Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam

The Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam, is housed in in a beautiful, historic canal house dating back to 1666. That in itself is interesting to see, but what woman doesn't like to see an exhibition of bags that takes you through 500 years of purse history? The museum often hosts other bag related exhibits, but I stuck to admiring the permanent collection.

The first bag I saw, was this big ugly looking thing. Obviously there were no Louis Vuittons and Chanels in the Middle Ages as bags back then were more of a necessity than a fashionable item. Clothing didn't come with pockets, you see, so purses were a must have and worn around belts by both men and women.

Then as time went on, it became more of a fashion statement and purses became prettier and bolder and because men decided to have pockets in their trousers and women didn't, a ladies only thing.

I loved the travel luggage room that showed how the industrial revolution allowed people to travel farther which needed suitcases as big as my wardrobe. Imagine lugging that through an airport now. There was even a Samsonite on display that would look very cool on a Virgin Galactic flight; decked out with sparkles and fit for travel into space. Let's hope I will see that day.

I ended my visit with a wander around the pretty garden in the back, followed by a cup of tea and cakes in the tea room looking out onto the canals. Handbags and cakes. What more could a girl want?

Check out more info on the museum's website.