The clutch purse rocks functionality and design innovation, now more than ever.

The next time you grab your handbag before running out the door, know that you are part of living history. Yes, that trusty tagalong of yours has a lengthy back story, with appearances as far back as the Babylonian era.

The clutch purse, in particular, made its debut during the 18th Century, when women’s clothing fashion favored more narrowed, slim looks. Unable to incorporate pockets into these types of apparel, designers introduced the reticule – a small decorative bag, usually constructed with drawstrings and held such things as handkerchieves and smelling salts.

Needless to say, the clutch is still an essential wardrobe element that has made its way from a strictly formal accessory for evening wear to an everyday companion piece for the modern woman.

Accessory to Necessity

There are a few different circumstances that have positively affected the clutch recently. The first is its size. Instead of small, boxy clutches meant for pairing with elegant evening gowns, the clutch has grown and become a daytime companion as well.

“Four years ago, bags exploded in size, which precipitated the growth of the clutch,” says Kelly Cook, co-founder and daily blogger for BagSnob.com. “Now that they are bigger, the trend of using clutches during the day began because you have more room to fit everything you need.”

These new casual clutches are one of the biggest trends right now, says Cook, who admits that she likes to go “a little crazy” when choosing clutches because they are smaller and less expensive. Lucky for shoppers, designers have decided to go a bit crazy as well when designing their clutch lines – the second important element affecting clutch production. A mixture of skins, embellishments and ingenuity has created a generation of clutches that beautifully blend function with a lot of dazzle.

Cook is a huge fan of Derek Lam’s Elsa python clutch, which is hugely popular. Its asymmetrical fold-over flap, coupled with pads, Zippers and pockets, clearly state rocker chic, which is all the rage this season. Also in this realm is the Proenza Schouler PS1 messenger bag clutch ($895, proenzaschouler.com), which Cook says is “brilliant and beautiful.”

The industry has witnessed a recent explosion of handbag designers launching their lines with the clutch – yet a third positive factor for shoppers. This has resulted in great diversity in luxury brands and experimentation.

“Skins continue to be a trend, whether they are real or embossed,” says Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founder of the Gilt Groupe (www.giltgroupe.com), a curator of a broad range of daily women’s, men’s, children, home and travel sales for its invitation-only members at prices up to 70 percent off retail. “For colors, we see nude, grays, light gray/blue and light pinks.”

Combined with these trends is a real emphasis on exotics, resulting in impressive lines from Sang-A (www.sanga. com) and Paige Gamble (www.paigegamble.com). Gamble uses ostrich skin, among others, with hand-engraved lace tattoo, which render each bag not only a piece of artistry but oneof- a-kind.

“And you can’t mention exotics without mentioning Nancy Gonzalez (www.nancygonzalez.com),” adds Cook, whose site is updated at least three times a day with reviews on the hottest bags. “As far as functionality, there is nothing like her. Usually, when you open a clutch, there is just one big compartment. But her clutches have pockets; they have great organization.”

While stone embellishments have long been incorporated into clutch design, Cook says, some of the latest trends include feathers, and lots of them, which you can see in the Valentino Glam Rose and Feather Clutch ($2,340, www.net-aporter. com). And designers are going out on a limb with their clutch concepts/shapes—Alexander Wang has introduced the Spiral Notebook clutch ($625, www.saksfifthavenue.com) and Alexander McQueen has wowed fans with the Stingray De-Manta clutch, a trapezoid-shaped bag made from the sea creature’s skin ($239, alexandermcqueen.com).

These types of bags “fly off the shelves” at the Gilt Groupe’s sales, starting promptly at noon each day. “Our shoppers are very brand-savvy. They love signature-embroidered and detail-intensive pieces,” says Wilkis Wilson. “For handbags, larger, longer shapes in exotic skins or small, beaded, embroidered, crystal clutches [are most popular].”

How To Wear

Coming from a self-proclaimed bag addict (and someone who has more than 100 handbags that she would still consider using), the BagSnob.com’s Cook has her standbys and she knows the strengths of some of the hottest designers. Scouring larger retailers like Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus as well as smaller boutiques, Cook is ready to tell us what’s hot and, most of all, what’s “practical.”

“Everything has to fit in [your clutch] and it has to close properly,” she notes. “Box clutches are rigid and tend to be limiting. I like clutches that have a wrist strap [like the Hermes Kelly clutch] because, really, when you have to go the bathroom, where do you put it?!”

The wrist strap/handle may solve fundamental problems, but it also gives the wearer another way to hold and show off the bag without covering any of its design. And, let’s face it, these bags are bigger than the clutch of the past, holding our smartphones and other essentials of the modern lifestyle. The handle trend will hang around as clutches are used more during the day, Cook says.

Other bags that Cook is crazy about right now include new designer Dareen Hakim, whose crocodile-skinned clutches include a giant plaque which can feature individualized messages in sanskrit, including “My Love” and “Live and Laugh” (prices range from $295 to $355, dareenhakim.com).


“Anything that is big and bold works better on a clutch than a big bag,” says Cook.