The handbag is a fashion accessory that, like the shoe or jacket, can make or break an outfit. It was once considered a neutral color and could coordinate with several outfits, but now women are increasingly purchasing handbags that express their personality and personal style. In the past, handbags were often categorized by their shape and material. Today, designers experiment with a wide range of styles, including satchels, shoulder bags and clutches.
Bags have evolved over millennia to reflect cultural influences as diverse as feminism, global travel and status fashion. The contemporary handbag, with defined boundaries, smaller dimensions and handles to carry it, most likely stems from the humble woman’s pocket and a desire for privacy that required the visible line of a purse to conceal its contents.
Throughout history, small bags were fashioned in unusual shapes, such as frogs and birds, and embellished with a fashionable technique called filigree. The 19th Century saw the introduction of the reticule, a rectangular purse with a flat surface that allowed for artistic expression. As the handbag became an indispensable accessory for women, fashion houses designed more elaborate designs such as the Keepall, the Noe and the Speedy.
Unlike shoes or clothing, many luxury brands do not manufacture their own bags but purchase them from other manufacturers. The competitive market for designer handbags has not deterred entrepreneurs, however, who have set up their own production facilities to produce and distribute their own line of upscale bags. Some also design their own logos and use creative marketing tactics to help their brand stand out from the competition.
Dooney & Bourke Handbag, Sorrento Crossbody 25
$109.00 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BLESSAC Bible Leather Handbag For Christian Women, Medium, Zipper - Christmas Gift For Wife, Mom, Grandma
$79.95 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Airkit Small Wallet Women RFID Blocking Soft Leather Bifold Compact Card Holder Wallet for Women with Zipper Coin Pocket 4 ID Window
$11.99 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
COACH Women's Crystal Jacquard Swinger 20 with Chain
$225.00 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Lapensa Small Womens Wallet-soft Leather RFID Blocking Bifold Zipper Pocket Credit Card Purse-Floral Pattern Wallet with ID Window (green)
$5.99 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
INICAT Travel Small Crossbody Sling Bags Valentines Day Gifts Women Her Cross Body Purses Vegan Leather Birthday
$25.99 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BOSTANTEN Quilted Crossbody Bags for Women Vegan Leather Purses Small Shoulder Handbags with Wide Strap
$29.59 (as of December 28, 2025 19:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Auto Amazon Links: No products found. http_request_failed: A valid URL was not provided. URL: https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?SearchIndex=All&multipageStart=0&multipageCount=20&Operation=GetResults&Keywords=The+History+of+the+Handbag|Purses+%26+Handbags&InstanceId=0&TemplateId=MobileSearchResults&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US Cache: AAL_3c4baeb8952b979aea805cf8dbfe3d73