Handbags
Postwar Era
(40s / early 50s)

 
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.
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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