What woman can live without a purse? Whether the purse is made of modest cloth or materials favored by the fashionistas, purses are necessities for and functional extensions of a woman.
As shown in the State Museum’s upcoming exhibit The Purse and The Person, purses, whether leather, plastic or metal, and no matter what size or shape, illustrate the 20th century’s changing fashions, culture and economics through items that most women cannot do without.
As with all fashions, purses illustrate an era’s aesthetic sensibility along with their functionality. “Purses are more than beautiful examples of a period design or practical containers; they are private repositories of the stories of women’s everyday lives,” said Curator of History Elaine Nichols. “By examining purses collected and used by women, we get a glimpse into the lives, personalities and concerns of women over the past 100 years.”
Most women living during the Edwardian Era (1901-1914) did not work outside the home and purses reflected that lifestyle. Small cloth, leather, or metal mesh bags dangled from wrists or belts, while large leather bags were popular for shopping. Purses often contained separate compartments designed to hold essential items such as calling cards, a dainty handkerchief, house keys or a small amount of money.
By the 1920s, modern women had a more public and independent life. As a result, purses designed to hold “essentials” such as cigarettes and make-up gained popularity.
World War II offered women unprecedented opportunities to work outside the home. Consequently, purses were not only loaded with the usual items like keys, cosmetics and money but also contained important new items, ranging from ration books to flashlights.
With the end of the war a steady market was developed for novelty purses which reflected the country’s casual style and popular culture.
As the Baby Boomers came of age in the 1960s, they broke sharply with their parents’ politics, mores and fashions. The carefree, hands-free shoulder bag emerged as the purse of choice during the era of the miniskirt and the “Age of Aquarius.” Mod purses made from ostrich and python vied with tooled leather and psychedelic fabrics.
Many women in the 1980s believed that they could and should have it all. The “superwoman’s “ busy, high-stress life led to more reliance on a purse that could take her from kitchen to gym to boardroom to after-work drinks.
For more information, contact Elaine Nichols at (803) 898-4953.