Custom Design

I didn’t get and invitation (lost in the mail somewhere, surely) to the 2010 Emmy Awards, so I’m just going to show you a life-size picture of the Alexander McQueen Crystal-Encrusted Skull Clutch and imagine it in my hand. Since my invitation never came, I was also forced to give back my Marchesa dress and let Heidi Klum wear it, but she didn’t have the clutch to pair with it. So, in that regard, I still win. Except that she’s Heidi Klum, and I’m a blogger who doesn’t actually own this clutch either, technically speaking.

Ok, so maybe I don’t win. Either way, you can keep up with our coverage of Emmy fashion and weigh in on your favorites (and least favorites, because that’s way more fun) over at BagThatStyle.com!

Buy through Alexander McQueen for $2215.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Sure, alligator or crocodile versions of the highly collectable Bottega Veneta Knot Clutches might be enough to satisfty the luxury lust for some people, but for those who want something a bit more unique, the Bottega Veneta Sterling Silver Knot Clutch is just the ticket.

The idea of a sterling silver box clutch is not exactly a new thing, but as far as I can tell, this is the first such iteration of the famous Knot. In classic Bottega Veneta style, it’s styled to look exactly like one of the brand’s intrecciato knot clutches, right down to the raised textured on some of the “woven” metal strips.

Carrying this bag would sort of function like carrying a giant piece of jewelry, although the townside that immediately comes to mind is the unfortunate eventuality of smudgy finger prints on the smooth, shiny metal. I’m already a compulsive glasses-cleaner (I have the little spray in my purse and everything, it’s bad), so I could see myself sitting in the corner of a party with my silver clutch, obsessively wiping it down over and over again with one of those little microfiber cloths. A brushed finish on this bag might have been a wiser choice, but I like the clutch as a showpiece. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $8200.

Original post by Amanda Mull

If someone were to tell me that they were going to design a bag based on an oversized jewelry box, that might sound like kind of a bad idea. Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly, depending on how much you follow the brand), Maison Martin Margiela was able to do so with a signature minimalist flair. The Maison Martin Margiela Jewelry Box Clutch might look like it’s supposed to hold a pair of very, very large diamond studs at first, but it’s really meant to hold your night-out necessities. Personally, I’d prefer the giant pair of earrings…

This little bag packs a lot of wit into a small package. The interior looks just like the cases that you get when you actually buy a piece of jewelry, as does the domed, sueded exterior. Not only that, but the design seems totally functional as well – it would hold anything that your average box clutch could contain. My initial reaction to this bag was somewhat dubious, but the more I looked at it, the more I warmed up.

Until, that is, I got around to reading the description of the materials. As it turns out, the exterior material isn’t real suede – it’s the same fake suede that covers actual jewelry boxes. Although that design choice perhaps scores another point for witty realism, if Margiela wanted to transform a jewelry box into a luxury handbag, the editorial decision to use real suede should have been made. With the fake stuff, the price just doesn’t seem justifiable. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1375.

Original post by Amanda Mull

It’s not often that a bag review requires me to gather my personal technology and a ruler, but the Christian Louboutin Eden Pompom Clutch is clearly a special little bag. Whether you take that to mean special! or “special” is, of course, up to you.

But when my very scientific measuring was done, I found a problem. At its very widest point, this clutch is barely five inches wide. Since it’s a sphere, the width of the clutch starts decreasing immediately as you move away from that narrow point. My phone, a relatively new Blackberry, is four and a half inches tall and almost three inches wide without a case. That’s a problem – smart phones are now more or less de rigueur among people with expendable income, and you certainly have to expend a lot of it to buy this clutch. Sadly, it seems as though never the two shall meet.

From an aesthetic standpoint, I don’t actually have many problems with this clutch. Sure, it’s kind of odd, but I’d rather carry something unexpected like a round clutch than the same basic envelope that every single one of your girlfriends probably pulls out every weekend (or maybe that’s just my girlfriends).

Any aesthetic interest I have in a clutch ends with the inability to pack my phone along for the night, however. I’m a 24-year-old single woman living in a large, at times unsafe city, and a cell phone isn’t a luxury item for me – it’s a necessity. I’ve had one since I could drive, and I’m not going to start leaving it at home in order to carry a (more-than-slightly silly) designer clutch. If you’re on a date and can slip your phone into your boyfriend’s or husband’s pocket, it might work, but I couldn’t see myself spending so much money on a clutch with such severely limited functionality. Buy through Saks for $1195.

Original post by Amanda Mull

It’s not often that a bag review requires me to gather my personal technology and a ruler, but the Christian Louboutin Eden Pompom Clutch is clearly a special little bag. Whether you take that to mean special! or “special” is, of course, up to you.

But when my very scientific measuring was done, I found a problem. At its very widest point, this clutch is barely five inches wide. Since it’s a sphere, the width of the clutch starts decreasing immediately as you move away from that narrow point. My phone, a relatively new Blackberry, is four and a half inches tall and almost three inches wide without a case. That’s a problem – smart phones are now more or less de rigueur among people with expendable income, and you certainly have to expend a lot of it to buy this clutch. Sadly, it seems as though never the two shall meet.

From an aesthetic standpoint, I don’t actually have many problems with this clutch. Sure, it’s kind of odd, but I’d rather carry something unexpected like a round clutch than the same basic envelope that every single one of your girlfriends probably pulls out every weekend (or maybe that’s just my girlfriends).

Any aesthetic interest I have in a clutch ends with the inability to pack my phone along for the night, however. I’m a 24-year-old single woman living in a large, at times unsafe city, and a cell phone isn’t a luxury item for me – it’s a necessity. I’ve had one since I could drive, and I’m not going to start leaving it at home in order to carry a (more-than-slightly silly) designer clutch. If you’re on a date and can slip your phone into your boyfriend’s or husband’s pocket, it might work, but I couldn’t see myself spending so much money on a clutch with such severely limited functionality. Buy through Saks for $1195.

Original post by Amanda Mull

A evening bag is hard to find, and it’s even harder to find at a reasonable price. Most people won’t use a tiny clutch multiple times a day like they might use a shoulder bag or tote, so spending big bucks for a glittery little minaudiere usually isn’t a particularly palatable option. Bottega Veneta’s knot clutches and Alexander McQueen’s skull clutches may be totally covetable (not to mention collectable), but the prices for both start in the four figures and climb steadily from there.

If the thought of spending that much makes you uncomfortable but you’d still like a similar bag (or maybe several), then Diane Von Furstenberg’s recently launched line of box clutches is perfect for you. Prices vary depending on size, but this oh-so-current version of the Diane Von Furstenberg Lytton Minaudiere rings up at a very reasonable $300.

I like so many things about this clutch that I barely know where to begin. The color scheme works perfectly with the pattern – zebra is a strong statement for any bag, but rendering it in black and charcoal dials down the volume just enough to make it modern and sophisticated. The signature twig closure provides a perfect compliment. Not only do the colors and tones work together seamlessly, but the choice in material compliments them very well. Stingray embossing has an almost glittery effect, without the shedding hassle and extreme shine of actual glitter. This larger size is big enough for all of your nighttime essentials, and the price is an absolute steal. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $300.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’m so relieved that Alexander McQueen (the brand) will continue to function after the death of Alexander McQueen (the man). He was a visionary, and his legacy deserves to be continued in the wake of his passing. By all indications, the McQueen clothing and accessories that we will see in the near future owe a considerable debt to the founder’s aesthetic, just as it should be.

Skull clutches have been a McQueen accessory signature for some time, and the brand looks to continue that tradition with the Alexander McQueen Union Jack Stud Clutch. Skulls, studs and Anglophilia were all motifs which McQueen embraced, and if this bag is any indication, they’re not going anywhere in the brand’s forthcoming work.

Before we go any further, however, it’s worth mentioning that the clutch in this photo appears to be damaged. Samples undergo a higher amount of stress and abuse than the average bag, but it still strikes me as odd that Neiman Marcus would photograph a damaged bag to be featured on their website, thereby possibly exacerbating whatever quality control concerns one may have when buying bags online and sight unseen.

From a design perspective, though, I really love this iteration of the skull clutch. The color combination of cream and gold is classic and a bit regal, but the twinkling skull eyes and punk motif create a nice aesthetic juxtaposition to any perceived conventionality. We may have seen a lot of studded bags lately, but the use of multi-sized studs to create a larger whole keeps the design fresh. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

There are some bags out there which words cannot seem to do it enough justice. This clutch falls into that category. Coming across this Jimmy Choo Tube Elaphe Snake Clutch has me trying to reach through my computer and grab it. The color, the shape, the execution is all just complete and utter perfection. To be honest, the only thing I am having a problem with is figuring out which outfit I would pair this with first.

The blue and green elaphe snakeskin whirls and swirls around the clutch and is bound to catch the light wonderfully. I love the criss-cross knotted strand embellishments that surround the clutch. When it comes to exotics, sometimes less is more so some of you might not care for the embellishments as much as I do. But, with this bag, being an evening bag, it all works. While a minor detail, the gold-tone hardware is perfect. Open the clutch and you will find peach satin lining which is a nice light feminine color in contrast to the louder exterior hues. And yes, like many Jimmy Choo bags are, this one will cost you a bit, but personally, I think it is totally worth it. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1345.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Doth my eyes deceive me? Could this be, could this really be the most beautiful Judith Leiber creation yet? Yes, I do believe so.

When it comes to Judith Leiber, all handbag lovers know what to expect: exquisite, luxurious and head-turning pieces. While this is what I certainly expect, there is a good chance Judith outdid herself this time. I came across this bag a little while ago and have spent more than a bit of time drooling over it. Everything you’ve come to expect from a Judith Leiber creation is here – and then some. In fact, I am almost a bit concerned that the pictures we have can’t even do the bag the kind of true justice it deserves, but I’m sure going to try!

The Judith Leiber Birdcage Fine-Crystal Bag is an ornate showcase of everything the perfect evening bag can be when the proper attention to detail is applied. This multicolored hand-placed crystal-embellished birdcage would be the absolute quintessential evening bag – the pinnacle of evening bags. It is hand-painted, boasts a gold-tone chain-link handle that can be used or tucked inside the bag so that it is completely carried like a clutch. The gold-tone push-clasp has a ring which you can hold and is completely lined with gold leather. How glamorous. We’ve seen so many other Judith Leiber handbags that all seemed to be the most gorgeous around, but this one, it takes the cake. I admire the shape, detailing and handle option. Not many other JL bags have this option and with this particular design, it is a perfect addition. Yes, it is pricey, and I would have to save up quite a bit for it, but man-oh-man do I love being able to stare at it! Buy through Net-a-Porter for $5595.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I usually kind of wish that Stella McCartney used leather for some of her bags, even though I can understand and respect why she chooses not to. Often, though, I find myself wondering if faux leather bags (or worse, simple canvas or nylon totes) are worth the steep price that she usually charges, and those thoughts have somewhat turned me off to the brand.

If there was a better way to get me reinterested than doing something stupendously odd like the Stella McCartney Wooden Accordion Clutch, however, than I can’t even imagine what it would be. This little bag is inventive but retro, technical but beautiful, and has 100% of my attention. I feel like I could play with it for hours.

Something about this clutch makes me think that Eames would enjoy it, but at the same time it reminds me of the old-fashioned structure behind the women’s clothing of a bygone era. The vintage duality of the curved wood is both minimal and ornate, but it makes me think that the clutch would be nearly ruined by actually using it.

I’m not saying that it would be physically harmed by use (although it might be, based on the strings that hold the wooden slats equidistant from one and other), but the lines that make the bag so fantastic would be interrupted and you’d lose a bit of the effect. That fear is at least partially justified by pictures of the bag with a removable satin pouch inside, which makes the little clutch’s structure hard to understand. This may be a great bag to look at, but it’s one that I’d want to own as a collector’s item, not a functional clutch. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2045.

Original post by Amanda Mull