Handbags/Purses
Purses and handbags are the other half of fashion’s most powerful accessory duo (right alongside belts). Like belts, they started out purely practical but quickly became one of the ultimate symbols of style, status, and personal identity.
A very quick history
- Ancient times: Simple pouches tied to belts carried coins (the original “purse”).
- Middle Ages–Renaissance: Small drawstring bags called “almoners” or “girdle pouches” hung from the waist.
- 1800s: With the rise of pockets disappearing from women’s clothing (thanks, fashion), the handbag as we know it was born. “Reticules” (small, ornate fabric bags) became essential.
- 20th century explosion:
- 1930s–50s: Structured top-handle bags (think Grace Kelly, Queen Elizabeth II’s Launer bags, and the birth of the Hermès Kelly in 1935/1956).
- 1955: Chanel 2.55 quilted bag with chain strap revolutionized luxury and freed women’s hands.
- 1980s–90s: Logo mania (Fendi Baguette, Louis Vuitton monogram, Prada nylon backpacks).
- 2000s–2010s: The It-bag era (Chloé Paddington, Balenciaga Motorcycle, Mulberry Bayswater, etc.).
- Today: Micro-mini bags, giant totes, vintage revivals, and sustainable/vegan options all coexist.
How handbags work as fashion accessories today
- Instant outfit completion - A great bag can single-handedly elevate jeans and a T-shirt into something expensive-looking. A neutral luxury bag (beige, black, taupe) is the adult version of a cheat code.
- Color and mood injection -Carrying a cherry-red, butter-yellow, or metallic silver bag is often the easiest way to wear a bold color without committing to an entire outfit.
- Shape and proportion -
- Tiny bags create a playful, slightly absurd contrast.
- Over-sized totes give relaxed, understated chic.
- Structured top-handle bags polished and ladylike.
- Slouchy hobos or east-west silhouettes feel bohemian or 90s-minimal.
- Uniquely shaped bags are show-stoppers.
Current handbag trends
- Quiet luxury leather totes in chocolate, burgundy, and cream
- Suede everything (especially slouchy, 70s-inspired shapes)
- East-west elongated bags
- Revived vintage silhouettes
- Buckles, hardware, and western-inspired details (echoing the belt trend)
- Vegan, animal friendly bags mimic many of the patterns and textures of the wild, while not being limited to basic colors
In the end, if a belt defines your silhouette, a handbag defines your vibe.
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