Chatelaines, Handbags and Reticules

Handbags originated from the loose, small bags or pouches people carried around centuries ago. Clothes did not have pockets at the time and people created the pouches to keep their money and other items them safe. The pouches were often attached to a belt worn around the waist.

During the 16th century, women dumped the pouches for small pieces of metal called chatelaines. They hung their keys and sewing materials on the chatelaines, which were worn under their skirts. Women dumped the chatelaines for reticules in the 18th century. The reticules (also called indispensables) were drawstring handbags ; usually made of net, beading or brocade and used in 18th and 19th centuries.

The modern handbag appeared in the early 1900s. The name was coined from the hand held bags men carried around. Fashion designers of the day used the male handbags to create handbags for women. These feminine handbags had fasteners and were separated into compartments to make them more practical. The male handbag soon gave way to the female handbag.