BONNER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
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Lace Drawstring Purse
The handbag is an essential element of a woman's wardrobe that is both functional and fashionable. Used to carry wallets, lipstick, and other essentials, handbags can be as simple as a drawstring denim bag or a high priced, designer status symbol.
A Victorian lady did not need a large handbag to carry all her necessities as we do today. Instead, she carried a small fabric purse called a Reticule.  Some small Victorian purses were attached to a belt or hidden underneath a skirt, called Chatelaine bags. Some late Victorian and Edwardian handbags were square box frame handbags made of alligator skin, good for everyday uses. There were also flat envelope clutches or short handle purses that acted as a large wallet. These were often handmade with needlework giving them the look of tapestry. Fancier dresses called for drawstring reticules made of velvet, silk, satin, and lace. Victorian beaded bags and metal mesh bags were also very prevalent for both day and evening outfits. The working poor carried woven baskets to go to market. 
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Donor: Gene Littlefield
Adopted by:
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  • About
    • Mission
    • Donors & Sponsors
    • Board & Staff
  • Visit
  • Exhibits
  • Programs
    • Signature Events
    • Education Programs >
      • School Tours
      • Traveling Trunks
      • At Home with BCHS >
        • Young Explorers (0-10)
        • At Home Historians (11 and up)
      • Project-Based Learning
    • Oral Histories >
      • Submit Your Story
    • Historic Driving Tour
    • Historic Walking Tour
  • Collections
    • Connecting the Past to the Present >
      • Publications
    • Podcast: North Idaho Nuggets
    • Object Identification
    • Newspapers of Bonner County
    • Special Collections
    • Collection Based Research
    • Historic Preservation
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Sponsorship
    • Volunteer
    • Shop Museum Guild
    • Donate an Artifact