The big business of handbags

Born in the 14th century as a way for men to hold flint, money and a variety of objects, purses were once quite small. But the whims of society and the ever-brutal demands of fashion have come to force their growth and expansion. This year, women are catching the bug of big, and designers and retail stores are supplying larger handbags. Gone are the small shoulder clutches from last year.

“We’ve definitely gotten more big bags in,” said Jenna Hiller, employee of A Matter of Style at the Columbia Mall. Courtney Faron, manager of Britches, said that store also is stocking more large purses.

These purses can vary in size, ranging from a 12-inch-by-12-inch shoulder bag to totes more than 22 inches. Retailers such as Gap are carrying more flashy bags, like their metallic line of shiny silver and gold colored bags. On the streets, you will see more purses covered in dazzling sequins and bright colors for the summer.

According to a report from the NPD group, a global sales and marketing firm, women are spending an average of $40 to $65 on their handbags. The report said shoulder bags are the most popular purses, with carry-by-hand totes coming in second.

The merchant and consumer line has blurred when it comes to women’s fashion.

“As a shopper, I definitely have started to buy a lot more big bags,” Hiller said. “I don’t buy a lot of clutches anymore.”

Clutches aren’t the only collateral damage from the market onslaught of large purses; backpacks are seeing some losses as well.

“I don’t use a backpack anymore. I put everything in my big bag when I go to class,” Hiller said.

Columbia resident Aubrey Fine has also relinquished her backpack for a trendy replacement.

“They’re cuter, and they can hold my books for school, laptop, whatever,” Fine said.

Why the change though? What inspiration of divine fabric has led women to make this shift? According to Hiller, the famous and glamorous issue these unofficial edicts of style.

“With the celebrities carrying them now, the trend trickles down and people around here want to carry them, too,” she said.

Courtney Faron also shares this belief.

“It’s just the trend right now,’’ Faron said. “You see people in Hollywood carrying them, so everyone wants one.”

Increased size has broadened the age-old question of, “What do women put in their purses?”

Hiller puts “everything” in her bag.

“You can put your water bottle in there, your books, any thing,” Hiller said.

For Columbia resident Lesley Johnson, carrying one bag is not quite enough. A skeleton of fashion past lays within the confines of her shoulder-slung cloth chasm.

“I started reading more and wanted to take my books with me,” she said. “Now, it’s pretty much a bigger bag with my smaller purse in it.”

Hiller said, “At first, they just seemed too big, and women didn’t know what to put in them, but they’re catching on a lot more now.”