In one way or the other, handbags have been with us from the start. At first, there was a need. Then came love. Then came the prestige. And now there’s a history of utility, expression, style and fashion.
These 14 quotes by people who either advanced the art of handbags by their contribution, infatuated life-long connoisseurs and fashion icons, show why we love handbags and give this romance whether picturesque, humorous or sensitive voice.
#1 Billy Connolly, famous stand-up comedian:
“A woman's mind is as complex as the contents of her handbag; even when you get to the bottom of it, there is ALWAYS something at the bottom to surprise you!”
#2 Margaret Thatcher, former British prime minister:
“Women have plenty of roles in which they can serve with distinction: some of us even run countries. But generally we are better at wielding the handbag than the bayonet.”
#3 Joanna Lumley, English actress
“I think handbags, not so much clothes anymore, but I think you can tell a fashion victim by their handbag.”
#4 Britt Ekland, Swedish actress
“I'm very organised these days, and I keep my life in my handbag, like most women.”
#5 Miranda Kerr, Australian model
“I love handbags. And shoes. Investing in like a great handbag or a pair of shoes can really make or break an outfit. It's fun to mix and match high street with luxury brands and throw in a bit of vintage as well.”
#6 Maria Sharapova, Russian tennis player
“I want my handbags and my shoes to be stylish but I want to make sure that they're versatile. I travel and I have to make sure the pieces I put into my bag can go with a dress or with shorts or jeans.”
#7 Julian Critchley, British journalist
“She cannot see an institution without hitting it with her handbag.”
#8 L’Wren Scott, American stylist
“It was always sort of my dream to make handbags and I wanted a handbag that was very sharp, very structured, very tailored I wanted a bag you could put all of your things in it, you can open it, you could close it, you could hide all your tricks, but it's not all lumpy.”
#9 Alain Wertheimer, French businessman
“We're in the business of selling pleasure. We don't sell handbags or haute couture. We sell dreams.”
#10 Kate Spade, American fashion Designer
“A handbag is only one item to be worn with a complete outfit. Add a peony pink leather handbag to a charcoal gray suit, for instance, and the impact is chic with a touch of wit.”
#11 Michael Connelly, American writer
“I reached between the seats to the backseat, where her purse was on the floor. It was the size of a grocery bag and it weighed a ton.
"What the hell do you have in this thing?"
"Everything."
I didn't ask for further explanation. I managed to pull the bag up to the front seat, open it, and find her iPad. I put the bag on the floor between my feet, lest I pull a muscle leveraging it into the bag again.”
#12 Gina Barecca, American academic
“Not only do women hold up half the sky; we do it while carrying a 500-pound purse.”
#13 Susan B. Anthony, American women’s rights activist
“Every woman should have a purse of her own.”
#14 Beyonce, the Queen B
“I got hot sauce in my bag
Swag…”
The true value of the handbag, however, is not in the item itself, it’s in the heart. You’ll know it when you see it!