Clutches

Sometimes you look at a bag and know immediately what it reminds you of, without having to give it much thought or effort. Those are my favorite bags - it’s like they come with a blog post built-in for my convenience! And really, it’s thoughtful for designers to help me out like that. Who said that fashionistas never think of others?

And today, fake-tanned mensch Michael Kors is here to help with the Michael Kors Runway Clutch. The little evening bag has the distinct look of the late 80s and early 90s to me - an era of bright colors, strong shoulder pads, and shiny accessories. Patent neon pink is probably one of the strongest color statements a designer can make with a bag, and a shade like this references a very specific period in time - about 20 years ago. The strong edges at the top of the clutch, combined with the super-shiny polished silver hardware, remind me a lot of the ’supermodel’ era - when Cindy, Christy, and Naomi strutted the catwalk in the things with huge shoulder pads and Kate Moss was just another skinny British chick. Such clear references combined with such clean lines give customers a great way to incorporate a retro trend in a super stylish way. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $595.

Everyone has that girlfriend in their group that is, after approximately a glass and a half of white wine, completely hammered, carrying her high heels in her hand, and asking everyone if they’ve seen her handbag. And no one has seen it, because she left it sitting on the back of the toilet at the last bar you were in, and its contents have already been pillaged. She will sleep on your couch that night, and you and your other friends will talk amongst yourselves, trying to figure out how anyone can lose her purse on a glass and a half of Santa Margherita. Her cell phone will be for sale on Craigslist the next day. If you don’t have that friend right now, think back to your early 20s - that girl, remember her?

Well, if you’re still friends with the drunken purse-loser, here’s what you should get her for her next birthday: the Alexander McQueen Faithful Leather Glove Clutch. See, she can stick her little hand in the attached glove, and she won’t have to worry about having to hold on to anything - the clutch will hold on to her! And even if you’re not prone to putting things down and wandering off, this clutch is a fabulously 80s addition to any wardrobe and something that no one else will at any party will be able to hold a candle to in the handbag department. It’s different from anything else on the market and so classically McQueen in a witty, winking way that it just may become a collector’s item. I can’t guarantee it, but it’s so fresh and funny that it certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Buy through Saks for $895.

This is an interesting one. Now, I’m not a big fan of animal prints, save for my tiny soft spot for zebra, nor do I consider myself a fan of furry bags, which inevitably bring up images of those gift bags with pink fur… yikes. But when I saw this Christian Louboutin Leopard-Print Clutch in person yesterday, it was pretty captivating. Maybe it’s the longer-than-usual length of the clutch, or the big bow, or the leopard print (I thought it was leopard fur at first), but it catches your eye.

As you know, I’m not so sure how I like bows on bags; I don’t like bags to look like gifts. But here, I’m not fixated on the bow because it completes the clutch. Think about it: how naked would this clutch look without the bow, with just the print? Though I can’t see myself wearing it, I can see that it would look amazing with a slinky dress and sky-high heels, and it just seems like something that some celeb will inevitably pick up for a red-carpet walk. If anything, the material itself –leopard print on pony hair- seems pretty ingenious to me. Buy through Saks for $940.

I think that this clutch is just about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen, but I realize that it’s hardly everyone’s taste. I have a very particular look for things that I tend to buy - I sent Megs a link to a pair of Chloe motorcycle boots that I loved recently, and her reaction was “Oh, those are so you.” They were covered in zippers and buckles, black leather with silver hardware. I have a particular point of view, and I can’t even begin to estimate the amount of times that my friends have looked at something I wanted and said, “Huh. That looks like you.”

Which is not only why I like the Alexander McQueen Knuckle Buster Clutch, but also why I like Alexander McQueen in general. He has a look and he goes with it, particularly in his clutches, and he seems to care little whether or not they have a wide appeal. They’re kitschy, fun, and reflect the punk and goth subcultures in the UK with which McQueen has always been so intimately connected. The scull-topped “brass” knuckles that form the handle to this clutch are so utterly brilliant and weird that I almost don’t know what to say about them, except to say that they are so very McQueen. His insistence on making quirky, interesting things is something that we should all celebrate, even if those things aren’t your taste (but they certainly are mine). Buy through Saks for $1595.

I have always had an affinity for Judith Leiber pieces. While her box clutches are stunning, it is always the animals and other objects that catches my undivided attention. To be honest, I have no event in the near future to wear one of these clutches too. But I so badly want to find a reason to splurge on a Leiber piece. I still love the cupcake, which was featured on SATC movie with Charlotte’s little girl Lily, and there are so many animals that they do magnificently.

Care to flash your eye for style? The Judith Leiber Owl Crystal Embellished Clutch is a wise piece. I look at Leiber pieces as art pieces, true collector items that can be put on display. The Owl is totally cute, hand-crafted with multicolored Swarovski crystals. There is a chain shoulder strap and an inside mirror. I would be a bit worried about this clutch banging anything, for fear of losing a crystal or two. But this is a conversation piece, that would look nothing but amazing with a little black dress for a night on the town or at a swanky event. Buy through Net A Porter for $4050.

The week is beginning to wind down. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t look forward to the weekend? I will be the first to say, I always look forward to the weekend! When I think of the weekend, I can’t help but think about which fabulous clutch I will carry out. For day four of our amazing giveaway with Luxaholics, there is a fabulous exotic clutch up for grabs. This Adriana Castro Crocodile Modish Clutch is a head turner. Retailing at $1530, what better way make this yours than by winning it!

As you have probably noticed, I adore structured bags. They have such an inherent sophistication in them, like someone plucked them out of some ancient photograph and spiced them up a bit, of course. This Alexander McQueen Izzie Clutch is the latest bag in this shape that I have found. I love the hardware, even if the gold is a little too gold-y for me, a tad too garish. It’s the shape I’m obsessed with. The clutch itself, on the other hand, is a different story.

The iridescent patent leather reminds me of one of those glow-in-the-dark frogs, but I obviously don’t want this on a purse. It’s the same color as McQueen’s Skull Clutch, which Shannon reviewed, but the color is considerably cuter on that clutch than on this one. And while I love the retro turn lock closure, it’s what is on the back of the bag that I’m not a fan of. Why is there a wrist strap on the back? I can understand having a thin wrist strap on the side, but why make it flush with the back? Oh McQueen, if only this clutch came in another (normal) color- without that strap. Buy through Zappos for $1527.

Not a lot of news to report on this subject, but I thought you ladies might enjoy seeing a picture of what’s to come from my personal favorite clutch designer - the Celestina Cruise 2010 Collection.

One of Celestina’s strong suits is making clutches out of unexpected, non-traditional materials. Most handbag designers limit themselves to animal skins and maybe some straw or canvas, but beyond that, there’s little creativity. Well, not these folks. They specialize in using materials like wood, shell, and metals to craft incredibly inventive, stylish little bags for every occasion that you could imagine.

Here we have two excellent examples - first, their famous woven box clutch in what appears in be a new bronze iteration (they’ve done sterling silver in the past). The clutch is simultaneously subtle and complicated, a combination that is incredibly hard to achieve. The second clutch appears to be a completely new design, probably made out of sterling silver, which appears to have beautiful, glowing mother of pearl on the bottom. These clutches are typical of the Celestina aesthetic and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store in future collections.

Photo via WWD.com

The Jalda Gold Mirror Audrey Convertible Clutch is no wallflower. The shiny mirrored gold clutch would make even Midas blush. In the style of Jalda clutch handbags, this sleek clutch is the classic Audrey convertible. Pair this mirrored leather clutch with a white and navy ensemble for a classic polished summer look. The dual use bag converts from a compact clutch into a tall tote with cut out handles for added carrying room. The interior turquoise grosgrain lining adds a delightful splash of color.

Jalda Gold Mirror Leather ‘Audrey’ Convertible Clutch, $282.00 at Bluefly
Save on the Jalda with an exclusive Bluefly.com Coupon Code - THEFIND30 $30 off your first order at Bluefly.com Good through 6/30/09

via The Find

Monday, sigh. It is always a little bit harder for me to get out of bed on Monday morning. I don’t know if I think hitting the snooze button a few extra times helps draw out the weekend just for a few minutes longer or what. No matter what, getting out of bed this morning was no exception. Are any of you feeling the same way today? Well, I hope to help jump start your day with two of my favorite things, handbags and voting on them!

The Stella McCartney Patent Rivet-Detail Clutch is a handbag worthy of a “Love it/Hate it” vote. I saw this clutch last week and couldn’t decide how I felt about it, so I thought about it a bit over the weekend. And guess what, I still don’t know if I would give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. This black patent fold-over clutch is adorned with gold-tone rivet detail. The size of the rivets varies a bit but don’t seem too big or too small. Open up the clutch and you’ll find two internal compartments. This is a feature I love. Although clutches are small, it helps to find what you may have put in the bag. For whatever reason there are times when I swear to you, I search longer for my keys in a clutch than in a large hobo. Ok, I digress. Help me out here, what do you think about this bag? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $725.

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