Date check on cute little bag & name that nifty feature

[BijouVintage]

I had a 50's vibe on this cutie

and what do you call this little handle on the back?

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

Very chic bag! I've always called those straps hand or wrist straps. You slip your bag onto your hand or wrist while dancing and not have to leave it somewhere, but still be able to put your hand on your partner's back or shoulder.

I think they may technically be called "wrist straps," but I've never seen one large enough to go on a wrist. I've seen them in the old movies with the strap across the woman's hand....

 

[TangerineBoutique]

I always thought wrist straps were earlier than the 50s but is that an After Five tag? If so I think you are right about 50s.

Melody

 

[hatfeathers]

I believe the strap is for slipping your gloves into when you remove them in public. Keeps them securely with the purse, but not wadded up in the purse like a tissue.

 

[thespectrum]

I agree with Jen, it's a glove holder. Very handy!

 

[BijouVintage]

well you learn something new everyday

 

[vertugarde]

This handbag is a clutch with a hand strap which wasn't designed for holding gloves although I imagine that happened. As Anne says, the strap is used for leaving the hand free usually when dancing. If you use the term wrist strap that can refer to those straps that are attached to the corner of a bag/purse.

This clutch might be earlier than suggested. It is quite small. Can you show the interior? Is there an inside compact pocket?

 

[lkranieri]

I found an ad for a similar bag and it called it a clutch with a "back hand strap."

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I've always thought they were for gloves too: they aren't usually big enough to put a hand in there.

Nice set Beth!

Nicole

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

Thanks to vertugarde for the clarification on hand vs. wrist strap. I've always called these "hand" straps till recently, when I heard them referred to as "wrist" strap. So now I've been calling them either or. But, since they never seem to be large enough for a wrist, then hand strap it is! The way Beth has her hand in it above is pretty much the way one would wear it.

I don't think I've personally ever seen a glove holder on a clutch, but I've seen what I "think" is one on a bag I have--it is a smaller strap than the hand strap and is located on the front of the bag, under the flap, toward a corner. But I suppose, as vertugarde notes, that some ladies may have tucked their gloves in the had strap.

 

[BagDiva]

you are all rght, they were used for both purposes. Obviously the leather and day bags they were used for keeping gloves safe, but in soft bags and evening bags they were found useful for keeping with you whilst at a tea dance, or some such. If you look carefully in old blk and white films, they are there when dancing.

 

[vertugarde]

Tea dances were held in the afternoon and the dress attire was semi-formal day wear. The bag/purse accessories were appropriate - leather, canvas, fabric etc. and would not have been small evening bags.

Here is a picture of an outdoor tea dance in the early 1930's probably 1931-32;

http://tinyurl.com/cj4vk6