Designer Handbags: A History Lesson

Friday, June 1st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Designer handbags came to be popular during the early years of the 1300’s. The first bags produced were small leather pouches that were used for carrying coins. These tiny purses were made by cutting out a round piece of cloth and then sewing a strap onto it. The strap was usually made of thin leather sewn around the circumference of the cut piece of cloth that could also be used as a drawstring. These early handbags were quite small in size and could only hold a few coins. They were usually worn by tying them to the waist to make carrying them very convenient.

Oh How The Times Have Changed!

And how! Todays’ designer handbags have seen many changes in style, sizes and shapes. Today one would consider buying famous items from big designer brand names such as Coach, Gucci, Prada, Kate Spade and Dior. All of these designers form an integral part of the designer handbag fashion scene. Handbags that were once mere items of convenience have seen so much functional and designer change to them, that in high fashion circles these purses have high value. Todays designer purses are meant to make a style statement. Utilitarian function is important, but secondary.

With so much popular demand today for designer purses, it comes as no surprise that they are expensive. Today, a designer purse is part of the huge fashion industry with Hollywood celebrities, and other rich and famous people buying these handbags to represent the symbolic value of their status in society. Also because it is seen as a privilege to own one such handbag from an elite designer. Some designer handbags are so expensive that they are simply out of reach for the common buyer.

Nevertheless, if you are fortunate enough to afford designer handbags, it is a purchase that is almost more symbolic of your status in society, than something that has any utilitarian benefit. It is not uncommon to have to wait in a queue of other people to get to buy a purse from some designers, because demand far surpasses supply. And you may have to pay a premium price and wait until your name comes up on the waiting list before you actually own your new and stylish handbag.

But wait! For folks who cannot afford an original designer handbag, there is still hope. Replicas are often available at vastly reduced prices and without the waiting list! So you can appear stylish, and no one will ever know you saved hundreds. You can buy used authentic designer handbags from Ebay sellers, and there are even online services that rent real designer handbags on a weekly or monthly basis. Then, when the seasons change, it won’t be so difficult and costly to change to a new purse from a different designer.

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