Clothing Definitions — definitions of garments and clothing terms from Apparel Search
A purse, also known as a handbag, is a small bag used to hold various small items, such as keys, a wallet, tissues, makeup and a hairbrush. Purses are usually carried by women, though similar bags are carried more widely and may or may not be called purses. A coin purse is even smaller, just large enough to hold money and cards. This page explains the purse and its sizes, from coin purse to handbag, the styles and materials in common use, and how the bag is constructed.
A purse (also known as a handbag) is a small bag
used to hold various small items, such as keys, a wallet, tissues, makeup,
a hairbrush, pepper spray, and/or a gun (though it is generally recommended
the latter two items are not carried in such a manner, due to the long draw
time). Purses are usually carried by women, but sometimes men carry similar
objects (and may or may not call them purses).
A coin purse is even smaller, just large enough to hold money and cards.
Shop for Handbags.
| The above article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/purse). 10/8/04 |
The purse family is organised by size because size decides use. The coin purse holds money and cards only. The everyday purse or handbag holds the working set listed in the definition, keys, wallet, tissues, makeup, hairbrush and phone in modern use, in a bag that can be carried all day without becoming a burden. Larger handbags, totes and shoppers trade elegance for capacity, carrying documents, a book or shopping as well. Styles divide by how the bag is carried and closed: shoulder bags on a long strap, handbags with short handles carried in the hand or over the forearm, cross-body bags worn diagonally for security and free hands, and clutch bags with no handles at all, held in the hand for formal occasions.
Construction is a shell, a lining and a closure. Leather is the classic shell material, hard-wearing and improving with use; fabric shells in canvas, nylon and woven textiles are lighter and washable; evening purses add satin, beading and metal frames. Linings carry the organisation, zipped pockets for valuables, slip pockets for a phone, a key leash or clip so keys do not sink, and closures range from a top zip, the secure standard, to magnetic snaps, frame clasps and drawstrings. Hardware quality, buckles, rings, zips and feet, is the reliable sign of how long a purse will serve, since straps and closures take the strain of daily use and are where bags fail first.
Care follows the material: leather purses are wiped clean, conditioned occasionally and stored stuffed with paper in a dust bag so the shape holds, fabric purses are sponged or washed as the label allows, and all purses last longer emptied and rested rather than carried overloaded every day, since an overfilled bag strains its own stitching and distorts its shape. Choosing a purse is a matter of matching the bag to the load and the carrying style first, capacity, strap length and closure security, and only then to colour and finish, the reverse of the order in which bags are usually displayed, and the reason a purse that suits its owner's actual day is carried for years while a prettier mismatch is left in the wardrobe.
A purse, also known as a handbag, is a small bag for holding everyday small items such as keys, a wallet, tissues, makeup and a hairbrush. It is carried by hand or on the shoulder or arm, and sized to the items its owner needs through the day.
A coin purse is the smallest member of the family, just large enough to hold money and cards. It closes with a clasp, zip or fold and is carried inside a larger purse or bag, or alone in a pocket for small purchases.
In American use, purse and handbag name the same carried bag, with purse the everyday word. In British use, a purse is specifically the small money holder for coins and notes, the item Americans call a coin purse or wallet, and handbag names the larger carried bag.