The History Of The Modern Purse
Look Younger - Beauty & StyleThe earliest known purses were, not surprisingly, used by the ancient Egyptians. Hieroglyphics have been found where you can see people carrying a pouch like object tied around their waist. But there is an instance where the famous ancient iceman, the “otzi iceman” a 5000 year old mummy found in the Alps near the Austrian and Italian border, was carrying a leather purse.
The next time in history that we see leather purses is during the 14th century in Europe. Social status had much to do with the design of such bags. The more elaborate the embroidery and the higher the quality of the bag marks the owner as one who is higher up in the social strata. At this time, bags or purses were worn only by ladies.
Men had to wait until the 1600s for it to be socially acceptable for them to have purses. Theirs were grander than the women’s purses before their time. They could have gold embroidered in them. They also gave their brides purses with embroidered pictures. Women then used to display their purses to everyone, but as their dresses grew larger they could hide the purses inside their skirts. In the 1700s, men started wearing their pants with pockets. This evolution in fashion practically killed their practice of carrying purses. They now had small bags to hold coins. Probably, the leather coin purse was first used at this period. Before, their purses were usually just cloth tied with strings.
By the 18th century neo- classical clothing came into fashion and women became more conscious of what they wore. Women went back to carrying their bags. The reason for this was dual. They did not want to ruin their dress by putting the purse or bags under their dress and also when carried, a well embroidered bag becomes a fashionable accessory that would complement their dress. But it was not until the 20th century women started to call their bags hand bags in America. By then bags were no longer simple compartments with only one area to put their belongings. They became more sophisticated “carrying tools” that had 2 or more compartments. And it was around this time that handbags were no longer required to match Women’s clothes.
In World War 2 a new revolution caught the bag fashion world by storm. Plastics began to be used to manufacture bags. After the war, major designers also used plastic to create their signature bags. Since that time, bag fashion has greatly changed thanks to their choice. The reputation of respected designers carried over to their creations such that the creations gained credibility simply by having the names of designers plastered on them. Nowadays, it is unthinkable for women to lack bags. Such bags carry practically everything a woman needs such that they have essentially become “home away from home”.
Learn more about the Leather Coin Purse. Stop by Alexander Stone’s site where you can find out all about them and what they can do for you.
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 at 8:52 am and is filed under Look Younger - Beauty & Style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
