The New Look of the latter 1940s
brought soft, feminine flowing forms into fashion, which set the goal of
allowing the “rubble women” of postwar Germany to again become elegant
ladies.
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Small glamorous metallic boxlike evening bag
with clasps joined to narrowly inlaid flexible metal-cord. |
The bag can be opened to unfold into two interior
sides, which are capable of accommodating an amazing amount of accessories,
despite its small size.
One of the bag’s interior sides contains an integral
mirror, lipstick, powder tray, coin compartment and a comb holder.On the
other side is a cigarette case. |
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.Handbags again became smaller and more delicate.
Pompadours with straps or elegant strapless handbags, carried under the
arm, were in vogue during the evening.
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Elegantly simple Goldpfeil strapless red handbag
with facing clasps. |
Evening bag made of embroidered silk. The
interior contained a small mirror compartment. |
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Daytime handbags of rigid framework with short
handles prevailed. These often had broad bases and taped upward.
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American handbag in the style of the “Spectator”
Look with matching shoes. The handbag is made, like many from this time,
out of “simulated leather”. This look was popular at spectator events such
as sports games (wives or dates with veterans wildly enthusiastic about
local college games) picnic, boating and other outdoor activities. |
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A shortage of leather-goods material still dominated
the early postwar years, and this explains why handbags from imitation
and synthetic materials were initially substituted. However, soon these
products enjoyed a superior reputation to genuine leather handbags; one
preferred a good imitation handbag than one made from an inferior grade
of leather.
In addition to the traditional framework handbags,
angular boxes or round caselike handbags with handles, loops or clasps
were common.
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Left: Small round caselike handbag
made of imitation leather with clasp. This was the type worn while in a
bathing suit or at a nudist colony (popular in this era) because it could
be easily suspended from the wrist bracelet or swimsuit bottom, and yet
carried everything needed. It was suitable for both day and evening
occasions in semi-dress. |
The handbag opened to reveal a wonderfully intricate
complex of nestled accessories.
Next to an interior self-material pocket for a
removable mirror, there was an inner pocket made of green imitation crocodile
leather with a strap to hold lipstick and another strap to slide in a comb
(not shown).
On the other side it contains multiple plastic
containers for change, and a second interior self-material pocket of green
imitation crocodile leather for a removable purse and identification (such
as driver’s license). The handbag thus carried every necessity. |
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A box-type handbag with matching platform shoes
from America. A typical combination from the early postwar period, the
shocking red coloration was nonetheless discouraged in rural states because
of its “devil” connotation (especially when the platforms were also worn
in combination). Nevertheless, this kind of extremely flirtatious
“devil-wear” was very popular. |
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Silk taffeta purse featuring Pinup motif of stocking-underwear
model. Such seemingly frivolous accessories were actually accepted and
popular “souvenir pieces” bought either by soldiers in city stores or through
mail-order by girls eager to please returning men. This type of purse was
normally worn with the accepted pin-up attire of the times, although quaintly
outrageous by current standards. |
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The strap shoulder bag, which reminded many
European women of the bitter war years, was now only rarely seen on the
continent except for travel and leisure purposes (because one did not want
to miss their carrying advantages).
In America, however, these types of shoulder
bags enjoyed a far greater popularity because the war years had been experienced
completely differently as a period of victorious patriotic cooperation.
Many girls and women had often worn strapped shoulder bags in their various
military or civilian volunteer organizations.
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Early postwar America was still regional, and
this American interchangeable shoulder bag made of pony hair from Mexico
is representative of Southwestern cowgirl attire.
The interchangeable shoulder bag enabled the Southwestern
cowgirl look to be switched to the country look of the Southwest and South.Notice
how the handbag in stamped leather now fits the country style suitable
for town carriage rather than ranch and range wear. |
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Quick View of the 50s
Handbags made of rigid Plexiglas or Plastic
with acrylic covers was the last word in stylish American trends at the
end of the 40s and beginning of the 50s. Because these handbags were usually
uncomfortable to handle and use, and their fragility made them prone to
break, they soon disappeared from the scene after a brief wave of faddish
popularity.
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“Lucite” Handbag, USA
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Another specialty of the United States were the
so-called “telephone-cord” purses. These consisted of simple material handbags
to which colorful plastic telephone cord was added. The purses were considered
flirtatious because they implied an invitation to call the girl (who in
the 40s and 50s was not socially permitted to call upon men, but whom awaited
male callers) and were thus often banned in rural churches and the like.
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"Telephone Cord" Handbag, USA
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Typical of the 50s were numerous basket-style
handbags made of natural products such as raffia, bast, willow reeds, straw,
fiber or imitations of these materials. Teenagers were especially fond
of these handbags, which enjoyed great popularity in the summertime. They
were frequently decorated with floral motifs or artistic flowers. From
1954, bamboo handles conquered the market.
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50s basket-style handbag with plastic handle
A net made of fine-mesh black-colored straw is
fastened over the top of the basket base. The brass closure is fastened
by plastic balls screwed onto the net. |
50's bathing handbag with bamboo handle.
The inside is lined with water-resistant cloth.
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50s Basket Handbags:
A large beach handbag made from cord and bast,
and a smaller portable handbag made of plastic-encased straw fashioning.
Both feature matching leather flaps and straps, and made an ideal set for
car travel to the beach and on the sand. |
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(Many thanks to Shelby L. Stanton
for English translation and additions)
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