Herve Leger Crystal Clutch

When we first discovered Herve Leger was making handbags, we shuddered. Due to our huge love of Balmain clothes and shoes and our subsequent huge disappointment with Balmain’s handbags, we didn’t even want to see what Herve Leger had in store. But then we took a peek at this Herve Leger Crystal Clutch and were pleasantly surprised. Herve Leger’s bandage dresses have become the gold standard for unstuffy evening wear, and it’s evening bags just may be the handbag equivalent. Read more

Greta Satin Bow Clutch by Felix Rey

Doesn’t the Felix Rey Greta Satin Bow Clutch just put you in a party mood? If you’re the type to style your outfit around your accessories, then this bag is where you should start with your holiday dressing. The bag features Felix Rey’s signature metal-mesh with an adorable oversized black satin bow across the front. Read more

Coach New Tangle Ballchain Frame Bag

Our friend Staci over at Handbag Report has had her eye on Coach bags lately, and for good reason. She found this adorable new purse in the Coach ‘Poppy’ collection - the New Tangle Ballchain Frame Bag ($248). It’s a sparkly little number that’s sure to be a holiday party head-turner. Read more about it at HandbagReport.com.

Christian Louboutin Pliage Framed Clutch

Being newly engaged has opened up an entire new area of fashion for me - bridal fashion! And of course, one of the first things on my list is a new bag for the big day. It’s not for a while now but for an accessories addict like myself, it’s never too early to find the perfect bridal bag! One evening bag that caught my eye was the Christian Louboutin Pliage Framed Clutch. Read more

Steal du Jour: Nordstrom Ruffle Chiffon Frame Clutch

Evening clutches are typically expensive and so not worth the money. Realistically, you’re probably only going to carry the bag a few times a year because they aren’t big enough to carry your normal day-to-day stuff anyway. So why shell out tons of bucks for a special event bag? Nordstrom proves that great evening bags CAN be both chic and cheap. The Nordstrom Ruffle Chiffon Frame Clutch is simply adorable, and affordable. For $78, you get a layered silk chiffon petaled frame clutch topped with a translucent, bow-shaped clasp. The red is my fave - it also comes in black and champagne but the red is so adorable! The bag also has a drop-in chain strap and interior slip pocket.

Flash Parallelogram Clutch by Sang A.

Sometimes less is more. There’s something so basic about the Sang A Flash Parallelogram Clutch but it speaks volumes. It’s a simple, silver mirrored leather day clutch that has been transformed into something really special due to its unique, angular shape. Add to that a removable, adjustable shoulder strap and it doubles as the perfect evening bag – Read more

CC SKYE Bridgette shoulder bag

Celebrities like Lauren Conrad and Rihanna love their CC SKYE jewelry but the CC SKYE handbag collection has some pretty covetable pieces too. The CC SKYE Bridgette Chain Strap Turn Lock shoulder bag is one particular standout, with its ‘fringe’ chain detail hanging from the single shoulder strap. It’s clearly a party bag, I mean you wouldn’t want to wear this to work, unless, of course, you work at a club. It’s just meant to be flaunted. The bag comes in both green and black snake leather, and at 11″ x 3″ x 6″, is just the right size for carrying your cell phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses, lip gloss. It features a top flap with a twist lock closure and hot pink interior lining that includes a back wall zip pocket.

Buy it on sale now for $544 at Zappos.

 

 

 

Christian Louboutin Sculptural Satin Clutch

My sister despises bows - on tops, dresses, accessories - virutally on anything. But I’m the complete opposite. I adore bows - in moderation, of course - because they add such a girlish element to any look. But the Christian Louboutin Sculptural Satin Clutch presents the bow in a more refined, ladylike manner. Read more

Lauren Merkin Blake clutch

Ultra-chic little black clutches are a staple for evening. But take your evening look to the next level with the Blake Clutch from Lauren Merkin. This black satin foldover clutch has distinctive cream-colored contrast curved banding, Read more

Oprah Carries the Prada Raso A Clutch at Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Event

When you’re Oprah, you have your pick of the litter of whatever you want - clothes, cars, jewels and yes, bags. So if you’re as famous and powerful and iconic as Oprah, what bag do you carry on a night out? The Prada Raso A Clutch of course. Read more

Alexander McQueen Squeeze It Clutch

I saw the metallic version of this Alexander McQueen Squeeze It clutch and immediately wanted to know where to buy one. The large bow-shaped clutch definitely stands out in a crowd, which is what I love in my bags. Read more

Haute Bag on the Cheap: Jessica McClintock Stone Frame Pleated Clutch

Have you ever bought a bag for future use? As in “I have no clue what I’m going to wear this with or where but I have to have it!”? That’s how I feel about this Jessica McClintock Stone Frame Pleated Clutch. Read more

Corto Moltedo’s Small Cassette Bag

All of you younger fashionistas may not get this, but if you’re 25 and older and you remember cassette tapes, don’t you just love this bag? Corto Moltedo’s Small Cassette Bag is a red leather flap clutch with front ruching gathered together by a gold cassette logo plate. I love the fun aspect of this otherwise simple red bag. If you’re going out at night, carry this bag to jazz up your outfit a notch.

Christian Louboutin Loubounight Laminato Clutch

As Christmas and New Year’s Eve quickly approach, I find myself looking at more and more sparkly evening bags. I do have a few parties to attend and likely will just buy a new dress and shoes and carry one of my evening bags I have yet to use but it doesn’t hurt to look, right? The Loubounight Laminato Clutch by Christian Louboutin is one that caught my eye. Luminous champagne-colored metallic leather folds and pleats softly to form a petite (8″ X 5¼” X 2½”) handheld clutch. It’s simple and understated - just what you need if you’re wearing a fancy, look-at-me type of dress, but it still manages to stand out. Louboutin’s signature red-soled shoes grace the top of the elegant frame bag as a snap closure and the clutch is lined luxuriously in red satin.

Alexander McQueen’s Skull-shaped clasp Clutch

Wow, Halloween bags have gotten a lot more chic! Whether you’re going out trick-or-treating or partying the night away, in costume or out, the Alexander McQueen Skull Clasp Clutch is the perfect accessory. This petite black box-shaped bag is made of palatial leather and crowned with a signature Alexander McQueen skull-shaped clasp closure adorned with genuine Swarovski^® crystals. It’s tiny (5.5″ x 3.5″) so it doesn’t hold much – just your credit cards, money, lipstick and a few treats, but with its luxe suede lining, you won’t want to store much inside anyway.

$999, at Zappos Couture

Have a Happy Halloween!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Party Girl Bow Bag

If this isn’t the most ridiculous bag I’ve ever seen, I don’t know what is. The
Marc by Marc Jacobs Party Girl Bow Bag manages to be both idiotic and impractical. All it is, really, is a bow with a chain strapped to it and called a bag. There are double zipper closures at the main openings which are practically miniscule, and the bow has tacky tulle overlaying the metallic body. The bag and the price are both ridiculous and Marc Jacobs, no matter how quirky his design aesthetic, should be ashamed to put his name on this.

See by Chloe Patent Let’s Party Clutch

They say the mirror has two faces…So does this bag. The See by Chloe Patent Let’s Party Clutch is a two-faced patent leather clutch in a delicious shade of dark purple. The clutch features an off-center snap-flap closure in the front and back. The lined interior features a dividing zipper compartment, with a cute kiss-lock coin purse, mirror, and 8 card slots. The style of this clutch is utterly unique, which See by Chloe has come to be known for.

Celebrities love Michael Kors’ Sutton Clutch

Women love Michael Kors, especially his handbags since the styles are classic and clean, much like his clothes. The Michael Kors Sutton Clutch is the ‘It’ clutch for summer, already having been carried by celebrities, including Eva Longoria (pictured above with friend, rapper Eve with her Zagliani Flash Python Clutch). The clutch comes in a variety of colors, including the color for summer, yellow, along with royal blue, white, red, and black patent leather, and gold metallic and coral kidskin. It’s fastened with an oversized gold buckle that adds some flash while staying simple and understated. At $395 each, you can pick up a few for the Spring and Summer! Paired with a dress, suit or tank top and jeans, the Sutton clutch adds class to any look.

Go for the Gold, and Win a Bag from Nikki Chu!

Marion Jones may have been stripped of her gold, but you can still carry yours proudly. Gold never gets old, and it’s once again an ‘It’ colors again this Fall. Gold handbags look great with everything - it gives basic blacks and browns a much needed color boost, pops against primary colors like red, blue and green, and looks regal against purple and plum. Accessory and interior designer Nikki Chu has a haute new line of leather bags that are sure to give you a (gold) rush:

The ‘Tisha’ is a hot mini bowling bag available in a white and black leather duo and a gold and black leather combo. Although it’s a classic shape, it’s perfect for when you want to break out of the mold.

The ‘Tam’ ($335) is a gorgeous liquid leather shopper. It’s an oversized gold bag (also available in black), with gold and black ribbon trim, to give a casual, sporty feel. Remove the detachable shoulder strap and carry it with the top double handles, or put it back on and sling it over your shoulder when you pack it to the gills!

The ‘Celeste’ ($220) is an adorable evening bag. It’s a clutch with gold link mini handles, a mini faceplate and twin tassels. Teardrop-shaped ruched sides give it a bit of a tough-chick edge.

The ‘Afiya’ ($440) is my favorite - a large leather satchel available in plain white embossed lambskin and gold lambskin but highly detailed with gold studs lining the bottom front, a gold faceplate, braided handles, stud detail and side tassels. And you can win it, courtesy of Nikki Chu! Just email contests@whatshaute.com with the correct answers to the questions below. Hint: you’ll have to visit nikkichu.com and nikkichubags.com to find the answers. Good luck!

-Where was Nikki Chu born and raised?

-Besides a handbag line, what else does Nikki Chu Design Corporation do?

-What celebrities has Nikki Chu worked with (name at least 2)?

-What design shows has Nikki Chu appeared on?

-What section of nikkichubags.com would a traveling business woman most prefer?

What’s Haute gives a special thanks to Nikki Chu for sponsoring this giveaway! Contest ends 12:00 am ET on November 1, 2007.

The Perfect Clutch for the LBD (Little Black Dress)

You’ve found the perfect holiday party dress. But your rugged Kooba hobo, Dior saddle bag, and Marc Jacobs’ satchel just won’t do. E.D.E. Studio has the perfect solution:

The Leather Clutch in Navy


It’s deep enough to pass as black at night. The pouch-y body is cleanly gathered by a top band, detailed with a mini leather contrasting ‘belt’, and gold doorknocker clasp. A leather exterior and suede interior make it even more glamorous.

Now if you can just find the perfect date…

Minnie Mouse Couture

Fellow fashion blogger Kristopher Dukes and I have a shared love for the petite purse, commonly called the ‘clutch’. I adore this one that she found: the Miss Sixty Chainmail Bag, where Disney world meets the bright lights of Broadway. I call it Minnie Mouse Couture, as it conjures up images of the ever popular character, but all glammed up. I believe Mickey would approve.

The Grass is not Always Greener…

I’ve seen some pretty innovative materials incorporated into handbags, or standard materials made to appear innovative. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine a night on the town carrying this bag. The Fringed Evening Bag by Toos is simply too much. It appears as if someone mowed the lawn and strapped the excess grass and weeds to an evening bag. Despite the fact that it is made entirely of silk and satin, a price tag of $1475 is also too much.

Haute or Not: Valentino Embellished Diva Bag

Valentino is a legend in luxury design, with his international fame, haute couture house, and distinctive brand recognition. That’s why I was confused when I saw this bag. Unlike anything Valentino, the Embellished Diva Bag is an explosion of sequins and satin, oversized jewels, and an outrageous Galliano style print. The only thing reminiscent of Valentino is the price ($2,450).

So is the bag tactfully done or just tacky?