Recently, I’ve been really attracted to smaller bags – which is completely ridiculous, as I’m kindred spirits with Ally Sheedy’s character in The Breakfast Club whose entire life was in her purse. I affectionately refer to my current bag (a satchel from ZARA) as “my Mary Poppins bag” due to its size & capacity. When pillowcase purses become fashionable, I am going to be the most stylishly prepared person on Earth.
In the meantime, I like the idea of minaudières because they feel kitschy but classy. Really retro and elegant, but also really modern and put-together. I kept finding styles I liked, but they all came with these huge designer price tags, so I decided to dig through the affordable-shopping world to find some ways to steal the style without paying the price.
I’m pleased to say that none of these bags have any actual snake on them, the pattern is just embossed (though, for some, there is leather involved). Real snake skin feels really weird to me and I can’t get over it. I had a Kate Spade bag years ago that I never used because it creeped me out.
I loved the look of the clutches (or minaudières, as I guess is appropriate) from Rachel Zoe, Judith Leiber, and House of Harlow but did not appreciate the accompanying price tags. At all. There’s no way I’m paying more than $200 for anything that’s only 7″ long (take that as you will).
Fortunately, Rachel Rachel Roy, HOBO International, and Vince Camuto all come to my rescue. That HOBO International bag is actually a super steal at 81% off – and HOBO is good stuff! I’ve proudly carried HOBO wallets [unintentionally exclusively] for the last 5 years. The Rachel Rachel Roy clutch isn’t a box clutch, like the rest, but it’s got the best snakeskin out of all of them, if you ask me!
Rachel Rachel Roy Large Frame Clutch, $39 Hobo International Prudence Clutch, $32.99 Vince Camuto Onyx Clutch, $69.99