Bucket Bags from 1958

by Charlotte Webb
© 2003, all rights reserved.


Rincon High Home Ec
Home Ec. Class at Rincon High, Tucson, 1958
There are four bucket bags on the table in the foreground.
Detail of two bags on left, Rincon High
Detail of two bags on right, Rincon High
Camelback High Library
Library at Camelback High, Phoenix, 1958
Another bucket bag.

 Detail of CBHS Library Detail of Camelback picture, showing side view of a bucket bag.
Bucket bags were a huge fad from Fall 1957 through Spring 1959. Most girls had at least one, black being the most popular color. The bags had an oval base with a major axis of about nine inches and a minor axis of around five inches. The sides were about nine inches high.

Bucket bags were made of leather, lined with rayon or cotton, and the sides and bottom were supported by sturdy cardboard. There was no clasp. The purse was closed by folding the two sides over one another on the top. The only hardware consisted of two brass rings attaching the handle to the purse. Through one of these rings, a girl would sometimes tie a 12" square silk bandana that matched the day's outfit.

Cruisin


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