HANDBAGS: THEN AND NOW

From Times Tamara Kaminsky

1920s: The flapper flaunts her new freedom by going out unchaperoned at night with a slim line clutch, ideal for holding, lipstick and cash.

1930s: Bags get more structured and slightly larger to cope with women’s increasing demands outside the home.

1940s: Bags become ultra-functional satchel shapes in durable leather slung across the body.

1950s: Let them wear alligator: after Dior’s luxurious, teeny pouches, bags become increasingly status conscious. Princess Grace of Monaco tries to hide her pregnancy from photographers with her Hermès bag. A legend — and the first bag with a name, the Kelly — is born. Coco Chanel introduces the 2.55, a quilted bag with a chain that can double up as jewellery.

1960s: Towards the end of the decade the hippy trip and relaxing morals usher in ethnic bags that are as slouchy as the bra-less women carrying them.

1970s: Broke but resourceful, British women embrace the patchwork shoulder bag.

1980s: A brief flirtation with men’s briefcases gives way to the revival of the Chanel 2.55 (and countless fakes), a bag that allowed the new power woman to flaunt her success.

1990s: Rejection of Eighties values (sort of) inspires women to pay hundreds of pounds for a black nylon “anti-design” rucksack from a small Italian label called Prada. Tom Ford takes over at Gucci: the bag gets sexy.

2000s: With accessories accounting for 60 to 80 per cent of many fashion brands’ business, designers aren’t dropping the golden goose anytime soon. Bags ARE fashion for many women, and are currently the size of a skirt.