An impeccably researched and beautifully produced concise history of bags through the ages, with examples drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museums remarkable collection.

From the hand-stitched embroidered purses of the 16th century, to the make-do-and-mend bags of the war years and the rise of the It bag in the 2000s, bags reflect the needs and desires of their users, as well as the changing attitudes to fashion. Focusing on the V&As world-famous collection, Bags tells the story of the bag from the earliest leather pouches through to todays covetable, luxury pieces.