The museum of vintage handbags was situated in a lovely canal house in the centre of Amsterdam, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, displaying the development of bags and purses from the Middle Ages to the present day.
This year it closed down. I wanted to revisit why beautiful fashion needs to be preserved for a woman. I have no idea where these bags are now stored?
Over the years there has always been that common question, mainly asked by men.
How many handbags do women really need?
The Story Of Handbags
The history of handbags is most intriguing and how it all came about both for men and women. From the earliest stages of civilization, bags and purses were practical everyday articles used by men as well as women. They were necessary for carrying money and other personal items since clothes hadn’t yet been fitted out with pockets.
We know what they looked like from paintings, prints and tapestries and the few historical handbags preserved in museums. Such antique bags are rare because they were mostly made out of perishable materials. You can read more about it here.
I am not a huge fan of handbags, to be honest. Currently, in my wardrobe, I own no more than twenty bags and mostly are due to purchases made many years ago. I am a huge lover of leather and studded handbags. I guess one of my reasons is my lifestyle at the moment is all about travelling and therefore I opt for mans-bags. Mainly backpacks at this stage. I do however have a bag I bought at a market in Amsterdam over 15 years ago and it is a treasure indeed.
Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos love for handbags and purses was an example of a woman owning 5000. Beaded clutch bags are still used in 2021.
Leather Clutch bags
The fashion messages wearing these bags are just truly chic.
This was the only place in the world where you will find so many beautiful, valuable, playful and exciting handbags in one collection: from historical highlights from the 15th century to the timeless classics of modern design from the most famous designers.
Elizabeth Taylor
Style icon Elizabeth Taylor was a lover of clutch handbags
Cloth clutch bags were used for an evening out to wear your victory red lipstick.
Doctor Bags
Still worn by women of today the doctor leather bag is an iconic bag.
This museum has enlightened me to explore those archives of handbags and start investing in some statement pieces. Handbags that will literally stop other women in their tracks.
Plastic Clutch Bags
Plastic clutch bags with mixed materials and dried flowers are just stunning to look at. A great sustainable message here too.
I love how they used dried flowers to create a very feminine clutch bag.
Brands like Delvaux are historical vintage bags that one come purchase even today.
Clutch Bags As Art Collections
If only bags like this were created today? These clutch bags are art pieces. I could not put a value on any of the bags you see in this article.
Margaret Thatcher
The bags worn by politicians like Margaret Thatcher were worn as a powerful fashion statement of control.
Thatcher’s play on image consciously elevated her from grocer’s daughter to armour-coated power player and her handbags were her most important piece of weaponry.
Launer handbags was her favourite British handbag used.
Vegan Handbags
Not intentionally but vegan handbags were already made amongst these vintage bags.
Maddona
This green lovely clutch bag worn by Maddona in the 1980s was gorgeous.
Vintage costume fashion was wonderful to see here too. Who better to showcase fashion through the eighties than Maddona herself.
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