Few people know that the popularity of mesh bags has lasted for over three centuries. Until the late 19th century, metal mesh bags were made by hand in Europe. But in 1876, a jewelry-making company called Whiting & Davis was established in Massachusetts. By 1910, advances in mechanization allowed the company to produce high-quality silver wire mesh, which they ingeniously fashioned into a variety of delicately designed handbags.

Another Massachusetts-based company, Mandalian Manufacturing Co., produced similar styles of equal quality. These purses were used for formal occasions and met the growing demands of wealthy women who wanted to carry a little money with them. With the increasing demands of flapper-era women in the 1920s, they began to use a variety of metals, including colored metals. The more ornate styles were stenciled with colorful enamel designs, with patterns ranging from art nouveau-naturalistic to art deco-geometric, mimicking the fashion of the day.

In 1940, Mandalian was bought out by Whiting & Davis, which had survived the dips in fashion demand and continues to operate today. The twin white mesh totes available at Bag Borrow or Steal are good examples of the 1960s styles, when there was a resurgence of interest in mesh due to its 'futuristic' look that suited the modernity and geometric designs of the decade. With mod-inspired themes being shown on the runway today, the design and stark coloring of mesh bags is as appropriate now as it was then.