Clutches

British PurseBlog readers, I need your help on this one. As an American, I’m not too familiar with Matthew Williamson, although I’ve seen enough of his clothing to understand a bit of his aesthetic. So, to the Brits out there, I humbly inquire: what makes the Matthew Williamson Dark Escape Box Clutch worth $1200? Am I missing something? Because it’s not leather or any kind of exotic. It’s silk. Pretty silk, but still silk. Its information on Net-a-Porter doesn’t indicate that it’s hand painted or anything of that nature. It’s not crystal-encrusted. So…what gives?

Is the brand’s name strong enough in the UK to merit that kind of cash for a 6″ wide silk clutch? If it is, then that’s insane. I think I would scoff at any American designer trying to do the same. The colors would spice up a solid color outfit, and I like the name. The kaleidoscope effect is cute, as is the big tassel, but nothing about this is explaining to me why I need to spend so much money on it. Until someone else explains it to me, I think I’ll pass. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1200.

Bird Handbags made their way into the Purse Blog pages a year and a half ago. Being the casual chic that I am, I obsessed over their hippie-chic vibe and loose shoulder bags that were designed with exotic skins. The pairing of casual and exotic is precisely what I would designer if I were a handbag designer. Very cool, very boho, very me. I am the proud owner of the Lady in ostrich, which is the IDEAL travel companion. The Lady folds away into smallness and this is precisely why I love traveling with it. The oversized Bird Handbags One Night Stand Clutch was my next favorite from the designer and now different versions of the clutch are being carried at Net A Porter.

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There’s something very Old Hollywood about the Mary Norton Jones Clutch, isn’t there? I’m not sure if it’s the swoop of the top flap or the construction of the attached flower, but it’s reading retro to me in a very good way. I think the way that the photograph was taken is making the bag look cheaper than it would in person, so I’m going to ignore the shininess for now. It seems like it would have more of a subtle sparkle than an all-over gleam in natural light, and that would be gorgeous. I’m having one problem, though – I can’t figure out what era it’s from. Part of me says, “1920s. Definitely 1920s.” And another part of me says, “No, 1950s, you dolt.” Either way, those are my two favorite periods of American fashion, and this clutch would do either justice. It’s got the right amount of glitter, a super cute adornment that is pretty unique in the current clutch market, and it looks big enough to hold all the night-out essentials. Buy through Saks for $895.

And now, in “Things That Cost Way More Than is Reasonable” news, we have the Versace Croc-Stamped Clutch. Is it an actual exotic? No, no, it’s stamped. So it’s regular leather like every other bag you own. Hmm. Well, is it big? No, it’s a clutch. A clutch-sized clutch. Ok. Well is the design really interesting or innovative? No, it’s just a regular pleated leather bag with a standard chain strap like most clutches have. It’s got a metal handle, but I’m not thrilled. And I’m not saying I don’t like it – I do! It’s cute! It’s couple-hundred-bucks cute, though. And when has Versace priced anything but a t-shirt in the couple-hundred-bucks price range? Certainly not a bag. And this bag, my dear bag friends, started out at a whopping two grand. Even thinking about is giving me a headache like you wouldn’t believe. Thankfully, the reasonable folks at eLuxury have had the good sense to knock about $800 off the starting price, but still. That’s $1200 for a completely unspectacular clutch (and the leather looks a little fake-y. Just sayin’). We all pay exorbitant prices for our bags, but this might border on insulting. Buy through eLuxury for $1239.

Many moons ago I wrote about a pink version of this Jalda clutch. Absolutely loved it then, love it even more now with silver python skin. As I was perusing my closet the other day I realized how perfect metallics fit into my wardrobe as accessories. Denim is a major part of my wardrobe, from skinny jeans to high-waisted wide leg jeans, and my tops tend to be more monochromatic. Just what my closet needs, another clutch. But really, I don’t own a silver clutch and adding the Jalda Python Original Clutch seems like a great idea. The shape of this clutch I love, with a bit of an angle at the edges, and the silver python is the perfect glitzy finish. Dimensions are 8″W X 4″H X 3″D. Buy through Saks for $490.

Every single person told me my wedding day would fly be. I listened to each of these people, believed them, but did not fully grasp this fact until it was the end of the wedding night with everyone on the dance floor chanting for one more song from the DJ. Just like that, my wedding day was over. I am super detail oriented so we took care of every tiny detail known to man. My mom and I had lists that had lists which had color-coordinated lists. I loved it all and I already miss it. I was lucky enough to carry the most amazing bag ever (read about it here), but I found another bag that would be perfect for a wedding day bag. Fact of the matter is that my Hermes bag was absolutely more for looks than for usability that day. I toted my larger Lambertson Truex bag into the bridal room with me which had all the necessities. Read full review...

Halston just got finished showing their new line on the runway at fashion week. And while the clothing line behind Halston continues to sell well in retail, their handbags are just starting to grab attention. The last Halston bag that grabbed our attention was no more than a mere sack, the Halston Zai Messenger Bag. And that messenger bag was a big miss as far as I am concerned. But now I find myself drawn to animal prints, so much so that I am gravitating to them for accents in our home. Looking through my closet I realized that I am completely lacking in the animal print compartment, owning no bags that have an animal print whatsoever. Too safe I think. Time to divulge into the animal print world.

Read on...

I’ve been on the look recently for a very tiny pouch or wristlet to use as a clutch. I want something small enough to fit easily in my hand that will hold only the very essentials – house key, car key, ID, cash, phone. But the phone is where I’m hitting an impasse, because I have an enormous Blackberry with an even more enormous clear plastic shell to keep it safe (gotta brag for a minute – it’s one of the new click-screen ones! I love it!). As such, the thing is approximately the size of a small computer, and even if I can find a wristlet into which it fits, nothing else will fit alongside it. So I’ve decided to get a bit creative in my current search, and this morning came across something that could potentially work very well – the Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Cosmetic Pouch MM. I realize that it’s meant to hold lipsticks and whatnot inside of a larger bag, but since it doesn’t have cosmetic pouch emblazoned on it anywhere, I doubt anyone would know the difference. Besides, I’m all for repurposing things (kinda of like the tv stand holding the microwave in my kitchen. Ahem). At any rate, it looks like it’s just small enough to fit in my hand while being just big enough to contain my giant brick of a phone, and it zips all the way across the top, lest I drop it or hit anyone in the head with it. Perfect! On top of all that, amarante is my favorite color of LV vernis ever and would go really well with all the black I tend to wear. Now if only LV ever went on sale. Buy through eLuxury for $450.

I have a minute between minutes. Literally. There is no talk that does not somehow involve the wedding right now and that is all I think of and am surrounded by. And nothing during the planning ceases to amaze me. This feeling of amazement came again with the Christian Louboutin Kyeops Python Clutch which is designed with mint python on a sleek and clean look with a large clasp fastening on the top. Never would I ever think this was a Louboutin design. And this I mean in a good way. The slight tint of green is by no means overpowering, rather soothing and calming on the eyes. The bright signature red interior is a delight upon opening along with the ruffle-like elasticated pouch which offers another feminine touch. This clutch is a surprise from Christian Louboutin and for that reason I have a smile on my face. Buy through Net A Porter for $1445.

Back to the wedding planning!

Ok, one of these days I am going to own a Roberto Cavalli handbag. That’s right everyone, I’ve decided, it is something that I must do! Before I start talking about this specific handbag, I’ll state the obvious – Roberto Cavalli handbags are not cheap. Almost every Cavalli bag I see has some sort of craftsmanship or attention to detail that I truly love. Take the Roberto Cavalli Serpent Bracelet Clutch for example. At first glance, the green satin absolutely jumps out and for all the right reasons. The color is gorgeous. And as I continued to look, I couldn’t get past the detachable serpent bracelet – I love it. Keep the bracelet on the bag and it works; take the bracelet off and put it on your wrist and that works too! The clutch is secured with a press stud and once you open the clutch you will find it is fully lined and sports a small zip pocket. Now that I think about it, once I own a Cavalli bag, I promise to use it with my (select) casual outfits just as much as my fancy outfits. That will help to justify the price, right? So, what do you think – is a Cavalli handbag worth lusting over? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $910.