The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-26
RAG HABIT AMONG WOMEN.
There Il an Epidemic Of IL Now, and some
OF the Dags Are Very Pretty.

There Is an Epidemic OF II Now. and Some
OF the Dags Are Very Pretty
The bag habit used to be the special
characteristic Of Boston women and the
ugly. but serviceable, little device OF cloth
and leather. that could stretch 10 hold all
sorts Of small belongings from a volume
Of Ibsen to a safety hairpin. was celebrated
as the Boston bag from Maine TO California
To-day the bag habit has seized on woman
kind and spread like a epidemic.
No sbopper or caller OF traveller ventures
beyond the shelter Of her own home unless
a bag is hung 10 her belt or swings from
her fingers, and nine-tenths Of the feminine
population carry two bags at a time and
comfortably boast Of possessing hall a
dozen others at home.
To enumerate a few Of the variousiy
shaped reticules o considered essential
10 womanly convenience is to mention az
way bag, wrist bag, handkerchief bag.
theatre bag and shopping bag, these
are made Of everything from alllga
tor skin, with pewter mounts, TO the hnest
gold wire network, in the mesh OF whlch
dozens OF tiny diamonds or turquoise beads
are meshed.
These last are no very delicate and 90 very
costly, that they will only carry the owners
cobweb pocket handkerchief, while Their
price. IL both metal and stones are real,
mounts ~justifably into the thousands;
The bag in which the majority n the
greatest Joy and convenience. is the stout
capacious safety shopping bag OF glazed
baby alligator skin, lined with suede. fast.
ened not only with a snap lock, but satchel
clips on the side, and adjusted by strap
and buckle to OF its outer sides Is an
ample purse with change and bill pockets.
Within. the bag Is divided, along its
leathern walls. into fat compartments,
in which in gilt letters, are stamped sam:
pies. -%hnirpins.' -cards,' fountain pen.
pencil, shopping list mirror comb
bag Is left free 10 hold parcels, and as the
bottom of the bag pulls out like a bellows.
a most amazing number or small things
can be put in without overtaxing its ca
pacity. This sort Of bag can be bought
all fitted, or the purchaser can put her
the manufacturer, with great forethought,
mounts the Tag itself, mirror. comb, pen,
pencil and salts bottle in aluminium.
Tie leather travelling bag is equally
kindly 20 a basket designed In France,
and called the Bon Marche. in honor OF the
great Partisan shop Of hat anne. French
peasant women weave these baskets
which are always provided with pretty
leather straps and handles and are er-
fNtfIliAkAN ldNiAlhlthliA' ~ WIN btE ~ ~
modish sewing classes and Doncas circles.
Silver aud gold and gun metal sid bags
have not had their popularity injured IN the
least by the appearance OF the exquisite
brocaded satin and beaded silk side bags,
Mounted with metal tops and chains; and
the wrist bag Is In M high favor az ever.
The exceedingly smart wrist bag ~ made
no longer 81 suede. but Of sweet morocco,
peTfImed Russia leather. OF velvet calfskin
II you want 20 pay the top price for a wrist
bag, ask for an imported one Of sea COW
skin, mounted In gun metal aud powdered
with diamond sparkle
Women who mislsy their purses and
suffer from that gentlest form % aberra-
tion called absence 81 mind are adopting
J~oyfully the Erglish eIpodieut ~ having
their baRs chained 90 their wrlrts A. the
chop wlsr. hue lratheT goods are suld
broad lizard skin, morocco, or Russia
heather bracelets may H. bought 60 buckle
Of lock on the lsft wnsi
ITOm the bras'let depends a short silver
OF gun metal chain that can 10 adjusted
% any bag ma ennctually prevents
any trCk- ~ euaut msmurV o. q pick
psokets and EhuuNftaTs Tie leather
hraorlrfs are made 10 hold watches, bat
the mnri fashionable ots- merely sho~ the
oNnrr- illtlals burnt 90 carved on th. skin,
and the ramr lettering 10 rrp~atrd ou the
bag the The chain ana hfEnelst guard