The rebrand of Southern and Eastern Asian culture into mainstream fashion

VULNERABILITY THROUGH OUR VÊTEMENTS: A WOMAN'S BAG

What truly reveals the essence of our being?

Throughout fashion history, a woman's bag has remained a timeless staple. Initially welcomed as a stylish accessory, it also served as an alternative solution to the lack of pockets in women's clothing. Some even believed it was a way for husbands to keep their wives' hands occupied while shopping. But what secrets does a woman's bag hold about her lifestyle and personality?

Many of us recall being warned as children not to touch our mother's handbag without permission. I, for one, always wondered why. But as I've grown older, I've developed my own sense of protectiveness and expectation of respect for my own bag. It's not that I'm hiding anything suspicious or necessarily valuable, but the thought of someone rummaging through it would feel invasive.

The structure of a bag can be seen as a metaphor for ourselves. The exterior reflecting how we present ourselves to the world, much like our clothing, conveying a certain status or lifestyle. However, the interior containing the essentials of a woman's daily life, revealing her priorities, values, and current circumstances. No two women's bags are alike, not even within the same individual's life, as her needs and priorities evolve over time.

A 2012 survey conducted by Cadbury to promote a new handbag-friendly chocolate found that 42% of British women consider someone looking through their bag to be as intrusive as reading their personal emails or messages.

The contents of a woman's bag are a reflection of her inner world, a window into her soul. Even among my closest friends, I don't know the exact contents of their bags, but I trust that someone will always have the niche item I need in a pinch. It's a testament to the unique bond between a woman and her bag. Within the confines of a woman’s bag, they carry the necessities of their daily life. For some, this may include headphones, books, or a sweet treat to brighten their day. 

As I unzip my bag, I’m reminded of the past, both near and distant. As I see the old Sainsbury’s receipt crumpled up at the bottom of the bag, but I then come across the lip oil I wear to death each day, before soon reaching for my kindle in a spare moment, a habit I’ve grown to have across the years, often still with the same excitement as my 7-year-old self did.

I think this new trend of ‘what’s in my bag’ is far more vulnerable than many have realised. In the ever-growing sense of careful curation in deciding how we present ourselves — heightened by social media — a woman’s bag is the one place she truly reveals herself, something she carries alongside her daily: grounding her.

As I zip up my bag, I’m reminded of the power and role it fulfils. A mirror, to who I am as a young woman, and a mere caterpillar to what I’ll become one day.