THE ANATOMY OF A HANDBAG

1. Drop: Measure from the height of the top handle (in the middle of the handle) down to the top seam of the bag body.
2. Height: Measure from the center top seam of the bag to center bottom seam of the bag.
3. Length: Measure the front of the bag from the bottom left seam to the bottom right seam.
4. Width (often referred to as the Gusset): Measure from the front side seam to the back side seam.
*Keep in mind that handbag sections often taper or widen, so it is a good idea to specify any size variations of the section that you have measured.

KEY TERMS

Piece Good: Material that a bag is mostly composed of, for example pie, fabric, etc.
Trim: Any material that is used as an accent or decoration.
Top Handle: A type of handle not long enough to go over the shoulder, it allows the bag to be held in the hand or in the crook of the elbow.
*The top handles of this bag are "rolled," which is a treatment applied to the material to give it a tubular shape (as opposed to a flat handle).
Seam: The line where piecegoods are stitched together.
Top Zip: A type of zippered main closure that runs along the top of the bag body.
Hardware: Any metal, plastic or jewel that acts as a connector, closure, clasp, or decoration.
Bag Body: The central and largest compartment of the handbag.
Flap: Portion of the bag or pocket that reaches over the top of a gusset, usually closing the top opening of the gusset.
Top Stitch: Any visible stitching, usually close to seams. Top stitching can be decorative, functiona l, or both.
Gusset: The triangular end piece of a handbag or pocket that gives depth.
Feet: Small, usually metal, pegs placed on the bottom of a bag to add stability and protect.
Zipper: A fastening device consisting of three major parts:
a.) zipper teeth;
b.) zipper tape;
c.) zipper pulley. Each of these should be specified when requesting samples.
*Often, a small D-ring {D-shaped metal ring) with a stitched zipper tab or a tassel acts as a zipper pulley.