1950s Lucite Handbags

In the late 1940s, a new material called plastic or lucite is introduced. Actually, these bags become extremely popular.

In fact, already noted designers such as Rialto, Llewellyn, Patricia of Miami, Wilardy, Miami Handbags, and Myles Originals design and produce. To make them accessible to women at all income levels, they sell for as little as $5. But then they also go up to around $75.

Examples of Lucite Handbags

“Women of all ages carry these bags, now works of art,” quotes Frank Maresca, coauthor with Robert Gottlieb of A Certain Style, The Art of the Plastic Handbag 1949-59 (Knopf). “They come in shapes such as beehives, lanterns, and hatboxes, and embellished with rhinestones, colored glass, pearls, and shells.”

Other Examples of Lucite Handbags As mentioned earlier several well known designer are also responsible for lucite handbags designs. They include Rialto, Llewellyn, Patricia of Miami, Wilardy, Miami Handbags, and Myles Originals. Regarding this are examples below.

In addition to the above, you can read more about 1950s Lucite Handbags at My Favorite Lucite Handbags and other alternative accessory materials on the blog post Alternative Fashion Materials.

SOURCES & RESOURCES

They Loved Lucite Purses from the Atomic Age
RETRO VINTAGE LOLA VON ROSE RED PURSE HANDBAG LUCITE
Charles S.Kahn Lucite Purses on ebay
Lucite Purses: What Is It? What Is It Worth?
A Certain Style, The Art of the Plastic Handbag 1949-59 by Frank Maresca, coauthor with Robert Gottlieb(Knopf)