Did you know that the idea of the clutch bag/purse was established during the Victorian Era? And the only reason women of that time carried them around was to keep a handkerchief and smelling salts. It was after World War II that the clutch bag became "the bag" that women would use with their eveningwear. Historians stated that at times the bags would be made from, "Lucite or Bakelite, or silk, satin or brocade...tailored to match your dress and shoes." Talk about having the perfect look!

Tweet

Nowadays, the clutch bag has become a sign of style and glamour. It’s also used simply for its mere idea of being compact. You can throw some cash, a credit card, your cell phone, eyeliner & a lipstick, and still have plenty of room inside. For a girl with simple needs, this is the perfect bag for you.

I know this because I have a bag to match any going out outfit, whether there’s some black in it, silver, gold, or funk! And a clutch bag doesn’t just go with eveningwear. It’s a great way to dress up a blazer on jeans, a simple dress or skirt, or even shorts and a tank.

Clutches scream out “classy”, “chic”, and “sophisticated.” So regardless if it’s a romantic dinner for two, girls night downtown, or just shopping at the mall, if you’ve got one, bring it with you. And if you don’t…now’s the time to invest in one! And here are some of my favorites!

The first image is a Embossed Faux Crocodile Clutch, [top left, going clockwise], which can be found at Forever 21. It retails for $15 and is the perfect black clutch to go with any outfit. It’s small, sleek, and eye-catching at the same time. It’s definitely a must-have for all the girls that are gaga for clutches!

The next must-have on my list is the Cut-Out Clutch, which can be found at Express. It retails for $35. My color of choice is natural (since we’ve already featured a black one) and once again, it goes with anything, whether it be formal or casual. It’s big enough to store your needed items, but small enough to look classy and chic.

Now the next piece that completely blew my mind was the Magazine Clutch, which is designed by Marty Stevens-Heebner. This magazine, and no joke, is made from recycled magazines. It has a recycled plastic strap and zippered closure. (And I had to mention this. He has an amazing Paper Cubic Clutch, which is made from recycled paper as well. It’s so creative and SO fashionable!) The Magazine Clutch retails for $35 and can be found on UncommonGoods.com.

And if you thought that piece was a great conversation starter, finally, another creative clutch that caught my eyes was the Pop Can Clutch. And this bag is just how it sounds. It’s hand crocheted and made from over 200 recycled aluminum pull-tabs. The clutch is lined with nylon fabric and has a zipper closure. It was d esigned by Escama Studio, which is a San Francisco based company working with Brazilian crafts co-ops. This bag retails for $40 and can also be found on UncommonGoods.com.

So there you have it my Fashionistas…your clutch crave has been fulfilled. And for those who dare to dream! This awesome Valentino clutch below retails for a mere $4,195. (Come on….we all deserve to splurge once in a while, don’t we?! *wink, wink*). This clutch is emellished with Strass crystal and pearls and defines the idea of Italian luxury. It’s the perfect clutch for any black-tie event…and I mean any!

And since we’re talking about clutch bags, there’s no better way to end this article than “Who Rocked It Better!” Below you’ll see Hillary Duff, Kim Kardashian and Selena Gomez. All three of these celebs have on a great outfit and a matching clutch. Who do you think did the best job in accessorizing themselves with the cllutch? Let us know what you think!