Woman World Web

December 16th, 2009 by Ashley King

With every Hollywood actress and celebrity casually carrying around a designer purse, it’s no wonder they are so popular. They make a confident fashion statement, and women are inclined to feel more self-confident when they’re sporting a designer label on their purse. Everybody knows what a designer handbag is, but do you know where they originated? Who came up with the great idea for a purse in the first place?

The earliest known instance of a handbag seems to be from the fourteenth century. It began with a small pouch made from leather. Its principal function was to enable the wearer to carry his or her coins handily and safely. This original bag was constructed quite simply. It was usually cut from a round piece of cloth which was then sewn together. A leather cord was used to tie the handbag closed.

Handbags evolved over the next few centuries, however it wasn’t until the 1950s that there was any kind of dramatic change. During this time, designer handbags emerged on the scene. High end accessories started appearing from widely known designers such as Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton. These days, there are many more big names involved in creating designer purses. Among the renowned designers of these high end handbags include Prada, Coach and Kate Spade.

Designer handbags are always made from the best materials with the best craftsmanship. Since there’s so much that goes into making a designer handbag, it’s hardly surprising to learn that they cost so much that the average woman couldn’t hope to find the money for one.

If you’ve opted to take the plunge and purchase a designer handbag, be a cautious consumer. There are lots of vendors, especially online, that will sell you a fake while claiming it’s genuine. Before you put down a thousand dollars or more on a handbag, you need to know for sure that it is genuine. The best way to be sure is to buy only from reputable stores, including the fashion designer’s own outlets.

If you can’t afford an original, you may want to think about purchasing a knock off. These are more affordable accessories that look very much like the original. Of course, they don’t have the attention to detail and careful construction of the original. However, it is really challenging to tell them apart unless you have a trained eye.

One thing hasn’t changed much in the history of women’s handbags. They’re still largely utilized to carry your money and other small items like tissues, hairbrushes and makeup. Nowadays, however, it is not what’s in the purse, it’s what’s on the handbag (the logo, that is). And that’s what makes the designer handbag a must-have accessory on many women’s lists.

Purses are an essential accessory for women. And since there are so many different styles and purposes, it’s both fun and practical to have a wardrobe full of them. From the cheap replica designer purse to the hobo bag, find out what you need to know before you go shopping at Women’s Purses.