Why has the handbag grown in popularity and become a significant part of today's attire?

Today, the handbag is still part of a stylish woman's outfit. The handbag allows women to keep things they are carrying organized and it has become an essential part of daily activities.

The original purse was a small bag of leather or soft fabric that was used to carry coins for both men and women in the late 1700's in Britain. However, many women desired a larger bag so the "reticules" was created in France. It was made with fabric and had a convenient wrist strap on it. The item became so popular that British women soon began using it. Items carried in the reticules were face powder, smelling salts, rouge, a fan, a scent bottle, visiting cards and card case.

As distant travel grew in popularity, Samuel Parkinson, who was an English entrepreneur, developed a traveling bag made of leather or sturdy fabric for his wife in 1841. The HJ Cave Company manufactured this first line of travel bags for women in various sizes from a clutch bag to a tote. Even though they discontinued these bags around 1865, however, the handbag was here to stay. Many luggage manufacturers focused on bags with complicated fasteners, internal compartments and locks for women. The 1920's fashion featured handbags as part of a stylish outfit.

Top handbag manufacturers emerged from both the United States and Europe. They included such popular names as Coach, Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi. These bags are made of top quality materials and by artisans with the best of skills. Their prices are to match the quality. Unfortunately, many of these high end handbags can be counterfeit when not purchased in the official stores so the buyers must use extreme care when purchasing them.

The handbag is still part of a stylish woman's outfit. The handbag style may be different for various age groups of women. Younger women tend to prefer shoulder bags made from quilted fabrics and denim material. These styles of bags also come in leather with a variety of colors.

Older women may have a multitude of styles and colors of handbags. They are used for work, shopping and various social events. Styles for work and shopping tend to be larger with multiple compartments that are organized to carry a lot of items. Those items include glasses, car keys, phones, makeup, checkbooks, pens, billfolds holding money and credit cards and more. Social events handbags are sometimes smaller and may hold a comb, lipstick and compact.

The handbag allows women to keep things they are carrying organized and it has become an essential part of daily activities.