Modern Handbags Inspired by Decades
Modern Purses Inspired by the Last Century in Fashion
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One of the best ways to trace the changes in culture through the years is by examining fashion, which has always been an outward expression of our changing attitudes.
Styles from various times in the past can be so distinctive that a mere dress or shoe may conjure up vivid images from history, whether we lived through those years or not.
And of course handbags are no exception — as culture changes, so does the look of this quintessential accessory. While we adore real vintage pieces, it's also fun to find modern purses that are inspired by some of our favorite fashions of yore.
1920s
In the roaring '20s, women started becoming more independent. They were wearing makeup (gasp!), paying their own way, and going out without a male companion. So, naturally they needed to carry a few small items like lipstick, house keys, and money. Thus the clutch was born. This elegant beaded version from Marni clearly pays tribute to the '20s while maintaining a modern edge with a tough aesthetic created by the jagged beads in multiple shapes and sizes.
Marni Beaded Clutch ($1,490)
1930s
The '30s saw a rise in the art deco style and the start of handbags with straps. In fact, it was the forward-thinking Coco Chanel who, in 1929, introduced the first purse with a shoulder strap, which would finally allow independent women to carry their belongings with them and keep their hands free. The Dolce & Gabbana Vanda clutch with its chain strap, black brocade, and gorgeous jeweled daisies is a great homage to the decade.
Dolce & Gabbana Vanda Daisy-Embellished Borcade Clutch ($2,758)
1940s
In the era of WWII, handbags took on military influences that reflected women's new self-sufficiency and entry into the workforce. Bags became bigger, squarer, and much more practical than they'd ever been before. This piece from Kate Spade perfectly embodies that spirit with its straightforward lines and functional styling.
Kate Spade Grand Street Lydia ($201, originally $428)
1950s
The economic prosperity of the '50s brought a return to the feminine style that ruled fashion before the war. The name-brand handbag became a status symbol accessory and women began lusting after purses from brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. This Hermès bag has a very '50s look that's only amplified by one of the most popular colors of the decade.
Hermès Cherche Midi ($6,850)
1960s
The swinging '60s saw a major relaxation in people's attitudes about behavior and fashion, so it should come as no surprise that this shift was reflected in handbags as well. The hippie movement and an emphasis on youth culture gave rise to bags in brighter colors and bolder lines. Kate Spade's colorful shoulder bag has that mod '60s feel that still clearly inspires today's top designers.
Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Kite Small Harmony Tote ($328)
1970s
If the '60s were the birth of boho, then the style fully came of age in the psychedelic '70s — fashion began being influenced by the far East as well as all things natural, so you saw a lot of flowers, embroidery, patchwork, and fringe. This bag from Chloé, with its colorful fringe and classic saddlebag shape, is a most certainly a modern-day descendent of the '60s.
1980s
The '80s were characterized by indulgence, luxury, and flashy fun, and the clothes certainly reflected that. In handbag fashion, there was a lot of patchwork leather, quilted fabrics, and bold hardware. Prada is definitely channeling this decadent decade with the Arcade bag that's got a little bit of everything: suede, python, metallic leather, and a chunky metal strap.
1990s
The grunge era of the '90s was all about looking cool without looking like you were trying too hard to look cool. So when it came to purses, the less effort the better. That might be why the mini backpack purse was so in — you didn't even have to carry it. The '90s are back in a big way and you can embrace them with something like this wrinkled leather knapsack with antique brass hardware like Balenciaga's Classic Traveler backpack.
Balenciaga Classic Traveller Extra-Small Backpack ($1,645)
Liz Kores is the managing director of the Oak Street Council, an association that represents the very best in Chicago shopping, dining, and hotels in the city’s fashionable Gold Coast neighborhood. She also sits on the board of the Chicago Fashion Incubator and enjoys blogging about style for a variety of online publications.
