Purses and Handbags

Even as far back as Ancient Egypt, a purse-like contraption was shown strapped to men’s bodies in some hieroglyphs. In Ancient days, long before pockets were even invented, valuables and coins were carried in a pouch, which was commonly strapped to one’s girdle with a long drawstring cord. Men more commonly carried these types of pouches but eventually women favored their use as well, preferring to have more ornate designs on theirs than the male versions.

By the 16th and 17th centuries, women’s skirts had become so huge with many layers of fabric and petticoats that women no longer carried their ‘pouches’ on the outside of the skirts, as they tended to get lost in the many layers of material. During this time, both men and women started wearing their pouches on the inside and underneath their clothing.

With the advent of the railroad in the mid 1800’s, more and more men and women were traveling and many luggage manufacturer’s recognized the need for and created a handheld traveling bag which eventually became known as a handbag.

Throughout time and changes in fashion, many styles and forms of purses have been created. Depending on your costume look, an appropriate purse will be just what you need to carry your essentials as well as to enhance your costume look! We have Dorothy’s picnic basket, a parrot purse (perfect for a pirate), an Indiana Jones’ satchel, a white rabbit purse, a ‘nurse’ purse and many, many more exciting options. Bring what you need to your party in true character with one of these fun accessory purses!