The Chicest Clutch Bags For Day-To-Night Dressing
No longer reserved just for evening, the clutch bag has become a chic daytime option, too – and with added practicality. Here, COLLEEN ROSS highlights the styles to get your hands on this season…
Although first designed in the 1920s as a complement to glamorous evening looks – and for decades reserved solely for special occasions – the clutch bag has since been reinvented as a versatile, everyday staple that is capable of carrying much more than just your lipstick or compact. Today’s spacious iterations, crafted from buttery leather and suede – in soft, huggable shapes – are must-have accessories in modern wardrobes, thanks to their ability to smarten up even the most casual outfits.
These new clutches have easy appeal; they offer the impression of hyper put-togetherness but remain a simple grab-and-go style due to their sizeable dimensions that ensure they fit all manner of daily essentials. The perfect example, Loewe’s ‘Flamenco’ clutch – a contemporary take on an archival style from the ’70s – has a slouchy, drawstring silhouette that feels simultaneously sporty and sleek while Jil Sander’s version comes in supple buttercream suede with a folded top weighted by a sculptural silver pebble. Both look gorgeous worn with classic blue denim, crisp poplin shirt dresses and oversized tailoring alike.
New York label Khaite’s Catherine Holstein effortlessly blends uptown elegance with a modern sensibility in her designs, which is reflected beautifully in this suede ‘Audrey’ clutch from the SS25 collection. Spacious enough to hold everything you need for the day, yet light enough that it won’t feel cumbersome to carry, it has Art Deco-inspired hardware and even comes with a matching cardholder – so you can leave your wallet at home. Alternatively, if you’d prefer something a little more structured, Savette’s ‘Florence’ clutch in hardwearing textured leather is a refined choice.
East-West silhouettes (so-called for their horizontally-extended shapes) are trending in a big way this season, thanks in no small part to Alaïa’s Pieter Mulier – the visionary designer’s ‘Le Teckel’ (French for dachshund) comes in an elongated shape, inspired by its namesake, that has captured the hearts of editors and influencers alike. Elsewhere, Dries Van Noten’s long-length clutch is crafted from glossy black leather with origami-style folds and comes with an optional shoulder strap, thus doubling your carrying options.
If there is one brand that has consistently championed the clutch in recent seasons, it’s Bottega Veneta. The ‘Lauren 1980’ – originally worn by actor Lauren Hutton in American Gigolo and again on the runway in 2016 – is an emblem of timeless style and has become a staple for stylish women the world over, who value its understated design.
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