What is a Purse?

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 buse (“bag”), and Middle Dutch bouse (“bag”). It also resembles Latin pulchra (‘purse’) and Greek bursa, all of which meant ‘leather bag’.

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.