Most of my favorite lucite handbags are either unavailable, too expensive, or have imperfections. For one or more of these reasons I do not own one or have one in my collection of vintage accessories so far.
But lucite fascinates me because of its unique designs, the finish using a variety of materials added to it, and the history of lucite itself.
It does not mean that I never will. But serendipity has not shown itself to bring one into my life.
For now since I do not possess one, I am writing this blog post in recognition of my favorite lucite handbags. You can read more about them in this earlier blog post 1950s Lucite Handbags.
Types of My Favorite Lucite Handbags
I am aware of numerous types of lucite handbags. There are clear ones with and with out an etched design. Then there are clear or colored ones with another material on them. Third there are solid opaque ones. Last there are translucent colored one.
Clear and White Lucite Handbags Below are examples of clear or white lucite handbags with or without an etched design in them. White and clear Lucite handbags.
Brown or Dark Red Translucent and Opaque Lucite Below are examples of brown and dark red translucent and opaque lucite. examples of brown translucent lucite handbags
Colored Opaque Multicolor Lucite Below are examples of colored 3D Lucite or other materials in them. Colored Opaque decorated and 3D Lucite
Solid Colored Opaque Lucite Below are examples of pure opaque colored lucite handbags. Three examples of colored opaque lucite handbags Red is supposed to be the most rare and therefore the most valuable. I prefer it in opaque rather than a transparent red lucite.
A VINTAGE PINK LUCITE PURSE HANDBAG WITH CLEAR ETCHED LID displays the whimsical touches that made Lucite pocketbooks so popular after the deprivations of World War II: an angular Art Deco body featuring shiny strands of gold and silver lame embedded between laminated layers of pink Lucite, lollipop handle, and transparent carved lid through which the bag’s hot pink lining is visible. It sells on eBay for $355 on May 5, 2020.
In the late 1940s, a new material called plastic or lucite is introduced. Actually, these bags become extremely popular.
In fact, already noted designers such as Rialto, Llewellyn, Patricia of Miami, Wilardy, Miami Handbags, and Myles Originals design and produce. To make them accessible to women at all income levels, they sell for as little as $5. But then they also go up to around $75.
Examples of Lucite Handbags
Examples of Lucite handbags 1950s
“Women of all ages carry these bags, now works of art,” quotes Frank Maresca, coauthor with Robert Gottlieb of A Certain Style, The Art of the Plastic Handbag 1949-59 (Knopf). “They come in shapes such as beehives, lanterns, and hatboxes, and embellished with rhinestones, colored glass, pearls, and shells.”
Other Examples of Lucite Handbags As mentioned earlier several well known designer are also responsible for lucite handbags designs. They include Rialto, Llewellyn, Patricia of Miami, Wilardy, Miami Handbags, and Myles Originals. Regarding this are examples below.
Other samples of 1950s Lucite Handbags from Charles S. Kahn, Wilardy, and Florida Handbags
