Recently in Clutch Category

I came across Laudi Vidni's website recently and was immediately drawn to the sleek and high tech site. The user friendly software allows clients to customize their own bags-- what a great idea!  You start by choosing the silhouette of the bag (there are 8 styles including shoulder bags, clutches, hobos and functional totes with prices ranging from $125-$850) and then go on to choose from 40 imported Italian leathers, ranging from style essentials like patent leather or classic croc, to more daring choices such as "floral velvet," a metallic blue calfskin with a subtle floral pattern of faded gold, greens and purple.

Luxurious sateen linings are available in six different colors and hand-brushed Italian hardware is available in silver and gold. Overall, there are more than 10,000 possible style combinations! Totally brilliant! I actually spent almost an hour playing on the site, I chose a simple daily tote in metallic black trim with black pebbled grain leather that came out to $495 and a cute clutch in gold with distressed gold trim for $231.  Fun!  I was sent leather sampls and can tell you that the leathers are supple, rich and sublime.

Go check out the site here and customize a bag for yourself (or as a gift!) 

I've been wearing Donna Karan clothes since college but have never had the itch for her bags... until I saw the small Gotham tote today. I am speechless (in a good way) over the design of this super kick ass bag. Ever the pragmatist, Donna Karan finds the perfect balance between trendy style and practical function and executes it flawlessly. The punk rock zippers are on trend and totally make the bag but what I really love about it is the multi compartments (3 main to be exact) and the many pockets to stash my goods. The outer side pockets are large enough for an iPhone and Kindle, so practical! Can not tell you how many times I get excited over outer pockets only to find they fit nothing but a postage stamp. But this is not the best part about the Gotham, the collection (there is a larger Gotham tote @ 14"x15" and clutch) is made of organic crinkled lambskin! This eco-friendly leather uses natural skins (by products) that starts at a chemical free farm and dyed by a tannery that is ISO 14000 certified using only vegetable tannins. Hello! Eco chic has never looked so hot! This is a major winner in my book. The one I'm getting is in espresso, a rich dark coffee distressed shade that almost looks black. Sublime! Small Gotham tote-- 14"W x 11"L (7" drop on shoulder straps) $1,495 at Donna Karan boutiques call 212-861-1001.

The Gotham convertible clutch bag also caught my eye. It has the same punk rockin' zippered style with a removable long body chain. The perfect complement for your hot date nights. Zippered interior to ensure nothing falls out. 11"W x 5"L, $995. (Jump for more photos!)

Donna Karan Zipper leather shoulder clutch

Donna Karan Small Zipper Satchel

Yes, I love Givenchy and that's right, I MUST have this clutch. This quilted pattern was done on the Sacca but on such a giant bag it was too much. On a clutch however, it is a whole new thing and totally fabulous. Love love love. And not just for it's beauty but look at how it opens up! There is a magical compartment that will hold as much as a regular bag (it's 10" wide). The zipper pocket can hold what you normally put in a tiny clutch, everything else is a bonus - extra makeup, snacks, your big wallet, whatever you want. You can totally rock out this look (yes, it can be done without studs!) or be lady-like in a LBD. At Barneys New York for $950.

Miu Miu has been like, "Eh, whatever", for a couple of seasons. But this made me sit up and take notice! It is not super extraordinary but the quilting and the aubergine is good enough to eat! But what's really exciting is that it is a messenger and a clutch. I mean, the giant clutch trend is a bit out but clutches are all bigger now because of it so this proportion is perfectly acceptable (one caveat, you have to be tall to pull this off). A lot of clutches come with a strap and become a shoulder bag but this comes with a super long strap that can go cross body. Yeah, it's not exactly a "messenger", to me messengers are more square but the dimension on this (17" x 8") make it into a real shoulder bag instead of a make shift one. I also love the little flap, it makes the large size less overwhelming. And the price is great, at Net-a-Porter for $695.

Fall is about the contradiction of feminine styles and hard edges. Oscar de la Renta's Python Bow clutch embodies a refined sexiness that is both sophisticated and playful. Kind of like Oscar himself! I saw this at the boutique and fell in love with it, a real girly girl bag toughened up in distressed silver python. The metallic wash python has become a signature for Oscar de la Renta bags, we see it each season yet it feels fresh every time. This is one of few oversized bow clutches that have appealed to me, many designers have tried this silhouette but none as well executed as this. This version is whimsical and fun, a decorative accessory that is also functional (there is also a hidden delicate shoulder chain inside but I prefer it as a clutch). Sized at 11.5", the interior of the clutch is wide enough to fit a multitude of essentials. $2,590 at Oscar de la Renta here.

I'm kind of on the fence about this clutch. My initial thoughts are that it is childish and contrived. A spiral notebook looking clutch? Ehh, too much of a shtick for YSL. Then thinking back of the zipper clutch, the same could be said about that but it was a wildly huge hit, especially among celebs. But this definitely does not have the same edge. It is an ingenious twist on hinging the flap, nobody has ever done this before and it works well - it flips completely back so when open, it stays open. I do like the proportions, it is 9 1/2" wide so you get the full effect of what this clutch is about, if it were tiny it would look stupid. And the price is just right, for a YSL at $395, it might be the flash you need in a black clutch that retires at the end of the season. At Saks Fifth Avenue.

I actually teared up when I saw this clutch. No, really, I did. My heart pounding, I wondered if I should click buy and call it an early "Happy Birthday to me" gift. It is the perfect combination of sophistication and edgy cool. A girl who has been pairing Chanel jackets with bad ass studded booties and distressed jeans since college. In other words, Tina. The skull is not as hideous as I used to think, it's grown on me and how fab are the tiny embellished crystals on it? The silver quilting really makes it for me, it's at once lady like and trendy. Love! I may need to take a cold shower to refrain from clicking clicking clicking. Alexander McQueen Quilted Skull Clutch at Browns Fashion here

And can I just tell you, Gerard Butler is freaking HOT! He's like dirty hot, you don't want to marry him but you'll sleep with him =) I was expecting a typical romantic comedy with all its trappings (I love them!) but this was surprisingly different. Sure, the it ends as expected, has funny girl / boy bantering and gratuitous nudity (Eric Winter shows his bare butt in the movie and the Sony executive who I got the tickets from asked him at the after party if he waxed for that scene! She thought she would get fired but didn't care, she needed to know. The answer, NO!! You have to see the movie just for that scene especially knowing he has a naturally smooth butt).

The things Gerard Butler says in the movie are borderline shocking and very male-centric but hilarious. Which means, you're boyfriend/date/husband will enjoy it. Katherine Heigl was great as usual, and whatever people say about her pain in the ass behavior on Grey's Anatomy, her entire cast was there to support her (I saw her chatting with Justin Chambers, T.R. Knight and Kate Walsh). Definitely must see!!