The Handbag: An Illustrated History

If there any one item that women covet quite as much as a gorgeous handbag? With the possible exception of shoes, handbags have been the front runner for female fashion affection for quite some time. Now there is a book dedicated to this very topic: The Handbag: An Illustrated History by Caroline Cox.

It's full of amazing photographs and tons of information on the evolution of the handbag, from simple embroidered pouches to the luxurious designer bags of today, and everything in between. It will definitely inspire you to take stock of your purse collection and perhaps breathe new life into some of your old favorites - or maybe you'll just want to go shopping.

Buy the book from Amazon here.

Feel the need to shop for more bags? Check out some of fall's hottest styles here