Clutches

Last week a guy friend of mine pointed to the leather clutch i was holding (my favorite which i bought in Italy) and said, "I'll never understand these things." I responded with a tirade highlighting the amazing invention that is the clutch. After all, what other purse can fit your essentials while looking chic (and not taking the attention away from your outfit) and not prevent you from getting down on the dance floor by putting a lot of weight on your shoulders and making you all awkward, well more awkward than most of us look dancing. My favorite clutch fits my cell phone, tiny wallet with cash/credit cards, keys and my digital camera. Plus, I always feel so ladylike and classy carrying one around. It also proves the point that women can survive without purses that make us look like we just robbed a bank.

As with all pieces of clothing there is a diverse price range of clutches around.

For the woman with uh, no budget, there's this beautiful Bottega Venetta Gold Clutch with their signature leather braiding from www.net-a-porter.com that comes with a whopping price tag of $1100.00 (left). Or there's also this Tod's Marlene Clutch (right) made out of brown lizard skin (which might explain it's $1400 price tag)


Faithful Sex and the City watchers will know that Judith Leiber crystal studded clutches are apparently a must-have for any high society woman. But is it just me or are they kinda, I dunno, tacky and ugly? It's like rhinestone city pretty much only for a ridiculous amount of money. For example, this weirdo goldfish clutch which is $4495.00(left) She's got purses in the shapes of cats, birds and poodles too. To be fair, she does have some more understated purses which are more simple that aren't too bad. Like this Slender Curve Pave Crystal Clutch $1495.00 (right)


My favorite are the Lauren Merkin clutches. Her most famous shape is the Louise (left) which comes in over 30 colors, fabrics and designs. Her other famous design Eve (right) comes in over 40 different colors, fabrics and designs also. I can't really tell the big difference though, can you? They both range from $150-$450 depending on which design you choose.


Clutches also come in a lot of different fabrics with great patterns. AMICI Accessories has some great clutches, a few of them look like copies of the Lauren Merkin. I got a purse once from Amici and it was nice, however, the quality wasn't what I had hoped for. I especially like this Black Chain Reaction clutch $54.00 (left). It also comes in white and red. This Vintage Chocolate Clutch (right) is also nice.


Mango also has some great clutches. The one on the left is $35.00. The one on the right is $65.00 and I like how it has a detachable shoulder strap so it is a purse and a clutch. I like it in black better though.



Forever 21, Wetseal, H&M, Rampage and Target all have much more reasonably priced clutches. For example, Target has some great ones. Like this Sparkle Clutch $12.99 (left). Looks familiar doesn't it (cough, Judith Leiber, cough). I actually really like this, hmmm, maybe a new year's present to myself. There's also this Frame Clutch in the ever popular crocodile design for $16.99 (right). Or the Merona Wallet Clutch for $14.99 (bottom). Man i love Target.
<



If a clutch still feels like you're dragging too much around then there's always coach wristlets $48-$128. It fits my keys, phone (granted my razr's pretty small), ID, cash and credit card, but that's about it.