From the ancient beaded bags of African priests to the designer handbags of the modern lady of leisure,
handbags have historically been both the carriers of secrets and the signifiers of power, status, and
beauty. "Purses" and "pouches" have been used since humans have needed to carry precious items,
while “handbags” as a term did not exist until the mid-nineteenth century. What started as a necessity to
transport goods has evolved into a major fashion accessory.

The first mention in written literature comes from the 14th century, even though Egyptian hieroglyphs
show pouches carried around the waist. Embroidery and jewels adorned these articles and were used to
show status - the richer the person, the more elaborate the bag.

During the Elizabethan era, a time when personal hygiene was lacking, many aristocrats would carry
what was called “swete bagges” or bags that were filled with sweet smelling material to cover up their
foul odor. Toward the end of the 17th century, purses became increasingly sophisticated, moving from a
simple drawstring design to more complex shapes and materials.

Developments during the Victorian era brought more styles and fabrics for purse design. With the advent
of the railroad professional luggage makers turned the bags of horse travel into those for train travel, and
soon the term “handbag” emerged to describe these new hand-held luggage bags. Many of today's top
designer handbags got their start as luggage makers, including Hermes and Louis Vuitton.

In the early twentieth century  most of the bags used today had been invented, including the classic clasp
frame bag, the clutch, the satchel, and the shoulder bag.  It was in the 1950's that handbags reached cult
status. As an antithesis of military style, a new decade of femininity emerged where a very small bag
implied beauty and sophistication. The tiny handbag represented femininity and submission. Indeed, a
woman holding a smaller handbag sends a different sexual message than a woman carrying a huge
shoulder bag.

With the 60's and 70's came fringes and low slung beaded bags, equipped with zippers, buckles and
extra pouches, suggesting that women were as equipped as men in the new age of femininsm.

From the 80's to today designer handbags became a true fashion staple, featured in glossy magazines
and carried on runways. They are as much a part of a woman's (sometimes men's too) wardrobe as her
shoes. As they were in their early carnations, they are a status symbol, with designer handbags being the
best of the best, specifically the seasoned labels like Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Prada.

The coveted and esclusive designer handbag comes with a heavy price tag, usually starting at about
$600 for the smallest and most basic design made from canvas. Prices rise dramatically depending on
the material. An average size leather bag starts around $1,800, and once you get into the exotics
(python, alligator, ostrich) prices can exceed $100,000.