The History of Handbags

People have carried purses as long as there has been money. The men's version shrunk to wallet-size long ago, and women's bags, after growing quite large in the middle part of this century as women began to carry the stuff they need for a day at work, seem recently to be headed the same direction. But the purse, fashionable and practical, remains an essential accessory, in life and on stage.

Almost any show from the Middle Ages to the present—and that covers most of the history of dramatic literature—will have various characters on stage with bags or purses containing money, keys, or other necessities. Handy sources of business, sometimes essential to the play's action—as in Assassins or any number of other shows in which a handbag conceals a pistol or some other important plot McGuffin—these accessories also provide an easy way to finish the total look of a costume. The English word "purse" dates from the twelfth century. In the Middle Ages, it was customary for both sexes to carry a simple pouch, usually made of leather, wool, or cotton, that was attached to the belt at the waist.

By the later part of the eighteenth century, the reticule, a kind of small purse, was a fashionable item for ladies, and was jokingly referred to as an "indispensible" by gentlemen. Carried over the arm, the reticule usually contained a handkerchief, perfume, a fan, and a smaller money purse. It was made of velvet, silk, or satin and frequently was covered with embroidery or beading.

The dainty and slender decorative handbag gained popularity in the early Victorian period and continued to be fashionable well into the twentieth century. Bags for various occasions were made of brocade, taffeta, and linen and were decorated with fringe or trimmed with lace.

A disk of fabric or leather and a piece of rawhide are all you need to make a simple pouch.

The three basic drawstring bag patterns in this article—a simple pouch, a sack purse, and a decorative handbag—can be created from material that's left over from a finished costume or fabric you have in stock, easily and inexpensively. For finishing ideas and period accuracy, check out a costume and accessory reference book, such as one of those listed below.

Check out some cool urban handbags and unique leather handbags.

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