The History of the Handbag

The handbag is a fashion accessory that is usually worn over the shoulder. Often made of leather or fabric, it has a wide opening that can hold small items such as keys, wallets and cell phones. It is also used to carry pens and other writing implements, cosmetics and other personal items. It can be decorated with embroidery and other ornaments to add a personal touch or serve as a statement piece.

Although handbags are mostly associated with women, there is a growing number of men who carry them. In Europe, bags designed especially for men are gaining in popularity. These bags are typically leather in construction and some can even be mistaken for briefcases or laptop cases.

As the Industrial Revolution brought with it changes in the world of work, handbags became more useful. Women began using reticules as they entered the workforce and these bags soon started to become larger and sturdier. This is when the word handbag first appeared to describe these wearable accessories.

During the 1990s, manufacturers of handbags suffered from many of the same problems faced by the apparel and leather industries to which they were closely linked. As a result, many companies decided to move their manufacturing operations overseas. This gave them access to a large pool of labor that was non-unionized and allowed the production of more affordable products.

Designers and manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to improve the functionality of handbags. One area of special interest is finding new materials to use in the creation of these fashionable accessories. Some designers are also experimenting with features such as interior lighting and storage specially designed to accommodate iPods and other personal digital assistants.