Recently in Clutch Category

We all have those Goldilocks moments, Is this clutch too big? Is it too small? Is it too boring? Or is it too bright? Is it too trendy? Or is it totally 5 minutes ago? Is it too summery? Or not summery enough? This is the clutch you need that is just right. The clutch is 14" x 9" which is big for a clutch but perfect for day. The bright summery orange or yellow patent leather trim is all you need to mark the season while the straw keeps it nice and neutral. Anya Hindmarch bags are timeless, yet spot on when it comes to style. Like I said, we could all add this to our routine! This is the easiest clutch to pack for travel and while at home this touch of sunshine will make you feel like you're on vacation! At Anya Hindmarch for $525.

How do you turn down a stud fling? Especially one that will cost you less than $300 and does not get you in trouble with your husband or boyfriend! ;-) Rebecca Minkoff really has the single girls covered, from the Morning After bag to this Stud Fling! Lucky for us, it is a season of studs! Studs are meant for fun on the side, that is why this Stud Fling is so perfect, no need to commit to anything long term, use this for the season and let him go, hand him down to your friends if you must. And it isn't too cumbersome and overbearing, what good is a fling if its going to bog you down? This is small enough to manage with one hand. Plan a super fun night out, studs love to be seen with a flirty sexy little dress. But be careful not to get too attached, the stud is seasonal and trendy and won't stick around forever. At Luna Boston for $275.

I reached out to all of you to ask for bag donations on behalf of one of my favorite charities, Heroes and Handbags, and one of the first people to step up to the plate was Adriana Castro. She sent a beautiful Coco crocodile clutch in the most luscious purple-ish lavender color that I know will fetch top dollars at the auction.  The Coco clutch has a unique horn closure that opens with ease to a large and boxy interior, the closure also keeps the flap closed so your lip gloss doesn't fall out as mine often do. I love the design of the flap, it gives the clutch an extra dose of style.  The one above is genuine Python (can not be shipped to California), has bull's horn detail on closure and Interior open pocket with suede lining. 7"H x 12"W.

I knew Adriana had a big heart from her offer but I had no idea how adorable she was until I had dinner with her and her hubby in NYC last month!  She is probably the cutest (and youngest) bag designers around.  It's no wonder her line has a youthful and fun vibe.  If you want to get your hands on one of these fabulous clutches, Adriana is offering a 20% discount for Bag Snob readers with code ACBAGSNOB that is good for 7 days! Price: $1,120.00 Bag Snob Readers Price: $896  Get yours here!  Coco croc clutch ($1,350) also available at Henri Bendel's, the python version is new and available for pre-order on Adriana's website.

I think this is the first time I have featured a L.A.M.B bag. I love Gwen Stefani, her style is me only in my dreams but the bags with all the Rastafarian colors and logos, well, I don't need to elaborate on all the reasons why I don't like them.  But this little cutie is totally amazing and super affordable!  The contrasting colors, ruched bottom and the zipper detail makes this super hip clutch interesting with just the right amount of funk.  If only that giant "L" tag could be removed, this would be perfect, but I can live with it.  The zipper hardware is on-trend and is used perfectly here.  It comes with a super long adjustable strap which looks kind of ridiculous in this picture but when slung over the body and hanging way below the hip it has a different look altogether.  It is that effortless chic girl who flutters around town, getting things done and looking perfect because she isn't perfect.  The ruched bottom gives it enough girth for a roomy interior.  A definite candidate for day to night, this neutral can transcend all occasions, even formal.   A nice satin long gown will be given life next to an unpredictable clutch.  For the price and function, you will not find anything like this!  The L.A.M.B Ryder Sparrow at Shopbop for $295

In line with the feel of the entire collection, Michael Kors Fall bags are elegant and understated with subtle surprises that has me widening my eyes in intrigue. Keep the outlandish bold statement for other designers and stay true to your American "neo-classics", Michael! Using only shapes and a splash of sparkle, the bag collection has purpose and personality, like the simple but totally cute black trapezoid lady's bag, used as a wristlet on the runway. It is a cleaned up look without any fuss. And instead of a giant chainmail bag, he is using mesh on a clutch that gives the illusion of a beaded look without the stodginess.

Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster hosted a party at Mr. Chow to benefit the Make a Difference network on Oscar night. I was honored to be invited by Glam Media to help make a difference and also to have fun while doing so! The night began with a lovely dinner during the Oscar viewing and was followed by a tented party in the back. There was free flowing Patron luges, which accounts for my headache, and performances by Olivia Newton-John and Michael Buble but it was Charise who brought down the house. She is the 16 year old Oprah discovered and if you have not heard her sing, go to You Tube immediately and prepare to sob. Of course all the A-Listers were at Vanity Fair but this party got its fair share of celebrities including Jessica Biel who showed up in Oscar de la Renta right off the runway. When I saw her I was like, that gown looks so familiar and then I realized I saw it just last week in New York!! Amazing choice, she should have worn this to the show instead of the Prada. Also in attendance were Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Laila Ali, Mario Lopez, Alfonso Ribeiro (who has not aged well but was entertaining to watch as he did his Michael Jackson dance), Mellisa Gilbert, Rex Lee and Forest Whitaker, who I had the pleasure to meet. I wore the most amazing 3 piece gown by Eduaro Lucero who made me look slim and sexy! And my VBH Manila Stretch Shiny Alligator clutch was insanely fabulous, it was a deep burgundy red with a black satin trim. Jump for a picture.

I was at Mr. Chow's Oscar party (coverage of that later) which I am actually still recovering from so excuse the delay of this story (and yesterday was my birthday so there is a lot to recover from, mainly my age!!). I am happy to see that people are paying more attention to the clutch and using ones that make their own statement rather than blending in and resorting to the beaded box miniaudiere, although that is still the majority of what we saw. It need not be said that Meryl Streep is the most loved actress of our time, not just for her talent but for her grace and effortless beauty. She has the perfect clutch to set off the tonal Alberta Ferretti chiffon gown. She said she wore this because she put it on and it fit. I am sure there was more to it than that!! Angelina Jolie looked happy and was quite chatty on the red carpet! I loved loved loved her striking contrasting emeralds she wore with the sleek black Elie Saab and she topped this off with the Lana Mark Cleopatra, whom she resembles doesn't she? Everyone's favorite comedian is way hotter than she portrays herself to be, the Zac Posen champagne gown is deceptively modest but the plunging neckline and hip hugging curves gives it all up. She chose the VBH Martini clutch in laminated silver python, which shows that she is the animal on the inside that we've always suspected. Such a fabulous clutch!!

A slow but sure comeback is in the works at Chloe;.first the Paraty python and now the Lucy pleated clutch. It's fairly basic but has the little details (pleated leather, eye catching vintage-y hardware) that take it from boring to stylish.  I love that it has double interior compartments, I often throw my lip gloss and credit cards into my clutch only to find a gooey mess the next morning on my cards or cash. 12"x7" is huge but so is the price at $1,525. I'd buy it from the UK site for £754.  Available in black or bright berry but I prefer the black!  The berry feels kind of cheesy...  Check out Chloe Lucy pleated clutch< here./a>

The Power of Gold-- A child finds a shiny rock in a creek, thousands of years ago, and the human race is introduced to gold for the first time. Gold's early uses were no doubt ornamental, and its brilliance and permanence (it neither corrodes nor tarnishes) linked it to deities and royalty in early civilizations. Gold has always been powerful stuff. The earliest history of human interaction with gold is long lost to us, but its association with the gods, with immortality, and with wealth itself are common to many cultures throughout the world.

I have often read about bags made of gold in magazines but have never seen any as extraordinary as the vintage gold bag above in white gold mesh. The intricate weaving is exquisite and obviously took a lot of labor and love to create.  It's so unusual to find a gold purse of this shape and design not to mention its large size--  7" long, 6" w at the bottom and 4" at the top, 2 1/4" deep.  The white gold minaudiere/purse is made of 18kt gold with a mirror on the interior; the chain is removable to use as clutch.  I envision Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet or one of the other Oscar nominees with it-- surely whoever carries this gold bag will win the ultimate Golden Statue-- the Oscar!   And if you're looking for that wildly lavish gift of luxury, this is it.  This is a bag worthy of a Queen.  Retail is $85,000 but for Bag Snob readers they will discount it to $35,000 (remember the price of gold only goes up so this is a wise investment)!  Call House of Kahn Estate Jewelers for more information.  312-943-9937, ask for Tobina Kahn or email her. 

Standing out of the crowd for Spring/Summer, the Bottega Veneta collection has no pastels or bright colors at all for that matter, everything is rough and tumble with distressed bronze and this almost western looking clutch with contrasting top stitching and buckles. This Knot with the 2 separate compartments is all new and pretty exciting as far as clutches go. It's not for everyone but this distinctive style with the Rame Antico hardware closure is at least different. I like the buckle side for cash and credit cards so they don't fall out when you are reaching for the gloss all night long. Not sure what will fit in that pocket but it's cute! I do admit, the compartmentalization reduces the total space in each so you can't put any one big thing in there, but if you're already going there with the miniaudiere box, you probably had no plans to bring extra shoes with you. Pre-order at Bottega Veneta for $1880, expected delivery in 3-4 week around mid-March.