Women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape for these accessories, inspired by the silhouettes of Ancient Greece and Rome. In the 17th century, young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. Purses were made of soft fabric or leather and were worn by men as often as ladies the Scottish sporran is a survival of this custom.

Women's fashion from 1830, including a reticule handbag from France Д®arly modern Europeans wore purses for one sole purpose: to carry coins. 'Pocketbook' is another term for a woman's handbag that was most commonly used on the East Coast of the United States in the mid-twentieth century.

Women's bags grew larger and more complex during this period, and the term was attached to the accessory. Initially, it was most often used to refer to men's hand-luggage. The term handbag began appearing in the early 1900s. American English typically uses the terms purse and handbag interchangeably. A 'handbag' is a larger accessory that holds objects beyond currency, such as personal items. In many English-speaking countries, it is still used to refer to a small money bag. The term 'purse' originally referred to a small bag for holding coins.

Knitting project canvas bag