No matter if it's small or spacious, a woman's handbag is truly a treasure chest. We fill it with daily necessities and items that might leave men scratching their heads, wondering, "Why do you carry that?"
Handbags are so essential that we rarely ponder their origins. In ancient times, both men and women used simple money pouches for coins, while larger items went into bags, boxes, or suitcases.
During Roman times, personal belongings or documents were carried in glass jars with cords or handles—a precursor to modern designs and akin to today's trendy transparent bags.
In the Middle Ages, travelers used shoulder or belt bags. Bag makers crafted early versions of today's handbags. By the late 15th century, larger closable pouches emerged, but their size made them theft targets. Smaller fabric versions carried by hand soon followed.
Development accelerated: 17th-century cloth bags were embroidered with gold or silver thread. In the 18th century, chain-strapped boxes became fashionable. The 19th century saw the capelin box—a fashion staple holding a sponge and scented water to revive women faint from tightly laced corsets. It faded as corsets did.
World War I shifted focus to compact wallets for money. Post-war, in the 1920s, Hollywood's influence made makeup essential, birthing elegant tassel-adorned powder compacts with space for cosmetics.
World War II prioritized practicality over style, but peacetime exploded handbag variety as fashion accessories. Today, endless options suit every taste and need.
As a fashion enthusiast with years of curating collections, here are key factors for selecting the perfect bag:
To assess space needs, consider daily must-haves: keys, wallet, smartphone (replacing pens, paper, agendas, cameras), sanitary pads, and makeup. Yet, our bags hold even more—mysteries men may never grasp.
Curious? I once emptied mine, confirming my reputation for carrying a 'mini-household.' Friends always ask me for items. Here's my lineup: keys, wallet, smartphone, pens, spare paper, handkerchiefs, pocket knife, makeup, personal documents, Rabobank scanner, nail clipper, anti-allergy tablets, sanitary towels, paracetamol. When my kids were young, a mini first-aid kit with plasters joined in. All fits in a compact black bag—versatile and chic!
A handbag reflects personality through its shape, color, and contents. Men view it as an enigmatic trove, but we women are prepared for anything. Need something? Just ask—I'll share willingly. What's in your bag?
