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Exploring the realms of history, science, nature and technology AND PURSES People have been carrying their personal and essential items in pouches or purses since ancient times. Today, pockets are Iroquois beaded 19th century found in most men’s and women’s clothes, but historically In a word pockets sewn into clothing are a relatively new innovation, American English tends to use first appearing in 13th century Europe. the terms purse and Ancient times interchangeably, but things did Forty thousand years ago, not start out that way. hunter-gatherers used bundles Originally, a purse was a small and pouches made of hide or bag that held coins, and a hand- fibers to carry food and tools. bag referred to men’s hand- The 5,000-year-old mummy of luggage. Later, in the 19th cen- Ötzi the Iceman was discovered tury, as women’s got bigger, with a pouch sewn to his belt. It they were also called . was filled with many useful items. A purse or handbag might also Men and women of ancient be referred to as a pocketbook, Rome wore drawstring purses bag, clutch, pouch, receptacle, hung from their belts, a conve- reticule or . nience that continued for centu- A is a purse or receptacle ries across many cultures. sewn into clothing to hold small The pickpocket items. Pockets can also be found Embroidered pockets, c. 1760 on or in luggage, handbags and Over time as towns and cities These items were worn underneath . grew, it became ever more dan- the petticoats. This modern faux fur bag and muff gerous to carry money and be- Types of handbags has pockets to warm your hands. Changing times longings in a little pouch dangling In the 1790s, ladies’ Western from a belt. Because thieves Today, shoulder bags and cross-body bags with long straps are popular, func- made a dramatic change were known to cut the strings of tional choices for everyday use. The purse is popular with college from layers upon layers of skirts purses, people began to wear students. Fashion may dictate style, but comfort defines the perfect handbag. to a much thinner silhouette their purses under their clothing. (like a Greek goddess). Heavy In the 17th century, men began to silk and brocade fabrics were have their purses sewn into their replaced with thinner cotton and clothing — and the pocket was linen fabrics. invented. During the French Revolution, This may have deterred some Hobo Baguette Duffle Backpack Wristlet pockets (inside or out) were thieves, but others became ex- purse banned from women’s clothing, perts at distracting victims while and women began to carry tiny, reaching into their pockets. impractical, decorated purses Pickpocketing still thrives in called reticules. crowded tourist spots. By the mid-1850s, the fashion Battle of the sexes changed back to bigger skirts Messenger Quilted clutch Tote Bucket and crinolines. Some dressmak- 17th-century men’s clothing was ers began to sew discreet pock- created with utility in mind, and ets into dresses, but generally pockets were sewn into coats, men continued to have the exclu- waistcoats and trousers. Men sive on pockets. could carry their personal items In the early 1900s, pockets be- such as money, keys, weapons, came a symbol of independence tobacco, writing pencils and little and equality for women, and notebooks in their pockets. Men’s Shopper Doctor bag Barrel bag Minaudiere how-to manuals for sewing pock- pockets allowed for more free- ets into clothes gained popularity. dom of movement than those of The 1910 “suffragette suit” had women. Types of six to eight pockets! 17th-century women’s clothing During WWI, women’s clothes was designed for appearance, pockets became more practical, with large and tied-on pockets remained After pockets pockets as the norm. During this under the skirts. Large, highly evolved from time, Coco Chanel was designing decorated pocket bags were small bags or pouches, they simple, practical ladies’ clothing, hung from the waist under lay- Patch Patch pocket J patch Flap became part of often inspired by menswear. ers of petticoats, panniers and pocket with top stitching pocket pocket bustles. The pockets were clothing sewn In the 1940s, the handbag indus- reached through slits or openings into and onto try tried to convince women that in the gown and undergarments. garments. Mod- pockets were unattractive and Women of this time carried sew- ern pockets in- that the pocketbook was a better ing kits, food, keys, spectacles, clude the kanga- fashion statement. watches, scent bottles, combs, roo pocket, often Today, women enjoy both cloth- snuffboxes, notebooks, Bibles, sewn onto the Buttoned- Side seam Smile slit Welt ing with pockets and a variety diaries, money and jewels. La- front of a sweat- flap pocket pocket pocket of handbags, some of which are dies’ pockets tended to be large, shirt or hoodie. pocket large enough to carry groceries. heavy and difficult to access. SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; Victoria and Albert Museum; https://www.vox.com; https://www.folkwear.com

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