straps.
*
Sling bag
A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...
: one long, wide strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting on the back.
*
Tote bag: a medium to large bag with two straps and an open top.
Handbags that are designed for specific utilitarian needs include:
*
Camera bag: for carrying photography equipment.
* Cosmetic bag: a small bag for holding cosmetics, often made of synthetic waterproof protective material.
* Diaper bag: carry all necessities for baby with numerous pockets including a removable changing pad.
*
Duffel bag: a large cylindrical bag usually used for travel or sports gear, sometimes called a "weekend bag".
* Gym bag: for carrying toiletry items and the clothing and/or shoes a person intends to use for their workout.
* Laptop bag: a medium to large bag that contains a padded interior compartment or sleeve for protecting a laptop computer.
* Security bag: protects the carrier from travel theft and includes an invisible stainless steel
strap
A strap, sometimes also called strop, is an elongated flap or ribbon, usually of leather or other flexible materials.
Thin straps are used as part of clothing or baggage, or bedding such as a sleeping bag. See for example spaghetti strap, ...
sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper.
* School bag: for carrying school needs ex: books, pencils, etc.
Hardware
A distinction can also be made between soft-body handbags or frame handbags, where a metal frame supports the textile or leather of the bag. Frame bags often use a
kissing lock closure, with two interlocking metal beads set on the top of the frame. Kissing locks were popular on handbags during the early- to mid-20th century, and remain popular with vintage collectors and in "retro" designs. These locks are still seen on smaller
coin purses.
Coinage as a verb
The verb "to handbag" and its humorous usage was inspired in the 1980s by UK prime minister
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...
having “weaponized” the handbag in the opinion of British biographer and historian
David Cannadine
Sir David Nicholas Cannadine (born 7 September 1950) is a British author and historian who specialises in modern history, Britain and the history of business and philanthropy. He is currently the Dodge Professor of History at Princeton Un ...
.
As “her most visible symbol of her power to command” the bag became an emphatic prop that she produced at meetings to show she meant business. She would invariably bring out of the bag a crucial document from which she would quote, her speech notes often being cut to size to fit inside. Because Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister, former
Daily Telegraph
Daily or The Daily may refer to:
Journalism
* Daily newspaper, newspaper issued on five to seven day of most weeks
* ''The Daily'' (podcast), a podcast by ''The New York Times''
* ''The Daily'' (News Corporation), a defunct US-based iPad new ...
editor
Charles Moore wrote in his authorised biography of 2013, “her handbag became the sceptre of her rule”.
The verb's more general meaning of "treating ruthlessly" came to symbolize Thatcher's whole style of government. Victims of her handbaggings, from political leaders to journalists, have testified to what the German chancellor
Helmut Kohl
Helmut Josef Michael Kohl (; 3 April 1930 – 16 June 2017) was a German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 1973 to 1998. Kohl's 16-year tenure is the longes ...
perceived as her “ice-cold pursuit of her interests”. US secretary of state
James Baker
James Addison Baker III (born April 28, 1930) is an American attorney, diplomat and statesman. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 10th White House Chief of Staff and 67th United States Secretary of the Treasury under President ...
recalled her standby ploy: “When negotiations stall, get out the handbag! The solution is always there.”
Julian Critchley
Sir Julian Michael Gordon Critchley (8 December 1930 – 9 September 2000) was a British journalist, author and Conservative Party politician. He was the member of parliament for Rochester and Chatham from 1959 to 1964 and Aldershot from 1970 ...
, one of her biggest
Tory
A Tory () is a person who holds a political philosophy known as Toryism, based on a British version of traditionalism and conservatism, which upholds the supremacy of social order as it has evolved in the English culture throughout history. The ...
backbench critics, once said, "Margaret Thatcher and her handbag is the same as
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from ...
and his cigar." Thatcher's bag was almost as newsworthy an item as she was herself and on the day she died, one of her handbag-makers saw a sharp rise in sales of her favorite structured design. The original bag Thatcher asserts on a signed card was the one “used every day in my time at Downing Street”
is archived at
Churchill College, Cambridge
Churchill College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It has a primary focus on science, engineering and technology, but still retains a strong interest in the arts and humanities.
In 1958, a trust was establis ...
. Made of dark blue leather “in mock-croc style”, it was a gift from friends on her birthday in 1984.
Handbag collecting
Handbag collecting has become increasingly popular in the 2000s.
In 2014, the auction house
Christie's
Christie's is a British auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie. Its main premises are on King Street, St James's in London, at Rockefeller Center in New York City and at Alexandra House in Hong Kong. It is owned by Groupe Artémi ...
started a handbag department, which now has several staff, headed by an "international head of handbags". In June 2017, Christie's had its first sale devoted exclusively to
handbags.
According to ''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally.
It was f ...
'', the most sought-after and valuable brand is
Hermès
Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès ( , ), is a French luxury design house established in 1837. It specializes in leather goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches and ready-to-wear. Its logo, sinc ...
, followed by others including
Céline
Céline, sometimes spelled Celine, is a French female first name of Latin origin, coming from ''Caelīna'', the feminine form of the Roman cognomen ''Caelīnus'', meaning "heavenly". ,
Chanel
Chanel ( , ) is a French high-end luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. Chanel specializes in women's ready-to-wear, luxury goods, and accessories and licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear. Chane ...
and
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly known as Louis Vuitton (, ), is a French high-end Luxury goods, luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton (designer), Louis Vuitton. The label's LV monogram appears on most of its produc ...
.
World records
In June 2015, a Christie's handbag sale in Hong Kong saw a pink crocodile skin
Hermès
Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès ( , ), is a French luxury design house established in 1837. It specializes in leather goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches and ready-to-wear. Its logo, sinc ...
Birkin bag
The Birkin bag (or simply Birkin) is a kind of tote bag introduced in 1984 by the French luxury goods maker Hermès. Birkin bags are handmade from leather and are named after the English-French actress and singer Jane Birkin.
The bag quickly ...
made only in 2014, sell for a then world record £146,000.
In May 2017, Christie's Hong Kong sold a white crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bag with 10.23 carats of diamonds for a world record HK$2.9 million (£293,000).
Museums
The
Museum of Bags and Purses is in
Amsterdam
Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...
, the Netherlands; the
Simone Handbag Museum is in
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the Capital city, capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the North Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea ...
, South Korea; and the
ESSE Purse Museum
The ESSE Purse Museum is a museum located in Little Rock, Arkansas featuring women's handbags, and the day-to-day items carried in them, illustrating the stories of American women's lives during the 1900s.David Monteith: "Little Rock Purse Muse ...
is in
Little Rock, Arkansas
( The "Little Rock")
, government_type = Council-manager
, leader_title = Mayor
, leader_name = Frank Scott Jr.
, leader_party = D
, leader_title2 = Council
, leader_name2 ...
.
Notable collectors
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
owned over 200
Launer London
Launer London is a British manufacturer of luxury handbags and other small leather goods founded in 1940 by Sam Launer, who emigrated to London from Czechoslovakia during the Second World War. The company first sold a handbag to a member of the Br ...
bags, and kept all of her mother's Launer bags.
Other notable collectors include
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Caroline Beckham (; born 17 April 1974) is an English fashion designer, singer, and television personality. She rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the girl group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Posh Spice. Wi ...
, who has over 100
Birkin bags,
Katie Holmes
Kate Noelle Holmes (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress. She first achieved fame as Joey Potter on the television series '' Dawson's Creek'' (1998–2003).
Holmes made her feature film debut in 1997 with a supporting role in Ang L ...
,
Rita Ora
Rita Sahatçiu Ora (born Rita Sahatçiu; 26 November 1990) is a British singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence in February 2012 when she featured on DJ Fresh's single, "Hot Right Now", which reached number one in the UK. Her debut stud ...
and
Kelly Brook
Kelly Ann Parsons (born 23 November 1979), known professionally as Kelly Brook, is an English model, actress, and media personality. She is known for her modelling work in the UK, and in the US for her role as Prudence on the NBC sitcom '' On ...
.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Jocelyn Delevingne ( ; born 12 August 1992) is an English model and actress. She signed with Storm Management after leaving school in 2009. Delevingne won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2012 and 2014.
Delevingne sta ...
,
Miranda Kerr
Miranda May Kerr (; born 20 April 1983) is an Australian model and businesswoman. Kerr rose to prominence in 2007, as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels. Kerr was the first Australian Victoria's Secret model and also represented the Australia ...
,
Lauren Conrad
Lauren Katherine Conrad (born February 1, 1986)) is an American television personality, fashion designer and author. In September 2004, as an 18-year-old, Conrad came to prominence after being cast in the reality television series '' Laguna Beac ...
,
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...
,
Mary-Kate Olsen
Mary-Kate Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, equestrian, and former actress. She began her acting career nine months after her birth, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Ashley Olsen ...
,
Ashley Olsen
Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman and former actress. She began her acting career at the age of nine months, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen in the television sitcom ...
,
Lady Gaga
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...
,
Olivia Palermo
Olivia Palermo (born February 28, 1986) is an American socialite, fashion influencer, entrepreneur, model and television personality. Palermo gained celebrity status when she sued socialiterank.com for releasing a letter that was proven to be ...
, and
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to th ...
are also collectors.
Others include
Kim Chiu
Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu (; born April 19, 1990), professionally known as Kim Chiu, is a Filipino actress, model, host, singer, dancer, and vlogger. She is currently managed by Star Magic, ABS-CBN's home-based talent agency.
Recognized as one o ...
,
KC Concepcion,
Kris Aquino
Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), professionally known as Kris Aquino (), is a Filipino television host, actress, producer, socialite and businesswoman.
Dubbed as Philippine's "Queen of All Media", Aquino has hos ...
,
Heart Evangelista
Love Marie Payawal Ongpauco (born February 14, 1985), known professionally as Heart Evangelista (, alternately ), is a Filipino actress, artist, businesswoman, and socialite.
Early life
Heart Evangelista was born as Love Marie Payawal Ongpa ...
,
Marian Rivera
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', '' Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', ''Darna'' and '' T ...
,
Bea Alonzo
Phylbert Angelli Ranollo Fagestrom (born October 17, 1987), professionally known as Bea Alonzo (), is a Filipino actress. Alonzo first gained recognition for the 2002 teleserye ''Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay''. She is best known for her portrayals ...
,
Kathryn Bernardo
Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo (; born March 26, 1996) is a Filipino actress and singer.
Dubbed as “''Asia's Superstar”'' by various media outlets, People Asia hailed Bernardo as the Box Office Queen of her generation for being the onl ...
,
Lovi Poe
Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe (born February 11, 1989), popularly known as Lovi Poe, is a Filipino actress, model, and recording artist. She is the daughter of action star Fernando Poe Jr.
Poe is known for starring in two popular GMA drama seri ...
,
Megan Young
Megan Lynne Young (born February 27, 1990) is a Filipino-American actress, model, television presenter and beauty queen who won the Miss World Philippines 2013 title and was later crowned as Miss World 2013. She is the first Filipina to win t ...
,
Gretchen Barretto
Gretchen Castelo Barretto (; born March 6, 1970) is a Filipino actress, socialite, and philanthropist. She was launched in Regal Films' ''14 Going on Steady'' as a singer-actress, with the release of her debut single "Going Steady", which serve ...
,
Camille Prats,
Sarah Lahbati, and
Jefree Star.
Gallery of popular silhouettes
File:Photo of My Animal Print Bag.jpg, Bucket bag with drawstring closure
File:Vintage clutch (847652012).jpg, Vintage clutch with fold-over closure, made of red snakeskin
Snakeskin may either refer to the skin of a live snake, the shed skin of a snake after molting, or to a type of leather that is made from the hide of a dead snake. Snakeskin and scales can have varying patterns and color formations, providing prot ...
File:S.Oliver Bag Logomania grau.jpg, Hobo bag with top zipper, shoulder strap, and characteristic slouch in the middle
File:Barxes, Gata de Gorgos.JPG, Collection of kiondo style handbags
File:Tasche Lkw Plane2.jpg, Messenger bag from old truck tarp with seat belt as strap, made by Freitag, Switzerland (2008)
File:Vintage pocketbook.jpg, Vintage pocketbook
File:Rachel's New Purse.jpg, Saddle shape, with equestrian
The word equestrian is a reference to equestrianism, or horseback riding, derived from Latin ' and ', "horse".
Horseback riding (or Riding in British English)
Examples of this are:
*Equestrian sports
*Equestrian order, one of the upper classes in ...
hardware detail
File:Hobo bag with abstract print.JPG, Hobo bag with unique variations, such as a bold abstract print and interesting hardware
File:Eel skin clutch.JPG, Clutch made from eel skin, a strong but expensive alternative to cow, sheep, goat, or pig leather
File:Pearl beaded evening bag.jpg, Vintage evening bag, made of ivory satin encrusted with faux pearls and glass bugle beads
File:Handtas (ST656 4 01) - Kostuum Accessoire - MoMu Antwerp.jpg, White leather envelope bag
File:Handtas (ST650 8 01) - Kostuum Accesoire - MoMu Antwerp.jpg, Brown leather handbag
File:Handtas (ST659 7 02) - Kostuum Accessoire - MoMu Antwerp.jpg, Black leather handbag
File:Leather taschen Bag.jpg, alt=Leather bag pink color, Lady holding a leathe
bag
in front of eiffel tower
Gallery of traditional types
File:PNG Bilum Bag QM r.jpg, A bilum
''Noken'' (from Biak: ) is a traditional Indonesian multifunctional knotted or woven bag native to the Western New Guinea region, Indonesia. Its distinctive usage, which involves being hung from the head, is traditionally used to carry various ...
bag, used in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...
. Bilums are made of "bush rope", cuscus fur or wool, and expand in size
File:Baobab bag.jpg, A shoulder bag made of baobab
''Adansonia'' is a genus made up of eight species of medium-to-large deciduous trees known as baobabs ( or ). They are placed in the Malvaceae family, subfamily Bombacoideae. They are native to Madagascar, mainland Africa, and Australia.T ...
tree fibres, bought in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...
in 1995
File:The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis - Bandolier bag - overall.jpg, Ojibwa
The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains.
According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...
bag with decorative beadwork; this particular bag was probably made for a child
File:Early 20th century Yoruba peoples Diviner's bag.jpg, Early 20th century Yoruba
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
Diviner's bag, from the Oyo region, Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
File:Burmese Textiles Fig40 A Kachin bag or wallet.png, A Burmese Kachin bag or wallet. A Figure from the booklet ''Burmese Textiles'', published in 1917 by Laura E. Start
File:Duodji handväska med tennbroderi.JPG, A Scandinavian Sámi
The Sámi ( ; also spelled Sami or Saami) are a Finno-Ugric-speaking people inhabiting the region of Sápmi (formerly known as Lapland), which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and of the Murmansk Oblast, Ru ...
purse (handbag) with shoulder strap
File:Betal bag, West Timor, 1921 - Staatlichen Museums für Völkerkunde München - DSC08346.JPG, A Betel
The betel (''Piper betle'') is a vine of the family Piperaceae, which includes pepper and kava. The betel plant is native to Southeast Asia. It is an evergreen, dioecious perennial, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkins. Betel p ...
bag from West Timor
West Timor ( id, Timor Barat) is an area covering the western part of the island of Timor, except for the district of Oecussi-Ambeno (an East Timorese exclave). Administratively, West Timor is part of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The ...
, made around 1921. Called an ''aluk'', such bags are still made
File:Hakka-style floral print fabric tote bag.jpg, A modern handbag in a traditional Hakka Chinese
Hakka (, , ) forms a language group of varieties of Chinese, spoken natively by the Hakka people throughout Southern China and Taiwan and throughout the diaspora areas of East Asia, Southeast Asia and in overseas Chinese communities aroun ...
-style floral fabric design
File:Sac en peau de lézard.jpg, North African bag with lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia altho ...
head and paws
File:Bags and pouches of Sioux.jpg, 19th century bags and pouches of the Sioux
The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin (; Dakota: /otʃʰeːtʰi ʃakoːwĩ/) are groups of Native American tribes and First Nations peoples in North America. The modern Sioux consist of two major divisions based on language divisions: the Dakota and ...
File:Bags - Yunnan Nationalities Museum - DSC04149.JPG, Bags exhibited in the Yunnan Nationalities Museum
The Yunnan Nationalities Museum () is located on the east bank of Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan, China, next to the Yunnan Ethnic Village. Completed in 1995, it is a comprehensive ethnology museum. Covering an area of over 200 mu, the museum h ...
, Kunming, Yunnan, China
File:Purse MET 56.137.508 view1 CP4.jpg, An early 19th-century Mexican Handbag featuring a lamb and crown motif in traditional needlework and a silk dress lining.
Gallery of contemporary types
File:Burberry_handbag.jpg, Ladies' Burberry
Burberry is a British luxury fashion house established in 1856 by Thomas Burberry headquartered in London, England. It currently designs and distributes ready to wear, including trench coats (for which it is most famous), leather accessorie ...
handbag (2005)
File:Eva_Tote_braided_caramel1.jpg, Tanner Krolle ''Eva'' bag (2006)
File:Longchampbag.jpg, Longchamp tote bag
File:Ted_Noten_Grandma%27s_Bag_Revisited_2009.jpg, Ted Noten bag (2009)
File:Chanel_2.55.jpg, Chanel 2.55 bag
File:Tote handbag Etienne Aigner.JPG, A handbag from French designer Etienne Aigner
Étienne Aigner (November 8, 1904 – November 5, 2000) was the founder of Etienne Aigner US and Etienne Aigner AG, two presently separate high fashion houses, based respectively in New York City and Munich, Germany. Both companies produce luxury g ...
File:Bushandtasche_fcm-edit.jpg, Handbag shaped like vintage Volkswagen bus (2007)
File:Black Microfiber Handbag.JPG, A classic-looking bag made from black microfiber cloth
File:Crocheted bucket handbag.JPG, Crocheted bucket-style handbag by Sak.com
File:HandbagsFONART.JPG, Handbags at the 2010 FONART exhibition in Mexico City
Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...
File:Trashy_Bags_shopping_bag.jpg, Bag made of recycled water sachets by Trashy Bags, Accra, Ghana (2012)
File:Bunte_Handtasche.jpg, Colorful handbag made from recycled materials (2012)
File:JulieApple_%22Yoga-a-GoGo%22_AirDye_Bag.jpg, JulieApple's ''Yoga-a-GoGo'' bag made by AirDye technology that dyes fabric without the use of water
File:Santiniketan leather bag.jpg, Santiniketan
Santiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata. It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by hi ...
leather bag from India
See also
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Chuspas
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Purse hook
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Purse organizer
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Shell purse
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Fanny Pack
A waist bag, or fanny pack (American English), belt bag, moon bag, belly bag (American English), or bumbag (British English) is a small fabric pouch worn like a belt around the waist by use of a strap above the hips that is secured usually with ...
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ESSE Purse Museum
The ESSE Purse Museum is a museum located in Little Rock, Arkansas featuring women's handbags, and the day-to-day items carried in them, illustrating the stories of American women's lives during the 1900s.David Monteith: "Little Rock Purse Muse ...
in Little Rock, Arkansas
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Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Simone Handbag Museum in Seoul, South Korea
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Belen Echandia
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Party plan
References
Further reading
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{{Authority control
Fashion accessories
Domestic implements