Clutches

The style tip of the day is: wear animal prints this season but never mix match animal prints. If you wear an animal print dress, pair it with simple heels. If you opt for an animal print bag, then steer clear of other prints on your clothing. It sounds like I am stating the obvious, but some folks need some fashion guidance (no need to listen to me though really). Roberto Cavalli has combined jewelry with handbags to make the ultimate chic evening bag. Seriously, this bag could not get any hotter if it tried to. The Roberto Cavalli Animal Print Bracelet Bag is a gold and brown leopard print clutch bag with a gold serpent bracelet as handle. We do live in a fast paced world, but I am pretty certain I have not seen a clutch like this yet. The handle is a bracelet which takes care of 2 accessories at once. Seriously who would not like to kill two birds with one stone? This Cavalli number has gold leather piping trim and a spring clasp fastening to close the bracelet. I am seriously and totally digging this bag. Be super nice and donate this bag to me: via Net-A-Porter for $840.

My college years were spent partying like a Rockstar. College is the only time I can think that people go out 5 nights a week and do not walk around like complete zombies. While I cannot do what I did in college these days, there is still a little party girl in me and I am not completely lame yet. So for the nights that I want to go shake my groove thang, picking a clutch is key. The B. Romanek Crocodile Rockstar Clutch shows a fun wrap around ‘croc tail’ that makes its way around this colorful crocodile bag. I can imagine bringing sexy back with this 10″x5 1/2″ x 2″ clutch which is available in turquoise, dark green, cognac, or red. Yep, totally hot. The price is a bit too hot for me to handle right now, but I’ll keep shaking my rump and dreaming of having a rockstar clutch like this one. Buy through Barneys for $2,195.00.

‘Polka dots checks and stripes’ is a children’s song that I specifically remember watching on TV when I was young. Someone else please tell me that you too have heard this song! At the time I did not realize that polka dots were sometimes a very big fashion hit or miss. For this fall, they are a fashion do, that is if you do it right. An easy way to pull off polka dots is with a cute clutch. The Brit fashion designer Paul Smith has been around since 1970 with his unique designs and funky swirl pattern. To take on the polka dot pattern and add a personal flair, Paul Smith released the Paul Smith Polka Dot Leather Clutch. Black background gives way to the off-white polka dots on this frame top clutch. There is also a leather strap with buckle detail on the front and an interior pocket. Paul made this clutch sassy and perfect to be handheld, measuring 10.5″ x 5.5″ x 1.5″. For an affordable fall clutch will all the style needed, buy this via eLuxury for $540.

Florida is known as the Sunshine state. In the past week and a half I have seen nothing but rain. But today was absolutely GORGEOUS. So after I picked up Vlad from the airport, we went along the beach front road and made a pit stop at Bal Harbour Shops (which is my favorite place to shop of all time!!!) Patent leather was all over the place, on shoes and handbags galore along with geometric shapes and patterns on clothes. Justin Timberlake may be bringing sexy back, but fall 2006 is brining the 80’s back. My pick for a clutch that incorporates both patent leather and geometric shapes is the Marni Patent Leather Clutch. This framed clutch is made with light brown patent leather with a geometric chunky chain that alternates between tortoiseshell, gold oval, and large perspex links. The piping is cream colored which leads into the dark brown canvas lining and inside pocket. Hitting some of the major trends for fall, this clutch is available via Net-A-Porter for $1269.

I am sure you all know the song “Reunited and it feels so good”. That is my theme song right now I was a bit weary that the man would not make it here, but he was waiting for me after work at one of about 40 Starbucks in Times Square. We had a great dinner at a cozy Cuban joint in midtown, then I delighted myself in some Tasty-Delight (one of many reasons that I love NYC) and then I couldn’t go home without another Starbucks run. Turns out that I ate more than the man in this relationship last night- YIKES! Vlad is still on European time so we were in bed by 9 and awake at 7. Boo! But that makes today nice and long and gives us some time in the morning to post.

I surprised Vlad with 2 pair of tickets to Broadway shows while he is here. Tonight is the first one. For any show the best bag to take with you is a clutch. This is the one major department that my bag collection is lacking. Time to find the perfect clutch. The Fendi Metallic Pleated Folded Clutch
integrates the beauty of gold metallic with the texture of pleated fabric. The shape is a bit different and I love the purse clasp fastening along with the fold down component. While reading about the additions seems overwhelming, actually viewing them makes it all come together. There is gold leaf suede trim, silver rhinestones on one side, a gold logo on the other side, and orange satin lining on the inside. Although black resonates in my mind as the perfect clutch color, I find it perfectly fitting to need a metallic evening bag like this one. I may drag Vlad to go check it out with me today; after all, I am treating him to the Broadway shows right?! Buy this clutch via Net-A-Porter for $660.

I’m in a clutch mood this weekend. The Burberry Trench Check Clutch combines funky brown, tan, and yellow buckle trench print alongside brown leather trim. The clutch has a bit going on but also has a preppy feel that I love. The front of the flap has a circular golden lock closure. While this clutch would not be the clutch that matches most outfits, it is fun and cute for fall. The dimensions are 4 1/2″H x 13 7/10″W x 2/5″D. Buy it via Saks for $595.

Every lady knows how important the little black dress is. Speaking of which, I definitely need to go pick up a few new ones. As an essential part of the accessory wardrobe, every lady should also have a little black clutch. The Christian Louboutin Venus Satin Clutch manifests its beauty in black panels of satin with a gold frame. A square clasp closes the clutch and hides sexy red satin lining and a zip fastening internal pocket. While Louboutin is known for sexy shoes, this clutch is the perfect accent to Friday night outfits. Available via Net-A-Porter for $891.22.

I can’t decide if this evening bag looks cheap or cute. First glance, I think it looks cheap- second glance, I think it looks cute. While I wouldn’t use this handbag for many evening occasions, I can actually see it being cute for a summer night out. The Inge Christopher Starfish Brooch Clutch made of silk taffeta and then covered with mesh net for a ‘nautical, romantic look’. Nautical yes, romantic possibly, and fun yes. If you accept that this clutch is merely for fun on moonlight night then the beach inspired shapes with sparkle accents are the perfect accents. Along with this is a large starfish brooch which is removable. The dimensions are 6 3/4″ wide x 2 1/2″ deep x 4″ high and you can’t really go wrong with a price of $95.95 at Zappos.

During grade school and high school I really had no choice but to be preppy. Private school does that to you. But now that I can dress the way I choose, I do find myself still sporting the preppy look from time to time. For some reason, I have a place in my fashionable heart for argyle. Those diamonds just get me going The Michael Kors College Knit Bag shows off a camel, brown and white argyle knit which is offset by tan leather trim and golden hardware. The simplicity of this bag is perfect for a classy lady trying to give herself a bit of a preppy look. Topping off the bag is a shoulder strap with chain-link insets and a frame top with a push-lock closure. This cute little preppy bag measures 6 1/2″H x 13″W x 2″D and is ready to be pre-ordered via Bergdorf Goodman for $450.

Because of the summer sun, Vlad and I decided to venture out to play some tennis yesterday. I was confident that although I have not played in about… hum 15 years…. I would still be good. Wrong!! I can not tell you how many times I just missed the ball. How do you miss a ball that size when you have a racquet that big?! But it was an amazingly fun/funny time. So while I am just letting summer settle in, it seems that designers are ready to release the look for fall. There is something about the Valentino Floral Appliqué Clutch that catches my eye. The clutch is sassy and reminds me of something Sarah Jessica Parker would wear in Sex and the City. With a leather bow on the shoulder strap, the bag has a very girly feel to it. Like some of my favorite Bottega bags, this Valentino clutch is designed from supple black leather with floral appliqués. You can pre-order this bag via Bergdorf Goodman for $1080 (expected to ship by 10/09/2006).