Which of these is a small handbag?

Thank you, Majority. I'd never heard this term before.

This bag didn’t stay out of style. I distinctly remember them from the 20th century as well. Usually used as an evening bag

For some reason I associate reticule with the antebellum south in America, probably from reading about ladies using them in stories about that era. I knew about the pockets referred to from reading about the seemingly oddly titled nursery rhyme; "Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket." How do you lose a pocket? "Historically, the term "pocket" referred to a pouch worn around the waist by women in the 17th to 19th centuries. Skirts or dresses of the time had an opening at the waistline to allow access to the pocket which hung around the woman's waist by a ribbon or tape. The opening in the skirt was formed by leaving unstitched, near the waist, the panels of fabric for the skirt." - Wikipedia

Myffa, A lot of people seem to use it without citation. Personally, I wouldn't go after just one.

Once again Brian I plagiarises Wikipedia for the answer. Missing bets out doesn' t make it OK. Why dont you acknowledge that is where you trawl your explanations from ?

arohanui, What do you mean? Pockets are still very much in fashion. Even some wedding dresses have pockets and I have a Bohemian style skirt with pockets.

I say bring back pockets!!!