About Retro Shoulder Bags
Use of Messenger, Cross Shoulder and Airline Bags have seen a huge renaissance over the past few years.
This growth has been matched by the widespread appreciation and adoption of what we now call ‘Retro’ and ‘Vintage’ styles. Homages are being made to almost every every area of the home (both inside and outside). This is particularly true in the area of fashion, where we are seeing an ever increasing nod to the past from some of the world’s leading brands.
This site takes a look back at some of these iconic retro brands which are still in production today. Indeed leading long standing brands such as Adidas, Puma, Slazenger, Dunlop and many more have resurrected some of their earlier designs and either left them as they were 40 years ago, or added a few touches or internal changes to make them perfect for use and as relevant today as they ever were.
History of Messenger Bags
This site takes a look back at some of the earliest classic designs of the Messenger Bags or Shoulder Bags. Many of these designs owe their origins to the turn of the 20th Century and draw from military use. The classic design of the messenger or dispatch bag has changed very little, this is because of their ease of access, expanding capacity and practicality in their common use of the cross shoulder straps (leaving hands free to carry or do other things).
Aside from the original practical ‘Khaki Canvas’ finish there were and are many examples of soft faux and real leather varieties available. Some of the more primative versions can trace their origins to the USA where they were often used like saddle bags by the military carrying Dispatches and itinerant cow herders in the US and South American countries such as Argentina, such are their versatility.
From the Beatles to the ‘Jet Setters’
Fast forward to the 1950’s and 1960’s to the post war age which began to see an explosion in international commercial passenger Airlines and we can begin to see the gradual emergence of Advertising Branding through merchandising. The classic shoulder Bags as used by Pan Am Airlines (Pan American), TWA (Transworld Airlines), BEA (British European Airways, BOAC (British Overseas Airline Corporation) and Lufthansa to name just a few gave the wearer not only practicality but a certain degree of Kudos. The appeal of such classic and often simple designs evoke a bygone time whilst allowing a younger generation to express their individuality today.
At around the same time as the early Classic cross shoulder ‘Airline’ style bags with its association of exotic ‘jet-setters’ and James Bond wannabees, that the great driver of trends and fashion, the Music industry was also seeing rapid changes as more and more artists began to loosen their collars, leading to the nascent popularity of the old skool ‘Crooners’ taking more of a back seat. This made way for the new order of bands such as the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley each of which had their own fashion identities and styles.
For the fashion conscious youths of the early 1960’s, the Shoulder bag also gave wearers a way to let others know who they followed. As an example in the UK the rivalled gang factions of the ‘Mods’ v ‘Rockers’, the Shoulder Bag with its emblazoned Target emblem together with ‘Sharp’ suits and ‘Parka’s soon became a part of the essential youth Regalia.
From Sports to Fashion
The sheer practicality of the Messenger Bag with its cross shoulder and easy access zip began to attract the attention of larger sports clothing manufacturers who saw the shoulder bag as a great way of helping to keep their brand name in the public eye at no extra cost. By branding with their company logos and trying to secure their places within the pantone colour spectrum, Messenger and Shoulder bags encouraged free publicity for their companies. As rules regarding sports sponsorship were relaxed and commercial TV entered its halcyon days that there followed a period which saw the emergence of closer links between events (such as the Olympic Games, Tennis, Football Clubs etc) and other large sportswear and other companies. This often extended to the wide use of ‘merchandising’ to help to develop their brand images.
Some of the early Bag designs and Logo’s from the 1970’s and 1980’s remain in high esteem by some of today’s youths even though they were not born when they originally appeared. It is this enduring homage to Retro and Vintage iconic designs which has been embraced by this website as we have gone in search of those products which have proven to survive the test of time and even flourished.
This pattern has continued to today with Films, Cartoons, Fads and Gaming all having their own ‘associated merchandise’ which often includes a logo or scene emblazoned shoulder bag amongst their products.
Today and the Rise of Retro
Fast forward to today and we see the use of some of these so called retro Brands either ressurecting their range or developing new designs which pay homage to their origins. In particular the original designs of Adidas, Puma and many others Nike some of which date back to the 1960’s retain their position as some of the most desirable and best sellers in the UK today. Whilst they are still used to carry sports clothing to and from the gym, they are now also now the prized possessions of many students and seen as playing a key part role as coordinated fashion accessories.
In parallel with the huge rise in the use of the Day Bags or Rucksacks, Backpacks, the Messenger or Shoulder bags with its ease of use and simplicity mean that it has almost replaced the use of the once must have accessory of the go ahead businessman (the briefcase).
The shoulder bag or messenger shows no sign of dissappearing. Its iconic and practical design has meant that there are few major fashion labels which do not have their own version. This includes fashion brands such as Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Aquascutum and almost all fashion houses.
The Future – Sports Lifestyle ?
The last decade has also seen a huge rise in the number of ‘lifestyle brands’ appearing in the fashion world. Whilst their main business remains their clothing ranges, virtually every name from Ted Baker to Jack Wolfskin have their own version of the shoulder of messenger bag, Indeed, there are very few major lifestyle brands which do not include one or more in their fashion range.
We all need to carry things and the practicality and ease of use of humble Shoulder Bag has survived the test of time. Whether you are looking for a high end Designer brand name or a simple low cost canvas or PVC offering featuring the name of your favorite Band you will probably find examples of what you are looking for on Retroshoulderbags.co.uk
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