The Wonderful History of Handbags Part 1

Handbags have been around for centuries. If you look closely at Egyptian hieroglyphs, you will be able to see women with handbags wrapped around their wastes. The Egyptian women would carry their most precious valuables in their handbags as they went from place to place.

It was only during the 14th century that handbags have first appeared in the written word. They didn't use the word "handbags", though, that didn't come into existance until the early 1900's. These fascinating handbags from the 14th century could be seen on women from every part of the country. The handbags would be wrapped around the womens wastes, like in the Egyptian times, and would be attatched to something called a "girdle". Beautiful embroidery and many precious jewels would be attatched to these handbags and the women would show off their status in thier community. The more elaborite and beautiful the handbag means that the woman was part of a more higher class than one who had less on her handbag. Social status has been around for centuries and it looks like it's going to be here to stay.

When the 16th century came around, people started to make and buy handbags that were more of a practical use. The handbags would be made out of a stronger material, than those of the past. They were made out of leather and had a leather drawstring to sinch the handbag closed. Travelers would have a cloth bag to put thier belongings in. The cloth bag would be strapped diagonally accross their bodies as they moved from one part of the country to another, but the handbag was used usually just around town. Both of these options gave the people opportunities to carry their belongings around in a more fashionable state.

During the 17th century, both men and women had handbags that they carried around. As this trend became more widespread through out the land, the handbags would become more and more fashionable and trendy because they were made from young women who had to learn a skill, such as embroidery, in order to be able to marry.

The 18th century had arrived and womens fashions were on the change. During this time the women thought that carrying a handbag with a strap was not very fashionable, so they started making and buying handbags that were strapless, these were called reticules. The women of this time loved their new and trendy handbags. They would show off their new handbags to friends and family and the fashion magazines were filled with articles and pictures of the newest styles and trends. The magazine would even have debates as to which was the best way to carry the reticules.

For more information on designer handbags, please go to:

www.Designer Handbags.com

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