In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, bags were both functional and fashionable, evolving alongside women’s changing roles and wardrobes. Early Victorian ladies carried delicate reticules - small drawstring purses often handmade and richly decorated with beads, embroidery, or lace. As skirts grew slimmer in the Edwardian period, handbags became more structured and practical, with leather frame bags and chatelaines clipped to belts for hands-free convenience. Whether crafted from silk, velvet, or metal mesh, these accessories reflected not only personal taste but also social status and the growing independence of modern women.