Knowra Handbag Handbag A portable bag carried by hand or over the shoulder, typically used to hold personal items. Handbags vary in shape, construction, materials, and closure.
Tote bag : An open-top bag with parallel handles, designed to be carried by hand or over the shoulder. Its simple open shape is a common, spacious handbag design.
Bag construction : The methods of cutting, joining, and finishing materials to form a bag. Seams, panels, and reinforcement determine a handbag's shape and durability.
Reticule : A small drawstring bag carried by women in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Reticules became fashionable as women's clothing offered fewer pockets.
Luggage : Bags and cases used to carry belongings during travel. Handbags are personal-scale luggage used to keep frequently needed items close.
Fashion : A changing system of dress and appearance shaped by taste, commerce, and social life. Handbags are both functional objects and recurring subjects of fashion.
Clutch bag : A small handbag without handles, carried in the hand or tucked under the arm. It shows how a handbag can be designed for minimal contents and hand carrying.
Shoulder strap : A strap designed to support a bag from one shoulder or across the body. Its length, width, and attachment points affect how a handbag is carried.
Pocket : A sewn or attached compartment used to carry small objects in clothing or other items. The history of handbags is closely tied to changes in clothing pockets.
Fashion accessory : An item worn or carried to complement clothing or express style. A handbag can coordinate with clothing and shape an outfit's overall appearance.
Gender norms : Social expectations about behavior, appearance, and roles associated with gender. The handbag's cultural association with women reflects changing gender expectations.
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