What kind of purse (strap) is this?

wire9vintage

wire9vintage

Registered Guest
And on a purse note, please someone tell me what to call this purse... It's 7 1/2 inches wide, 6 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/2 inches across the bottom. It is satin lined. What do you call that strap/handle on the back?

Sorry for the awful photos!
estatesalequestions009900x675.jpg

estatesalequestions010900x675.jpg

estatesalequestions011900x675.jpg
 
Interesting. Ive never seen one like that. Its a simple clutch, with a secure hand strap. Probably an experimental approach that didn't last too long for esthetic reasons.

Nylo
 
Yes, it's not a big enough strap to get your hand all the way through (which would be weird, anyway!), and it's not the kind of purse you'd wear on a belt. So...beats me!
 
I believe the strap is for holding your gloves. So when you get to your destination, you could remove your gloves and tuck them, oh so elegantly into the strap and not have to jam them into your bag!
 
I have a similar bag as well.. and love it... the awesome unique strap is why i bought it, but didn't realize it was for gloves either!meyers bag handle top.JPG
 
Interesting...while researching the purses that came in the trunk I bought last summer (there 6 purses all with that strap on back) I found reference in a catalog to this being referred to as a a "dance strap" - I assumed it meant that one could slip the bag over your hand easily to hold while dancing. I sort of pictured sliding hand in flat then holding purse flat against your partners back. Not exactly romantic :)
 
Dance strap makes sense too! A mutli- purpose strap- I like calling these type of bags- FF bags. :)
FUNCTIONAL & FABULOUS! :)
I love this site!
 
In the 1920's and 1930's this bag/purse handle would have been described as a back strap. Interestingly, back straps are seen just after WWl. I know the discussion about its use comes up from time to time. The strap is used for putting several fingers through rather than the entire hand or just for holding which explains why there are various back strap sizes. Evening bags with back straps were used when dancing so yes "sliding hand in flat then holding purse flat against your partner's back" is exactly right. I can understand the glove holder idea and the back strap may have been used in that way but it wasn't originally designed for that purpose.
 
It was always my understanding that these were, as Christina says, used to slip your fingers or hand through for dancing, so you wouldn't have to leave your bag on the table or grasp it in your palm (very unwieldy for dancing!). It's only been recently that I've heard of them being used to hold one's gloves. Although I can see that's a good purpose for them, too; when one went to lunch, it would be convenient to slip your gloves or your head scarf through, instead of smooshing them up in your bag or coat pocket, or leaving them on the table.
 
Hey Gals- thanks so much for the info & for posting photos of the latest trends with hand straps. I am always amazed how nicely some of these vintage bags were kept. I have so much fun finding them! The hunt is almost as fun as the treasure. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top