This may seem like bold talk, but casual clutches are a totally under-appreciated and under-carried type of handbag. Please allow me to use the brand new Mulberry Alexa All In One Clutch to explain why.
On the surface, clutches may have a rather singular purpose: to look cute and unobtrusive with a nighttime outfit. But really, a good one can be so much more than that. Depending on your lifestyle and the size of bag you carry normally, this thing could do double-duty as everything from an oversized wallet to a tampon-obscurer to a place to neatly organize your travel documents. Or it could be all three of those things at once, plus act as a clutch on the weekends. Bags like these have many talents, even if they’re only marketed one way.
Without question, the best thing about this design in particular is that Mulberry chose to use the Alexa flap as a functional element of the design and not just a way to make this bag look like its other successful bags. The flap opens up to a compartment with card slots and room for cash, which means that if you’re one of those people who stuffs everything in her wallet, there’s an entire extra compartment for you to do that without constantly having to search through piles of receipts for your credit card, driver’s license or valet ticket.
Or if you’re the type of person who likes to run to the grocery store unencumbered, the main compartment would make a great spot for a phone and car keys. Or for those sensitive times of month, it would negate the necessity of fishing in the bottom of your purse for that last tampon that you just know you have. Or if you’re traveling, stick your boarding pass, passport and driver’s license in there for easy access at security and your gate.
Or, you know, you could use it as a clutch if you’ve exhausted all your other ideas. That’s always an option, I guess. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $495.
I think I still prefer it as a bag (ipad)
I’ve seen this in real life and it is so cute!! (ipad)
Cute! I love it in this watermelon color. I can’t get an idea of how big it actually is with the picture, though.
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The color is a kiss of Spring! I love the hardware and the size is big enough to make it multifunctional.
Very pretty bag (ipad)
Nice! (ipad)
nice (ipad)
Super cute, but I need a wrist strap. I don’t want to be forced to set it down and risk it being stolen. (ipad)
gorgeous! i totally agree that clutches are under appreciated – there are some really amazing options out there and this is a great example of one. (ipad)
Love the color! (ipad)
The color is beautiful. (ipad)
I love the color of this bag! it’s really cute, I could def. see myself carrying it….
Daytime clutch are highly underappreciated and this one is super cute. They’re so practical. I do get how some girls carry their life in a bag so that might become difficult in a clutch…I especially like the color. (ipad)
Cute! 🙂
Not a big fan of the Alexa, TBH, but I seem to like every style better as a clutch.
this is beautiful! And i love that functionality played such a big role in the design. (ipad)
daytime clutches seem so impractical esp when rushing to work … They look very elegant when i see other people carry them but i can never find an occasion to do so myself
i don’t see this one as a wallet but i like it just because of the amazing color. Though my vote will still go to alexa as a bag rather than a clutch.
a bit clunky for my liking..i prefer the bag much better
this is beautiful and I like the under $500 price point (ipad)
Clutch for $500, i dont know about that! (ipad)
It’s cute, but completely impractical.
But, to be frank, I am not a fan of the Mulberry Alexa.
(iPad)
This clutch in particular would be great. With card slots and an extra pouch I’d love to use it for all of the purposes mentioned in this post. For the price, though, I’d probably go for a little crossbody to do the same things, and buy my clutch from a less expensive brand. (ipad)
This can be use mostly for girls night out or parties other than that it’s impractical. I’ll go for the bag version and in that color
gorgeous color!!! (ipad)
The color is cute!
love it! (ipad)
very cute clutch, like the color. (ipad)
Oh my! Love love want. And how handy that valentines is coming up… (ipad)
Fa Bu Lous, I`m lovin the new design!!!
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cool version! (ipad)
A $500 “tampon-obscurer” (why, Amanda, why…)? I don’t think so. But as a cross-body or a wristlet, it would have been very cute, agreed. (ipad)
I’m assuming the ipad contest is over… But the color is very pretty!
Love it, especially the colour (ipad)
Love it! (iPad)
I agree with everyone else, that color is amazing! (iPad)
Its very cute! Not into that color maybe a more neutral color. (iPad)
Cute! And when carrying a large bag, it makes for a great bag within a bag for holding small stuff. I currently use a makeup bag that holds my wallet and pens and other small items that get lost at the bottom of the bag. (ipad)
Love the color but not a big fan of it (iPad)
Hmm.. i don’t know, it doing too much to be a clutch. (ipad)
I totally agree! i have a “clutch-ish” bag within my larger YSL tote that I use everyday, i grab it to run out during lunch and I can put my phone in it too. totally worth it and this one it a beauty! i would love to have it, I would use it everyday! (ipad)
Wow…Amanda, your blog just made me feel like this clutch is not just a desire, but a necessity. That’s some good writing…nice work! (ipad)
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I love the color and its cute (ipad)
Love the color and look, but think I would prefer it in the bag. (ipad)
despite the fact that i am holding both regular sized and oversized INK alexas hostage (still deciding which to sell), i would totally get this if they made it back in ink times.
but maybe this color would actually look good in my ink.. as a clutch wallet? cruise colors? haha i love my mulbaby(: (ipad)
i think it would be cuter if the top part was gone! why is the area with the zipper even necessary? should’ve let the lock & magnetic fasteners be the main compartment.. (ipad)
Did we ever find out who won the (ipad)
really cute, i think i like it better than the bag (ipad)
Wud love it in black (ipad)
I would have to say I prefer the BAG (ipad)
I. Need. This!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dont like this! but I tove the color. It is just too bulky just looking on it. (ipad)
Love the color and love Mulberry. (ipad)