A handbag is a type of purse that women use to carry personal items such as money, lipstick and keys. The difference between a handbag and a purse is that handbags are designed to be much more fashionable and versatile than purses, and they usually feature a larger capacity than purses as well. Handbags also tend to have a wide variety of designs and styles that make them easy for women to find purses to coordinate with their different outfits.
In general, handbags are made by large clothing or leather companies, and they are often sold along with the company’s other products such as luggage, scarves and shoes. However, some specialty retailers specialize in selling handbags alone. As a result, the handbag industry has become quite competitive and is constantly evolving with changing fashion trends.
Purses and handbags have been around for thousands of years, and they have evolved alongside with changing fashion and cultural norms. They were once a strictly female accessory, but now there are many options for women to choose from that allow them to express their individual style.
The modern handbag or purse was probably developed during the Industrial Revolution, as women began to work outside of the home. The Industrial Revolution also changed manufacturing processes, and purses became more practical when manufacturers began producing small bags that resembled suitcases. These were the first bags to be called handbags. Today, handbags are available in a wide array of shapes, sizes and materials, and they can be decorated with varying levels of detail. For example, some handbags are adorned with embroidery or lace, while others feature a metallic frame that features a kissing lock closure.
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$74.24 (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.)
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Wrangler Wallet for Women Bifold Card Holder with Zipper and ID Window
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JANKS Small Crossbody Bag for Women - Mini Phone Purses with Crossbody Strap and Wallet - Nylon Arm Bag
$7.59 (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.)
CYHTWSDJ Shoulder Bags for Women, Cute Hobo Tote Handbag Mini Clutch Purse with Zipper Closure
$16.98 (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=Purses+%26+Handbags|What+Is+a+Handbag%3F&InstanceId=0&TemplateId=MobileSearchResults&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US Cache: AAL_f6d32f0f674e1d375072ea9fa5e26354