Some historical facts about women’s gloves and handbags

The glove has, perhaps, more than any other component of woman dress, acquired a romantic character. It has long been a token of the extremes of love and hate. The glove was one of the few articles of female attire which a man could offer as a gift to his lady-love.

Gloves are by no means minor accessories of dress.

Whether worn or carried, they form one of the finishing touches of the elegantly attired man and woman. As protective coverings for all kinds of purposes - gardening, sport and industrial processes - their importance is very great and probably growing.

In England common use of gloves was a comparatively late development in clothing, it is thought that the extended sleeves of early Norman times were designed, in part at least, as protection for the hands. But beginning from the 16th century Queen Elizabeth set the fashion for wearing richly embroidered and jeweled gloves. France was known to be the largest world maker of leather gloves.

The manufacture of ladies' handbags as now known is a modern specialized trade. Pouches (or game bag) introduced during the fourteenth century were towards the end of the fifteenth replaced for a time by pouches, often of great size and which closed with a nap. In all these types leather was used extensively although not exclusively.

There appears to have been little change in style until we reach the period of the "reticule", which became necessary with the introduction of slim, high waisted dresses round about 1800. During the period crinoline purses of many types achieved great importance, being often made of fine leather such as doe or sealskin.

The purse with many compartments was a feature of the nineteenth century but has now practically disappeared.

It was not until women became emancipated from the ample clothing which concealed many pockets that the modern type of handbag was evolved. The first major development of modern times to which attention can be drawn was the appearance of the "chatelaine" bag round about 1905. This was a leather bag (usually suede) with a top frame riveted to the body and fitted with a chain for attachment to the belt which was a feature of women's dress at that time. Then followed a leather handbag, the prototype of the modern style, offering sufficient variety to enable women to change their bags with their dresses.

The manufacture of handbags is now a separate craft requiring high specialization, its own distinct methods of manufacture and an intensified study of fashion trends. It demands a wide knowledge of materials - leather, textiles, plastics, artificial leathers and metals - and outstanding ability in design based on comprehensive technical knowledge.

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