Mary Poppins carried a carpetbag that could fit for several suitcases, “but the nanny’s bag became a magical carry-all that contained an apron, a packet of hairpins, a bottle of scent, a small folding armchair, a packet of throat lozenges, a large bottle of dark red medicine, seven flannel nightgowns, one pair of boots, a set of dominoes, two bathing caps, one postcard album, one folding camp bedstead, blankets and an eiderdown.”  This is just a fairy tale, but often even the tiniest ladies’ handbag somehow fits things for all occasions.

The bag has never been a part of just a ladies’ outfit. Backpacks, purses and brief cases are very popular among the strongest part of the population at all times. But it’s ladies’ bags which are notable for incredible variety of shapes, colours, accessories and materials.

Durability and capacity –were the only requirements to the ancient ancestors of the modern bags, as they were not a fashion accessory but a tool (means) to carry things only. The bag has come a long way from the grass-woven bin and animal skin folded and tied in a knot, before it became to look like items we are wearing today. Back in the old days “bags” were more often called “Loads, bundles, portemonnaies, or reticules”. Even The Bible mentions pouches. In the 14th century ladies bags began to display social status and evolved into wedding gift from groom to a bride.

With progress and a growth in the standard of life people spend more effort and time to decorate items around them. Bags were decorated with slots, pieces of fur and leather, claws and fangs, and cutouts (applique). There were several ways how they could be designed to allow them to be carried: it could be a strap for the shoulder or around the neck, or two straps behind the back, the predecessor of the modern backpack.  A traditional Pannier consists of two bags connected with common base to distribute weight evenly on both sides of the animal. With the advent of money, one more type of bag appeared, that we now know as a wallet. It was drawstring bag or an envelope with a flap, which would be attached to the belt or clothing.

Wealthy citizens wore bags made of leather or velvet, peasants – of canvas.

For many centuries women did not use handbags at all. example, In Russia. for example, they used long sleeves, scrunched up at the wrist, as a pocket. Hair pick, scissors, mirror, keys more often were fastened to the belt via some cord, and the most valuable things were hidden on the chest under the dress, bodice or in the stocking. During the Renaissance, English fashion was more chic than ever before. Women hid their pouches underneath the vast array of pettycoats and men wore leather pockets inside their breeches.

An immediate predecessor of the modern handbag was a drawstring bag with lock in the shape of a Gothic Temple. It was very popular in Royal Burgundy  in the14^th Century. Men and women tied it to the belt. And only four hundred years later the pompadour, the first ladies handbag in its true sense, was invented.  It got its name after a famous King’s mistress. The velvet or lace purses were intended mainly for holding needlework as, according to the high society etiquette of that time, ladies have to embroider during long social meetings. Ladies put, not only threads and needles in it, but a handkerchief, a scent bottle with smelling salts and a blush jar. After minor transformations this sack got the name reticule later on, and became a classic item for a long period until the beginning of 20^th century. Same name had handbags made of fabric on a dense lining, embroidered with beads or silk, they had a metal frame and a fermail – a clasp with two balls. Non wealthy ladies often sewed reticules themselves from fabric leftovers remained after the gala dress making.

On the cusp of 19^th – 20^th centuries bags made from steel or silver mesh were extremely popular. The majority of fine ladies used handbags only in the evening, going to the theatre or making visits. It was obligatory to have binoculars, perfume bottle and bonbonniere for candies. In the daytime, all that the lady needed was a handkerchief, powder box and wallet. All of them fitted in the hidden skirt pocket easily.  There was no need to carry keys, because the doorkeeper or footman opened the door, and all purchases were delivered by the store right to the house.

After WWI the overwhelming majority of women had different and new work activities than needlework, they needed really versatile and usable bags. At that time big and capacious hard leather bags appeared. Later on business women took over such typically male accessories as cases and briefcases.

In the 1960’s there was a real boom in handbag production. Terse silhouettes of the dresses of that period required some distinctive accessories, and apart from its main, practical function the bag again had to fulfill decorative one. It seems handbags were thrown in all possible shapes and in all possible materials. In the Amsterdam Bag Museum there are showpieces made of coconut and tortoiseshell amongst many other interesting examples.

A real legend of a bag and a dream of many woman is a Birkin handbag by the leading French fashion house Hermes, which is a must have for celebrities and first ladies alike. This bag, named after actress and singer Jane Birkin, is totally handmade, and the queue in a branded atelier can last up to several years.  Price begins from several thousand dollars and goes to infinity. For some models all details including the zipper are made of gold. Traditionally this bag is made of calfskin, but recently some models created from exotic animal skins, like an alligator or an iguana, became very popular. Soft goatskin lining and a fastener in the form of lock with fancy key are the significant features of the bag.

It does not matter what the bag is, luxury or democratic, extravagant or understated, it is one of the most important elements for the image of its owner. After all, girls have to trust it with their most valuable and necessary things. That is why proper care of the bag guarantees to its owner an impeccable image. Leather bags are very whimsical and can’t stand washing or other water treatment. Dry cleaning a textile or suede bag will help to keep original appearance much longer. Dry cleaning – is a technological process that treats the item with special organic solvents. Basically, dry cleaning is used for leather items.