Handbags++Chenelle+brown


 * [[image:gucci-ad2.jpg]] HANDBAGS: What are we trying to say?**


 * WHY DO WOMEN WEAR THEM?[[image:purse.gif]]**

**WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT OUR LIFESTYLE AND VALUES?**

//Since the end of the 18th century women have clearly recognized the value in of carrying a handbag/purse.*1-2 As their fashions took on more delicate neo -classical looks, continuing to store personal items in under garments when one traveled became un practical.*1-2 Additionally, women were beginning to traveling more frequently.*3 ”Reticules“, as the were called then*1-2, allowed women to express their evolving fashion sense and cultural identities with more freedom and discretion. Handbags soon became, and remains to be, a symbol for expressing who women are as individuals and how they as a whole contribute to society.When they first ”hit the scene” they struck at the same time of the women’s movement. *3 This time marked the beginning of women traveling on their own. Prior to the reticule, if a woman traveled they carried personal items in their undergarments.*1-2 Other necessities were generally carried by their husbands in pocket or pouches worn on the waist..*1-2 A woman seen walking about town wearing a reticule conveyed her empowerment. It also suggested stature, she was important because she did important things and had important things to carry. Unsurprisingly, they became extremely popular. Women all around were anxious to embrace the trend. The appearance of a woman’s handbag became an important consideration as well. Many argued that there were right and wrong ways to wear them.*1 Some insisted that different handbags should be worn for different occasions and they should always match a woman’s’ attire *1. Today women don’t just travel independently, the fly the planes and drive the trains that get them to their chosen destination. Women today, having more opportunities and responsibilities, are also busier than ever before. Books, folders, laptops, car keys, house keys, identification and makeup are just some of the items women use to get them through their day. For many women, going without a handbag, is not an option. What is considered though, is the type of bag they want or need to carry. Although, there are many different types of handbags, the three most popular for everyday purposes are likely the “Messenger” the “Tote” and the “Satchel”. Their differences in shape and size reflect the different purposes they serve for wearers. Most women can identify with the advantages of one or all these choices. The Messenger for instance is a great bag for a woman who has a lot to carry and walks a lot. Messenger, are generally large, nearly the size of the average back-pack. It’s most distinguishable feature is its’ extra long strap. The strap is designed to sit on one shoulder and lie vertically across the body. This allows for a better distribution of the sac’s weight, since it then lies on the opposing hip. This bag is especially popular with college student and/or young professionals, for obvious reasons.The Tote is especially popular for businesswomen. Like a briefcase it is rectangular in shape with handle rather than straps. They are also usually made sturdy enough to hold things such as; laptops, files, and books. Another plus for professionals, is that because it’s hand held it is unlikely to cause wrinkle In clothing. books. .Satchels, are probably the most popular and have the same general appeal as did that of the reticules in the past. They are usually smaller than Messengers, or Totes but large enough to hold various items like wallets, keys ,cell phones and cosmetics comfortably. These bags can recognized as having one or two straps which sit on a shoulder and fall vertically down the body; leaving it sac under the arm. They are the most versatile because, their appearance is often appropriate for casual environments as well as professional. Satchels often say the most about a woman aesthetic sense because they‘re often chosen for more personal rather than professional considerations. Besides the type chosen, the brand chosen now suggests volumes about who a woman is. This is largely the result of expensive and extensive advertising campaigns with beautiful models and celebrity spokes people. Although, “The inside of one’s bag is suppose to be personal and intimate, the outside is practically a billboard advertising one’s place in the world.‘ (Farid Chenone author “Carried away: All about bags -Vendome Press).These advertisements don’t just sell a product they sell ideologies. Compare for instance, Burberry brand to the Versace brand. Both are very high end design companies but they have dramatically different connotations. The first suggest that luxury & sophistication are best seen through refinement the other suggests that lavishness equates to luxury and sophistication is also sexy. One could go on and with like comparisons. Clearly, attire and accessories can express things about a person but the language it speaks in is not universal. Surely, every woman who bought a reticule in 1700’s wasn’t truly empowered with the same rights and opportunities as men. Similarly, everywoman who wears a messenger is not a young and car-less student. Furthermore, many woman who wear “high end” hand bags have very little money at all, while some who wear Coach actually travel in first class. Though, so much can be inferred about a woman based on her bag, one must always remember that nothing trumps real interaction.LYSE EVERDAY OBJECT_HANDBAGS.rtf]]pe in the content of your new page here.//