Handbags The Most Practical Of Accessories

On the game show “Let’s Make a Deal,” host Monty Hall offers money to women in the audience if they can produce seemingly outrageous items from their handbags.

“I’ll give you $100 if you have sandpaper in your purse,” he’ll challenge.

The amazing part is, more often than not, contestants can actually produce the items. Anything from staplers to salami sandwiches might be requested, and there is probably a woman in the audience who has just that item tucked away in her pocketbook.

The point of the game is to demonstrate women carry an endless array of seemingly useless things in their purses.

But since the beginning of time, handbags have been used to tote items we have deemed important to our daily lives. Because women’s garments were not originally designed with pockets, our ancestors needed something in which to put all their stuff as they traveled about.

Prehistoric people made animal skin pouches to carry their valuables as they roamed from one hunting ground to another.

During the 800 years known as the Classical period - approximately 400 B.C. to 400 A.D. - a simple cloth sack thrown over the shoulder did the trick.

Crusaders used aumonieres, small drawstring pouches tied to the belts of their armor. They were designed to carry coins and alms to buy their way out of sticky predicaments, if necessary.

It wasn’t long before women picked up on the trend and fashioned their own version, the scarsella, usually made of silk and elaborately decorated with beads and ribbon.

During the French Directoire period at the end of the 18th century, women began to carry a drawstring net bag known as a reticule. Gowns were simple and slim without any pockets, so the bag was a necessity.

Handbags became a practical accessory at the beginning of the 20th century. Women were venturing out on their own and needed to carry money and other important items as they went about their daily business.

As the 20th century has progressed, we have seen handbags and purses come full circle. Backpacks, a style similar to shoulder sacks of the Classical period, are used by everyone from kindergartners to hikers as a means to carry their possessions. And the fanny pack, a pouch worn on a belt, is a direct descendent of the crusaders’ aumonieres.

When we look back on the history of handbags, we shouldn’t be surprised women can often find the outrageous items Monty Hall names. It’s all just part of the important stuff they think they might need to get through the day.

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