THE HISTORY OF MEN HANDBAGS

THE HISTORY OF MEN HANDBAGS

You’ll see guys sporting gorgeous “man-bags” and purses everywhere you look these days.

However, the first documented use of handbags is from the 14th-century Egyptian hieroglyphics which depict men carrying little sacks around the waist.

Called pockets, these handbags were hung by thongs at the back of the girdle and were used mainly by men to carry flint or money.

Men’s backpacks, briefcases, and duffel bags are still on trend, but the cross-body and top-handle handbags have more recently made their way onto the men’s fashion scene.

When you investigate, it’s an exciting journey as to how we got here.

History reveals that purses may have been a guy’s thing all along.

Here are three examples of man-bags throughout history.

• Sweet Bags and Satchels

Bags came back in the Renaissance with the sweet bag trend.

These ornate pouches were used to carry nice-smelling goodies to ward off the foul odors of the times.

They became a symbol of wealth and status.

The satchel was also created around this time.

It was used mainly by schoolchildren, however.

The industrial revolution and rail travel called for heavier-duty bags.

Men’s briefcases and carpet bags were developed around the 1850s.

• 20th Century Bags

By this time, most of the bag designs we have today had already been conceived.

Then, the 80s saw a moderation of the Middle Age girth pouch in the moon bag, and fitness and duffel bags also became a thing.

Men and women touted these.

The 90s saw a dip in men’s bag fashion, and around this time, it became “unmanly” for men to carry smaller bags.

• Girdle Pouches

In the Middle Ages, bags became more of a fashion accessory.

Men and women carried waist pouches to contain coins and other valuables.

Men stopped carrying these when pockets were invented towards the end of the period.

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