Clutches

Rafe is somewhat new to our site. Thanks to some loyal readers, one in particular , we have become more aware of Rafe recently. But for many of the bags I saw (which probably were not the best), something was always missing. I was never drawn right away to them. Until now that is. This Rafe Donegal Tweed Frame Clutch was love at first sight. Seriously, I am in love. Luckily when I fly down to Florida and the Bahamas next week, I plan on doing some shopping- and this little number is for sure on the list! If you shoulder is tired from being the only carrier of beautiful lush bags, why not buy a clutch for that beautiful hand of yours. I’m sure your hand will thank you if you get this baby. Showing off ‘rich wool with metallic threading and suede piping trim’, the Rafe clutch could just make me drool. How could you resist the contrast stitching, nickel hardware, frame top, and the two outside snap pockets with woven buttons?? For your convenience there is a hidden chain shoulder strap and inside zipper and open pockets. This clutch measures 6″H X 13″L X 3″W. For a not too shabby $275 via Saks, this bag could make you a hit this fall!

If you think you could match this clutch with some cute shoes, try the Rafe Marylebone Donegal Wool” Valerie” Rounded High Heels! That’d be super swanky n’ sassy! Buy them via Rafe for $252.

With my trying to help everyone indulge in affordable handbag and purse fetish, I realize a little black bag can not be left out. Is a black bag just like a little black dress? I know my mom always told me that you always had to have a sassy little black dress in your wardrobe for any occasion. I took her advice a few steps too far, hence I have quite a few “necessary” little black dresses in my closets. As for the bags, I also have probably a few too many black bags, but I just am trying to follow my mother’s advice. Let’s all just blame our mothers! (Maybe it will make you feel less guilty ~ ). Rounding out our first ever Affordable Wednesday, is the Express Front Flap Chain Handle Bag. I wish Express would have provided us with a little more information, like dimensions and some other fun little facts, but the necessities of the bag are given. This is a beautiful leather handbag (or could be used as a clutch). The bag is accented with a gold chain, gold ring closure, and a flirty little black tassel hanging from the strap. All of you ladies who swear you need another little black bag can indulge yourselves in this beauty; it is a mere $78 through Express.

I received a somewhat random email from Grace (if you are out there, feel free to reply and say hello!) with a link to this cute little clutch. I’m glad she sent it, for whatever reason, because I think it’s super cute! The Fiona Lambskin Clutch is simplistic with a touch of style. The clutch is made of red lambskin and has a focal point with its gold plated ring and its embossed leather ties. The inside is lined with black bengaline lining. You can access the top by its snap which both opens and closes the cute little bag. Measuring 6″ x 10″ and not costing an exorbitant amount like many other bags we feature, this clutch is available through Wrapables for $129.95.

Sometimes I feel like being flashy. Not tacky or gaudy but adding a lil pizzazz to an outfit. Most of the time, it depends on my mood. The Jimmy Choo Cracked Metallic Clutch brings just what some of us fun gals are looking for. The shape is stunning. Being a clean rectangular shape adds a modernized appeal to the bag. Another touch that puts us in the future is the shimmering-metallic leather. A last touch that also ads a modern feel is the shiny silver magnetic fold-down top and diary-lock closure and the grommet hardware (which comes with an adjustable belt). Let’s hop back from the future into now. Both purple and bronze are available (I chose the almost over-the-top purple) and the inside is lined in suede. If you want this hip little clutch (which sizes up at 3″H X 8″L X 2¼”W), you oughta be willing to spend $690 for it via Saks.

Who would have ever thought that quilted would be ‘in’? I guess I always had a stereotypical view of quilts. Quilts remind me of an old-lady past time. But with age I learned a bit of sophistication when it comes to fashion. I may not remember all of my calculus and derivatives, but I sure as heck remember styles that come and go and what makes it. Now do keep in mind that Chanel has been using the classic quilt pattern for quite some time- which is both timeless and elegant. So why not have some other designers take on the quilts? Well Marc Jacobs has decided to do just that. The Marc Jacobs Collection Quilted contains 3 numbers that I’m head over heels for.

First, the big momma of them all is the Marc Jacobs Collection Quilted Venetia. This bag (above) is a new way to look at the renowned Venetia bag with an added flair from the quilted Nappa leather and boisterous brass hardware. Both of the outside pockets show off Marc’s signature push-locks while the large brass pull with brass-tipped leather ties gives way to the top zipper closure. The inside of the bag is lined with soft suede and has a zipped pocket. I love this bag in Pearl but it is also available in Black. Whichever of these meets your fancy can be yours for $1200 through eLuxury.

Next we venture into the world of quilted clutches. Seems a little un-ordinary- that’s because it is. Clutches are a fashion must now-a-days (if you don’t own a cute clutch- please go buy one, and then nod your head with me about how it is a must). The Marc Jacobs Collection Quilted Zip Clutch infuses retro-modern with contemporary classic. Seems like an oxymoron- what it really is- is bea-uuuu-tiful! The clutch is made of grained, quilted leather, a bold placement of polished brass hardware, 2 signature push clasp pockets in the front,over sized signature zippers with leather pull tabs, and has a long zip top. The inside is quite a treat for any girl’s needs. The suede lined interior contains a divided center pocket, 2 slender side pockets, and 6 slots for credit cards or IDs. Humm… only 6??? Jk guys! As much as $450 is quite a bit of money, this clutch is well worth it. {via eLuxury}

How ’bout a somewhat pointless accessory?? Yea! Actually before I begin, I have a question: Which of you own a key holder- and for those of you who do, do you find it handy- and even more pointless of a question, does it just hold a key?? Ok on with the last of the quilted series. This Marc Jacobs Collection Quilted Key Pouch is also made of grained, quilted leather, has a zippered top with signature push clasp closure, features polished brass hardware, is lined in suede, and contains an interior key ring with a leather leash. A leash for your key… are you going to walk it? So this is what I call a “pointless purchase” but if you think it may complete your quilted series- then go for it. This pouch can be purchased for $195 through eLuxury.

Every girl has a little bit of attitude. If you are like me, you have a lot of it at times . So how can you show it off with a purse? I have it all figured out. Woo-hoo! If any of you recall way back to when I was having a hard time loving Isabella Fiore bags (if you don’t remember- just pretend you remember me talking about it), I just didn’t like her bags nor could I relate to the designs of many of them. But the Isabella Fiore Wicked Heart Coin Clutch is said to be the bag girls wear who are “wicked, naughty girls when they flaunt this bag in front of their friends”. Right on! This bag is sure to be a heartbreaker. Made of leather, the bag shows off a ‘wicked’ tattoo artwork. Around the word ‘wicked’ are airbrushed roses, a pulsing heart, gold-brushed metal studs, and a cut out in the shape of a heart. Adasa describes the coloring by saying, “We love the pink, with the deep pink trim and then there is the classic tattoo color, like the color of skin with a throbbing red heart, accented with a deep, rich brown for year round wear.” Hum sounds like some amazing colors to me. If you don’t want to use the bag as a clutch there is a chain included which would convert the clutch to a mini-bag. I just find the bag fun and flirty for a girl with some edge. It’s always nice to be a little on the wild side of things! This bag is available through Adasa for $100.

For some reason I’m on an evening bag/clutch kick. Sorry if you all are looking for something else, but just bare with me today. For some reason in the fall there are always events I have to go to that deem it necessary that I have a nice evening bag. Growing up I was just about the only kid from my family who ever wanted to attend fancy ball parties, or auctions, or opening of restaurants, or art galas, etc because to me it was a way to get a new outfit! (Again, really hope my dad is not reading this today, because yet again I will be getting the shaking of the head and “So that’s why she actually wanted to go all the time- I can’t believe I fell for it” look). Yikes. Maybe I won’t be invited anywhere nice with my parents again, but I am sure I will still need a new clutch at some point.

The Twelfth Street Embellished Velvet Clutch is beautifully and simply done. Where most of you will be so surprised is the price, which is quite low (it’s all relative of course). I guess I just really like the option of having a simple clutch that adds a little razz with the golden paillettes and the knotted side strap. The bag is not the most catching to the eye, but it really is a simple beauty. The clutch is designed with velvet, either pewter or petal which is pink. The opening is a simple zip top. I really believe this clutch could be the perfect accessory to an elegant outfit if you wear it right, and the price tag makes it all the merrier. You can buy it for only $175 through Neiman Marcus.

The name of Calvin Klein’s new evening clutch suggested something futuristic, perhaps along the lines of droid, Metroid, R2-D2… you get the idea. After doing some research on rhodoid, the shimmering variegated paneling indeed revealed to be quite fancy:

Cellulose acetate is an unusual plastic as it is made from purified cellulose, with wood or cotton linters being the raw material rather than petroleum. Wood cellulose is cheaper, but cotton cellulose is superior and used in quality products such as jewellery. The vegetable oils are completely removed during cellulose purification. The solid cellulose reacts with chemicals derived from acetic acid after which it becomes a viscous and clear slurry. The final material is dissolved in acetone and cast, usually into solid colour, transparent or translucent sheets. Vegetable and mineral pigments are used to give the sheets a huge range of colours and patterns. By repeatedly cutting and laminating these sheets, many more designs can be created.

Interesting, you learn something new every day. No doubt excellent craftsmenship was applied to turn the raw materials into this bombastic clutch, which would look just superb with a long, elegant evening dress. A fine satin-finished interior and a magnetic snap closure round off the clutch and turn it into your favorite evening companion for long nights out. For a steep $825.00 via eLuxury.

So either I am extremely poor compared to the rest of the world, or high end designer bags are not geared towards most of us. I’m going to go with option ‘B’ to boost my self-esteem. I love the Dior Detective line. It is appealing and enthralling. So when I spotted this new little Dior Detective Velvet Wrist Clutch I really thought to myself, “Hey, maybe I can add that little number to my collection”. Yeah right. Who am I kidding? This cute little velvet bordeaux clutch has beautiful tone-on-tone topstitching, fine leather trim, and shiny polished silver leather hardware. The little clutch size is 9″ x 4″ x 2.75″ which means you will be paying $7.77 per cubic inch. Now if you ask me, nearly $8 a cubic inch is far too much for many of us to be paying for a clutch. But it is still an adorable piece to add to your wardrobe, if of course, you can afford it. {Via eLuxury for $770)

Let’s all put our brains together and think about what this ‘clutch’ looks like/could be used for- I don’t think it is a practical clutch,
it is something else, but what? Why not all of you give input and we will choose a winner of the clutch description of the day!

I will still tell a little bit about this furry friend of ours. Of course it is made of ostrich feathers! The clutch has hidden two-toned handles (I sure don’t see them), leather trim on frame, a kiss-lock closure, and an inside pocket (that is if you can ever find the outside opening). For $395 (via Neiman Marcus) I would rather go find an ostrich and pluck it myself. All I would need is glue, my fingers, and a box like shape to glue it all to!