Clutches

Let’s face it: when we are going out for an fancy evening on the town or just trying to dress up some, not only must we worry about our handbag to take along with us, but also the outfit we plan to wear. It eventually comes down to the fact that something has got to give. Preferably, I would not want it to be the bag, but then again outfits costs an armload. And if you need to have a budget for all of it to begin with, why not still be dressed chic? This is why I love Banana Republic. I was browsing there online store (which by the way has some totally to-die-for new items) and this Banana Republic Quilted Satin Clutch grabbed my attention for both the low price and the alluring style. Made with lustrous silk satin and quilted with metallic thread, this long clutch will grab anyone’s attention. Only adding more elegance is the distinctive prism clasp. The clutch is s stunning 4 1/4″ x 13″ x 1/2″. For a mere $48 at Banana Republic this clutch can not be passed up.

Make sure to shop around their store, I am in love with this Midnight vine strapless dress! I think I shall go buy it, even though I have no where to wear it to

You know how you can see a bag, and then you can imagine what outfit it would look perfect with? I do it all the time. Somebody needs to tell my brain I am not an heiress to a multi-billion dollar corporation, I can not even afford my own thoughts. But I can share them with you and see if any of you agree or think crazy thoughts like myself. I often find myself looking at a bag that is impractical. A bag that would only match a handful of outfits (that I probably do not even own). But when I get that image in my head, I’m done. It’s embedded in my memory and I want to nab that look. This is where my biggest problems come into play. Which of you do the same thing? (Somebody please speak up and make me think I’m not alone in this world!!)

So when I ran into this Zac Posen Raffia and Leather Studded Clutch my mind immediately began to think of the perfect outfit with it. I have it in my head perfectly. Too bad it’s only about one outfit I can think of. But nevertheless this bag is more practical than one would assume. A classic pair of jeans and a tee could be seen with this bag and all would be good! Made of beautiful blue leather and nude raffia, this curved clutch gives me something to smile about. The bag also shows off a metallic ‘Z’ design and silver studs, who doesn’t show studs now-a-days? Also the bag has red lining with blue stitching and silver studs in cut-out detail on front, plain cut-outs on back and a thin leather strap. The interior is lined in soft beige suede and contains an interior pocket. Just what the doctor ordered! I love a bag that is out of the ordinary, and this bag does it for me. Here comes what the doctor did not order, the rather exorbitant $690 price tag on Net-A-Porter. I guess this leaves me with my perfect mental image of myself with the bag for now…

I have always remembered when anyone asked me to sit; I stood, asked me to laugh; I cried, asked me to be nice; I was mean, etc etc. And I know whenever I was in class and or listening to a presentation and I should be quiet, I laughed. It is human nature sometimes to do the exact opposite of what you should. Or again, is that just me? I will admit it and apologize again, sorry Mom & Dad, I was a rowdy child. But I know situations like this still happen to people everyday. Maybe not so bad, but they do. Like when you are at a very important banquet and the speaker is so boring that… you have counted each person in the room, counted each tile on the ceiling, thought of everything you had to do for the next 5 years- only to look up and realize, he is still talking. Now I have found a clutch that will serve multiple purposes for all of us ladies.

Next time you realize you are going to a dinner party, banquet, speech, etc and you need a little black clutch, go for the Donna Karan Iconic Flap Clutch. This clutch will serve multiple purposes for each of you. First of all from outer appearance the bag is exquisitely glamorous. Combining supple calfskin with contrast topstitching only adds ingenuity to the design. The bag also features a flap closure with a hidden magnetic clasp and beautiful soft suede lining with a golden “Donna Karan” plaque inside. But here is the fun part ladies. Golden rivets with brass weights dangle from the bag adding an alluring dazzle and also a way to keep from becoming mind-numbingly bored. Next time you are out socially and begin to hear things about the bull and the bear, the Dow, and Uncle Leeroy’s Porsche- just look down at your clutch and begin to flick the brass weights. I’d even come up with a game in my head to see if I could cause a ripple effect if I flicked hard enough and so on. As long as you still have a little imagination left in you (or a lot of boredom), this bag has endless possibilities. And like I said before the bag is actually gorgeous. This end-boredom clutch can be yours at eLuxury for $435.

Looking for the perfect really late Mother’s Day gift, new mommie’s gift, gift for the girlfriend/wife, or would you just like to capture a memory forever? I did not think I would love the idea of a customized personalized clutch as much as I do. The Mary Jane Leather Clutch is what looks to be a simple clutch, but it is so much more. The chic clutch shows off beautifully tanned black cowhide the backside, and a vintage photo on the front. Also the lining is made of duponi silk, there is a zipper closure, and a leather wrist strap. The clutch is sized around 8.5″ x 5″. This clutch is available on Mary Jane Appel for $48.

But I’m only getting started. Here comes the fun part. Mary Jane offers 30 of their own pictures, many of well known sites, cities, scenery, monuments, and people. If none of these meet your fancy, or you are interested in customizing your own clutch with your own photo, Mary Jane offers this option. You can use your own photo, either black and white or color. All you have to do is send the desired picture to MARY JANE APPEL, INC, who will take care of digital scanning, sizing and printing. For the customized version, fill out the form at Mary Jane Appel and the clutch will cost $73.

Good ol’ Aldo Furlanetto would be proud of what his children Giovanna, Carlo and Paolo achieved with the leather accessories business that he had established in the late 1920’s. Furla was one of the first luxe brands to create a worldwide franchising network and to utilize a store concept that became a “case study” for many companies later on. So much about the business outlook on Furla. Along the fashion side (that we really all care about), Furla has offered Italian quality leather bags and accessories in superb quality for years, yet keeping their products affordable.

Browsing their online store (which is a great shopping alternative to their numerous brick and mortar stores across the US), I couldn’t possibly ignore the Furla Pearls Clutch which immediately struck me with its shape and overall appeal. The clutch is made of iridescent nappa leather which is enhanced with an abstract stitching. The flower detail with its oversized pearl adds a very nice touch, making this clutch a great accessory for late nights out. The inside sports nylon lining and an extra zip pocket. The clutch comes in three pinkish shades and the interesting Onyx color, that I chose to display today. For a discounted $147 via Furla’s online store.

Chic handbags in high quality do not have to be super exclusive, crack your bank account and cost your husband’s last nerve. Afterall, you won’t have to justify these two purchases that I am about to suggest, as they are actually very reasonably priced. Coming from Banana Republic are the $98 bamboo-accent leather slouch and the $48 python-embossed hard clutch.

The slouch comes in pink ice and plain white and gives off a tropical touch with its bamboo links and golden metal hardware. The outer is made of leather while its inside is made of cotton twill lining. Its shoulder strap drops 8 1/2 inches, while the overall dimensions measure 8 3/4″ x 15 3/4″ x 1/2″.
Banana’s hard clutch is a cute gem that I truely adore. Its rectangular box shape, along with the Italian leather’s faux python emboss, satin twill lining on the inside and golden metal trim round off this wonderful clutch. Even more wonderful is the price. For $48 this clutch in sarong red or white is a true steal. Get ‘em while they’re hot!

If you haven’t realized, we have been much more money conscious lately, for those of you who can’t spend hundreds of dollars on bags, clutches, wallets, accessories. For the nights when you want to go out and hate to carry a purse because of its large size, take a clutch. Clutches are the new “evening bag” but are able to be taken to a hip club or just out on the town. The fashion industry can not get enough of them lately. For a lineup of 3 beautiful clutches under $100, I think I can keep your attention. All from Cole Haan, these clutches are chic and cheap.

Starting off with the Cole Haan Mini Frame Clutch from the Trinity Silk Tweed Collection, elegance meets practicality. Of the three, this bag is the most sophisticated and could be used for a fancy dinner or with a cute pair of jeans and tee for a night on the town. This is a mini frame clutch made in a butter color lightweight silk tweed, frame closure, custom chain, and made with nylon lining. The hardware is made with a shiny nickel finish. The diameters are 7″W x 3 1/2″H x 1 3/4″D. For this posh little clutch, venture over to Cole Haan and buy it for $85.

Now for a simple delight, the Cole Haan ID Card Case from the Trinity Collection. This ID card case comes in smooth burnished leather in black or soft pink; personally I would chose the black. The ID case features custom designed hardware, the heart charms, with shiny nickel finish, nylon lining and a wrist strap so it can be held easily. The beauty of this simplicity are the custom designed Cole Haan charm zipper pulls, different shapes of hearts in what looks to be pink, white and possibly gold. Sizing up at 5 1/2″W x 3 1/4″H x 1 1/2″D, the clutch can be yours for a mere $65 through, you guessed it, Cole Haan.

Saving the best for last, I have fallen in love with this Cole Haan Bracelet Clutch from the Melbourne Collection. Available in four colors (light green metallic, black, white, and pink metallic), this bracelet clutch is made from ultra-soft pebble grain leather, with metallic patent and smooth leather paillettes with logo studs, and nylon lining. To me it looks like different buttons were meticulously placed on the bag, but either way I think it all comes together divinely. The hardware is made with a shiny nickel finish and the wrist strap makes for easy wearing. Measuring in at 6″W x 3″H x 1 1/2″D, this clutch is available for just short of 100 dollars American.

As we begin to bring our Mother’s Day Gift Ideas to an end, I bet you are all desperately waiting for clutches and wallets. Of course I am pulling through, it’s what I do!

I want to start off with the fresh design of the Isabella Fiore Continental Wallet. The wallet is a longer check book style with a surprise strawberry appliqué delight. It is made of green leather with pink lining, silver metal logo plate on front corner, with ten credit-card slots, ID slot, money pocket and a snap closure. For a mere $140 this treat is avaliable at Neiman Marcus.

And for a classic elegant clutch, Christian Dior gets my vote. The Dior D’Trick Jacquard Flap Clutch is absolutely divine. The classic logo jacquard pattern is presented in glittery pink lamé, accented by perforated patent leather and a polished silver metal “D” clasp. The clutch is 8.75″ x 3.75″ x 2″ and can be found at ELuxury for $365.

Now for a younger more carefree look there is the BE&D Studded Clutch. The clutch is made of beige lambskin with cognac lambskin trim. What gives it the funky edge is the tarnished golden hardware and scattered stud detail. It also has a top flap with extended buckle tab, snap closure, and zip pocket and is sized at 5 1/2″H x 11″W x 1″D. This little piece can be yours for $485 at Bergdorf Goodman.

I’m saving the best for last, rather the most expensive for last. Rounding out the pack is the Dolce & Gabbana Floral Whipsnake Clutch. What a name, what a clutch, what a price! I’m gonna have to take Saks’ description because it hits the nail on the head:
“Chic, floral whip snakeskin clutch opens to reveal gold leather gusset for expansion. Gold metal trim with signature logo and screw studs. Magnetic snap flap, detachable gold chain. Metallic gold suede lining with pocket. 5″H X 8″L X 1½”W” If that is the perfect gift you are looking for, buy it at Saks for $1,125.00.

Let me get straight to some interesting specifications:

• Genuine flight satin, as used by the U.S. Airforce to produce flight jackets
• Real-life seatbelt material, capable of withstanding strains of 5,000+ lbs of tension
• YKK zippers, the smoothest on the market
• Nylon 69 stitching, NASA-approved and meets government specs VT95
• Italian chrome-plated feet
• Powerful magnetic snap

What sounds like a handbook for either a level-3 kevlar vest that 50 Cent would wear, or some fancy high tech gadget that has top secret gov’ment clearance (cuz it’s just so damned fancy), is indeed nothing but a boring, ol’ handbag.

Actually, it’s anything but boring. It’s a brilliant symbiosis of materials and application, it’s the Seatbelt Bags from Harveys Industries Inc. The patented bags come in a vast variety of shapes, sizes and colors. With messenger bags, totes, baguette bags, overnighters, clutches, in mini, large, or XXL, and 10 different shades, you are facing thousands of different varieties. Fabulous! Prices for the cool bags start at $60 and go up to $150, available at Zappos.com.

Thanks to brian@TFS for discovering this!

VBH stands for V. Bruce Hoeksema. Mr Hoeksema is a very successful businessman and designer with over 20 years of fashion expertise. His company V.B.H. is an Italian luxury accessories house, the core of which is a line of men’s and women’s luxury bags. Despite being based in Rome, all leather goods are exclusively produced and located in Florence. Using the finest materials and engaging in the finest of the Italian craftsmanship, it comes as no surprise that each of his contemporary design works are unique, elegant and timeless. Every single piece is individually handcrafted and sewn by small teams of experienced expert artisans. Adding all these ingredience together, it does not surprise that the VBH bags sell like strawberry ice cream on a dazzling hot Sunday afternoon.

Browns’ founder J. Burstein recently said, “VBH handbags have sold like nothing else this season. They are stunning python-skin or satin clutches and everybody wants one. V. Bruce Hoeksema, the designer, used to work with Valentino and it really shows.” The extraordinary finesse shows in the highly desirable VBH Small Metallic Leather Clutch. The splendid envelope flap clutch features fine metallic silver leather and rhodium-plated hardware and comes with dark gray kid suede lining on its inside. Judging by the design and features of this marvellous clutch, it does not surprise that V.B.H. are the three letters that a handbag lover should remember this season. Available through Bergdorf Goodman for $670.