Typically, most people associate the purse with it being “a girl thing” and a desirable fashion accessory today.  But, the very first purses were not carried by girls and were not considered to be a fashion, or fun accessory.  They were purely functional and carried by men thousands of years ago, way before pockets were invented, to contain their valuable or necessary items.  Pouches, usually made of leather, or cloth, with a draw string at the top, or purses, were used to carry survival items such as flint and also to carry their money, in the form of coins or other valuables.

It is not uncommon for men to carry a purse today and the term used for the man purse is a “murse”.   After all, pockets alone, can’t hold all you need to carry at times, such as electronic equipment, books and documents.  A purse, it’s not just a “Girl” thing.