Today’s Designer Handbags Have a Long History

It’s not difficult to understand the popularity of the designer handbag, when every celebrity and star has one slung over her shoulder. They make a bold fashion statement, and women tend to feel more self-assured when they’re sporting a designer label on their handbag. Everyone knows what a designer handbag is, but do you know where they originated? And how did handbags become so popular?

Before the 14th century, they really didn’t exist. It began with a small pouch made from leather. Its main purpose was to enable the wearer to carry his or her coins handily and safely. This original bag was built quite simply. Commonly, it was just a round piece of fabric folded in half and sewn together. A thin leather strap was fastened which could wrap around the purse to hold it closed.

Handbags progressed over the next few hundred years, however it wasn’t until the 1950s that there was any kind of dramatic change. This was when designer purses began to make their presence known. High end accessories began appearing from renowned designers such as Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton. These days, there are even more popular designers lending their names to these fashion accessories. Kate Spade, Prada, and Coach are some of the best known manufacturers of high quality designer purses.

Only the highest quality materials and best workmanship are used when producing designer purses. Since there is so much that goes into making a designer handbag, it’s barely surprising to learn that they cost so much that the average woman couldn’t hope to afford one.

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and purchase a designer purse, be a cautious consumer. There are lots of sellers, particularly on the internet, that will sell you a fake while claiming it’s genuine. Before you put down a thousand dollars or more on a purse, you need to know for sure that it’s authentic. The best way to make sure is to purchase only from reputable retailers, including the fashion designer’s own outlets.

If your paycheck won’t stretch far enough to shop for an original, then your best bet would be to try to find a replica designer handbag. These are more affordable accessories that look very much like the original. But you won’t enjoy the same fine craftsmanship and elegant details of the real thing. But it’s really hard to tell them apart unless you have a trained eye.

As women’s purses have evolved through time, one thing has remained the same. Their main purpose is still to carry your money and other essentials in a convenient manner. Nowadays, though, it is not what’s in the handbag, it’s what’s on the handbag (the logo, that is). And that’s what makes the designer purse a must-have item on many women’s lists.

Purses are a must have accessory for women. And because there are so many styles and purposes, it’s both fun and practical to have a wardrobe full of them. From the replica designer purse to the practical tote, find out what you need to know before you go shopping at Women’s Purses.