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Handbags

Even though handbags have been most visibly used in the last half century or so, carrying bags have actually been around for quite some time. There are differences between early styles and the wide array used now, however there are some certain similarities as well.

Some of the interesting historical facts about handbags include:

• First used hundreds of years ago – Evidence in the form of painted hieroglyphics points to the fact that handbags have actually been used as early as the 14th Century in Egypt. The hieroglyphics show pouches that were worn around the waists of those in the drawings.

• Consistent as a status symbol – Some women today will use expensive handbags for the purpose of drawing attention to themselves. The same was true hundreds of years ago. Many years ago, the first handbags were used as adornments more than for practical purposes.

• Practicality came around – Even though early handbags were mostly used for aesthetics, people soon figured out that these bags could be helpful in carrying things. A fastener and a drawstring was added to the top of the bags and the early stages of the modern handbag began.

This was about the same time when people started to carry the bags diagonally across their body, instead of in front of them like a fanny pack. People quickly realized that by placing the weight on their shoulders, it was much easier to carry the weight that needed to be carried.

Around the 18th century, these handbags evolved to be similar to the kinds of bags that are now used today.

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