Hip Flasks for Hip Women

May 21, 2015 – We saw an article in The Wall Street Journal recently about the growing popularity of hip flasks used by women.   So we decided to do a bit of research of our own.

We have one in a drawer somewhere that was handed down by a male relative.  It is classy brown leather with two collapsible tumblers and a well used but cared for patina.  The classic design is slightly curved to fit various body parts such as a hip pocket, the thigh or leg and usually made of metal or leather encased glass.  Stoppers were usually attached to avoid dropping and losing them.

The idea of smuggling a few snorts has been around for centuries but came of age in the 18^thcentury among the gentry, especially in England.  Imagine riding to hounds on a cold, foggy English morning without a little something to raise your spirits and warm you up.
Prohibition saw a surge in popularity of hip flasks for both men and women in this country. Naughty young women in the Roaring Twenties sported a flask hidden on the thigh or just below the knee secured with a garter.  Handbags were tiny so they had to be creative.

Today engraved flasks are a very popular groomsman gift but we noticed ads for bridesmaids and bachelorette sets.  While flasks are still mainly a guy thing, it is clear that sellers are catering to the female market, too.  Every web site we checked out had a selection of feminine designs. Zazzle.com has the largest selection for young women in pinks, rhinestones, faux fur, etc. and plenty with silly sayings or the opportunity to personalize a design, all reasonably priced.  On other sites we saw very creative designs, as well as traditional silver, pewter, leather and tartans.  One that caught our eye was divided vertically to hold liquor on one side and two cigars on the other.  Another had a tiny flask holding just one ounce as a keychain.

With Father’s Day around the corner, a flask might be a gift solution.  As for Mom, there’s always Christmas.