For some reason, I didn’t see this studded clutch trend coming. I don’t remember seeing a plethora of studs on the runway for Spring 2013, and heavy metal embellishments are usually more of a staple of fall collections (more on that tomorrow, actually). The more I thought about it though, these bags may have come about, at least in part, as a response to the enduring, perhaps even increasing, popularity of the Valentino Rockstud line, which has enjoyed seasons of success because of its smart combination of traditional femininity, luxury and toughness.
Some of these designers, like Alexander McQueen and Christian Louboutin, would undoubtedly be using the punk metal embellishments. For a brand like Tory Burch or Diane von Furstenberg, though, the Rockstud’s longevity is proof positive that women are drawn to the combination of two such disparate styles. Perhaps because bold details are more easily digestible in small amounts, the trend has manifested itself in tons of clutches, pouches and minaudieres. Below, we’ve picked the best, including plenty of colorful options that will make studs easier to pull off in the coming warm weather, starting at $128.