A Short History of the Bag

Women did not always carry bags; for most of history they did not need to. They would carry all their indispensables in dress pockets. After the French and American revolutions, the antiroyalist fervor found a reflection in a simpler fashion. The full skirts were replaced by slim muslin gowns and women began to carry small drawstring bags. As women became more independent and their obligations increased, so did their bags' size. Their new social roles led to diversified styles for different circumstances - a canvas tote for summer, a leather handbag for work, a satin envelope for evening. These are a few of these styles:

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