- Purses in the 1950s were generally boxy with metal clasps for the close. Many bags were designed for practicality, with side pockets or rings attached that could hold a woman's gloves. Materials for these bags range from leather, tapestry, embroidery, and suede to straw, Bakelite, and heavily beaded designs.
- The ubiquitous quilted Chanel bag with a gold chain strap made its first appearance in February of 1955 and was a mainstay of fashion conscious women. It remains a fashion classic. The bag stepped out of the limelight in the 1970s, but enjoyed renewed popularity in the 1980s when it was often copied, flooding the market with fakes.
- Grace Kelly made this type of bag from Hermes famous in 1956 when she used it to cover her pregnancy bump. Originally based on a saddlebag designed in the 1930s, this bag was box-like in design. It was often made of leather, calfskin, ostrich or crocodile skin. A true classic like the Chanel bag, the Kelly bag is still made by Hermes today, and often has a six-month waiting list.
- Evening bags of the 1950s were often small clutch type bags. The small size emphasized the femininity of the carrier. These bags were often heavily decorated, sometimes with various beads or in designs involving mother of pearl. Rarely did an evening bag have a handle, although some did come with long shoulder chains. Other designs had a small wristlet that could be concealed in the bag when not being worn.
1950's Handbag Basics
The Chanel Bag
The Kelly Bag
Evening Bags
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