So, I have said many, many times that I am addicted to purses. Which isn't really that bad when you think about the fact that it's calorie free, it's a form of recycling/reusing an object, and I have the complete support of my long suffering husband who has been dragged into thousands of antique stores over the years. There are worse vices than mine.
Really, you're not going to find these types of purses in the local Goodwill. I did find one at the flea market many years ago...flea markets are still great...but if you're on the hunt specifically for one of these purses, antique stores and auction sites seem to be the best bet.
I recently went to see the movie "Midnight in Paris" and one of the main characters, portrayed in the 20's, had one of these mesh bags. It is lovely....and nice to know that the costume designer had it right, right down to her handbag.
There are some great books out there, as reference, that have sections on mesh if you're interested:
"Handbags" by Roseann Ettinger
"100 Years of Purses" by Ronna Lee Aikins"Vanity Bags and Purses" by Roselyn Gerson
"Vintage Purses At Their Best" by Lynell K. Schwartz
They're actually really great books for purse lovers in general, featuring many different types of purses.
I've also included some pictures of purses that some would consider vintage rather than antique. These are the later versions of the mesh purse....Whiting and Davis being the most famous maker. Although the original metal mesh purses of the 19th and early 20th centuries are the delicate beauties of this group, the later purses of alumesh and beadlite enamel have a funky, vintage, modernity to them. And if you ever come across one of these shiny beauties, pick it up and run your fingers over it....the feel is silky and sleek. It's very tactile and I love to feel these purses. Does that sound strange? Probably! But try it the next time you see one and you'll know what I'm talking about!
