Classic or rakish, discreet or ostentatious, worn by day or at night, over the shoulder or handheld, this minuscule "box of secrets" is women's most essential accessory. It's a miniature version of her universe: mirror, keys, diary, photographs, and secret messages; the bedroom or boudoir she hangs from her arm. the purse has lived many lives. Designers have become uninhibited, constantly surpassing the limits of the functional and the beautiful; fashion icons have given their names to bags. Combining photographs of fashion with archival images from around the world, Bags recounts the flamboyant history of this accessory and is a must read.