Handbags

The purse fashion of the 80's saw the emergence of the ''bum bag." These bags were wrapped around the waist and secured by the same type of clips found on backpacks.

Far from being the height of fashion (although hugely popular at the time), these bags took women's fashion bags back to the dark ages, because they invariably make your bum look huge! The usually-black coloured straps also drew the eye to the waist, and unless you looked like Twiggy, everyone could guess the circumference with a quick glance. Thank goodness modern bag trends have more or less discarded this item!

The need for a fashion bag goes back to the ancient Egyptians, who had the first money and therefore, needed the first bags to keep it in. The more money you had, the more fashionable the bag. The typical rich woman's bag was encrusted with jewels and stitched with elaborate embroidery – not unlike many offerings today! (Which begs the question, if women's fashion dictates you spend all your money on an expensive bag, what do you put in it?)

Leather and drawstrings became the fashion in the 16th century, and the women's tote bag took a much more practical approach. Whereas before the fashion bag held only coins, they now were large enough to carry necessities such as the handkerchief and rouge. Today’s big bag has a long history…

The eighteenth century was when the need for a fashion bag for each outfit started. In the 1900's the term "handbag" became popular, but they were first designed for men, not women's fashion. Women's bags could now be found in many different colours, and the affluent had a matching bag for every outfit. Rather like today where one multi-purpose handbag seems to be replaced by several coordinated looks to match shoes coats, outfits etc.

So are you a multiple-handbag collector of chic looks, or do you have one staple bag you use for all occasions? Or maybe you have one regular bag for everyday use, with a selection of pretty coordinated small bags for going out? Today’s fashion can meet all needs.

© UK Fashion.com 2006