Drakecon

Rilakkuma Plush Coin Purse $6.01 This is a cute Rilakkuma coin purse.

Domo Plush Coin Purse $6.01 This is a cute Domo coin purse.

Doraemon Plush Coin Purse (Blue) $6.01 This is a cute Doraemon coin purse.

Stitch Plush Coin Purse (Blue) $6.01 This is a cute Stitch coin purse.

Kitty Plush Coin Purse (Pink) $6.01 This is a cute kitty plush coin purse.

Kitty Plush Coin Purse (Black) $6.01 This is a cute kitty plush coin purse.

SpongeBob Plush Coin Purse (Yellow) $6.01 This is a cute SpongeBob plush coin purse.

Duke Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 84) $4.99 Duke Keychain Coin Purse

Penn State Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 84) $4.99 Penn State Keychain Coin Purse

Auburn University Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 84) $4.99 Auburn University Keychain Coin Purse

Duke Keychain Coin Purse Divided(Pack of 48) $7.99 Duke Keychain Coin Purse Divided

AWST Pink Coin Purse $2.9 Hold small change with the AWST Pink Horse Coin Purse. A great small gift for any horse enthusiast.

LILO Leather Key & Coin Purse $15.95 LILO Leather Key & Coin Purse – Keep your keys in this stylish LILO leather key and coin purse that is a must have accessory for your handbag.

Miquel Rius Jordi Labanda fanny Coin Purse $13.56 Snap shut clasp coin purse Wrist strap

Miquel Rius Jordi Labanda Charlotte Coin Purse $13.56 Snap shut clasp coin purse Wrist strap

Miquel Rius Jordi Labanda Butterfly Coin Purse $13.56 Snap shut clasp coin purse Wrist strap

Danielle BoHo Chic Coin Purse Model D8011 $10.9 Danielle BoHo Chic Coin Purse Model D8011

Pony Coin Purse – Pink $2.8 This adorable coin purse is the perfect size. Also works for holding credit cards, etc. 4-1/4 x 3Color: Pink

Stuffed Doraemon Mobile Phone Bag Coin Purse with Strap (Blue) $4.33 This is a cute stuffed Doraemon coin purse.

Stuffed Totoro Mobile Phone Bag Coin Purse with Strap (Grey) $4.33 This is a cute stuffed Totoro coin purse.

Soft Silicone Coin Purse (Pink) $3.71 This compact coin purse is made of very soft silicone. You can put it in your handbag to carry anywhere conveniently.

Soft Silicone Coin Purse (Blue) $3.71 This compact coin purse is made of very soft silicone. You can put it in your handbag to carry anywhere conveniently.

Soft Silicone Coin Purse (Red) $3.71 This compact coin purse is made of very soft silicone. You can put it in your handbag to carry anywhere conveniently.

Soft Silicone Coin Purse (Yellow) $3.71 This compact coin purse is made of very soft silicone. You can put it in your handbag to carry anywhere conveniently.

Budd Leather 5 Double Coin Purse $24 5″ leather double coin purse Leather covered frame

Mameshiba Edamame Coin Purse $9.99 Carry your spare change with adorableness! This Mameshiba Edamame coin purse makes a great gift for those who just don’t know where to put their change. You never know when you’ll need that extra dime in line! Measures about 5-inches wide. Ages 3 and up.

Bunny Tales Necklace Coin Purse(Pack of 72) $2.99 Bunny Tales Necklace Coin Purse A colorful and plush bunny-themed zipper coin purse. Includes a convenient necklace cord. Available in pink and white.

Portable Kitty Clutch Wallet Coin Purse (Pink) $2.12 Coin purse made of artificial enameled leather of high quality. A mini Kitty frame and her pink ribbon attached to the purse.

Kitty Mini Clutch Wallet Coin Purse (Pink) $1.94 Coin purse made of artificial enameled leather of high quality. A mini Kitty frame and her pink ribbon attached to the purse.

Portable Kitty Mini Wallet Coin Purse (Pink) $2.37 Coin purse made of artificial enameled leather of high quality. A mini Kitty frame and her pink ribbon attached to the purse.

Budd Leather Cowhide Zippered Coin Purse with Key Ring $24 Cowhide zippered coin purse with key ring

Kansas Keychain Coin Purse 2 X 3(Pack of 96) $3.99 Kansas Keychain Coin Purse 2″ X 3″

Texas Keychain Coin Purse 12 Display unit(Pack of 96) $3.99 Texas Keychain Coin Purse 12 Display unit

High School Musical Oval Pvc Coin Purse(Pack of 120) $1.18 High School Musical Oval Pvc Coin Purse

University Of Oklahoma Keychain Coin Purse Divided(Pack of 48) $7.99 University Of Oklahoma Keychain Coin Purse Divided Script

Mississippi State University Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 84) $4.99 Mississippi State University Keychain Coin Purse

University Of Nebraska Keychain Coin Purse Divided(Pack of 48) $7.99 University Of Nebraska Keychain Coin Purse Divided Nh

Louisiana State University Keychain Coin Purse Lsu(Pack of 84) $3.95 Louisiana State University Keychain Coin Purse Lsu

University Of Alabama Keychain Cloth Coin Purse Ti(Pack of 48) $6.8 University Of Alabama Keychain Cloth Coin Purse Tide

University Of Arkansas Keychain Coin Purse Rh(Pack of 84) $4.99 University Of Arkansas Keychain Coin Purse Rh

University Of Tennessee Keychain Coin Purse Orange(Pack of 84) $4.99 University Of Tennessee Keychain Coin Purse Orange T

University Of Florida Keychain Coin Purse Divided(Pack of 48) $7.99 University Of Florida Keychain Coin Purse Divided Oval

University Of Arkansas Keychain Coin Purse Divided(Pack of 48) $7.99 University Of Arkansas Keychain Coin Purse Divided Rhar

University Of North Carolina Keychain Coin Purse D(Pack of 48) $6.58 University Of North Carolina Keychain Coin Purse Divided

University Of North Carolina Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 84) $4.99 University Of North Carolina Tarheels Keychain Coin Purse.

Auburn University Keychain Coin Purse Cloth(Pack of 48) $6.58 Auburn University Keychain Coin Purse Cloth

Kansas State University Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 96) $4.99 Kansas State University Keychain Coin Purse

Mississippi Keychain Coin Purse 2 X 3(Pack of 96) $3.99 Mississippi Keychain Coin Purse 2″ X 3″

Texas Tech University Keychain Coin Purse(Pack of 84) $3.95 Texas Tech University Keychain Coin Purse

The History of the Purse and Handbag

In certain situations, the word ‘purse’ is used differently than the word ‘handbag’. It seems that the term ‘purse’ is used by more formal ladies, or sometimes by those of more advanced age. This semantic distinction may be evident because in the United States we do not really have a distinction between the purse and the handbag; we use the two words interchangeably. However, the British, consider the purse to be a much smaller in size. It is sometimes also called a ‘coin purse’, and is actually quite tiny. It is similar in size to a man’s wallet, often with a tiny metal clasp atop the leather and a small side compartment for coins. Not much can fit in these little bags!

A handbag, however, is a much bigger bag. While Americans call a handbag a ‘purse’ as well, the British consider a handbag the type of bag that is slung over the shoulder or held on the arm and used to carry all of one’s personal items and effects that may be necessary throughout the day, like lipstick and a cell phone and a wallet.

The history of the purse and the handbag is pretty interesting. It all started so many years ago it is difficult to imagine, as the first sights of a type of purse were seen on drawings in hieroglyphics with the Egyptians, and also later in Europe in the 1300’s when women of wealth would have them sewn onto their undergarments. Back then, both men and women wore purses and they did not resemble the modern woman’s handbag of today or even the man’s briefcase or carry-all. They were much smaller versions, and usually had a sentiment attached to them. They were really only for the wealthy, for instance, so they may have borne the wealthy family’s crest or a symbol or story of their family sewn onto the purse. They were handmade, and usually of fine and limited materials.

By the 1700s, purses were becoming more common among people who were not just of high social status. They were made from more common materials, and could be found carried by just about anyone of reasonable means. People were travelling more, so it became common also for men and women to wear large cloth bags strapped across their chest to hold their most dear and necessary personal belongings on them while they travelled. These bags were usually very plain looking and uncomplicated, merely functional, and similar to the ‘messenger bags’ of today.

It was also around this time that young ladies were beginning to take up embroidery and needlepoint, and men would be interested in a lady with a fine purse that she crafted herself. If a man did not have travel or luggage needs, it was becoming odd by this point to find a man who carried a purse. It was pretty much limited by then to a wallet or tiny coin purse for money-holding, or a large and strapped bag for travel.

Slightly later, in the 1800’s perhaps, women needed purses for similar reasons that they do today. They were ‘out and about’ more often, and needed small bags to keep their makeup, toiletries and perfumes with them. They were becoming more and more into fashion and dress and style, and would craft purses or buy purses crafted to match their outfits. They also used these purses to make sure that none of their powdery, new cosmetics ruined any of their new outfits! Today, we obviously still use handbags for these and similar other reasons.

During the 1900s various kinds of purses came into style, including small clutch bags unlike the satchel or the tote but not quite small enough to be considered a ‘purse’ like the coin purse. This is when the term ‘handbag’ came into fashion, especially in the United States. It is a much newer term than ‘purse’. It started out being specific to a man’s bag, interestingly enough, that was being used ‘by his hand’ to carry luggage. It is curious that both the terms “purse” and “handbag” actually started out referring something to quite specific, but they can now be interchanged to mean the same thing and a whole variety of different types of the same thing!

By the Roaring 1920s, when fashion was at a height, designing handbags became ever more popular and the handbag and purse industry started to grow. It slowed down a bit in the 1940s and during World War II, but picked up again once the war ended and the economy was not suffering as much. Ever since then, the popularity of a multitude of differently designed styles, colors, textures, materials has just continued to boom. Now, as we all know, the best handbag designers can command thousands of dollars for their finest goods and we can basically choose anything we want, anytime, to match any outfit, size, shape and occasion. The sky is the limit, and we are quite fortunate that the ‘purse’ no longer limits us to a little leather coin bag!

About the Author

Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including celebrities afashion, often discussing specific items for women such as designer handbags .

How to Make: Duct Tape Coin Purse

Fast Weigh MS-500-BLK Digital Pocket Scale, 500 by 0.1 G $4.50 Introducing the M-500 from Fast Weigh Scales! This hip little scale is one of the hottest and most economical scales on the market today! The removable cover keeps the scale protected when not in use and also doubles as an expansion tray. Just replace the plastic cover when your done using it, and you can safely toss the scale in your handbag or pocket with no worries. Features: * A stylish yet ec…

Purse Size Deluxe Coupon Organizer Wallet ToCart #59 $12.99 Finally! The “Deluxe” Purse Size Coupon Organizer that is AMERICAN MADE! It is made of durable, colorful, material 4 1/2″ X 8″. It not only attaches to the cart, as in the picture, but will attach to any side of the cart, and to the handle also. Most purse size coupon organizers come with paper-thin divider cards, but the “Deluxe” Purse Size Coupon Organizer has 24 durable cards with tabs, made fr…

Purse Size Deluxe Coupon Organizer Wallet ToCart #69 $12.99 Finally! The “Deluxe” Purse Size Coupon Organizer that is AMERICAN MADE! It is made of durable, colorful, material 4 1/2″ X 8″. It not only attaches to the cart, as in the picture, but will attach to any side of the cart, and to the handle also. Most purse size coupon organizers come with paper-thin divider cards, but the “Deluxe” Purse Size Coupon Organizer has 24 durable cards with tabs, made fr…

Coin Purse – EP $5.94 …

Streamlight 73001 Nano Light Miniature Keychain LED Flashlight, Black $1.95 FEATURES Easily attaches to just about anything with pocket clip or key ring: 1 Up to 8 hours run time: 2 Machined aircraft grade aluminum with anodized finish: 3 Uses 4 alkaline button cell batteries included: 4 White LED bulb with 10 lumens: 5 Weatherproof: 6 Includes a non-rotating snap hook for easy one handed operation when atta…

500 CLEAR Reclosable Zipper Bag. 2” x 2” – 2 mil thick $0.01 500 New Resealable Plastic Bags . These high quality reclosable plastic bags allow you to have the bags you use most on hand. The reclosable seals open all the way to the edges of the bags giving you full use of the interior. Each has a 2 mil thickness and measures approximately 2″ x 2″…

Zippered Pouch Volleyball Blue/Green Dot $12.99 Polka dot print, cotton canvas zippered pouch with VOLLEYBALL embroidered on front. Great for carrying your ID, money and cell phone. Imported, Katz Exclusive! …

Disney Princess and the Frog Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy LIMITED EDITION Includes Velvet Coin Purse $49.74 …

Small Assorted Sequin Diva Purses (1 dz) $20.99 These sequin purses are the perfect accessory for your favorite little diva’s! Use them as party favor purses or as party favor bags! Great for dress-up tea parties as well. Any way you choose to use them they are sure to be a hit….

Blue Q Coin Purse I Need To Buy Something …