Chatelaine

Chatelaine, 1863 – 1885, probably England. Museum no. M.32:1 to 13-1969. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Empty a woman's handbag inside out and you've got the right idea about the chatelaine. Before purses were a woman's primary accessory, this curious contraption that fell into the annals o

V&A curator Lucia Savi shares the five most significant handbags from the V&A’s Bags: Inside Out exhibition, from Sarah Jessica Parker’s Fendi Baguette and Jane Birkin’s first-ever Hermès Birkin and Margaret Thatcher’s handbag.

Both decorative and functional, chatelaines carried useful household objects primarily for the ease of having each tool at hand at all times.

Authro Gail Carriger discusses the use of the chatelaine in Victorian history and for lady spies in her Finishing School series.

Victoria and Albert Museum | Before swiss army knives were invented, there was the chatelaine ✨ Intended to be both decorative and practical, chatelaines are belt… | Instagram

Chatelaines are decorative and useful waist-hung items that are both practical and decorative, which recreate the concept of the medieval chatelaine or lady of the castle wearing her keys at her waist. An extraordinary range is illustrated and described in detail with 300 in colour and 190 black & white illustrations for watches, fans, purses, perfume bottles, keys and spectacles. The period in the mid to late 19th century was when the fashion was at its peak and this comprehensive work will…

When writing this post, I initially started writing about how a problem facing many historical costumers is carrying all of our bits and bobs when many dresses come without pockets, and how finding…