As handbag fashion moved into the late 1960's and mid 1970's, we saw an increase in the "designer" handbag look ~ tooled leather, animal fur, snakeskin, lizard skin, decoupage on wood, cowhide, etc.

There remained an abundance of other artistic genre that created gorgeous handbags as well ~ different colors of mesh made into classy evening clutch handbags, Italian made satchels and totes, jeweled and sequined purses, velvet and tapestry hippie purses, wool knitted felted boho chic shoulder bags, petit point stitched evening bags, crocheted handbags, vinyl box purses and so many more eyecatching handbags, evening bags, totes and shoulder bags.

Designers of the day were Whiting and Davis, Andrew Geller, Abraham Straus, Collins of Texas, Nicole Miller, and Gucci.

Handbags went from the sleek chic of the 1950's through a classy yet boho chic phase in the 1960's and 1970's ~ I think that phase ~ which has been around since the Victorian era of handbags in one form or another ~ will always be here to stay.

Handbags and purses from this era are considered "collectible" not yet vintage, as "vintage" applies when an item is 50 years old up to 99 years old. "Antique" status kicks in when an item is 100 years old or older.