5 Iconic Women’s Purses and Handbags
A great handbag can elevate any outfit, whether it’s as simple as jeans and a t-shirt or as sophisticated as a little black dress. It can be difficult to keep up with changing fashion trends, and deciding on a handbag can be as difficult as getting out of bed after a night out. There are certainly too many styles to choose from, and so many factors to consider: does it have enough room for your necessities, does it match your wardrobe, will it be used, is it a one-season bag?
Yes, trends change, but there are some bags that will always transcend any trend (not just because of the brand, but also because of their shape and colour). These timeless classics are as relevant as they’ve always been and you’ll have loads of options to choose from at all well-stocked online bag stores Australia-wide.
The Day Clutch
Clutches have their origins in bags, which were originally used to store money or small items such as needles or jewellery. Clutch-style handbags can be seen in ancient paintings and tapestries, but they did not survive our time because they were made with low-quality materials.
For a while, we had lost sight of clutches and used them only for rare upscale evening parties. But meet the day clutch at popular online bag stores Australia-wide, which in its modern, oversized, and envelope-shaped incarnation is seizing the day, now more than ever. It not only helps carry all of your essentials when going out for coffee or brunch with the girls, but it also adds to the effortlessly casual look, making a style statement.
The Evening Clutch
The evening clutch is all about style. Consider this number of arm candy for a party, romantic dinner, or any other occasion that requires you to dress up. Do not underestimate the importance of this type of bag; you’re going to wish for one on the day of the event.
Vintage evening clutches are setting the trend everywhere, and modern clutches can resemble many different shapes, say, a tube. Converter clutches can be unfolded and become more spacious than their forefathers. Handles in the form of chains or thin straps are used to make them easier to carry.
The Crossbody Bag
Crossbody bags, originally known as utility bags, were used by soldiers, fishermen, and lumberjacks to store their tools for trade. A crossbody purse has one long strap that crosses over the body, with the bag section resting in front by the waist. The design of crossbody bags made them ideal for transporting mail and other goods delivered by various types of messengers.
Prior to the invention of the postbag, royal mail carriers in the United Kingdom would deliver mail using large crossbody bags. For many years, fashion designers have created “messenger style” crossbody bags inspired by military map case bags and document pouches with shoulder straps.
The crossbody bag is not only timeless in design and function, but it also never goes out of style. A crossbody bag should not only be attractive but also versatile and functional. In terms of size, think about where the crossbody bag will sit on your waist and what size looks best on your body type. Some women prefer a floppy large crossbody bag, while others prefer a small/medium-structured bag that hits just above the hip, both of which are available at your online handbags store.
The Top Handle Bag
The Kelly bag – or today’s top handle bag – has a fascinating history that begins in 1892 when Hermes created a bag designed to carry a saddle, which was then known as ‘Haut a Courroies’ due to its high handle. The bag evolved over time into a smaller, boxier version for carrying papers and was renamed ‘Sac a Depeche,’ which became popular with politicians and writers alike.
By the 1930s, it had evolved into a classier, more elegant ladies’ handbag that was still professional enough to carry to work today. During the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘To Catch A Thief,’ in which Grace Kelly played the lead, she was introduced to the Hermes ‘Sac a Depeche’ bag, which had been purchased as an on-set accessory. She fell in love with it, and it was soon nicknamed the ‘Kelly’ bag.
The top-handled bag of the moment has emerged in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most retain the vintage, defined silhouette, with the standout top handle that makes for an elegant and ever-so-glamorous addition to your outfit.
The Jackie Bag
The Jackie, like the enduring glitz and glamour of the woman it is named after, is a bag that will never go out of style. Gucci introduced a Hobo-style bag in 1961, which piqued the interest of Jackie Kennedy, whose husband famously favored Gucci’s loafer moccasins.
According to the legend, after seeing a paparazzi photo of Jackie Kennedy carrying the bag (then known as the Fifties Constance), the Gucci family quickly renamed it the Jackie. The classic hobo shape saw many variations under Tom Ford and Frida Giannini, but its most recent incarnation comes from Michele, who gave us a spin on The Jackie in 2021 with a bit more framework, an adjustable strap, and a piston closure.
