Handbags

[Zhills]

Try train case type  or "fishing creel" type.  OR "purses from the 1950s.  Found several.  Remember the clear plastic one?

[Q4u]

Yes I remember because I had one in Pink and it was purchased from a local Department Store (Walker Scott I think)... loved it.  Looked and operated just like a small train case but was marketed as a purse.  Same kind of latch on the front and same kind of plastic-type padded handle. Mine was made of a leatherette type material in pink and had silver tone hardware on the corners and around the edges as well as the handle anchors.  

I think your descriptive words are good, can't think of additional ones, the only thing to add is that I would describe it in both "travel" categories as well as "purse/handbag" because today it can be used for so many other things.... but yes, in the 60's it was definitely a trend and could be purchased most anywhere.

[Q4u]

BTW, this style came around 1963, part of a "Mod" look when the Beatles came on the scene.  With go-go type boots and the little English beret, it was part and parcel with all that.  But it wasn't from the 50's .... early 60's.... 

[suzyQ3]

I know exactly what you're talking about. My friends and I all had them way back when. It must have been right around the late 1950s or early 1960s. Ours were of a material like lucite.

[madzonie]

OMG...thank you ALL for the cool responses!!  Love the pics posted, too!  And thank you for the suggestions as to what to search for.

Q4U  -  I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head with the description of yours!  Mine was also a leatherette type of material, with the padded handle.  It was NOT a high-end case  -  just bought at a department store.    We were a farm family of modest means, and I never had anything that was trendy or "in style" at the time except for this little purse which I loved!

It had to be around 1961-62-63 as I was in high school.  I graduated in 1965 and think by that time, the whole train case "craze" was over and I was using mine to hold junk.

I'm off to do some more searching...thanks again EVERYONE for the help and most inreresting posts!!

[madzonie]

Love these  -  but mine was much smaller!

[madzonie]

Fascinating...never heard of this!  Mine was purchased already assembled, but what a cool idea!

[madzonie]

OH!!  I love this!  Thanks!

[sidsmom]

@suzyQ3 I used your description of lucite to further define.

@madzonie something like one of these?

[madzonie]

Close...but a bit too big!  Thanks!