I was loaned a book called Handbags very early on in this handbag making adventure. It goes through the history of handbags, featuring vintage bags by various designers and various owners of these classic designs. It also touches on the psychology of the handbag, which if you've never thought about it, is quite fascinating. Hagerty likens the handbag to a womb in one chapter using comparisons of secrecy, privacy, and individuality. It's an interesting read, if you're interested in that kind of thing.
Maybe for some women, they could care less about the origin of the handbag they're wearing, be it handmade and custom designed (so easy to acquire nowadays with sites like Etsy and the internet availability of custom ordering) or picked up at Walmart. It seems as though a lot of women care more about the specific style of the purse than anything. I've set up a booth selling my purses SO many times and I've heard every preference out there. Some women need something small; only able to fit the essentials- keys, phone, money/cards, maybe a tube of chapstick. Some women need a big purse to throw several smaller bags into; each smaller one organized to hold different things- makeup, a small bag to carry into a store to shop, baby essentials, etc. Some women are so specific that they need a certain number of dividers and zippered pockets and a certain type of handle, or the option to throw over their shoulder or carry two smaller handles.
From the viewpoint of a handbag maker, WOW. If you specialize in a certain type of handbag, as I do, you're bound to hear that you should make this type of purse or use this type of organization inside a purse. Or use this type of handle and this type of fabric. One day I'd love to have my version of all of these handbags, because I'm a woman who loves them all. Some days I feel like carrying a small clutch, but others I feel like I need a briefcase, or maybe another I feel like a grocery tote is acceptable (one handmade by myself, at least.)
Anyway, after all that background...
I figured after I switched purses the other day to an amazing thrift store find I bought years ago and have yet to carry, I'd write a post (or maybe more!) about my psychology behind the purses I like to carry.
Starting with this one.
I think this might have cost me $2, seriously. What's so fabulous about this purse are the details. It was made in Italy. It's a pretty color, it has three sections- two of which close with snaps and one closes by a zipper. It also has two zippered inside pockets. These are things that, nowadays, you're only going to get out of a handmade or high quality designer bag. Walmart? No. Way. This purse has a change purse attached by a gold chain! AND AN ATTACHED MIRROR. ON THE INSIDE. See, these are the things I fall for in a purse. I want to be organized, I want a unique identity, I want hidden treasures.
I'm drawn to purses like these, mainly because when I was a little girl my mom bought or had a lot of vintage (now considered vintage, and maybe even vintage then) purses that my sister and I used to play dress up. I was always obsessed with these purses. The closures, the materials, the pockets... Just take a look at these pictures and you'll understand.
See the signature tag? Love. Purses with signatures get me every time. Partly because I've implemented my signature into my clutches and I love the special touch it gives my clutches. Even if it was factory made, signatures are just plain cool.
Occasionally, with these thrift store finds, you might even luck up and find used cigarettes, half a piece of chewing gum and some interestingly named matches. What we carry in our purse sure does say a lot about us, or does it? ..
Anyway, there's the first of my musings on a little bit of the psychology of purses from a handbag maker's point of view.
Bored to tears? I hope not. What type of details in a purse catch your attention? Comment below or email me and tell me, especially if it's about a clutch!
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