The Absolutely Fascinating History of Bags

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The World's History of Bags

A combination of fashion and history with absolutely fascinating content and incredibly beautiful pictures, that will fill you with a wonderfully enjoyable feeling of temptation.

Bags have been essential to our daily life ever since people have had something precious to carry around with them, but the items that the bags have contained have changed over time.

People carried bags because they could not effectively hold everything they needed to transport in their hands. Bags allowed them to carry a lot of things at once.

Sit back and enjoy this absolutely fascinating review of the history of bags.

Welcome To The Absolutely Fascinating History of Bags

A Review of Bags Throughout History

Egyptian Girdle Pouch 

The first mention of bags in literature was in the 14th century, Egyptian hieroglyphics showed pouches carried around the waist. Different jewels adorned these pouches which were used to show the person's status - the higher the wealth, the more elegant the pouch.

Understanding Egyptian Art 

The First Mention of Bags In History

Reading Egyptian Art: A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Egyptian Painting and Sculpture

Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)Buy Now

Egyptian hieroglyphics gave us the very first mention of bags in history and it is worth understanding Egyptian art and hieroglyphics because they both contain other interesting facts about the history of the commencement of many of the articles and items that we now take for granted.

16th, 17th and 18th Centuries

Bags Took Shape Over The Centuries 

It Soon Became Fashionable To Carry A Bag

In the early 16th century, the bags became much more practical with the use of materials such as leather with a drawstring to fasten. Also during this period, large bags made of cloth were used by travellers who would have them fitted diagonally across their bodies.

The 17th century brought more variety and both men and women carried very fashionable small bags in complex shapes. The use of embroidery increased the beauty of the bags with its unique artwork.

In the 18th century the fashion conscious ladies began to acquire many types of bags. Women had a different bag for every occasion; the bags were used for rouge, face powder, a scent bottle and smelling salts.

Antique And Vintage Bags 

Take A Look At The Complete Collection 

Absolutely Beautiful Pictures

The Handbag: An Illustrated History

Amazon Price: $26.60 (as of 11/21/2009)Buy Now

A picture says a thousand words and every picture in this illustrated history of bags does just that and at the same time it provides an absolutely beautiful picture collection of bags throughout history. Take a look at how bags have changed across the centuries, not only in style, but also in the materials that were used to create them.

Handbags Started In The 1900s

The Inspiration For Handbags 

They Were First Used By Men

The term 'handbag' first appeared in the early 1900's and it referred in general to the hand carried luggage bags that were used by men. This started the inspiration for new types of handbags which became popular with women. The handbags had complicated fasteners, internal compartments and locks. With this new fashion came the creation by jewellers of unique compartments for opera glasses and fans.

The 1920's exploded with a revolution in fashion with changing hemlines and lighter fabric clothing. There was no longer the need for the bags to match the ladies outfit perfectly and the ladies of style would carry a doll dressed exactly like them, complete with a bag that matched.

The 1940's brought new austerity in the clothing and handbags because of the war effort. Metal and leather was understandably in short supply, so the handbag manufacturers turned to the use of plastic and wood.

The History of Bags Makes A Fascinating Read

Reading About The History of Bags 

I Highly Recommend These Fascinating Books

If you are into the history about bags then these titles are a must read for you. Fascinating facts and details about the progress of bags in our everyday lives. Each one provides a different dimension to the way bags have been designed, produced and used over the past few centuries. I really enjoyed reading them and gained a lot of insight from them in my research into bags.

A Passion for Purses, 1600-2005

Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Handbags (Schiffer Reference Book for Collectors)

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

High Fashion Handbags: Classic Vintage Designs

Amazon Price: $29.16 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag

Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel

Famous Handbag Designer Houses Started 

And Imitation Followed

With the 1950's came the rise of some influential and important designer houses such as; Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel.

The 1960's saw the breakdown of the old ideas of what was supposed to be classical in bags and it was a time for the emergence of a new youth culture.

The wonderful modern world of bags now has a huge array of different designs, some of the most famous and therefore most imitated are the bags produced by Kate Spade, Gucci, Coach and Dior.

Bags have come a long way from the early centuries until modern day and they have an absolutely fascinating history.

Where would we be without a bag today?

Top Designer Bags 

The Temptation Is Just Too Much, I Must Have One! 

An Absolutely Wonderful Selection

Bags Bring Color Into Your Life

Colorful Bags 

They Make You Feel So Good

There is something about color that brings out the full detail in handbags and creates a unique easily identifiable character for the person that is using it. Color plays a big part in our lives, in clothes, home decor and in fashion accessories like these handbags. Put some color into your handbag collection and make yourself feel good.

Olive N Figs Polka Dots HandBag

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Multi-Color Trendy Striped Hobo/Handbag - Tan

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

The Color of Your Bag?

Bag Color Poll 

Which Bag Color Is Your Favorite?

Maybe you have a preferred bag designer or you like a particular style of bag, but what color is your most favorite when you are choosing a new bag?

Whatever Shape They Make It

 

All Shapes And Sizes 

With Absolutely Fascinating Detail

This is a small selection of the many shapes and sizes that handbags are now made in. There are now handbags made in just about any shape and size that you can imagine. Each one is beautifully crafted to give you intricate detail and provide you with an absolutely unique fashion accessory that will be admired by many.

Evening Handbag - Swarovski Crystals Vase Shaped

Amazon Price: $995.00 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Over Time Handbags Have Contained Many Things

 

These Are Absolutely Fascinating 

I Enjoyed Reading Every One Of Them

The fashion, style and trends in handbags have their own very interesting history, but the contents that have been carried in them have their own story to tell as well. These absolutely fascinating books explore all these aspects and more. I found them all very enjoyable and would not hesitate to recommend them.

What's in the Queen's Handbag?: And Other Royal Secrets

Amazon Price: $11.23 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Handbags: What Every Woman Should Know

Amazon Price: $11.04 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

How to Tell a Woman by Her Handbag

Amazon Price: $9.59 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Handbags: The Power of the Purse

Amazon Price: $10.04 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

What Is The Most Important Item In Your Handbag?

The One Thing That You Just Have To Carry 

What Would It Be?

You may well have many items in your handbag, maybe some that have collected over time, but if you were told that you could only carry one item, what would it be? If you cannot see the item already listed, then add it to the list.

Throughout History People Have Made Their Own Bags

The Art of Handbag Making 

If You Are Into Making Your Own These Are For You

Making your own handbag is quite easy, especially if you have the right material and instructions. There are many books available to choose from, but I would definately recommend all of these. Putting your own personal touch to making a handbag is fun and you will finish up creating something that is uniquely your own.

Making Handbags: Retro, Chic, Luxurious

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Chic Bags: 22 Handbags, Purses, Totes, and Accessories to Make

Amazon Price: $22.45 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Hip Handbags: Creating & Embellishing 40 Great-Looking Bags

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Bag Style: 20 Inspirational Handbags, Totes, and Carry-alls to Knit and Crochet (Style series)

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

The Hip Handbag Book: 25 Easy-to-Make Totes, Purses, and Bags

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

Using Materials That Last

Bags Have Been Made of Many Things 

Some Materials Proved Good, Some Not So Good

The materials that have been used to make bags have constantly varied over the centuries, depending on the availability of resources.

Quite a lot of the materials that were used seemed to be ideal until they got wet or showed wear and eventually had holes or just broke up.

Bags over time have been made of cloth, canvas, leather, wood, plastic, wool, metal and cork.

The delightful handbag that is illustrated here is made of cork.

The Craft of Handmaking

A Beautiful Selection of Handmade Bags 

All Given That Personal Touch

Bags that are handmade are generally found to be longer lasting in both durability and looks. A handmade bag has been given a personal touch by someone who really cares about how the finished product will be created. These are only a selection of the many beautiful handmade bags that are now available.

Beaded Wedding Handmade Evening Handbag/bag/purple Color

Amazon Price: $35.99 (as of 11/21/2009) Buy Now

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