onalIty

M
FASHION UPDATE…
Showing off your
By Jean Amodea
Purseonality
OPPOSITE:
1. Hard case evening
clutch with hard silver
tone handle ($49.95)
by Alexis Fashions at
Richard's Reef.
2. Silver lame evening
clutch with soft
handle ($49.95) by
Alexis Fashions at
Richard's Reef.
Red carpet watchers who keep tabs on what's popular for the coming season in clutches are
seeing their favorite celebs and stars sport a plethora of the hyper-luxe petite pouches made
by high-end designers who provide a limitless supply of eye-candy for their famous clientele.
Well-known handbag designer Judith Lieber dresses her clutches with white and multi colored Austrian crystals priced from $495 to $5,695. Her unique designs include perfectly
fashioned telephone, cupcake and ice-cream sundae replicas as well as a Gatsby-inspired art
deco clutch that sells for $2,695.
3. Perfect Pairing by
Mary Francis ($258) at
Kay's on the Beach.
Other high-end bags made by Christian Louboutin feature spikes and studs a-plenty, and
those by Alexander McQueen have hard cases with skull head and knuckle-style handles with
both collections sporting tags that soar upward to $2,300.
4. Tango in Paris by
Mary Francis ($238) at
Kay's on the Beach.
With pricing not so high into the stratosphere, iconic designer Diane Von Furstenberg
markets her clutches at $225 to $445, while those crafted by Claire Vivier sell for $85 to $200.
5. Water Lily by Mary
Francis ($268) at
Kay's on the Beach.
However, for those of us off the red carpet who want trendy styles while keeping some cash
in their wallets, fret not. We scoured our own backyard and found shops that carry the little
gems — chic and loaded with panache — that are just right for an island-style luncheon to
next season's glitzy galas — all with price tags that won’t break the bank.
Tropical ease to trendy eves
Visit Richard’s Reef for a wide variety of day to night clutches manufactured by Alexis Fashions. Made with materials such as silver lame, Chinese silk or peau de soie (a medium weight,
silky fabric with a satin-like sheen), some of the petite bags are finished with rhinestones or
made with durable hard cases in black or silver tone. Budget friendly, the clutches are priced
right from $22.95 to $49.95.
Glitter and glam
Go all out with plenty of bling with smart and sophisticated clutches from Kay’s on the Beach.
The Mary Frances evening collection ($225-$275) is hand crafted with materials like leather and seashells in fabrics such as tapestry and satin; so unique, they are individually named.
The Aria line ($100) features bags embellished with ostrich feathers and bold flowered patterns
while the Todd Anthony line offers simply elegant classic beaded styles ($138).
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Casual day smart
to chic evening
For easy breezy day or cocktail clutches,
shop Sweetwater’s at the Marco Island
Marriott Beach Resort. The Brighton
brand, for smart day accessorizing to
evening glamour, offers clutches in supple leather ($265) or hard cases in
bronze, gun metal or silver ($185). Mad
by Design ($45) features a fun day bag
with spikes hand-stitched onto satin
and a polished natural horn and mother of pearl handle, in black, white or
dark brown.
Hot and trendy
C’est La Vie, nestled within the The
Esplanade, offers a variety of trendy
clutches perfect for day or a night out
with the girls with an edgy look. Nila
Anthony clutches ($89.95) are made
with hard shell cases and are available
with rows of sparkly studs or in patterns like leopard and snake skin. Similar to Louboutin’s style, the handles
that look like brass knuckles make a
bold and sassy statement.
Style with value
A veritable feast of clutch-style bags
from whimsical to day casual and
dressy are on display at Beadz ‘N Bagz
in the Marco Walk Plaza. Marketed
under the store’s own brand, the bags
are made from materials like distressed
pleather, satin, lace, crystals, chiffon
and beads and come in a kaleidoscope
of colors. Don’t worry that you can’t
choose just one clutch because they are
all priced at $28. n
1. Black satin overlaid with lace adorned with crystals ($28) by Beadz 'N Bagz at Beads 'N Bagz.
2. An evening clutch with beads and feathers stitched onto satin ($28) by Beadz 'N Bagz at Beadz 'N Bagz.
3. Satin roses with a circular rhinestone studded handle ($28) at Beadz 'N Bagz at Beads 'N Bagz.
4. Trendy hard case clutch with spikes and knuckle or chain handle ($89.95) by Nila Anthony at C'est La Vie.
5. Hard case evening clutch with rhinestone clasp
in gun metal by Brighton ($185) at Sweetwater's at
the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort & Spa.
6. The flowered clutch with silver chain handle by
Brighton ($265) at Sweetwater's at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort & Spa.
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