Friday 16 April 2010

Fashion: Handbags / Purses & Other Bags


As student "C" has requested a page on handbags, which I almost knew nothing about except they are called handbags in American English and Purses in British English, here are my findings.

Clutch (bag)
a small flat bag without a handle, carried by women, especially on formal occasions. [1] "Clutch" is a verb which is to take or try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry or pain. So, should we expect a lot of cash or a lot of secrets inside? 




Satchel
a rectangular leather bag with a long strap, used especially in the past by children for carrying books to school.[2] The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. [3]






Tote Bag
a large handheld bag or purse that is used to carry things, such as books, beach wear, or everyday items. The term tote, meaning "to carry" can be traced back to the 17th century but was not used to describe bags until 1900.[4]




Duffel Bag / Duffle Bag
A duffel bag (or duffle bag, kit bag, gym bag) is a large cylindrical bag made of cloth (or other fabric) with a drawstring closure at the top. It is often used to carry luggage or sports equipment by people who travel in the outdoors. [5]


Traditional military duffel bag

modern sport duffel bag

Messenger Bag
worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. Messenger bags are often used by bicycle messengers, though they are increasingly becoming an urban fashion icon. Some types of messenger bags are called carryalls.[6]


Sling Bag
Similar to messenger bag, but smaller.[7]

Doggy Bag
a small bag that a restaurant provides so that you can take home any food you have not finished.




Jiffy Bag
a thick envelope for protecting objects that are easily damaged when they are sent through the post[9]






Man Bag (informal)
a bag that a man uses for carrying his money, keys, mobile phone, etc [10]






Shoulder Bag
a bag that hangs on a strap from the shoulder, especially one used for carrying small personal things [11], basically, it is a general term for any bags you need to carry with your shoulder.



Sponge Bag (UK)
a small waterproof bag used for carrying your toothbrushfacecloth, soap, etc. when you are travelling [12]



String Bag 
a shopping bag which is made of pieces of string tied together with spaces between each piece[13]


Suit Bag (UK) / Garment Bag (US)
a long flat bag which is carried folded in half, in which a suit (= jacket and trousers)can be kept while travelling [14]

Toilet Bag
a bag in which you put things for keeping yourself clean and tidy, especially when you are travelling [15]


Cool(er) Bag
a bag made of a thick insulating material that keeps food and drink cold when you are travelling [16]


Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purse#Variations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handbags
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/clutch_1

[1] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/clutch-bag
[2] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/satchel
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satchel_(bag)
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tote_bag
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffle_bag
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messenger_bag
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sling_bag
[8] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/doggy-bag
[9] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/jiffy-bag
[10] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/man-bag
[11] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shoulder-bag
[12] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/sponge-bag
[13] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/string-bag
[14] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/suit-bag
[15] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/toilet-bag
[16] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/cool-bag