“but not one hanging on the forearm.”
You must be very young. Shoulder bags didn’t come in until the 1960s, late 60s. All the bags used to be like that, and be carried like that.
My mom used to wear gloves when she left the house on anything other than a menial chore. And get this - she’d only wear ONE of them, and carry the other. That was the style. With 3 little kids in tow she was doing all this! Carrying the glove, short handled purse, dress, stockings, makeup!
Personally I’m glad jeans, tee-shirts, sneakers and yes shoulder bags became acceptable.