Handbags: A Practical Accessory or a Fashion Weapon?
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Your phone, keys, wallet, face mask, lipgloss, hairbrush, and sunglasses travel with you wherever you go. Before you even remember to grab everything you need, you're searching in your closet for the perfect handbag. One that will fit all of your essentials, whether it be for class, work, or a night out. With millions of women shopping for the right purse, there is more to owning the perfect bag than one might think.
If you’re a woman, chances are, the pockets of your favorite pair of jeans or pants won’t serve as an alternative storage method for your personal belongings. Unless you stick to menswear garments, your pockets won’t even fit three of the items listed above. As the well-known fashion designer, Christian Dior, once said, "men have pockets to keep things in; women's pockets are for decoration".
However, this was not the case in the 18th century. Women’s clothing allowed for external pockets that were tied around the waist, providing just enough space for keeping your go-to items. Modern fashion embellishes slimming silhouettes with tighter, feminine-like garments. At the start of the 19th century, larger pockets were pushed aside in women's fashion, making them solely a staple in men's wardrobes. Since then, pockets have lost their worth, as the industry transitioned from functionality in clothing to sexualization.
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This revolution ultimately replaced pockets and gave rise to the popularity of handbags as new means of storing things for women. As handbags continued to evolve in various shapes and forms, individuals of higher socio-economic class and status needed to distinguish themselves from others. Fashion houses such as Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton catered their best leather goods to wealthier clients by designing high-end luggage. Eventually, such travel items became known as the "it bags".
Handbags made with exquisite materials such as Nappa or crocodile soon became a representation of class and sophistication. With that said, how is a hundred-dollar leather tote bag different from a Birkin, Chanel 2.55, or a Delvaux bag? Now, such items are produced by ultra-luxury brands and have transformed the meaning and use of handbags. Ultimately, they now serve as symbols of power and wealth rather than a functional tool to carry your belongings. As the prices for these items continue to skyrocket, designer brands have become more exclusive than ever. Millions of unsold items are slashed and burned to avoid reselling them at their depreciated value.
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As the fashion industry expanded, new designers have emerged and brought their own visions into handbags. Experimenting with different materials and designs, the variety of handbags offered in the market has diversified. From delicate clutches to Judith Lieber’s whimsical minaudières, to fuzzy animal totes, handbags are the dominating attribute of your stylistic expression. With only countless new designs of purses seen in the past decade, the handbag game is a lot simpler: whether you’re trying to make a statement, unleash your imagination, or meet the needs of your own utility, we are the ones to determine its meaning.
Strike Out,
Writer: Kamilla Knyazeva
Editors: Breanna Tang & Lexi Fernandez
Graphics: Abbey Fleming
Tallahassee