Big ones, small ones, going out ones, work ones, practical ones whatever the occasion we all need the bag for it and probably have it too. Research shows that handbags are the second most owned and wanted accessory a woman has after shoes.
So why are we so in love with bags and why do we need them?
According to Caroline Cox1, the bag has “become a unique statement of a woman’s status, fashion savvy and earning power.” The popularity of the bag has risen over the past hundred years due to the changing role of the women.
As women have become more independent the bag started to develop and was eventually made to carry their belongings. The bag today has evolved and keeps on evolving for the every day needs of the modern woman. We now need a bag not only to hold our wallets, keys and phones but also laptops, IPod/MP3 players and for the Mummies out their the bag needs to be big enough to hold things their children will need.
There also is a (believe it or not) a psychological element as to why women love their bags and what men find fascinating about them (again believe it or not they do!). The bag was originally developed as a silk purse/pocket that would be worn under a skirt thus almost being classed as an undergarment and one of a sexual nature.
So why do Men find a Woman’s handbag fascinating? It stems from the old days of when bags were seen as sexual items so the idea of looking into a Woman’s handbag is something that Men have always found exciting but would never dare look into one because of the sexual connotation.
Now we know that the bag isn’t seen as a sexual item, one thing does remain: bags still have a sex appeal and Women want everyone to know it- it has to be instantly recognisable take the Louis Vuitton logo bag or the Paul’s Boutique ‘I love PB’ logo bag.
So next time when your outfit just isn’t enough- make sure you bag is. Next time your man moans about all the bags you have and asks why you need them, you now know the reason behind it!
