Baguette : The world of Bag

Hand Bags

A handbag, also purse, pocketbook or pouch in  American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items.

The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins. In British English, it is still used to refer to a small coin bag. A "handbag" is a larger needed accessory, that holds items beyond currency, such as a woman's personal items and emergency survival 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 accessory bags grew larger and more complex during that period, and the term was attached to the women's accessory.Handbags are used as fashion accessories as well as functional ones.

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. 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, 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, with wrist straps. Originally 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 pockets, which became popular in men's trousers.

The modern purse, clutch, pouch or handbag came about in England during the industrial revolution and the increase in travel by railway. In 1841 the Doncaster industrialist and confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson (of butterscotch fame) ordered a set of travelling cases and trunks, and insisted on a travelling case or bag for his wife's particulars. Parkinson had noticed his wife's purse was too small and made from material that would not withstand the journey. He stipulated that he wanted various hand bags 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; this would distinguish them from the then-familiar care pet bag  and other travelers' cloth bags used by members of other social classes. 

Type of bag

As a fashion accessory, handbags can be categorized according to the silhouette of the bag, as well as the type of handle. The current popular handbag silhouettes are :

·         Baguette: 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 purse: a popular 1990s "retro" style for younger women, modelled after American bags used to carry bowling balls

·         Bucket bag: shaped like a bucket, medium-size or large, with shoulder straps and a drawstring closure

·         Clutch: a handbag without handles, rectangular in shape, often an evening bag but used during the day as well

·         Doctor's bag: modelled after a Victorian era doctor's bag for making housecalls

·         Drawstring: a purse that closes with a drawstring at the top, may have wrist- or shoulder-length straps, popular as an evening bag style

·         Half-moon: shaped as a half-moon

·         Hobo: medium-size crescent-shaped bag with a top zipper and often a slouch or dip in the centre; a modern, casual silhouette

·         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.

·        Messenger bag: one long strap worn across the body, inspired by bags worn by urban messengers to deliver business mail, a modern silhouette

·        Minaudiere: 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: small purse, rectangular shape

·         Pouch: small bag such as a pocket, teabag, money bag, sporran, etc.

·         Saddle purse: shaped like a horse saddle, may have equestrian motifs and hardware to emphasize the design

·         Satchel: a soft-sided case usually of leather

·         Tote: medium to large bag with two straps and an open top

·         Trapezoid: shaped as a trapezoid, usually made of stiff material

According to type of handle, handbags are often categorized as:

·         Cross-body: one long strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting at the front by the waist

·         Sling Bag: one long, wide strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting on the back

·         Shoulder bag: any bag with shoulder-length straps

Handbags that are designed for specific utilitarian needs include:

·         Laptop purse: a medium to large bag that contains a padded interior compartment or sleeve for protecting a laptop computer

·         Camera bag: for carrying photography equipment

·         Gym bag: for carrying toiletry items and the clothing and/or shoes a person intends to use for their workout

·         Cosmetic bag: a small bag for holding cosmetics, often made of synthetic waterproof protective material

·        Duffle bag: a large cylindrical bag usually used for travel or sports gear, sometimes called a "weekend bag"

·        Security bag: protects the carrier from travel theft and includes an invisible stainless steel strap sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper.

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