Vintage Handbag, Handmade, and Printed
The history of handbags goes back to the early 16th century when pouches and purses were hidden underneath the dresses of women to hold small necessities as they go about their day. Some of these items included valuables, money, jewelry, documents, and writing utensils. The small purses would be tied around the waist by a cord, similar to that of a money purse used by tourists and travelers, and hidden beneath their skirts or pockets. As fashion continues to change throughout the ages, the need for sleeker and less lumpy bags became apparent, thus trends in styles constantly evolve as people evolve and change their looks.
The term handbag first came into use in the early 1900s and generally referred to hand-held luggage bags carried usually by men. This became the inspiration for new bags that women popularized later, including complicated fasteners, additional internal compartments, pockets, and locks. With the new fashion in clothes with varying hemlines, and slimmer fabrics, bags no longer needed to match the outfit perfectly and became an essential part of a women’s overall look. During the 1950s, the rise of important designer houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes was another revolution in the handbag making industry that solidified the status of handbags in our society.
A vintage handbag is timeless and rarely goes out of style, but time does pay its toll on it, despite the craftsmanship. It is better for one to be diligent about what material the handmade bag consists of just as much as how timeless the design should be. For example, materials like canvas or duffel are less durable than leather or suede but more sustainable than wool, cotton, or cloth. There are many other factors to consider in the making of a unique and long lasting vintage handmade bag.
One of the most famous types of handbags is the animal print bags. It can be argued that animal print has never and probably will never go out of fashion simply because as humans we tend to adorn ourselves with things influenced by nature and animals to show our appreciation for their power and timelessness. We take what’s unique to these animals and create art pieces in fashion like ostrich handbags, crocodile belts, and snakeskin purses. Animal print has also long been regarded as a status symbol, and in some cultures, the more expensive and exotic the animal, the higher the social standing. Internationally acclaimed designers like Betsey Johnson, Roberto Cavalli and Prada have been the biggest supporters of animal print and have consistently included many variations of it in their collections over the years.
With so many kinds of stylish and practical bags out there, there is bound to be the perfect favorite for a person of any age and either gender. They are suitable for practically all occasions and can meet anyone’s needs. Our ever changing society has transformed the history and functions of handbags, making it an indispensable part of the way we go about our lives.