Clutches

You know the old saying, “you always want what you can’t have”? Well, I find that saying stuck in my head this morning. As much as I love writing about handbags I continuously lust over, sometimes I wish I had endless funds and could snatch up everything my eyes fall in love with. Then, there are times when I come across a bag that is sold out. I don’t know why, but I tend to find myself wanting a sold out bag more than I might if it wasn’t sold out. Anyone else?

The Jil Sander Fringe Satin Clutch is a perfect example of this. At first glance I almost skipped right over it. But then, the big bold red “SOLD OUT” font caught my attention. It’s sold out? Why?! What if I want one?! The black satin clutch with looped fringe detailing and magnetic snap closings would go so well with so many outfits. The chic, understated elegance with a hint of movement would be great for a night out on the town. But, wait, do I really like it or is it a case of wanting what I can’t have? What do you think? Net-a-Porter for $1180.

I’ve come to a conclusion folks, I am constantly intrigued by Christian Louboutin handbags. It goes practically without saying, Louboutin shoes are gorgeous, chic, and often considered a must-have from any shoe lover. Well, what about the handbags? There are some out there who dismiss Louboutin handbags because they are over-priced and nowhere near as fabulous as the shoes.

Well, I beg to differ. Are the handbags pricey? Yes. But do they offer a sense of uniqueness and flare? YES! This is what keeps me wanting to see more. The Christian Louboutin Mount Street Bag is no different. Whether you like the bag or not, the fuchsia satin with a ruffle petal finish will grab just about anyone’s eye. I love the signature shoe fastening top; it is a clever way to incorporate the two worlds. Pair it with your favorite Little Black Dress or even a pair of jeans and a crisp white top and you have a hit! Let this bag be the focal point of your ensemble and you are bound to be noticed. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1495.

We introduced you to the Katherine Kwei line a while back, and I think her bags are so interesting that they’re worth revisiting in a more detailed way. Right now, I’m going to focus on the Donna Clutch for no other reason than because it’s my favorite, and I’m the one that’s in the pleasant position of getting to decide what we talk about right now.

With some brands, their line has a shtick, and either you like it or you don’t. Kwei’s shtick is fringe, as we saw previously, and luckily I love it. My favorite part of the way that she does fringe is that it’s all gathered and attached at the bottom. You get the advantage of the texture and a bit of movement, but not the full-on swingy, messy milieu that loose fringe would create. It also creates visual interest in absence of a pattern, exterior pockets, or other types of decoration, making it easier to match while still being a bag that’s fundamentally interesting to look at. Dark silver is one of my favorite neutrals; I can think of dozens of things in my closet with which this would go beautifully. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $635.

Don’t get me wrong; I love me some questionably tasteful animal print more than almost anyone. And I love it most in bright colors that real leopards certainly don’t come in. So, in theory, I should really like the Lanvin Pop Leopard-Print Clutch. And in a way, I do. Just not in the kind of way that I need to love it in order to spend over a grand to purchase it.

See, leopard print can be a tough thing to deal with. It teeters on the edge that separates fashion and trash, and if you take a wrong turn, things start looking not-so-high-end. And I think that’s our problem here – the color and the fabric don’t have anything EXTRA to them to make this anything but a random animal print clutch. The design pop isn’t there for me, and with someone as brilliant as Alber Elbaz helming Lanvin, it really should be. I generally adore at least some aspect of their bags, and I’d snap one of these up if it was on the racks at Urban Outfitters. For the price they’re asking, though, I need them to do something else. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1120.

I’ve written about this on PurseBlog Savvy before, but I have serious problems finding evening bags. I don’t want to waste money on something by a brand I don’t trust, but I also don’t want to waste money on a non-leather bag from a brand that I do. I feel like a chump paying big bucks for a small satin bag, no matter how cute, but leather is usually too casual for evening. The Marni Leather Fold-Over Clutch probably falls into the trap of being too casual, but only because of it’s bigger size. If it was more petite, it’d be the perfect leather evening bag.

The leather that Marni has used this season has really impressed me, and you should really try and see it in person. It’s soft and slouchy, but so smooth that it doesn’t look sloppy at all. I’m not sure how they found the perfect type of leather to straddle that line, but it does a beautiful job. Because of the material used and how it’s draped, it mimics a thick silk that would be great for evening without requiring me to shell out for a silk bag. Every woman should own a bright-colored clutch (they’re more versatile than you’d imagine!), and this one would be a great place to start. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1030.

Doesn’t everyone need a bit of glitter in their lives? I think so. When Megs sent me a link to the Christian Louboutin Glittered Pump this morning, I couldn’t NOT write about it. Despite the fact that I can’t wear heels (a long-ago broken ankle, painful story), I could be easily convinced to risk personal injury for these stunning shoes. They’re a complete fantasy – like ruby slippers for a grown-up, urban Dorothy – except instead of taking you back home when you click your heels, they take you to a fabulous party with an open bar.

And what pair of over-the-top shoes would be complete without a similarly fabulous bag? I think that, in this case, a solid-color bag in the same shade would be a bit much, and I generally warn against an exact handbag-shoe match in almost every case. Instead, go for the glitter theme in a small proportion. The Judith Leiber Morning Dew Minaudiere strikes just the right note; it’s glittery but avoids the dyed-to-match look that trying to match a powerful shoe can often create. The color of the shoes appears in an important part of the clutch, but it doesn’t fall into the matchy-matchy trap. You’ll have to really work it to pull off this much shine, but with a solid-color dress (call me crazy, but I’m thinking maybe the green in the clutch could be that solid color…it’d be a totally unexpected but would pull together really well with the bag) and limited jewelry, I’d totally work it. I’m not sure where I’d go, but by God, I’d find somewhere to wear it.

Christian Louboutin Glittered Pump can be bought through Neiman Marcus for $745. Buy the Judith Leiber Clutch through Neiman Marcus for $2395.

I’ve been writing about more Burberry bags lately than I ever have before, and I’ve been trying to figure out why. Larger collection this season? No, I remember a lot of bags from previous season. New handbag designer at the brand? I can’t find any information about that online, so I guess it’s possible that someone with a new point-of-view has come in to shake things up. But overall, I think the reason that I’ve noticed them more than I have in previous seasons is that they’re just BETTER than they have been.

I’m much more impressed than I previously have been with them. So today, in our Endless Parade of Burberry Handbags That Amanda Likes, we have the Burberry Prorsum Willow Leather Clutch. Like the brand’s other recently featured bags, they’ve worked the leather in a way that gives the bag an enormous amount of texture – the little leather squares flake up like python scales, but would theoretically be much more durable than the often-delicate exotic. It’s got a little wrist strap and a cell phone pocket inside, plus it’s a great neutral color with an interesting textural concept – where do I sign up for one? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $995.

Spring has sprung, PurseBloggers! It’s officially here! Well, it’s been officially here for a few days now, but I’m a blogger, you can’t expect me to be up on things like dates and calendars. That wasn’t in my contract. But I’ve crawled out from under my rock (or, more realistically, off of my couch), looked outside, and realized that the sun and warmth I’ve been bellyaching for for months is actually OUT THERE. RIGHT NOW. Who would have known? And more importantly, why don’t I have a spring clutch already? In Athens, everyone goes out at night. We’re a college town, and the bar scene is the basis of our social structure (and the wind in most people’s wings). Since I now work from home, a daytime bag for every occasion isn’t necessarily crucial (since, let’s face it, I don’t get out that much), but a nighttime bag? More important than ever.

And for that purpose, I submit the Michael Kors Woven Raffia Clutch for your consideration. Fun color? Check. It’s a red with both pink and orange undertones, making it eternally sunny and capable of matching and coordinating with numerous other colors. Appropriate material? Check. Tightly woven raffia is the most obviously warm-weather fabric out there, and the weave on this is a bit different than most and interesting to look at. Correct size? Check. It’s not too big to lug around all night, but it’s not too small to fit my giant, janitor-sized key ring. Reasonable price? Check – sort of. In the broad scheme of bags, it certainly isn’t bad, but I have some kind of mental block against shelling out cash on any clutch I’d actually think about using, since I would inevitably destroy it. This is a bag I’d consider ponying up for, though. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $350.

Today is a great day. First of all, it has finally stopped raining. It’s been raining down here in South Florida for the past few days. Although the rain is usually received with a warm welcome, it is a friendly reminder that the rainy season is on it’s way. But for now, I will focus on the gorgeous blue sky and put the thoughts about rain on the back burner. Another plus would have to be the fact that I have two amazing friends in town visiting. I love visitors!!! And of course, it is Friday. All in all, a great day. And I can’t think of a better way to round out this amazing day than with an amazing clutch.

The Lanvin Ou La La Clutch might seem a little “bla” at first, but trust me, give it another chance. Without the jeweled flower, the clutch would seem a little “bla”. But, add this jewel to amazing gray satin and you have nothing short of a classy clutch. To me, the clutch really revolves around the jewel and that is perfectly ok! Since the rest of the clutch is rather understated you can definitely use this clutch to dress up or dress down an outfit. The price is a bit steep, but hey, if you have the funds, go for it! Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1575.

Hey everyone, let’s give Proenza Schouler a warm welcome to the handbag marketplace! Their current collection is the first evidence that I can find of any foray into the major purse leagues, and if I’m correct in that assessment, then I’d say they’re also the Rookie of the Year. I love the entire line, but I think my favorite is the Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Pouchette.

At 11″ long, though, I wouldn’t call this a pouchette – I’d call it a great day-to-night clutch. For some reason, the double straps are totally winning me over and giving this bag a very retro-meets-modern, edgy look. They remind me of the belt-like straps that schoolkids use in old movies to hold their books together, and I think the idea translates very nicely as a way to hold together everything that you need for your day-to-day life. The name also reminds me of how New York City names their public schools, although I’m sure it’s meant to denote the brand’s name and their inaugural handbag line. I’m going to pretend it’s supposed to be school-y, though, because it goes along better with my personal conception of the bag. Buy through Barney’s for $895.