Industrial revolution. Of all things, it was the railroad that turned pouches and purses into "handbags." Because more and more people were traveling by train, luggage makers began making replica designer handbags hand-held luggage, and the term "handbag" was born. This new generation of luggage featured a multitude of internal compartments and fasteners, and these useful innovations were incorporated into women's bags, with small compartments for fans, opera glasses, and cosmetics.

The roaring 20s. Fresh off the landmark decision that allowed women to vote, the handbag became a symbol of women's growing independence. They carried their handbags to show that they could go anywhere they wanted, without depending on a man. Women held the purse strings now. Reflecting their newfound freedom, fashion design had changed once again, as rigid corseting and binding layers gave way to more comfortable styles and shorter hemlines. Women even declared independence from the handbag's carrying strap, preferring a clutch that they could just tuck under their arms.

World War II. The war brought a practicality back to handbags. They became larger so they could hold more items (like gas masks!), and the straps became longer, turning the handbags MBT Sport Shoes to shoulder bags. Rationing of metal and leather forced designers to experiment with wood and plastic for the frames, and rayon for the outer material. After the war, shoulder bags went out of fashion until the 1970s.

Rise of the Designers. Watching movies from the 1950s, one can see a culture that was obsessive about matching accessories - hats, gloves, and handbags. Major fashion design houses capitalized ghd hair straighteners on this obsession, with the best example being Coco Chanel, whose quilted 2.55 handbag with chain strap became the standard for a generation. Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Christian Dior also offered iconic designs during this pivotal period.