THE BEGINNING BAG WERE POUCHES

Early bags were basically a pouch. The pouch was a common design for 16Th century Germany. Most fabric for the pouch was woven in 2-ply wool on wrap-weighted loom. they took a small round piece of this fabric sewn a strip of leather around the edges. When the draw string was pulled, a pouch was formed They used bags to carry their valuables and coins, and these item were kept safe by attaching it to what was called a ''girdle'' which were fastened to the waist.Pouches were often cut and stolen from behind by thieves and were soon nick named ''cut purse'' The men carried sword and generally kept the bag tied near the sword, and his valuable could be protected with ease.

In the 16Th century pouches were made in a much more appropriate manner; with the using of every day materials such as leather to establish a composition which was perfect for holding every day possession. At this point in history, bags also took on the cross-body style used some time today. The drawstring strap went diagonally across the body to hold the bag on the hip.

After the French Revolution, the full skirts of the ancient regime became less popular in favor of a more slender and narrow dress. These slender dresses left no room beneath for pockets or pouches and consequently, pocket or pouches were discarded. Handbags came back out into the open in the form of ''reticules'' or ''indispensable'' as the English's call them, suggesting that women had already largely dependence on their handbag. In the reticules one would find smelling salt, sent bottle, a fan, face powder and card case.