Evening Bags

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It’s raining Chanel, Hallelejia! The dangling chain CC detailing gives this Chanel bag a bit extra flavor for a night on the town. As seen from the Fall/Winter runway, Chanel is bringing dangling chain detailing back. If this encompasses the whole bag, it is too much, but just on the C’s on this Chanel Fall 2007 Clutch, the hang chain detailing really is subtly appealing. On nothing other than supple green leather, this clutch would be sure to catch some attention and make a bold statement. I totally dig it. Inquire further via Chanel.

A different shape and a bag has a whole new feel. Most of us are used to our clutches being wider than they are long. It just feels right to hold a clutch in my hand of the ‘usual’ dimensions. Marni is catching some attention with their longer than wide clutch, which measures 5″W x 7″H x .5″D. Upon first picture inspection, the clutch looks huge, but that is just your mind playing tricks on you. The Marni Long Patent Clutch is actually an itty-bitty clutch that sports an elongated look and a silver chain wrist strap. It is almost like a miniature, and on my 5 feet and 10 inches it may look silly, but it can fit modern day slim cell phone, lipstick, ID, and another misc must. The only aspect I am not totally keen on, other than the size, is the wood and rhinestone detail on the front. There is an oval wood detail that is covered in tiny rhinestones on the top center of this patent leather clutch. The wood detailing is fine by me, gives the clutch an edge, but the rhinestones are not a huge plus in my book. Though, I suppose since the bag is so small it won’t be in your face, and can look subdued and funky rather than ornate and tacky. Through Net-A-Porter for $336.

Granted this evening bag is quite pricey for the size, but it is also a work of art and a total masterpiece. A Judith Leiber piece nearly guarantees that you have bought an intricately designed bag that will have nearly every gawking. The Judith Leiber Limited Edition Venus Miniaudiere touts a picturesque sea-shell frame with an array of champagne, pink, and clear Austrian crystal detailing which are all meticulously placed in a stunning wave like pattern. Gold-tone hardware and a lock closure finish the simple clutch which dabbles into pure extravagance because of the crystal detailing. The price is not cheap, pre-order via Bergdorf Goodman for $3995, but the craftsmanship and detailing makes the price justifiable.

To make life fair, I must now post a picture of Jessica Simpson and talk about her handbag style since I did about her sister (ok that is not how the world works typically). But I could not pass up this gorgeous green clutch that Miss Jessica has been seen sporting around the world with. Jessica Simpson’s Christian Louboutin Satin Evening Bag manifests its beauty and grace in a delightful color that stands out perfectly with her new chocolaty brown locks. One of the hit colors for spring, this emerald green satin clutch features a feminine bow detail and a fold over closure. Thumbs up Jessica!

Via Christian Louboutin

** Edit: Jessica is carrying the Patent Leather version not Silk **

With the Oscars just behind us, many have evening bags on mind. From VBH, to Swarovski, to Leiber, to newcomer in the handbag world Roger Vivier, hand candy was an ultimate Oscars accessory. If you are not one of the lucky few who is actually given an expensive bag for free, join me in the search for spending your own hard earned money on a fabulous evening bag. For a very elegant and angelic evening bag, I am loving the goddess gold shimmer on the Maddalena Marconi Gold Pleated Organza Silk Evening Bag. All combined in one amazing bag, fine organza silk is combined with exquisite Swarovski crystals, which are shown off on a delicate and lady-like frame closure which is reminiscent of an highly elite Medieval Ball. For today’s purposes, any black tie event, exhibit, company party, masquerade, or any other event for that matter would find this piece to be the perfect accompaniment. Best part is the price, just under $500 via Forzieri so you can look like royalty without spending an arm and a leg.

Pucci is typically known for its colorful swirl pattern. But sleek and sophisticated on a Pucci clutch, that is unheard of… WRONG. Check out this stunner (Ok I am obsessed with blue lately, sorry!). The Emilio Pucci Silk Clutch Handbag screams summertime because of the aqua silk body. The aqua on this clutch is the color of the Carribean oceans and is paired with a matte gold frame and an oversized clasp closure on the top. Then you open to the inside to see that quirky multi-color print that Pucci is so well known for. I’m just in a blue phase, a happy one, but a blue phase. Via Net-A-Porter for $690.

Anya Hindmarch is making her name known with her straight edge designs and perfect handbag compilations. Sure she has a quirky bump or two along the way, but for the most part she is dead on and this is exactly why we will all be seeing much more of her. A completely sexy and lovable clutch has been designed by Hindmarch which makes a glittery and gold statement but looks sophisticated rather than teenage. The Anya Hindmarch Libertine Woven Leather Clutch proves to be an attention grabber with the gold woven leather, silver trim, frame body, and small pocket on the front. Love love love it. The size is perfect and little-black-dress-approved, at 9″x4.5″x3″. You know you want it (or is that me that wants it?) Through Net-A-Porter for $795.

Who needs more clutter in their life? My life is so hectic I can barely see straight and get my socks on my feet and my fingers in my gloves. Anything accessory that is simple enough to describe in one line and leaves a lasting impression from looks alone has done its job in my opinion. If you crave exotic handbags, Nancy Gonzalez does a fine job of exotic skins (especially crocodile) and makes a bag that is not too done up that you can’t un-do it. Take your pick of color, from ravishing and sultry red, to basic and elegant black, to playful gray (looks bluish to me), in the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Clutch which features a flap top. Simple, sweet, and oh so sexy. That red would look so sexy with a nice pair of heels and exquisite jewelry. I am in love. Buy any, or all 3, through Bergdorf Goodman for $1150.

Add a tiny bit of gold glitter trim and chunky metallic stitching to a simple yet stunning satin clutch, and you have the drop dead gorgeous VBH Satin Poche. The black satin rectangular body is well known and associated with VBH clutches, and this rendition is one of my favorites by far. For the gal who wants to showcase her funky personality yet still needs nothing overly ornate, this clutch is perfect and also features a removable inside suede pouch. Dazzle your wardrobe via Net-A-Porter $1150.

I have mentioned from time to time that I was a swimmer growing up, all the way to and through college actually. People think when I say this I mean I splashed in my backyard pool, quite the contrary. At 5 am I was in the water, at 3 pm I was running and lifting weights, at 5 pm I was back in the water, and the next day I did it all over again. For years this was my routine, since the age of 4. A perk of being brought up in South Florida was the ocean; a total negative for anyone near in Florida afraid of marine life is also the ocean. Guess whose swim coach had them swim in the ocean on Saturdays? I cried. The thought of a squishy but totally awful jellyfish, a hiding stingray, and a hungry shark terrified me. Tears welled up in my goggles every Saturday. I’d rather see a stingray as an accessory, just like this stunning Jalda Stingray Bean Clutch. A perfect texture of exotic stingray skin in deep navy looks extravagant and does bring back any sort of marine life fears. The oversized brass clasp is not overpowering, rather subtly adds a touch of sophistication and class that is a hard combination to hit. On the inside there is faille lining and this piece of hand candy (that does not have the capacity to fling its stinger up in your leg) measures 5¾”HX 9½”LX 1″W. Classy and safe through Saks for $415. Take that you scary under-the-sand-camouflage-hiding stingray!!