A handbag, commonly known as a purse or pocketbook in

North American English North American English (NAmE, NAE) is the most generalized variety of the English language as spoken in the United States and Canada. Because of their related histories and cultures, plus the similarities between the pronunciations (accents), v ...

, is a

handle A handle is a part of, or attachment to, an object that allows it to be grasped and manipulated by hand. The design of each type of handle involves substantial ergonomic issues, even where these are dealt with intuitively or by following tr ...

d medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items.

Purse, handbag or pouch

The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins. In many English-speaking countries, it is still used to refer to a small money bag. A "handbag" is a larger accessory that holds objects beyond currency, such as personal items. American English typically uses the terms purse and handbag interchangeably. The term handbag began appearing in the early 1900s. Initially, it was most often used to refer to men's hand-luggage. Women's bags grew larger and more complex during this period, and the term was attached to the accessory. "Pocketbook" is another term for a woman's handbag that was most commonly used on the East Coast of the United States in the mid-twentieth century.

Modern origin

Early modern Europeans wore purses for one sole purpose: to carry coins. Purses were made of soft fabric or

leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, ...

and were worn by men as often as ladies; the Scottish sporran is a survival of this custom. In the 17th century, young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage; this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape for these accessories, inspired by the silhouettes of Ancient Greece and Rome. Women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so ''reticules'' were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, carried with wrist straps. First becoming popular in France, they crossed over into Britain, where they became known as "indispensables." Men, however, did not adopt the trend. They used purses and pockets, which became popular in men's trousers. The modern purse, clutch, pouch, or handbag came about in England during the

Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States, that occurred during the period from around 1760 to about 1820–1840. This transition included going f ...

, in part due to the increase in travel by railway. In 1841 the

Doncaster Doncaster (, ) is a city in South Yorkshire, England. Named after the River Don, it is the administrative centre of the larger City of Doncaster. It is the second largest settlement in South Yorkshire after Sheffield. Doncaster is situated in ...

industrialist and confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson (of

butterscotch Butterscotch is a type of confectionery whose primary ingredients are brown sugar and butter, but other ingredients are part of some recipes, such as corn syrup, cream, vanilla, and salt. The earliest known recipes, in mid-19th century Yorkshir ...

fame) ordered a set of traveling cases and trunks and insisted on a traveling case or bag for his wife's particulars after noticing that her purse was too small and made from a material that would not withstand the journey. He stipulated that he wanted various handbags for his wife, varying in size for different occasions, and asked that they be made from the same leather that was being used for his cases and trunks to distinguish them from the then-familiar

carpetbag A carpet bag is a top-opening travelling bag made of carpet, commonly from an oriental rug. It was a popular form of luggage in the United States and Europe in the 19th century, featuring simple handles and only an upper frame, which serve ...

and other travelers' cloth bags used by members of the popular classes. H. J. Cave (London) obliged and produced the first modern set of luxury handbags, as we would recognize them today, including a clutch and a tote (named as 'ladies traveling case'). These are now on display in the

Museum of Bags and Purses The Museum of Bags and Purses ( nl, Tassenmuseum Amsterdam), was a museum devoted to the history of bags, purses, and their related accessories. Located in Amsterdam's historic central canal belt, the museum's collection included over 5,000 item ...

in Amsterdam. H. J. Cave did continue to sell and advertise the handbags, but many critics said that women did not need them and that bags of such size and heavy material would 'break the backs of ladies.' H. J. Cave ceased to promote the bags after 1865, concentrating on trunks instead, although they continued to make the odd handbag for royalty, celebrities or to celebrate special occasions, the Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee being the most recent. However, H.J. Cave resumed handbag production in 2010.

20th century

When handbags started to become popularized, they were heavily criticized as it was seen as unfeminine. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud argued that purses were sexually suggestive as the structure of the purse symbolized female genitalia and sexuality. Before handbags, pockets were secured inside of a woman's dress which held personal items and retrieving items was done discreetly and modestly. Due to handbags being carried in the open, the accessory exposed a woman's personal items. Freud compared women retrieving items from their purse as a representation of masturbation. According to Freud's argument, women who carried purses openly displayed their sexuality due to the sexual symbolism of the purse. As handbags grew into the mainstream in the 20th century, they began to transform from purely practical items to symbols of the wearer's wealth and worth in society. The styles, materials, prices, and, most importantly, the brand names of purses and handbags became just as (if not more) valuable than the functionality of the bags themselves. Handbags transitioned from being seen as unfeminine, to being seen as specifically feminine and unmasculine. While women's bags served as fashion accessories not meant to hold more than a few personal and beauty items (feminine things), men's bags stayed more in the realm of briefcases: square, hard-edged, plain; containing items pertaining to the “man’s world”: business-related items, documents, files, stationery and pens. The gendered division between the personal bag and the business bag meets in the middle with the unisex alms purse originating in the Middle Ages meant to carry coins to donate to the church or the poor. The charitable symbolism of the alms purse later carried over to women's handbags in general; a woman carrying a bag was seen as upper class and therefore potentially using the bag to hold her donations. During the 1940s, the rationing of textiles for World War II led to the manufacturing of handbags made in materials like raffia or crocheted from yarn. Some women crocheted their own small handbags from commercial patterns during this period.

Men's bags

The oldest known purse dates back more than 5000 years, and was a pouch worn by a man,

Ötzi the Iceman Ötzi, also called the Iceman, is the natural mummy of a man who lived some time between 3350 and 3105 BC, discovered in September 1991 in the Ötztal Alps (hence the nickname "Ötzi") on the border between Austria and Italy. Ötzi is believed to ...

. Men once carried

coin purse A coin is a small, flat (usually depending on the country or value), round piece of metal or plastic used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order ...

s. In early modern Europe, when women's fashions moved in the direction of using small ornamental purses, which evolved into handbags, men's fashions were moving in another direction. Men's trousers replaced men's

breeches Breeches ( ) are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each human leg, leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Formerly a standard item of Weste ...

during the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, and pockets were incorporated in the loose, heavy material. This enabled men to continue carrying coins, and then paper currency, in small leather wallets. Men's pockets were plentiful in the 19th century and 20th century trousers and coats, to carry possessions, such as pipes, matches, and knives, and they were an item frequently mended by their wives. Men's purses were revived by designers in the 1970s in Europe. Since the 1990s, designers have marketed a more diverse range of accessory bags for men. The names man bag, man-purse and murse have been used. The designs common in the U.S. are typically variations on backpacks or

messenger bag A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...

s, and have either a masculine or a more unisex appearance, although they are often more streamlined than a backpack and less bulky than a briefcase. These bags are often called

s or organizer bags. In many other countries, it is common for men to carry small rectangular shoulder bags, often made of leather. The leather

satchel A satchel is a bag with a strap, traditionally used for carrying books.Satchel
The Cambridge Dictionary. ...

is also common. Men's designer bags are produced by well-known companies such as Prada,

Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly known as Louis Vuitton (, ), is a French high-end luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label's LV monogram appears on most of its products, ranging from luxury bags and leather ...

Coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Co ...

, and Bottega Veneta in a variety of shapes and sizes. The global men's bag and small leather goods trade is a $4-billion-a-year industry. Sales of men's accessories including "holdall" bags are increasing in North America.

Types

As a fashion accessory, handbags can be categorized according to the silhouette of the bag, as well as the type of handle. *

Baguette A baguette (; ) is a long, thin type of bread of French origin that is commonly made from basic lean dough (the dough, though not the shape, is defined by French law). It is distinguishable by its length and crisp crust. A baguette has a di ...

: a small, narrow, rectangular shape purse, resembling a French loaf of bread (baguette). * Barrel: shaped like a barrel or closed tube, usually with shoulder-length straps. * Bowling bag: a popular 1990s "retro" style for younger women, modeled after American bags used to carry bowling balls. * Bucket bag: a round bag, shaped like a bucket, medium-size or large, with shoulder straps and a drawstring closure. *

Carpet bag A carpet bag is a top-opening travelling bag made of carpet, commonly from an oriental rug. It was a popular form of luggage in the United States and Europe in the 19th century, featuring simple handles and only an upper frame, which served ...

: The carpet bag, popular in the 1920s-1940s made a resurgence in the 1960s-1970s and was made popular by

Mary Poppins It may refer to: * ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fantasy novels that introduced the character. * Mary Poppins (character), the nanny with magical powers. * ''Mary Poppins'' (film), a 1964 Disney film sta ...

. It was typically an oversized tote bag not constructed of carpet, but rather a thicker fabric that resembled carpet which incorporated crushed velvet and a variety of patchwork fabrics. * Clutch: a handbag without handles, rectangular in shape, often an evening bag but used during the day as well. Some will feature a strap that can be worn over the shoulder. * Doctor's bag: also known as a Gladstone bag, modeled after a Victorian-era doctor's bag for making housecalls. * Drawstring bag: a bag that closes with a drawstring at the top, and often has two straps to be worn over the shoulders like a backpack. *

Fanny pack A waist bag, or fanny pack (American English), belt bag, moon bag, belly bag (American English), or bumbag (British English) is a small fabric pouch worn like a belt around the waist by use of a strap above the hips that is secured usually with ...

: is typically a smaller bag that can be worn around the waist, over the shoulder, or even across the chest area. Called a ''Bumbag'' in the UK. * Half-moon bag: is shaped like a half-moon. *

Hobo bag The hobo bag is a style of handbag or purse that is typically large and characterized by a crescent shape, a slouchy posture and a long strap designed to wear over the shoulder. Hobo bags are made out of soft, flexible materials and tend to slump ...

: medium-size crescent-shaped bag with a top zipper and often a slouch or dip in the center; a modern, casual silhouette. *

Kiondo A kiondo is a handwoven bag made from indigenous vegetable twine with leather trimmings. It is indigenous to the Taita people, Taita, Kikuyu people, Kikuyu and Kamba people, Kamba tribes of Kenya. The Swahili language, Swahili word for a kiondo ...

: a handwoven handbag made from sisal with leather trimmings. It is indigenous to Kenya. * Lighted: a handbag with a lighting system which has been attempted since the 1950s without success until recently when in 2011 the first successful lighted handbag was brought to market. *Lucite handbags: Post World War 2, there was an abundance of plastic in the United States. This gave rise to the Lucite Handbag. Each bag was produced off an injection mold and designed in an array of stunning colors and shapes. Llewellyn and Patricia of Miami were some of the largest producers of these types of bags. *

Messenger bag A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...

: a bag with typically one long strap worn across the body, inspired by bags worn by urban messengers to deliver business mail, a modern silhouette. *

Minaudière A minaudière is a women's fashion accessory, generally considered a jewellery piece, intended to substitute for an evening bag. A case with compartments, it allows storage for several items in a small space, such as a makeup compact, lipstick, wat ...

: a small rectangular evening bag, usually hard-bodied, sometimes held inside a soft fabric bag that serves as a sleeve. * Muff: a winter bag made of real or faux fur, wool, or velvet that has zippered compartments and a slip opening for hands. * Pocketbook: is a small purse, rectangular in shape. * Pouch: a small bag such as a pocket, teabag, money bag, sporran, etc. * Reticule: also known as a ''ridicule'' or ''indispensable'', was a type of small

drawstring A drawstring (draw string, draw-string) is a string, cord, lace, or rope used to " draw" (gather, or shorten) fabric or other material. Ends of a drawstring are often terminated with a sheath called an aglet. The ends may be tied to hold the d ...

handbag or purse, similar to a modern evening bag, used mainly from 1795 to 1820. *

Saddlebag Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles. Horse riding In horse riding, saddlebags sit in various positions, on the back, side, or front of the saddle. Most attach to the saddle by straps and ties. They can be made from various material ...

: shaped like a horse saddle, may have equestrian motifs and hardware to emphasize the design. *

Satchel A satchel is a bag with a strap, traditionally used for carrying books.Satchel
The Cambridge Dictionary. ...

: a soft-sided case usually of leather. *

Tote bag A tote bag is a large and often unfastened bag with parallel handles that emerge from the sides of its pouch. Totes are often used as reusable shopping bags. The archetypal tote bag is made of sturdy cloth, perhaps with thick leather at its handl ...

: is a medium to large bag with two straps and an open top. * Trapezoid bag: is shaped like a trapezoid, usually made of stiff material. * Wristlet: a small handbag with a short carrying strap resembling a bracelet that can be worn around the wrist. Similar to a clutch in design, but with the added wrist strap. According to the type of handle, handbags are often categorized as: * Crossbody bag: one long strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting by the waist. * Clutch: is typically a small handbag without handles with an optional shoulder strap. *

: is typically a smaller bag that can be worn around the waist, over the shoulder, or even across the chest area. * Shoulder bag: any bag with shoulder-length straps. *

Sling bag A messenger bag (also called a courier bag) is a type of sack, usually made of cloth (natural or synthetic). It is worn over one shoulder with a strap that goes across the chest resting the bag on the lower back. While messenger bags are som ...

: one long, wide strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting on the back. *

: a medium to large bag with two straps and an open top. Handbags that are designed for specific utilitarian needs include: *

Camera bag Camera bags are a 20th-century development for the convenient carrying and quick access to high-end camera equipment. They replaced fitted leather cases that were supplied with the earliest cameras. In the 1970s, war and documentary photographers ...

: for carrying photography equipment. * Cosmetic bag: a small bag for holding cosmetics, often made of synthetic waterproof protective material. * Diaper bag: carry all necessities for baby with numerous pockets including a removable changing pad. * Duffel bag: a large cylindrical bag usually used for travel or sports gear, sometimes called a "weekend bag". * Gym bag: for carrying toiletry items and the clothing and/or shoes a person intends to use for their workout. * Laptop bag: a medium to large bag that contains a padded interior compartment or sleeve for protecting a laptop computer. * Security bag: protects the carrier from travel theft and includes an invisible stainless steel

strap A strap, sometimes also called strop, is an elongated wikt:flap, flap or ribbon, usually of leather or other flexible materials. Thin straps are used as part of clothing or baggage, or bedding such as a sleeping bag. See for example spaghetti s ...

sewn into the fabric and a protectant on the main zipper. * School bag: for carrying school needs ex: books, pencils, etc.

Hardware

A distinction can also be made between soft-body handbags or frame handbags, where a metal frame supports the textile or leather of the bag. Frame bags often use a kissing lock closure, with two interlocking metal beads set on the top of the frame. Kissing locks were popular on handbags during the early- to mid-20th century, and remain popular with vintage collectors and in "retro" designs. These locks are still seen on smaller

Coinage as a verb

The verb "to handbag" and its humorous usage was inspired in the 1980s by UK prime minister

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. S ...

having “weaponized” the handbag in the opinion of British biographer and historian David Cannadine. As “her most visible symbol of her power to command” the bag became an emphatic prop that she produced at meetings to show she meant business. She would invariably bring out of the bag a crucial document from which she would quote, her speech notes often being cut to size to fit inside. Because Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister, former

Daily Telegraph Daily or The Daily may refer to: Journalism * Daily newspaper, newspaper issued on five to seven day of most weeks * ''The Daily'' (podcast), a podcast by ''The New York Times'' * ''The Daily'' (News Corporation), a defunct US-based iPad new ...

editor Charles Moore wrote in his authorised biography of 2013, “her handbag became the sceptre of her rule”. The verb's more general meaning of "treating ruthlessly" came to symbolize Thatcher's whole style of government. Victims of her handbaggings, from political leaders to journalists, have testified to what the German chancellor

Helmut Kohl Helmut Josef Michael Kohl (; 3 April 1930 – 16 June 2017) was a German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 1973 to 1998. Kohl's 16-year tenure is the longes ...

perceived as her “ice-cold pursuit of her interests”. US secretary of state

James Baker James Addison Baker III (born April 28, 1930) is an American attorney, diplomat and statesman. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 10th White House Chief of Staff and 67th United States Secretary of the Treasury under President ...

recalled her standby ploy: “When negotiations stall, get out the handbag! The solution is always there.”

Julian Critchley Sir Julian Michael Gordon Critchley (8 December 1930 – 9 September 2000) was a British journalist, author and Conservative Party politician. He was the member of parliament for Rochester and Chatham from 1959 to 1964 and Aldershot from 1970 ...

, one of her biggest

Tory A Tory () is a person who holds a political philosophy known as Toryism, based on a British version of traditionalism and conservatism, which upholds the supremacy of social order as it has evolved in the English culture throughout history. The ...

backbench critics, once said, "Margaret Thatcher and her handbag is the same as

Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 Winston Churchill in the Second World War, dur ...

and his cigar." Thatcher's bag was almost as newsworthy an item as she was herself and on the day she died, one of her handbag-makers saw a sharp rise in sales of her favorite structured design. The original bag Thatcher asserts on a signed card was the one “used every day in my time at Downing Street” is archived at Churchill College, Cambridge. Made of dark blue leather “in mock-croc style”, it was a gift from friends on her birthday in 1984.

Handbag collecting

Handbag collecting has become increasingly popular in the 2000s. In 2014, the auction house

Christie's Christie's is a British auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie (auctioneer), James Christie. Its main premises are on King Street, St James's in London, at Rockefeller Center in New York City and at Alexandra House in Hong Kong. It is ...

started a handbag department, which now has several staff, headed by an "international head of handbags". In June 2017, Christie's had its first sale devoted exclusively to

handbags A handbag, commonly known as a purse or pocketbook in North American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items. Purse, handbag or pouch The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins. In man ...

. According to ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was fo ...

'', the most sought-after and valuable brand is

Hermès Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès ( , ), is a French luxury design house established in 1837. It specializes in leather goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches and ready-to-wear. Its logo, since ...

, followed by others including

Céline Céline, sometimes spelled Celine, is a French female first name of Latin origin, coming from ''Caelīna'', the feminine form of the Roman cognomen ''Caelīnus'', meaning "heavenly".

Chanel Chanel ( , ) is a French high-end luxury fashion house founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. Chanel specializes in women's ready-to-wear, luxury goods, and accessories and licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear. Chanel is ...

and

World records

In June 2015, a Christie's handbag sale in Hong Kong saw a pink crocodile skin

Birkin bag The Birkin bag (or simply Birkin) is a kind of tote bag introduced in 1984 by the French luxury goods maker Hermès. Birkin bags are handmade from leather and are named after the English-French actress and singer Jane Birkin. The bag quickly b ...

made only in 2014, sell for a then world record £146,000. In May 2017, Christie's Hong Kong sold a white crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bag with 10.23 carats of diamonds for a world record HK$2.9 million (£293,000).

Museums

The

is in

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the Capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population ...

, the Netherlands; the

Simone Handbag Museum The Simone Handbag Museum in Seoul, South Korea, is a museum dedicated to handbags. 300 bags are on display at the museum, dating from 1550 to the present day. The museum is divided into two halves, Twentieth Century and Contemporary, and Historic ...

is in

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

, South Korea; and the ESSE Purse Museum is in

Little Rock, Arkansas (The Little Rock, The "Little Rock") , government_type = council-manager government, Council-manager , leader_title = List of mayors of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mayor , leader_name = Frank Scott Jr. , leader_ ...

Notable collectors

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...

owned over 200 Launer London bags, and kept all of her mother's Launer bags. Other notable collectors include

Victoria Beckham Victoria Caroline Beckham (; born 17 April 1974) is an English fashion designer, singer, and television personality. She rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the girl group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Posh Spice. Wi ...

, who has over 100 Birkin bags, Katie Holmes,

Rita Ora Rita Sahatçiu Ora (born Rita Sahatçiu; 26 November 1990) is a British singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence in February 2012 when she featured on DJ Fresh's single, "Hot Right Now", which reached number one in the UK. Her debut stud ...

and

Kelly Brook Kelly Ann Parsons (born 23 November 1979), known professionally as Kelly Brook, is an English model, actress, and media personality. She is known for her modelling work in the UK, and in the US for her role as Prudence on the NBC sitcom '' On ...

Cara Delevingne Cara Jocelyn Delevingne ( ; born 12 August 1992) is an English model and actress. She signed with Storm Management after leaving school in 2009. Delevingne won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2012 and 2014. Delevingne sta ...

Miranda Kerr Miranda May Kerr (; born 20 April 1983) is an Australian model and businesswoman. Kerr rose to prominence in 2007, as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels. Kerr was the first Australian Victoria's Secret model and also represented the Australia ...

, Lauren Conrad,

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley (born 18 April 1987) is an English model and actress. She is best known for her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret, formerly being one of their brand "Angels", for being the face of Burberry's 2011 bran ...

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...

Mary-Kate Olsen Mary-Kate Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, equestrian, and former actress. She began her acting career nine months after her birth, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Ashley Olsen ...

Ashley Olsen Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman and former actress. She began her acting career at the age of nine months, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen in the television sitco ...

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...

Olivia Palermo Olivia Palermo (born February 28, 1986) is an American socialite, fashion influencer, entrepreneur, model and television personality. Palermo gained celebrity status when she sued socialiterank.com for releasing a letter that was proven to be f ...

, and

Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...

are also collectors. Others include Kim Chiu,

KC Concepcion Maria Kristina Cassandra "KC" Cuneta Concepcion (; born April 7, 1985) is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer, TV host, entrepreneur, socialite and humanitarian. She has had lead roles in Philippine films '' For The First Time'' (2008) and ''Whe ...

Kris Aquino Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), professionally known as Kris Aquino (), is a Filipino television host, actress, producer, socialite and businesswoman. Dubbed as Philippine's "Queen of All Media", Aquino has hos ...

Heart Evangelista Love Marie Payawal Ongpauco (born February 14, 1985), known professionally as Heart Evangelista (, alternately ), is a Filipino actress, artist, businesswoman, and socialite. Early life Heart Evangelista was born as Love Marie Payawal Ongpau ...

Marian Rivera Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', ''Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', '' Darna'' and '' T ...

Bea Alonzo Phylbert Angelli Ranollo Fagestrom (born October 17, 1987), professionally known as Bea Alonzo (), is a Filipino actress. Alonzo first gained recognition for the 2002 teleserye ''Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay''. She is best known for her portrayals ...

Kathryn Bernardo Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo (; born March 26, 1996) is a Filipino actress and singer. Dubbed as “''Asia's Superstar”'' by various media outlets, People Asia hailed Bernardo as the Box Office Queen of her generation for being the onl ...

Lovi Poe Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe (born February 11, 1989), popularly known as Lovi Poe, is a Filipino actress, model, and recording artist. She is the daughter of action star Fernando Poe Jr. Poe is known for starring in two popular GMA drama seri ...

Megan Young Megan Lynne Young (born February 27, 1990) is a Filipino-American actress, model, television presenter and beauty queen who won the Miss World Philippines 2013 title and was later crowned as Miss World 2013. She is the first Filipina to win t ...

Gretchen Barretto Gretchen Castelo Barretto (; born March 6, 1970) is a Filipino actress, socialite, and philanthropist. She was launched in Regal Films' ''14 Going on Steady'' as a singer-actress, with the release of her debut single "Going Steady", which serve ...

Camille Prats Sheena Patricia Camille Quiambao Prats–Yambao (born June 20, 1985) is a Filipino actress, TV host, comedienne, and businesswoman. She starred in a series of successful films and television shows, since gaining media attention when she played ...

Sarah Lahbati Sarah Lahbati (born 9 October 1993) is a Swiss-born Filipino actress and reality star. She gained media attention as a finalist on the 5th season of reality show '' StarStruck'', a Philippine overall talent show broadcast on GMA Network. La ...

, and Jefree Star.

Gallery of popular silhouettes

File:Photo of My Animal Print Bag.jpg, Bucket bag with drawstring closure File:Vintage clutch (847652012).jpg, Vintage clutch with fold-over closure, made of red

snakeskin Snakeskin may either refer to the skin of a live snake, the shed skin of a snake after molting, or to a type of leather that is made from the hide of a dead snake. Snakeskin and scales can have varying patterns and color formations, providing prot ...

File:S.Oliver Bag Logomania grau.jpg, Hobo bag with top zipper, shoulder strap, and characteristic slouch in the middle File:Barxes, Gata de Gorgos.JPG, Collection of kiondo style handbags File:Tasche Lkw Plane2.jpg, Messenger bag from old truck tarp with seat belt as strap, made by Freitag, Switzerland (2008) File:Vintage pocketbook.jpg, Vintage pocketbook File:Rachel's New Purse.jpg, Saddle shape, with

equestrian The word equestrian is a reference to equestrianism, or horseback riding, derived from Latin ' and ', "horse". Horseback riding (or Riding in British English) Examples of this are: * Equestrian sports *Equestrian order, one of the upper classes i ...

hardware detail File:Hobo bag with abstract print.JPG, Hobo bag with unique variations, such as a bold abstract print and interesting hardware File:Eel skin clutch.JPG, Clutch made from eel skin, a strong but expensive alternative to cow, sheep, goat, or pig leather File:Pearl beaded evening bag.jpg, Vintage evening bag, made of ivory satin encrusted with faux pearls and glass bugle beads File:Handtas (ST656 4 01) - Kostuum Accessoire - MoMu Antwerp.jpg, White leather envelope bag File:Handtas (ST650 8 01) - Kostuum Accesoire - MoMu Antwerp.jpg, Brown leather handbag File:Handtas (ST659 7 02) - Kostuum Accessoire - MoMu Antwerp.jpg, Black leather handbag File:Leather taschen Bag.jpg, alt=Leather bag pink color, Lady holding a leathe
bag
in front of eiffel tower

Gallery of traditional types

File:PNG Bilum Bag QM r.jpg, A

bilum ''Noken'' (from Biak: ) is a traditional Indonesian multifunctional knotted or woven bag native to the Western New Guinea region, Indonesia. Its distinctive usage, which involves being hung from the head, is traditionally used to carry various ...

bag, used in

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

. Bilums are made of "bush rope",

cuscus Cuscus ( or ) is the common name generally given to the species within the four genera of Australasian possum of the family Phalangeridae with the most tropical distribution: * ''Ailurops'' * ''Phalanger'' * ''Spilocuscus'' * ''Strigocuscus'' ...

fur or wool, and expand in size File:Baobab bag.jpg, A shoulder bag made of

baobab ''Adansonia'' is a genus made up of eight species of medium-to-large deciduous trees known as baobabs ( or ). They are placed in the Malvaceae family, subfamily Bombacoideae. They are native to Madagascar, mainland Africa, and Australia.Trop ...

tree fibres, bought in

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...

in 1995 File:The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis - Bandolier bag - overall.jpg, Ojibwa bag with decorative beadwork; this particular bag was probably made for a child File:Early 20th century Yoruba peoples Diviner's bag.jpg, Early 20th century

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

Diviner's bag, from the Oyo region,

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

File:Burmese Textiles Fig40 A Kachin bag or wallet.png, A Burmese Kachin bag or wallet. A Figure from the booklet ''Burmese Textiles'', published in 1917 by Laura E. Start File:Duodji handväska med tennbroderi.JPG, A Scandinavian

Sámi The Sámi ( ; also spelled Sami or Saami) are a Finno-Ugric-speaking people inhabiting the region of Sápmi (formerly known as Lapland), which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and of the Murmansk Oblast, Ru ...

purse (handbag) with shoulder strap File:Betal bag, West Timor, 1921 - Staatlichen Museums für Völkerkunde München - DSC08346.JPG, A Betel bag from

West Timor West Timor ( id, Timor Barat) is an area covering the western part of the island of Timor, except for the district of Oecussi-Ambeno (an East Timorese exclave). Administratively, West Timor is part of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The ...

, made around 1921. Called an ''aluk'', such bags are still made File:Hakka-style floral print fabric tote bag.jpg, A modern handbag in a traditional

Hakka Chinese Hakka (, , ) forms a language group of varieties of Chinese, spoken natively by the Hakka people throughout Southern China and Taiwan and throughout the diaspora areas of East Asia, Southeast Asia and in overseas Chinese communities aroun ...

-style floral fabric design File:Sac en peau de lézard.jpg,

North African North Africa, or Northern Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region, and it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania in t ...

bag with

lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...

head and paws File:Bags and pouches of Sioux.jpg, 19th century bags and pouches of the

Sioux The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin (; Dakota language, Dakota: Help:IPA, /otʃʰeːtʰi ʃakoːwĩ/) are groups of Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada, First Nations peoples in North America. The ...

File:Bags - Yunnan Nationalities Museum - DSC04149.JPG, Bags exhibited in the

Yunnan Nationalities Museum The Yunnan Nationalities Museum () is located on the east bank of Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan, China, next to the Yunnan Ethnic Village. Completed in 1995, it is a comprehensive ethnology museum. Covering an area of over 200 mu, the museum h ...

, Kunming, Yunnan, China File:Purse MET 56.137.508 view1 CP4.jpg, An early 19th-century Mexican Handbag featuring a lamb and crown motif in traditional needlework and a silk dress lining.

Gallery of contemporary types

File:Burberry_handbag.jpg, Ladies'

Burberry Burberry is a British luxury fashion house established in 1856 by Thomas Burberry headquartered in London, England. It currently designs and distributes ready to wear, including trench coats (for which it is most famous), leather accessorie ...

handbag (2005) File:Eva_Tote_braided_caramel1.jpg, Tanner Krolle ''Eva'' bag (2006) File:Longchampbag.jpg, Longchamp tote bag File:Ted_Noten_Grandma%27s_Bag_Revisited_2009.jpg,

Ted Noten Ted Noten (18 December 1956) is a Dutch conceptual artist. He is especially known for his '' Turbo Princess'' pendant featuring a mouse wearing a small pearl necklace, and his solid acrylic handbags and suitcases containing guns. A broad spectrum ...

bag (2009) File:Chanel_2.55.jpg,

Chanel 2.55 The Chanel 2.55 is a luxury leather handbag or purse manufactured by the fashion house of Chanel. Origin In the 1920s, Coco Chanel became tired of having to carry her handbags in her arms and decided to design a handbag that freed up her hands. ...

bag File:Tote handbag Etienne Aigner.JPG, A handbag from French designer

Etienne Aigner Étienne Aigner (November 8, 1904 – November 5, 2000) was the founder of Etienne Aigner US and Etienne Aigner AG, two presently separate high fashion houses, based respectively in New York City and Munich, Germany. Both companies produce luxury ...

File:Bushandtasche_fcm-edit.jpg, Handbag shaped like vintage Volkswagen bus (2007) File:Black Microfiber Handbag.JPG, A classic-looking bag made from black microfiber cloth File:Crocheted bucket handbag.JPG, Crocheted bucket-style handbag by Sak.com File:HandbagsFONART.JPG, Handbags at the 2010

FONART The Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanías or National Fund for the Development of Arts and Crafts (best known as FONART) is a dependence of the Secretariat of Social Development (SEDESOL). It was established in 1974 to promote and prot ...

exhibition in

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...

File:Trashy_Bags_shopping_bag.jpg, Bag made of recycled water sachets by Trashy Bags, Accra, Ghana (2012) File:Bunte_Handtasche.jpg, Colorful handbag made from recycled materials (2012) File:JulieApple_%22Yoga-a-GoGo%22_AirDye_Bag.jpg, JulieApple's ''Yoga-a-GoGo'' bag made by AirDye technology that dyes fabric without the use of water File:Santiniketan leather bag.jpg,

Santiniketan Santiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata. It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his son ...

leather bag from India