My Day of Holding an Oversized Clutch
Oversized clutches are all the rage this season. If you haven't 'tried out' this trend yet, imagine holding onto a bag with your hands the whole time you're walking around and trying to rush to your next destination. 
So last summer, I had plans to have lunch with a friend of my mum's at a fancy restaurant. It was a rare occassion for me since I usually don't spend more than a sandwich's worth of money on lunch, or actually get up early enough to have lunch out (-hey, it was the summer holidays!) The thought of a fancy lunch put me in a weird, cheerful mood, which prompted me to only carry a large clutch. I was probably imagining myself to be a Hollywood girl about to be photographed by the paparazzis. Like I said, my brain was clearly not awake yet. So I painfully transferred most things from my normal, larger hangbag into a smaller, oversized clutch. My clutch is basically a larger version of this Marni clutch. It's very simple and made of patent leather.
So last summer, I had plans to have lunch with a friend of my mum's at a fancy restaurant. It was a rare occassion for me since I usually don't spend more than a sandwich's worth of money on lunch, or actually get up early enough to have lunch out (-hey, it was the summer holidays!) The thought of a fancy lunch put me in a weird, cheerful mood, which prompted me to only carry a large clutch. I was probably imagining myself to be a Hollywood girl about to be photographed by the paparazzis. Like I said, my brain was clearly not awake yet. So I painfully transferred most things from my normal, larger hangbag into a smaller, oversized clutch. My clutch is basically a larger version of this Marni clutch. It's very simple and made of patent leather.Here's how my day went: I felt very glamorous at first, clutching onto my shiny clutch and rushing to lunch. But as the day went on, I had to go to a few places to run errands and let me tell you, it is very inconvenient to have to hold onto a clutch while carrying other paperbags, listening to your iPod and trying to dig out your wallet for the underground ticket/card. The novelty quickly wore off. The said clutch is now more of a dinner-out-only clutch. As for daytime, I will stick to bags that have handles or straps attached.
Have you tried carrying an oversized clutch for daytime yet?
Image Credit: www.net-a-porter.com
posted by Harrods Girl at 11:18 PM
21 Comments:
i agree. but then i dont think i'd try clutches day-time, period. they're meant to be worn with dresses. :)
oh i think i've seen them carried with everything, even jeans! i found a clutch with an optional strap, so if you got tired of carrying it you could pop on the strap and voila, shoulder bag. it was at a thrift shop though so i can't tell you where to find that particular bag. the strap is skinny so would fit in the bag easily.
I always thought an oversied clutch would be so glamourous and look great when I carried it around, but I didn't stop and think about how annoying it would be to have to hold all day. I think I'll stick to using them for events only, like you said!
You MUST check out La Cintura's Waist Purse- a chic purse that you can wear over your shoulder like a regular bag, but when you need your hands free you can open the clasp and wear it around your waist!! Its the perfect solution if you absolutely refuse to wear a fanny pack like I do and they're top quality leather and suede AND retail for about 100.00. You can check them out at www.fannypackalternatives.com .
toodles!
I carry my marc jacobs eugenie clutch with me pretty much everywhere that is not the gym or school. Its black, its simple, it goes with jeans and dresses. I personally like it because I don't see a lot of girls carrying clutches, and it makes me cut down on all the crap i would carry in a larger bag.
However, I do live in a pretty suburban area and I can keep lots of things in my car, or go home very easily. When I went to London, I carried a full size bag.
But I do love clutches, and I'm planning on buying another mj collection and a marc by marc one soon.
I think clutches for daywear is really stylish..but it requires a certain lifestyle...
I hate being behind on fashion, but I could never in my life get into clutches. I am a clumz and a half, and I lose things left and right. Having a small bag on the night out is so much more convenient- and I will always have it with me no matter the amount of alcohol running in my veins. Definitely love the look of clutches, just find them highly irrational. I guess if you have a personal assistance and ride around in cars all the time it'd work perfectly.
The price of glamor.
I think Eva's got it. For those of us who fill up every inch of space in our purses, it's probably best to get something small LIKE a clutch to cut the clutter.
I have a white clutch with a foldover cover that closes on a magnet. I used it for a week during the summer holidays when I was just working and not studying at uni, so I had less things to put in it. I find a clutch is easier to carry when there are less things in it, as it's kind of hard to get one's fingers around it when it's packed to bursting point. After that week I got a bit tired of carrying it in my hands all the time and straining my fingers to keep hold of it. I definitely prefer bags with straps/handles for everyday use. Clutches do, however, look exceedingly glamorous at any time, so it's worth using one for one day of the week when you can do with a little less stuff to carry. (Luckily, mine has a detachable strap).
OMG genius. You are so right, the inconvenience is mind boggling. I've literally lost 13 over sized clutches and I'm still carrying them. What is wrong with me?
Oh yes, I've tried the look and I still love it. Though, after having to juggle around several paper bags and my clutch, I tend to just give up and stuff my clutch in the paper bags. But carrying clutches are oh-so-chic that its hard to stop.
Tried, tested and loved! I think the tipping point of the wearability of oversized clutches is, well, the size. I have a slightly rugged, vintagey one that I can bring practically everywhere and my hand fits around it like a glove because of its size and shape. I wear it alot with shorts and the like for a more casual feel. And yes, mine does come with a short wrist strap so the clutch can be hung from my arm, say when i'm washing my hands and so on. Really not that much of a hassle to me.
I haven't tried out this trend but I imagined it'd be difficult to get through the day without loosing it because I am very clumsy.
I really don't like the clutches but see them as necessary evil to complete the outfit. My thumb and fingers hurt from holding the darn thing after about 30 minutes. To clutch it under my arm, I have a fear that someone is going to run from behind me to rob me.
I just use small clutches that fit into palm of my hand now for evenings out. Anya Hindmarch offers unique evening clutches.
Omg I totally know what you mean about imagining the paparazzi would be waiting outside for me...
hahah
But yea, it was horrible carrying it around, and for someone who usually carries a large bag, it was impossible to carry everything that i was used to having, in a oversized, but still small, clutch.
Great post!
I used to be obsessed with tiny clutch-size bags, and I somehow fit my phone, keys, make-up in it. I guess the key is not carry a wallet and put your plastic & money in the slim pocket in the clutch, and only carry the promotional size make-up with you. Also, the detachable strap is a must, my fingers would go numb without it!
I like your post. But I would have to say no thank you to the large clutch. It would feel like it weighed 30 pounds after 10 blocks. In New York, it is all about the tote and the shoulder bag for me.
Clutch handbags suck. I'm the girl that loves the bag that can hold a large size popcord & two 32 ounce drinks into a movie theatre undetected.
I know that if I even attempted to use a clutch I would inevitably leave it somewhere...I don't think it's a good bag for someone as forgetful as me!
I have tons of clutch handbags! They are all I carry. I usually hold them in the nook of my elbow. I can have a drink in one hand, a cigarette in the other and be fine! The key is to be a minimalist. I only carry my id, credit/ bank card, car keys, cash, lip gloss, cell phone, lighter and 1 pack of cigarettes. :)(I know I am a bad girl smoking!) The worst is washing your hands in the restroom, I usually put it between my knees.
I love clutches! But I agree, they can be very annoying to carry! I own so many clutches, yet I always go back to my oversized handbags.
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