A purse is a small bag (often closable) or wallet carried by women, used to store money and personal items. Purses may be worn either tucked into the belt or draped over the shoulder. In American English the term handbag is used to refer to purses which are a little larger and which can carry more items.
The word comes from the Old English pusa, meaning ‘wallet, bag or scrip’, and is related to Old High German b
Originally, the purse was simply a leather pouch closed by a clasp to keep coins secure. As fashion changed in the 16th and 17th centuries and women wore dresses with very wide skirts, it became impractical to wear purses on the outside of their clothing because they got tangled up in the fabric, so a purse was created which could be hung from a strap attached to the waistline of the dress. It would have a sequence of slots in which coins could be stored and also a lockable flap to safeguard valuables such as money and keys.
Today purses continue to evolve to meet contemporary usage requirements. Modern purses often have a series of slots for credit cards, and some have zippers to make them easier to open and close. In addition to being practical, modern purses are a fashion accessory and as such they can enhance your overall look. They can be matched with your shoes, belt and even the lining of your coat to create a cohesive look.
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.)
Montana West Purses for Women Hobo Shoulder Handbags with Zipper
$18.99 (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.)
Mum's Memory Mini Zip Around Wristlet Wallet for Women Dual Pouch Wristlet Portable Wallet Coin Purse Mini Women Coin Pocket
$14.99 (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.)
Hobo Bags for Women Soft Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag Slouchy Tote Purses
$28.90 (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.)
BAGSMART Mini Backpack for Women, Lightweight Puffer Small Backpack Purse, Quilted Casual Travel Daypack, Cute Water-Resistant Bookbag for Daily, Black
$24.99 (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.)
Toughergun Women’s Small Slim Leather Wallet with RFID Protection, Compact Bifold Mini Purse with Clear ID Window
$9.99 (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.)
Women's RFID Slim Card Holder Wallet: Thin Bifold with Multi-Card Case & Zipper Coin Pocket Purse (Deep Purple)
$8.99 (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.)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+Purse%3F&InstanceId=0&TemplateId=MobileSearchResults&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US Cache: AAL_fba3d0465f511bb4110179333e830420