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Should you’re trying to update your wardrobe with only a single piece, clutch bags are your answer. While these petite accessories may once have been purely demure and ornamental, the most recent incarnations are much more practical. These are designed to take you from day-to-night with ease, from oversized shapes constituted of soft woven leather, to crochet and raffia options. In fact, there’s still all the time an occasion for those smaller clutches when only the essentials are required.
But what does a clutch add to our wardrobes and why is it having fun with such a resurgence? “The clutch will all the time stand the test of time in consequence of what it represents when it comes to the necessity to feel dressed up and have a purpose to exit once more,” says Emily Blumenthal, handbag industry and design expert. “The necessity to feel good and dressed up is stronger now greater than ever and the chance to glam up with a sleek clutch bag serves a bigger purpose overall.”
In reality, clutch bags have had a longstanding place in fashion history. Starting life within the Victorian era as a small decorative bag with no strap or handle, clutches were an indication of independence. From the arrival of the minaudière clutch within the Thirties at Chanel, to Gucci’s signature Horsebit bag within the Fifties, and the discharge of Rebecca Minkoff’s wildly popular M.A.B. bag in 2005, designer clutch bags have continued to evolve while remaining a mainstay in a lady’s life.
“This has taken us to today’s post-pandemic world where the clutch is once more, the most recent symbol of fashionable freedom and luxury,” adds Blumenthal. Following the trend are a plethora of stars and ‘It’ girls, including Charlize Theron, Kelly Rutherford, and Taraji P. Henson, who’ve all been photographed on the red carpet carrying sleek clutches with floor-length cocktail dresses. Meanwhile tastemakers like Hannah Bronfman and Chriselle Lim prefer to hold metallic bags and black clutches to pull-together more contemporary looks of leather pants and mini dresses.
After hours of research and consulting with our style experts, we’ve curated 15 of the perfect clutch bags to update your closet this season. From the perfect on a regular basis bags that wear with all the pieces, to modern slouchy bags, and minimalist bags that exude elegance, we’ve found a clutch for each taste and occasion. Read on to search out the proper one for you.
Top Clutch Bags of 2023
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Best clutch bag for weddings
Michael Kors Mona Large Glitter Chain Mesh Clutch
Materials: Glitter chain mesh
Special features: Detachable chain strap
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
In shimmering gold chain mesh, Micahel Kors’ large Mona clutch is our top pick to wear as a guest to a winter wedding, or as the most effective clutch bags for brides. While it’s fairly compact, there’s room inside for all of the essentials like your wallet, phone, keys and a lipstick — all the pieces you wish for a night of celebrations. There’s also the choice so as to add the detachable chain shoulder strap for champagne and canapés.
Price upon publish date of this text: $98
Related:
Best Wedding Guest Dresses
Best clutch bag with strap for girls
Coach Pride Embroidered Trim Tabby Leather Clutch
Materials: Leather and textile
Special features: Gold chain strap, shell-stitch embroidery
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Feel-good fashion at its best, Coach’s Tabby brown leather clutch celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with a rainbow shell-stitch embroidered trim. It’s design is leans into Coach’s heritage with the enduring C decorating the flap front. And, with a straightforward lift, it reveals an impressively organized interior. Carry it as the proper partner to this season’s flared jeans for a contemporary twist on a ‘70s aesthetic.
Price upon publish date of this text: $187.50
Best clutch for evenings
Cult Gaia Caldera Clutch
Materials: 100% ABS, polyester flocked lining
Special features: Flat base, can fit a professional size iPhone
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Neiman Marcus Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
“The Caldera Clutch in shiny silver by Cult Gaia is a timeless evening piece,” says Blumenthal. “With its unique shape and materials, the clutch speaks to the trend of novelty and whimsy. This can be a piece to add-on to a straightforward black ensemble.” Should you’re heading to a celebration, not only will it hold your essentials for the night in style, it’ll also act as the proper conversation starter. The flat bottom adds a touch of practicality, so you may place it on a table without scratching the shell.
Price upon publish date of this text: $598
Best clutch for parties
The Row Lou Oval Leather Clutch Bag
Materials: Polished lambskin
Special features: Bracelet carry handle, magnetic closure
FWRD Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
“An artful execution of form and performance, The Row’s Lou leather clutch bag is the proper 5-à-7 companion,” says Yenia Hernández Fonseca, stylist, luxury fashion expert, and contributor at Margo Paige. “Picture yourself wearing its oval silhouette to your next gallery opening. Make a choice from a voluminous curly shearling coat, a comfortable cashmere dress, and a floor-length coat — the important thing here is pairing different textures together to bring out the buttery soft finish and curved proportions of this stunning clutch bag.” We also love this designer handbag’s beautiful construction, from the bracelet carry handle, case-style shape, and buttery-soft polished lambskin.
Price upon publish date of this text: $3,140
Best clutch for summer
Proenza Schouler Small Bar Lambskin Clutch
Materials: Lambskin leather
Special features: Comes with detachable shoulder strap, bar top handles
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Shopbop Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 5/5 stars
Neiman Marcus Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
“The Proenza Schouler Small Bar Lambskin Clutch is a stand-out for this season, with its interpretation of their hero PS1 bag,” notes Hernández Fonseca. “This bag specifically also covers the oversized and convertible trend, lending itself to operate and fashion, as it could be carried in a myriad of how.” She notes that the lambskin construction also guarantees that, despite the dimensions, it stays lightweight, so long as you don’t overstuff it. It’s super versatile too, and the detachable shoulder strap means it could be carried as a clutch or crossbody bag.
Price upon publish date of this text: $1,590
Best clutch for work
Bottega Veneta Teen Pouch Leather Clutch
Materials: Leather and metal hinged frame
Special features: Expertly folded leather construction, magnetic top
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Net-a-Porter Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
FWRD Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ssense Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Bottega Veneta led the best way for slouchy silhouettes on the autumn 2023 runways, and the Pouch Teen leather clutch is a highlight from the brand new accessories collection. This style is constructed from expertly folded leather with a hinged magnetic frame that adds structure to the form and keeps the contents secure. Carry it under your arm as per the runway styling for the most recent take.
Price upon publish date of this text: $3,300
Best envelope clutch for girls
Saint Laurent Uptown Leather Clutch
Materials: Calf leather
Special features: Envelope shape, magnetic fastening
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Envelope clutches are big news this season, and Saint Laurent shines with this latest snow-white style. The contrast of white calf leather with gold-tone hardware will lend sophistication to winter outfits — try carrying it with a tonal tailored look or a black tuxedo dress for a monochrome spin. It has a concealed magnetic fastening and a soft fabric lining to maintain your precious essentials secure.
Price upon publish date of this text: $645
Best classic clutch for girls
Versace Greca Goddess Clutch
Materials: Smooth leather
Special features: Hand slip strap
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Farfetch Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.1/5 stars
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Probably the greatest leather clutch bags for girls, the Greca Goddess clutch encapsulates the super sexy aesthetic that Versace delivered to its fall collection. Its curved shape, constructed from sleek black leather, together with signature gold hardware, is certain to raise countless looks in your every day rotation. Slip your hand through the front strap to hold securely.
Price upon publish date of this text: $1,925
Best straw clutch for girls
Burberry Duncan Raffia-Effect Pouch
Materials: Raffia
Special features: White-beige logo embroidery
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
FWRD Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Raffia is a key texture for fall and winter 2023, and Burberry shows easy methods to make it work IRL with this monogram-effect pouch. The natural shade is super versatile, and the brand’s logo is embroidered in soft cream for a soft nod to the home’s heritage. Carry it with a crisp-white cotton shirt and straight-leg jeans for a pulled-together daytime look.
Price upon publish date of this text: $1,090
Related: Best Straw Bags
Best Black Tie Clutch Bag for Women
Tom Ford Chain Velvet Clutch Bag
Materials: Velvet
Special features: Detachable chain shoulder strap
“Tapping on the subversive, this clutch comes with a naughty yet practical removable leather wrist strap that can softly enliven essentially the most understated dress,” says Hernández Fonseca. “This bag is begging so that you can take her out on a date night: Wear a figure-skimming slip dress over tall pointed-toe boots, with minimalist jewelry (a straightforward and effective red rosette choker will do) to let the clutch command center stage. Unclasp the chain from the wristlet and wear the clutch as a shoulder bag for those hands-free moments.”
Price upon publish date of this text: $2,950
Best foldover clutch for girls
Victoria Beckham Chain Pouch
Materials: Nappa leather
Special features: Chain hand strap, detachable shoulder strap
MyTheresa Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Ssense Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Net-a-Porter Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
“The Victoria Beckham Chain Pouch not only has a flat chain handle to hold with its oversized shape, but additionally it has a strap to tie into the throwback pochette shoulder bag trend as well,” says Blumenthal. It’s available in six elegant shades — from khaki to lilac — and has a soft, slouchy shape because of Nappa leather construction. Carry it from day to nighttime to offer every look a new-season upgrade.
Price upon publish date of this text: $1,390
Best leather clutch for girls
Fendi First Midi Clutch
Materials: Calf leather
Special features: Metal clasp, detachable shoulder strap
Cettire Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 3.9/5 stars
As practicality is vital this season, lots of our top picks include multi-functionality. This statement First Midi Clutch from Fendi is the proper example, as it could be carried in hand or by the detachable shoulder strap. Take note from the runway show and carry yours to contrast tough leather dresses and pants or break up fluid gray tailoring.
Price upon publish date of this text: $2,211.45
Best beaded clutch for girls
Gucci Broadway Crystal-Embellished Clutch
Materials: Beaded satin, crystal-encrusted bow
Special features: GG rhombus pattern could be found inside the bow embellishment, silver chain strap
Net-a-Porter Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
This beautiful beaded clutch is a component of Gucci’s Cosmogonie collection that celebrates the celebrities and philosophers Hannah Arendt and Walter Benjamin. Playing into the whimsical aesthetic, it’s embellished with beaded satin and accented with a crystal-encrusted bow. The gold chain strap adds an alternate, hands-free carry option.
Price upon publish date of this text: $4,500
Best clutch for travel
Dior Saddle Compact Trifold Wallet
Materials: Leather and textile
Special features: Pre-owned, internal card slots
Shopbop Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 5/5 stars
Should you’re attempting to make less of an environmental impact along with your shopping habits, this pre-owned Dior Saddle Trifold Wallet is an incredible investment. It features the woven Dior monogram and is accented with a gold “D” on the flap front. We love that there’s dedicated space inside for all of your money and cards. Pair it with a full-skirted black midi dress or pencil skirt, à la Dior’s fall runway.
Price upon publish date of this text: $1,500
Best luxury clutch bag for girls
Chanel Clutch with Chain
Materials: Shiny crumpled calfskin, strass and ruthenium-finish metal
Special features: Detachable chain strap, top handle
The final word fashion investment piece, Chanel’s shiny crumpled calfskin clutch will ceaselessly hold a spot in your wardrobe. It contains a top handle and detachable ruthenium-finish metal chain strap, so it could be worn on the shoulder or carried as an lovable mini bag.
Price upon publish date of this text: $4,425
Clutch Bag Trends for 2023
From classic envelope shapes, embellished mini box clutches, and chain-strap styles, there’s so some ways to try the season’s key bag trend. “Consider that you just’ll be carrying your clutch bag for the overwhelming majority of time, so you wish something practical yet effortless to drape over your forearm or hold on to along with your hands,” says Hernández Fonseca. “Plus, it must be functional to suit your entire day or evening essentials inside, too.”
- Convertible straps: Many clutch bags are also convertible which guarantees maximum trans-seasonal day-to-night wearability. “Look out for clutches with classic details and multiple detachable straps,” Hernández Fonseca advises. Styles like this go from shoulder bag, to day clutch, and back to a night clutch with a straightforward strap swap. For those hands-free events, a sequence strap is all the time convenient, or you may remove the clutch strap for a more elevated evening take.
- Silhouettes: Hernández Fonseca says that the go-to silhouettes of the season feature a pleated or draped-effect structure that hangs from a middle chain handle. “Think: Givenchy’s Mini Kenny in silk or Jimmy Choo’s Callie crystal-embellished clutch bag.” Other key styles include classic envelopes and box clutches, “like Saint Laurent’s Uptown and Gabriela Hearst’s Callas.”
- Embellishments: When it comes to details, fall 2023 guarantees a number of embellishment and statement decorations, comparable to sequins, beads, pearls, crystals or tassels. Standout clutch designs embrace sculptural minaudières, like Simkhai’s Mermaidcore shell clutches and Clio Peppiatt’s Quartz bags. Padded clutches and soft-to-the-touch leather clutches (that enormous enough to double up as pillows) were also seen across a spread of designer collections from Burberry, Simone Rocha, Et Ochs, Brandon Maxwell, Jil Sander, Chloé, and Ferragamo.
What to Look For in a Designer Clutch
- Materials: When purchasing for an on a regular basis clutch bag for AW23, Hernández Fonseca says: “Search for natural soft materials and textures like leather, shearling, or terry in easy-to-carry silhouettes.” She notes that elongated clutches with metal hardware details in silver or gold are also big this season, in addition to quilted, pleated and braided finishes.
- Closures: “The It crowd will gravitate towards mid to large clutches with classic zippers or magnetic closures,” says Hernández Fonseca. Other on-trend details include cinched drawstring pulls and buckled or chained straps.
- Size: When it comes to size, Blumenthal says there are two important trends: Large shapes with minimalist designs and smaller shapes with maximalist elements, like metal hardware and prints. The addition of a slip hand-holding strap is now working its way into the brand new silhouette for functionality — with oversized flaps and pops of color.”
How one can Style Clutch Bags
- Off-duty casual: In relation to styling the clutch in an informal way, Kendall Jenner is one in all our favourite points of inspiration. She often tucks slouchy leather styles from The Row or Bottega Veneta under her arm, styled with a straightforward cropped white tee, straight-leg jeans, and chic loafers. Recent Bottega Veneta and Versace runways served up effortless looks that combined oversized shirts and denim, paired with large-and-in-charge envelope clutches.
- Formal evening wear: A clutch carried with a proper evening wear gown is an enduringly classic pairing. It’s also a glance favored repeatedly on the red carpet by stars comparable to Kerry Washington — who recently matched a soft white leather clutch to a white textured gown — and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu who carried a metallic satin clutch with a red-printed evening dress. Decorative mini clutches, similar those seen in Gabriela Hearst’s fall 2023 collection, are the proper pick for events when only the bare minimum is required.
- Sleek tailoring: The most recent approach to update a classic tailored look is with a contemporary clutch. Nevertheless, the elevated bag you select must be spacious to accommodate your every day essentials and make a practical swap for a every day tote bag. One in every of our favourite picks is Victoria Beckham’s chain-strap style, which she styled with layered knitwear and long-length tailored pants.
How We Chosen the Best Clutch Bags
Since 1910, WWD — also known as “the style bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the worldwide women’s and men’s fashion, retail and wonder communities, while also informing the buyer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for each fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors proceed to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To pick the perfect clutch bags of 2023, one reporter interviewed two style experts for his or her input on the perfect styles to speculate on this season and the important thing designers, silhouettes, and fabrics to think about. Using our expert’s advice, we combed through offerings from multiple retailers to search out top-rated on a regular basis bags which might be each practical and trendy in addition to considering tons of of online reviews. Our shortlist comprises a combination of envelope clutches, mini box bags, chain-strap styles and oversized options from luxury, contemporary and luxury brands to suit a spread of budgets. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Emily Blumenthal is generally known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother.” She is a designer talent scout, handbag and design expert, and the creator of “Handbag Designer 101.” Blumenthal is the founding father of The Handbag Awards, National Handbag Designer Day, and teaches because the Professor of Entrepreneurship on the Fashion Institute of Merchandising.
Yenia Hernández Fonseca is a author, stylist, and visual presentation designer with over ten years of experience in the posh fashion industry. She’s worked with working with globally recognized designers, high-end specialty stores, and premium service corporations. Hernández Fonseca is the founding father of @RockFashionHistory, a fashion studies Instagram account that explores the connection between fashion and identity in rock and roll culture.
Meet the Writer
Cat Hufton is a London-based fashion and wonder journalist who has written for among the world’s best luxury e-commerce corporations and publications, including InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Byrdie, and WWD. Hufton is an avid online shopper and has tested tons of of products during her profession giving her a keen eye for what’s value your hard-earned dollars and what’s not. Hufton wrote this story on the perfect clutch bags using her extensive knowledge within the space.
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