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The History of Handbags in the 1960's- Free Spirited Bags are the Rage

The swinging 60's was a time of controversy with the war in Vietnam, the desire for personal freedom, and the civil rights movements. How did this decade impact on handbags? First let's examine influences on the culture of these years. The Beatles had burst on the scene from England with their revolutionary music that seemed to capture a generation. John F. Kennedy was elected president with this intense appeal to young people and unbounded energy and his wife imparted her own sense of style to the country.nbsp;

At the beginning of the 60's, the classical handbag (as embodied by Jackie Kennedy) was in vogue with fine tailoring and quality workmanship. As the Vietnam War began to take center stage later in the decade, and Presidents Johnson and Nixon came to power, handbag fashion took a decidedly free form turn with large, unstructured purses and interesting materials, such as woven baskets, personalization and individualistic shapes.

Handmade purses became the new haute couture and "doing you own thing"was as it's peak of popularity. Fashion designer handbags began ti lose customers as less expensive alternatives became important. Today just about anything goes as far as handbag designs are concerned.There has been a subtle shift toward more fun purses.

A History of Handbags

A history of handbags from pre-history to present day designers.
Find out why handbags have been a part of our lives since the Egyptian pyramids were first built!

    Have you ever wondered about the origin of purses and handbags? Handbags have been essential to fashion history ever since people have had something precious to carry around with them, and only the items have changed over time. The very first mention in written literature comes from the 14Th century, Even though Egyptian hieroglyphs show pouches carried around the waist. Bags were attached to what were called "girdles" which were fastened to the waist. Embroidery and jewels adorned these articles and were used to show status-the richer the person, the more elaborate the bag.
    In the 16Th century, handbags took on more of an air of practicality with the use of every day materials such as leather with a drawstring fastener on top. During this period, cloth bags were used that were made larger and used by travelers and carried diagonally across the body. The 17Th century saw more variety and both fashionable men an women carried small purses with more complex shapes. Young girls were taught embroidery as a very necessary skill to make them marriageable and we see the rise of beautiful and unique artwork in handbags.

Neo-classical clothing became popular in the 18Th century with a reduction in the amount of underclothing worn by women. Wearing a purse would ruin the look of this clothing so fashionable ladies started carrying their handbags which were called reticules. Women had a different bag for every occasion and every fashion magazine had arguments on the proper carrying of these purses. In reticules, one would find rouge, face powder, a fan, a scent bottle, visiting cards, a card case, and smelling salts.
The term "handbag" first came into use in the early 1900's and generally referred to hand-held luggage bags usually carried by men. These were an inspiration for new bags that became popularized for women, including handbags with t complicated fasteners, internal compartments, and locks. With this new fashion, jewelers got into the act with special compartments for opera glasses, cosmetics and fans.

    The 1920's saw a revolution in fashion with varying hemlines and lighter clothing. Bags no longer needed to march the outfit perfectly and the rage was for the stylish lady to carry a doll dressed exactly like herself, complete with matching bag for her miniature companion.
The 1940's saw new austerity in clothing, including handbags with the war effort in mind. Metal frames sips, leather and mirrors were in short supply so manufacturers used plastic and wood. The 50's saw the rise of important designer houses including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes, and the 60's saw the breakdown of old notions of the classical and the rise of youth culture.

     Copy is the most sincere form of flattery and, if so, Kate spade, Gucci, Hermes, Coach and Dior must be very flattered! There are many replica handbags flooding the market (just visit Canal street in New York City!) Some of these "designer fakes" even carry the label of the Company they are imitating while others just have the signature "C" or "G" without the label.

    What's in the future for handbags? This fashion accessory will possibly become more individualized with more interesting fabrics and textures. New classics will come and go, but the Dior, Gucci, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton bags will still continue to be on top.

Beach Bags

A beach bag has certain practical requirements: It needs to be big enough to store multiple bottles of sunscreen, assorted sunglass cases several paperback classics, an MP3 player, and at least one fabulous cover-up. It also has to be durable enough to withstand sand, salt and water, and while we will always love our roomy and tough L.L. Bean boat tote, we recognize that sometimes the bag's contents- such as our luxurious Hermes beach towel and pair of limited-edition H. Stern for Havana flip-flops-- call for something a bit more chic, as does the possibility of beach socializing.

If you are tired of packing the same old beach tote, discover what so many others have found with the possibility of designing your own tote. Customize your beach bag, with the exact requirements you desire, and your bag can become a part of you- showing the world your creativity and desire to be unique, while never compromising on fashion and function. A unique handmade beach bag that has been customized just for you is a great idea. Marielle Inc. Designer Handbags and Fashion Accessories has a talented design and fabrication team with you in mind. Let them create the perfect beach bag just for you!

Beaded Handbags

    Handmade beaded bags originated about 200 years ago and have been one of the costliest bags ever due to the unique workmanship that goes into each handbag. around 1800, the price for a beaded bag was about $5.00. By the early 1900's, European beaded bags cost about $100.00, which was a very large sum at the time. You can usually tell the age of a beaded bag based on certain indications such as the size of the beads( bags from the mid-1800's are made with very small fine beads- about 1000 beads per square inch.) The designs have changed over the years. Funeral scenes were common on beaded bags in the early 1800's but from 1820 to 1860, beautiful outdoor scenes, historical landmarks, and romantic interludes were depicted.

    The major design scheme in these early bags consisted of 3 defined horizontal layers knitted into the bag. The bottom usually had a tassel in the middle. If the bag bottom was square, fringe would be used instead. The front of the bags middle section had illustrated scenes. The top had a pattern that complimented the entire design and usually closed with a drawstring or clasp. These beaded bags were cherished and passed down from generation to generation.

    If you are lucky enough to have inherited one of these fabulous bags or found one at an estate sale, it may be worth a great deal of money. enjoy this representation of the past and tell it's story to your own children when you continue the tradition of the beaded bag.

The Benefits of Purchasing and Owning A Custom Handbag

In today's fashion market, the benefits of purchasing and owning a custom handbag or purse are immense. Women know that the purse or handbag is an indispensable item. For them, the purse is all about power. For women, it is the most essential object. Throughout history the significance of the handbag as a symbol of power, energy, and identity is well known. Handbags project important themes, such as identity, privacy, power, status, security, luxury, dreams, and more.

    Every handbag tells a unique story. The opportunity to design and create a custom handbag offers unlimited possibilities for the handbag owner. Just imagine owning your own design, your own creation. If you are not the designing type, the search out a reputable custom handbag company for fabrication. Many such handbag companies have handbag and purse design teams that spend all of their time designing purses and handbags that most women would love to own. The fabrication teams then create these designs into unique accessories that we fondly call our purse.

      The handbag or purse goes wherever we go. It meets whom we meet. It tells a story of the woman who carries it. A custom made handbag or purse tells an even greater story. It says " I am special, different than all the rest". The handbag- like the woman who carries it- had been freed from old constraints and expectations. Both have been liberated, and anything is possible.

     Having the opportunity to select fabric, handbag shape, design details such as strap length, number of pockets, personalization such as a custom monogram, all add to the benefit of purchasing and owning a custom made handbag or purse. Here is the opportunity to enhance an outfit or carry a purse as an object of art or delight. Especially as a bride, why carry a handbag that is a duplicate of several hundred exact copies? Be unique as you are, and purchase a custom made handbag or purse that fits your unique sense of style, your design requirements, your color choice, your personalized touch.

Marielle Inc. Designer Handbags and Fashion Accessories is such a handbag company that can meet all your handbag design requirements.
Have a design question?

A custom handbag or purse is just a click away!

The Bridal Money Bag

    The Bride's Money Bag is used during the Money Dance for the guests to place money in as a token to dance with the Bride. Sometimes the dollar bills are just pinned on the bridal gown. The Money Bag (or Bridal Purse ) is used to avoid damage to the bride's wedding dress, or if there is not a proper place for the money on the wedding dress. A custom made bridal purse can be made to coordinate with the bridal gown.

    Many bridal money bags can be fabricated from the same materials used to make the wedding dress. A hand sewn bridal bag can be used the day of the wedding to hold the bride's essentials. A handmade wedding money bag can become an heirloom to pass on to a future bride.Some websites offer this feature using the brides own fabric to fabricated the bridal money bag or purse so that it will coordinate with the bride's wedding dress.

Choosing the Right Handbag for Your Body Type

Believe it or not, trying on a purse is just as important as trying on clothes. Even though a purse is just an accessory, wearing the wrong style, size or shape can really ruin your look. The part of the body that the handbag rests on will be the part of the body that the eye will be drawn to. The right choice of handbag can actually accentuate your positive attributes. Before you order one of the seasons hot, new bags, learn how to choose the right bag for your body type. A custom handmade handbag can be a wonderful addition to any wardrobe.

Clutch Handbags and Clutch Purses

    Clutch handbags and purses are smart, neat and elegant, and they are the perfect fashion accessory for when you only have a few essentials to carry. You can find the best selection of clutch purses on the Internet. This is a fast, easy and convenient way to gain access to such a huge range of styles, colors, and sizes of clutches. A clutch purse or handbag can be sophisticated and formal, or cute and cheeky. There are many variations on this basic design, some featuring many internal or external pockets, removable shoulder straps or chains. Many clutch purses have beautiful decorative touches like beading, brooches and embroidery.

    Clutch handbags and purses can be made in just about any material of fabric you can imagine, including leather, silk, or fabric, matching your evening or prom dress. Clutch purses are the perfect fashion accessory for a bridal or bridesmaid gown, and there is a wonderful range of styles specifically designed for weddings.

Shopping Online for Clutch Handbags and Clutch Purses

The only problem you might have shopping online for clutch handbags and clutch purses is choosing which one to purchase. There are so many merchants offering a vast choice of beautiful bags, you will probably want several. Fortunately, placing your order once you have made up your mind is very easy. You normally only need to click beside the picture of the handbag or purse you want to purchase, then type in your credit card details and shipping address and you are done. Check that the site is secure, so that you can be confident your details will be transferred safely. Prices are usually clearly displayed next to the picture of each item. Check for Shipping costs, as sometimes merchants offer free shipping with your purchase.

Custom Monogrammed Purses, Handbags and Totes

     Having something that is distinctly your own, is a nice thing. Monogrammed purses, handbags and totes are becoming more and more popular all of the time. There are hundreds of on line merchants offering custom monogram services. Any tote, purse or handbag can be monogrammed in a huge variety of styles, either embroidered or printed onto the bag. It is very easy to order monogrammed purses and totes on line. A handmade handbag can be a great choice when personalized with your initials. Some online stores will customize your handmade handbag according to your specifications.

    Any of the bags shown below, including a large variety of other purses, can be personalized just for you. Any of our fabric handbags, purses or totes can be personalized with your initials, business or personal name. There is a large selection from which to choose.

    By simply specifying the style of the monogram you have chosen, your single initial or initials and the color and the style of the monogram, your personalized bag can become a reality. Most vendors offer the service only if you are purchasing the handbags with it, but some will custom monogram an existing handbag, tote or purse for a small extra fee.

     The choice of colors and styles is vast, but choosing depends on the type of the bag, and what you will be using it for. Two or three initials in a small size, is suitable for a formal prom purse or evening handbag. A monochrome effect, or a subtle color difference between the bag and the monogram has a very elegant look. You can have the initials printed in an attractive geometrical design. For monogrammed bags, totes, and purses that will look more casual, large initials with a strong color contrast will have the biggest impact.
Order yours today!

Purses and Handbags Made From Old Denim Jeans

      It's a well-known fact that blue jeans can take some serious abuse. It's not unusual for a good pair of denims to be worn many years from the date of purchase-holes and all. Even after the jeans become ripped and worn, they can still be cut off to make some great shorts. When the shorts become frayed and worn, don't throw them away, though, make a cute denim purse instead.

Denim purses can be made in so many different ways that no two end up being exactly alike. Because of the fading of the denim, the style of the jeans, and the accessories you add, your purse will be one-of-a-kind, no matter how you make it. Scarves can also be added to compliment your denim purse. Denim purses are very easy to make and can add pizazz to many different outfits, depending upon how you decorate it.

    You can also make these fashion custom purses out of other pants or shorts- and they don't have to be denim. This gives you lots of options for making colored purses to match outfits that many not go well with denim. These handmade handbags and purses are so easy to make that you'll want to make a large assortment for any occasion. Sewing a denim purse or tote yourself can give you a great sense of accomplishment!

Fabric Handbags and Totes

Fabric handbags, tote bags and purses are easily found on the Web. They make special gifts for either yourself or for someone else. The Internet is the best place to find exactly what you are looking for when searching for a fabric handbag, tote bag or purse. There are hundreds of vendors offering a vast array of handbags, in everything from elegant silk and satin to casual, durable cotton canvas, and even AstroTurf! These fabric handbags, tote bags and purses come in just about every size, shape, style and color you could possibly imagine. Totes, handbags and purses come in all kinds of plain colors, in abstract designs or vintage floral patterns, some with printed photo images. Feather, fur, beads, embroidery and applique embellish many of theses handbag designs. Fabric handbags and purses can be stylish enough for a formal prom of a romantic wedding, or they can be relaxed and casual for when you out and about on the town. Tote bags are perfect for the beach, for shopping, or for school.

Shopping On the Internet for Fabric Handbags, Purses and Totes

Whatever the style of handbag, tote bag or purse, you are looking for, you are sure to have a great time checking out all the weird, wonderful and beautiful bags that are on display on line. The great convenience is that you can see them anytime you want! Fabric tote bags, purses and handbags are ideal for Internet mail order shipping as they are light and flexible, and therefore they are inexpensive to ship. Some merchants charge a minimal fee for shipping, while others offer free shipping with your order. Having such a large range from which to choose, means that you can shop around for the best price. You will generally find prices on fashion accessories like handbags, tote bags, and purses are much lower than what you would find at the mall.

Handbag Style Guide

Having the right handbag can be the most important part of your entire outfit. Everyone wants to have the most stylish bag around, but the type of handbag should be matched with the style you want to achieve. Here are some of the simple things to remember when you are grabbing one of your designerhandbags before you run out the door.

1.The most important thing to consider when matching a bag to your outfit, is size. A large bag is very casual an should only be worn with a casual outfit. One piece of clothing should be loose to compliment the size of the bag. A loose top or skirt really helps the bag flow with what you are wearing.

2. Small bags with a shoulder strap are great to be matched with a sun dress or jeans with a snug top. This type of purse is the easiest to wear and is usually moderately priced. If you shop wisely, and look at the details, a small bag can make a powerful statement.

3. Large bags can become expensive very easily, so do not spend a lot of money on them. Several mid-sized bags can complement a variety of outfits, and a couple of larger bags can be used on occasion, when needing to pack a greater quantity of items.

4. A clutch is a very versatile purse especially if it is black in color. Clutches can be matched wit anything from a dress to an evening gown. Very dressy handbags will usually have sequins on them and they should only be matched with upscale evening wear.

5. Great brands to invest in are the top designers that have been around for awhile. They usually have a classic line that stays in style. Classic styles by Gucci and Louis Vuitton usually compliment a variety of outfits. You can update classic styled handbags with flower pins or tie a scarf onto the strap.

Handbags As a Symbol of Female Power

Have you ever thought of handbags as a symbol of female power?
Margaret Thatcher's bag is a great example of how handbags are connected to powerful women.

Of course, everyone is different so a purse for one person may mean something totally different and unique for another. Let's look at handbags from a different perspective. Have you ever noticed that the press of England has spent time and effort speculating and commenting on ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's handbag? To quote "The Times" in June, 1982, written by Julian Critchley, "She tends to believe the worst of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She... cannot see an institution without hitting it with her handbag..." Even an arm sling for a hurt arm, does not deter Ms. Thatcher from using her handbag!
It is obvious that the press equates Margaret Thatcher's assertion of power and the ability to impose her will. Her handbags closely resemble the Queen Mother's handbags. It is because both of these powerful women choose the same type of bag or is Ex-Prime Minister Thatcher deliberately mimicking this female symbol of ultimate authority in her country? Negotiations are underway for the famous handbag to be placed in a museum that houses Winston Churchill's papers and historical documents from the War. There is no indication that Mr.Churchill's wallet is stored in this prestigious collection, but then again, Margaret Thatcher was the first women to imposer her powerful presence ( and pocketbook!) on 10 Downing street!

Handbags: Keeping Up With The Joneses

       What is it about handbags that drive the ladies wild? It's handbags and shoes- an awesome paring that makers significant others jealous everywhere.
It is never adequate only to have one in your repertoire, but to have an entire years worth of handbags and fashion accessories so that you can match it with whatever you're wearing that day, or whatever mood you're in.

    Handbags are not merely eye candy. They provide various different uses as well. There re all purpose handbags that can carry your daily necessities such as cell phones, makeup, wallet, and anything else you'd like to have around with you.

    There are particular handbags that people use to carry their canine fellows as well. Women rarely use only style of handbag. They usually have a rack full of different bags for different occasions. There are all sorts of styles and fashions of handbags and purses that will suit the taste of any discerning woman in the whole world., Fro well-known handbags such as coach, to lesser known producers, there are wide product lines as diverse and unique as the stars in the sky.

    There is a constant evolution of handbags and purses on an annual basis, whereby the hottest new designers come out with a refreshing approach while the veteran designers produce instant classics adored by all.

Handcrafted Cloth Purses, Tote Bags and Fabric Handbags

You can find a wonderful range of unique, handcrafted cloth purses, tote bags and fabric handbags online.There's nothing quite like the feeling of finding a unique and original gem at an art and craft market, and there is something special about buying a special piece from the artist who made it. Shopping on the web means you have access to a vast global art and craft market, with a choice of colors, fabric, styles and designs which really is beyond imagination. Cloth purses, fabric handbags and tote bags can be casual and fun or elegant and formal, and come in any shape or size you could wish for.

How to Buy Cloth Purses, Fabric Handbags and Tote Bags Online

Fabric handbags, cloth purses, and tote bags are ideal for online shopping because they can be packed and shipped very easily and cheaply. It's important to check shipping costs when you order. Normally you can make online payments directly using a credit card, or through a payment service such as PayPal, which is very secure and reliable. As withal online or mail order shipping, you should also check the returns and refunds policy very carefully in case the purse or handbag which arrives is not quite what you imagined.

The History of Bridal Veils

    Bridal veils have a rich and rumored history. They are believed to date back as far as the Roman Empire, where brides were covered with bright red and yellow wedding bridal veils to protect them from evil spirits that might whisk them away before entering the sage union with their husband. The fabric was meant to completely hide the beauty from the malicious intent of bad spirits.

    Headpieces have been used greatly in outdoor and beach weddings due to their simple and elegant feel. In an Eaterrn Orthodox wedding, the headpieces are blessed and exchanged three times. after this ceremonial exchange, the couple is pronounced married. Bridal headpieces and veils are also traditional in Finnish weddings. After the union ceremony, there is a dance where the bride places her headpiece or wedding veil on one of the bridesmaids. Like the Western tradition of throwing the bouquet, this Finnish practice means that the designated bridesmaid will be the next to marry.

    Some say that the tradition of donning wedding bridal veils dates back to the Bible. In the story of Jacob, in the Old Testament, his father-in-law, Laban, tricks Jacob into marrying the wrong woman. Because of the heavily masked veil that was not raised until after the union was complete, Jacob married the older and homelier Leah instead of the young and beautiful Rachel. Rachel was his one true love, and the deceit resulted in Jacob eventually having both as his wives. They story also resulted in the Jewish practice where a groom lowers the veil before the ceremony and lifts the veil before the kiss.

A Brief History of Medieval Clothing and Accessories,
Including the Handbag

    The actual period in time for the Middle ages started about 500 A.D. and ended in 1500 with the Renaissance. Once needs to understand, however, that one age didn't just stop and another begin-There was a gradual groundswell in science, art and thought.

    Any information concerning Medieval clothing and accessories needs to begin with the basics-the actual fabric in use by both the rich and poor beginning in the 1500's. The most popular used by the common folk was wool and, unfortunately, the poor would often have to wear this next to the skin. This wool was sometimes mixed with goat hair to make a fabric called chamlet. Other fabrics that were used were linen, fur, and material of silver and gold. The Crusaders were exposed to other fine fabrics in the East and returned with silk, gauzes, brocades, velvets an satin.

    Linen was mostly used for undergarments and silk was only for the "unmentionables" of wealthy women and to bury saints. Silk and other fine underwear were mentioned in wills and were passed down to others in the family or friends after death.

     Commoners made their own clothing with dyes from onions, liche, and alder plants. These fabrics were often dull in color. A girdle was worn at the waist and suspended from this were keys and usually a bag that carried nail scissors and other important personal items that the lady of the house needed. Over the women's undergarment was a shift that varied in color often according to the ladies position in life. Bright and vivid colors were used for the higher class and this was reflected also in the accessories worn.

     Much information concerning the clothing and accessories during the Middle ages came from the Maciejowesky Bible from 1250 A.D. This was a medieval picture book that contained 283 paintings from the Creation of the Story of David. Many of the pictures have samples of various Alms purses that were worn specifically to carry a few coins for the poor. The pious would also carry their paternoster (prayer beads that later became known as a rosary). During this time, it was considered a token of affection to present ones lady love with a bag.

Initial Handbags and Fashion Purses

The fabulous thing about initial handbags and fashion purses is that there is such an incredible variety from which to choose. There are hundreds of online merchants offering elegant handbags, formal handbags and purses, briefcases, and casual beach bags and tote bags in every size, shape and style you can imagine. You can have them monogrammed in any way you choose. It is very simple to order initial handbags and fashion purses on the internet. Choose the bag that you like from the descriptions and photos shown of the individual item that you want to order, and specify the lettering you want, the color and style, then pay by credit card. Your handbag or purse normally should take about 7-10 days to arrive. It is wise to check with the merchant's refund policy regarding personalized items.

Choosing A Style For Initial Handbags and Fashion Purses

The style you choose for your monogram depends on the impression you want to create. Initial handbags and tote bags with a large printed single initial in a strong color contrast have a bold effect which is great for a casual style of handbag, beach bag or tote bag. A group of two or three small initials with a subtle color variation is perfect for formal handbags and fashion purses. A simple set of initials is best suited to a briefcase or a handbag for work.

Hobo Purses, Handbags and Tote Bags

Hobo purses, handbags and tote bags are smart and comfortable to carry, and come in amazing variety of colors and styles. Hobo purses, handbags and tote bags are designed to fit snugly around your shoulder, so they're comfortable to carry around all day, and the rounded shape means you can easily fit everything you need to carry. The hobo purse style is becoming a really hot fashion item, and you'll be amazed at the wonderful range of purses, tote bags and handbags which are easily available to purchase online. You'll find them in luxurious Italian leather and groovy suede, chic and stylish modern designs, cool and casual totes, and unique creations with printed photographs, embroidery, and all kinds of weird and wonderful decorative clasps and closures. You can choose from a plain and simple design, or one which features handy pockets and compartments. Good quality hobo purses and bags range in price from around twenty dollars up to three hundred or so, and they make a wonderful gift for someone special.

Choosing Hobo Purses, Handbags and Tote Bags

There is such a vast range to choose from, the hardest thing is knowing where to start. Most people

tend to think of hobo purses and handbags as a casual type of bag, but there are some very stylish and elegant designs which are perfect for business. Nothing makes a big impression quite like an elegantly designed handbag or purse in genuine Italian leather. A suede hobo purse or handbag has a more relaxed, casual feel and looks fantastic with a soft, layered fashion look. If you're very petite, there are tiny hobo purses, tote hags and handbags which are cute, sexy and stylish, and will suit you perfectly.

Memory and Nostalgia; The Handbag, Past and Present

        Time and space travel have nothing on a handbag's power to whisk as woman back to another time and place. Unclasping the bag is like taking the cap off a whistling kettle:genies of memory escape.

    Whether antique, vintage, heirloom, or merely 'last year's," handbags have the power to conjure a specific person, time gone by, or past event. The metaphors abound:they are time capsules, reliquaries, hope chests, or archives that hold memories within their charmeuse seams of gilt frames.

     Most strikingly, handbags can powerfully summon the essence of the person who once carried it. The first time I witnessed this phenomenon I was visiting a woman who held her deceased mother's clutch-style Sunday purse in her lap. It still contained her mother's tissues, bus schedule, religious medal, and a spool of thread whose color the mother had intended to march. Just as an elderly mother might have been, the purse itself was a bit frumpy and old-fashioned. It had a classical female shape, snap closure, and sturdy fabric body. All the content were intact, frozen in time just as the mother had left them thirty years ago. When the daughter opened the handbag and displayed each of these talismans to me, I, too, became aware of the absent mother. Her essence had been released just as the scent of perfume pours from a falcon, suddenly decanted.

    For some women, objects trigger intense associations-the sudden sight of a grandmother's nitroglycerin pills, or the scent of her Chanel Number 5 still embedded in the weave of her Belgian lace handkerchief. For other women, her attitude toward her handbag is a revealing prism through which she can view her relationship with her own mother.

     So strongly associated are handbags with people or memories that many a woman has difficulty parting with them, even if the bags are so dumpy or damaged that she knows she'll never use them again. She cannot bring herself to call the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Somehow, those bags are Mother, and to throw them out is unthinkable!

    For some women, pocketbooks summon memories of their younger selves. Old handbags may evoke nostalgia. They come equipped with powerful stimuli: olfactory, visual, tactile. One whiff of April Violets or Wint-o-green Lifesavers or even the mustiness of the attic or cedar chest can send a woman on a swift magic carpet ride back in time.

    Sometimes handbags function as small, private, ambulatory museums, Stuff collects and accretes at the bottom, forming layer upon archaeological layer: ticket stubs from a performance, of Cosi Fan Tutte at the opera, a Marisse exhibit at the MOMA, a concert starring Kurt Cobain, strange, square-shaped foreign coins, or useless paper money engraved with the visages of dictators or kings.

    Writes Ellen Levine, the editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping magazine:" My bag is like a personal treasure chest-I never know what I am going to find. Loose change, earrings I thought I lost, Tiffany pens missing for years."

Excerpts from "Handbags" by Barbara G.S.Hagerty

More Than a Pocketbook
(The Handbag as An Emblem Of A Rite Of Passage)
By Ginny Good
Educational development director and artisan
"Handbags" by Barbara G.S. Hagerty

I remember when I bought my first real pocketbook, a grown-up pocketbook like our mothers carried. It was 1959, I was in the seventh grade, and my baby-sitting money of $0.50 an hour was hoarded preciously. I needed to save $15.00 for the Etienne Aligner pocketbook I had chosen at the Porgy and Bess dress ship: a lovely straw, Nantucket-like fisherman's basket with mahogany-colored leather straps and brass fittings. Proud is inadequate to describe the way I felt as the new owner of this wonderful grown-up pocketbook. I was the envy of my friends. It was my treasure, and as such, it was well cared for and well loved.

I used that pocketbook through most of high school and then retired it to the closet shelf.That pocketbook had marked a rite of passage for me into the world of adult accessories, and I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. My fisherman's basket pocketbook remained in the closets of my life in college, through many moves in early marriage and into mid-life until one day when my daughter, Katharine, discovered it hiding in the closet. A grown woman about to be married to a fly fishing guide, Katharine wanted the pocketbook for a wall hanging in her home in Jackson Hold, Wyoming. she was thrilled with her find...a treasure all over again. The fisherman's basket pocketbook now has a new life, in a place of honor on the wall of Katharine's home for the world to admire again, In her dotage, this beautiful old pocketbook continues to be the envy of Katharine's friends.

Smart Backpack Purses and Cool, Casual Tote Bags

    Smart backpack purses and tote bags are light and easy to carry, and come in a wonderful range of elegant, smart, stylish or laid back casual designs. You can take them anywhere; while you're traveling, working, shopping, a the beach, or anytime you need to carry a little more than would normally fir in an ordinary handbag. A quick search online will show you what a fantastic range of backpack purses and tote bags can be purchased online, including sling pack style bags, handy travel packs, rucksacks, tote packs and beach totes. Materials range from simple linen of canvas to fine quality soft leather, and just about everything in between.

     Ordering backpack tote bags and purses online is usually an easy process. Most vendors have a very simple online ordering form, which takes only seconds to complete. You simply choose from the range of backpack purses and tote bags pictured on the site, click next to the product you have chosen, enter your credit card and shipping details, and send. You should receive an immediate email confirmation when you place the order, and your tote bag or purse should arrive within ten working days or so, depending on the individual company policy. Some sites have a tracking facility, to allow you to follow the status of your order.

     You should only enter personal and credit card information on sites which are secure, as indicated by a little yellow padlock at the bottom of the screen, otherwise you information may be viewed in transit by someone who shouldn't have it. a with all online purchases, it's very wise to check the vendors refunds and returns policy very carefully. For extra peace of mind, it's very quick and easy to check the vendor's customer satisfaction record with your local branch of the Better Business Bureau, or a similar consumer protection organization.

Monogrammed Handbags and Purses

    Monogrammed handbags and purses can be elegant and formal, delicate and beautiful, or colorful, jazzy and fun. The range of styles and looks you have to choose from is absolutely amazing, and the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Personalized bags are also a great idea for the kids; it's a very simple way to stop your child's beach bag or book bag going astray, and kids really love to have that mark of individuality on all their personal stuff. You can order all kinds of monogrammed handbags, tote bags and purses online very quickly and easily by clicking through an online order form. A top quality, professional service costs a lot less that you probably think.

    Monogrammed Handbag Styles

    A tone on tone monogram has a very subtle, elegant look, while a strong color contrast will be bolder and more dramatic. From a practical point of view, if you need your bag or your child's bag to be easily distinguishable from everyone else's, the brightest, boldest color contrast you can make is the way to go. Most websites allow you to check the look of the monogram color on the handbag color together before you order, but sometimes computer monitors can be deceptive. It's wise to choose a service with a generous return or exchange policy on monogrammed handbags and purses, in chase the bag you receive doesn't quite look the way you imagined it.

    You can have just about anything you choose printed or embroidered onto a handbag, tote bag or purse, A bold single initial, or your first name has a cheeky, fun quality, and is best suited to beach tote bags and casual carry bags. Three initials is more formal, and perfect for a formal handbag or purse or a briefcase. Personalized silk tote bags are very popular as a wedding day carry bag for the bride, as a bride or bridesmaid gift, or even as a luxurious wedding favor.

Photo Purses and Handbags

Custom photo purses and handbags allow you the opportunity to have a one of a kind item. There is no limit to what you can have printed on your purse of handbag. It may be a favorite photo of your pet, or anything special in your life. Perhaps you have an image from a grandparent, or artwork, that you want incorporated onto your handbag or purse. Images can be reproduced in color or black and white, or sepia tome. You can have the handbag specially designed to suit the shape of the photograph, and there are a large range of handbag designs, handbag fabrics and colors from which to choose. Custom photo purses an handbags also make unique gifts.

How To Order Custom Photo handbags and Purses

Photo purses and handbags are very easy to order online. Simply send the photo image, either as a print by ordinary mail, or as a digital file by email, and specify the color, shape and the fabric of the bag using an online form. Digital files will need to be in a standard format such as jpeg, and with a resolution of at least 300 dpi to ensure a high enough quality resolution in the enlarged image. If you are sending the photograph by ordinary mail, it is best to have a copy make first, and send the copy. Normally, the photos will be returned with the bag, but there can be no responsibility taken for photos lost in the mail.

Straw Handbags, Purses and Tote Bags

There is no need to spend all the day at the mall shopping for straw handbags, tote bags and purses, when you can choose from thousands of beautiful designs by shopping online. straw handbags, tote bags and purses are ideal for online mail order shopping because they are so easy and inexpensive to ship. If you are looking for a casual purse, something with little more classic elegance, you are sure to find a handbag, tote bag pr purse which suits you perfectly. Handbags totes and purses also make a lovely gift, Prices vary from less than thirty dollars to several hundred for a top quality designer handbag.

Buying Straw Handbags, Purses and Tote Bags Online

The great advantage of shopping for straw handbags, tote bags and purses online, that that you have such a great variety from which to choose. The fact that there are hundreds of manufacturers and vendors competing for your business, means that pricing is very competitive. If you shop around, you will find a similar handbag or purse offered at more than one site, with a big difference in the price. Take into account the cost of the shipping, which can vary from one merchant to another. The only potential disadvantage of online shopping is that you don't get to see and touch the purse, tote bag or handbag until it arrives in the mail. It is wise to research the merchant's return and refunds policy prior to placing your order.

Style Guide For Hot Handbags

   Having the right handbag can be the most important part of your outfit. Not only should you have the most stylish bag around, but the type of handbag should be appropriately matched with the style you are sorting. Here are some simple things to remember when you are grabbing on of your designer handbags before you run out of the door.

    Size is the most important thing to consider when matching a bag to your outfit. Large bags are casual and should only be worn so. One piece of clothing should be loose to compliments the size of the bag, A loose top or skirt really help the bag flow with what you are wearing. Smaller bags with a shoulder strap are great to be matched with a sun dress or jeans with a snug top. Large bags get expensive very easily, so it is important not to spend a lot of money on large bags. A black clutch is a very versatile purse.

    You can update classic styled handbags with flower pins or simply tie a scarf onto the strap. Louis Vuitton and Gucci are classic designers that design bags to compliment a variety of outfits.