Evening Bags (Page 7)

‘Tis the season, you guys. For gifts and days off from work and family togetherness, of course. Oh, and also for sparkly clutches for use at holiday parties. Don’t forget that one, it’s important.

Some of my personal favorite handbags are ones that so accurately capture a bygone era that they could probably be passed off as really fantastic vintage finds. So much in fashion is predicated on what has been done in the past that a designer deftly recreating the mood of a time period can show a great deal of skill, if done correctly.

And with all the glitz and glitter that’s popular for winter, I can’t help but think that the Judith Leiber Sunburst Clutch is totally disco-tastic.

With the popularity of animal print this season, it stands to reason that before long, someone would make a bag that is actually an animal-print animal. And of course that person was Judith Leiber – who else could it have been? And she’s really the only one that could get away with it; she has a gimmick and she sticks with it. Even if you don’t like her bags, you’ve got to give her that. But I can’t exactly decide how I feel about the Judith Leiber Jaguar Clutch.

I think I’m in love.

Marchesa has realized what most fashion watchers already know: handbags are one of the most profitable categories of products that a brand can make. They don’t take the sizing and fit of a dress, they’re seen as useful and more worthy of expenditure by consumers, and they can be sold in a larger variety of stores than a ball gown. They provide an introduction to the brand for new customers and increase awareness and familiarity among potential clients. Any high-end designer would be crazy not to make bags.

Sorry, Marc Jacobs, you’re going to have to do something more interesting to get me to sit up and pay attention than what you did with the Marc Jacobs Studded Satin Bag.

Yes, yes. Quilting, tonal studs, chain handle, we get it. And it’s on-trend, but for some reason it’s just not exciting. Or maybe it would be more exciting if this bag, which is made of absolutely zero leather, were priced in a more appropriate way for a non-leather bag. So exactly how much is it?

I’ve made no secret that I’m a huge and adoring fan of almost every clutch that Celestina has ever made. The materials used are those that are rarely found in such abundance in other clutches, and they’re used to amazing effect. The level of intricacy is unbelievably high on everything that they make, and they leave no detail unattended. But that doesn’t mean that their clutches are overdone – they’re usually sleek and modern-looking, despite their incredible uniqueness.

Which brings us to the Celestina Roseanne Blacklip Clutch. I can’t imagine that anyone could look at this and have a negative reaction – it’s sleek and simple, covered in diamond-cut tiles of blacklip mother of pearl. The colors are earthy and warm, but deep enough to function as a cold-weather event option despite the material. It reflects a great deal of light and would likely change colors fantastically in different settings. If you were to take it to an event, you’d easily stand out in a sea of boring black evening bags. Buy through Barneys for $1290.