PURSE

In American English, A Purse is a small bag also called a handbag or a pocketbook.

In British English a purse is a small money container similar to a wallet. but typically used by women and including a compartment for coins. with a handbag being considerably larger; indeed, a purse is often kept in a handbag.

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A purse or handbag is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, and is used to hold items such as wallet, keys, tissues, makeup, a hairbrush, cellular device or personal digital assistant, feminine hygiene products, or other items.

The first appearance of a bag is on Egyptian hieroglyphics, which show pouches worn around the waist.  The next appearance is in 14th century Europe.  In Europe they often showed social status based on the embroidery and quality of the bag.  At this time the purses were for women mainly and were therefore attached to their girdle.

In the 15th century, both men and women wore purses.  They were often finely embroidered or ornamented with gold.  It was also customary for men to give their new brides purses embroidered with an illustration of a love story.  Later in the century, women, now wearing finer dresses, preferred to wear their pouches under their skirts which is a new fashion trend in the United States of America.

In the 16th Century, handbags were made out of common materials.  They were leather and fastened with drawstrings on top.  Large cloth bags were introduced and worn by travelers diagonally across the body.

In the 17th Century, bags became more complex and elaborate.  Girls were taught skills such as embroidery and needlework, that could assist them in finding a husband. These skills gave riose to stitching artwork on purses.  Around the year 1670, men’s breeches were made with built-in pockets, which caused them to stop carrying purses.  They did however carry little netted purses in the pockets to carry money.

In the 18th Century, as neo-classical clothing  came into fashion, women started carrying their handbags as not to ruin their outfits. They named these bags reticules.  Most women had more than one,  so they could use a certain one for each occasion.  Contents of these bags might include rouge, face powder, a fan, a scent bottle, visiting cards, a card case, and smelling salts.

In the early 1900’s people began calling their bags “handbags”.  This term referred to luggage that men carried.  They then inspired women, who began carrying bags with complicated fasteners, internal compartments, and locks.  In the 1920’s it became popular that bags no longer had to match your outfit. In the 1940’s, with WW |ll women’s  purses were made out of wood or plastic since metal was being saved for supplies.  In the 1950’s popular handbag designers included Chantel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes. Today these three brands are still popular, along with Gucci, Christian Dior, Fendi,  Prada, Kate Spade, and Lockheart among many others.

VARIATIONS

The word purse is derived from the Latin Bursa, from the Greek Bopoa, meaning oxhide

Purses are usually carried by women, though men sometimes carry one as a smaller alternative to a backpack; such a purse is sometimes termed a murse or man bag {portmanteaus “man” with “purse” and “handbags” respectively}.  It can also be called a man-purse.  Such bags are often similar or identical to messenger bags. smaller children also use purses, but usually just for show.  Kiefer Sutherland of 24 fame, brought the man-purse into the main stream through his character, Jack Bauer, Jack frequently prominently carries his messenger bag with him in the 5th Season.

Coin Purses are small purses, just large enough to hold paper money, cars and coins.

A medium to-small-sized purse with a short handle, designed to be carried (clutches) in one’s hand is often called a clutch.

a Larger purse with two handles is often called a tote.

A Pocketbook is similar to a purse.

A Security Bag protects the carrier from travel theft. The purse includes as invisible stainless steel strap sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper.

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TYPES OF HANDBAGS

Clutch: Small yet long (rectangular). evening bag without a handle.

Satchel: Large bag with small handle that is carried on the arm rather than on the shoulder.

Duffel : A large Bag with two straps.

Messenger Bag: a Bag with along strap to be worn across the body.

Sling Bag: A bag with a long strap (similar to a messenger bag}, yet smaller.

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