Imagine, for a moment, that you're a major movie star, about to hit the premiere of your latest flick in the most incredible dress. You look your best ever, your hair could inspire poets, Cinderella would totally want your shoes, and as you prepare to leave the house for the most important photo opportunity of your career, you pick up… a gigantic hobo bag to sling over your shoulder, right? Oh no she din't!
Forget about bigger being better, mini is magnificent in bag world right now, and the only carry-all worth carrying to a flashy evening do is a beautiful box clutch - or minaudiere, if you're a fash-savvy gal (1). With the emphasis upon travelling light and looking as lovely as possible, the box clutch is the super-refined and sophisticated choice of Hollywood's most glamorous leading ladies.
Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Diane Von Furstenberg and Judith Leiber are the undisputed designer faves of celeb box clutch world (2), whether it's a classic black leather style, a crazy neon print or lavishly jewel-encrusted eye-popper. And despite leaving little room for anything other than the bare essentials (we're talking lippy, credit card, front door key and phone), nothing looks classier with a breathtaking evening look than a box clutch of delights.
Jumbo bags are over; straps are for wimps; the deal is this - go handheld, or go home.
Footnotes
(1) The proper term for a box clutch is minaudiere - defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a "small, decorative handbag without handles or a strap". The fact that there's no room in that definition for the word ‘practical' speaks volumes. Practical it ain't - pretty, it is.
(2) Bottega Veneta are famed for their woven leather styles; Alexander McQueen's have an attached knuckleduster complete with trademark skulls and studs; DVF's are plain and simple toned leathers, while Judith Leiber's gemstone- encrusted numbers cost more than the average car. All small, beautiful and utterly covetable. Put one on your birthday/Christmas/any day wishlist immediately.
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