To clutch or not to clutch – that… my girls is the question! After all, do you really need a hand bag on your wedding day? Or will your maid of honour take all and sundry for you? (since you’d rather be holding your champagne glass for the night!)
On the other hand, “pro-clutchers” will be thinking that they should definitely take their glam look full throttle and pose the day away holding that fab clutch. I think I tend to agree with the latter, especially if you’re a fearless bride who is opting to wear colour on her dress, with her jewellery or add a pop of it with a cute pair of coloured pumps or hair accessory.
The trends I’ve seen in bridal clutches and handbags are largely frame bags (i.e. those with the metal frame that clasps shut at the top) and minaudieres (hard-cased bags that are usually embellished or in a luxurious fabric. These are held by the hand or can be used with a chain or strap that’s attached inside).
In terms of the styling of the bags, I’ve mostly seen:
• Graphically printed bags – with motifs such as: cherry blossom, peonies, roses, ferns, peacock feathers, orchids and dandelions.
• Metallic bags
• Bags featuring sparkling details such as crystals, pearls and jeweled accents
• Ruffles and three-dimensional, hand-made flowers on bags
• Bags in neutral or nude shades.
Last night I flew in from New York on the heels of Bridal Market Week 2011. At the Wedding Channel’s Couture Show in Manhattan, I saw some amazing handbags by famous Hungarian-born handbag designer, Judith Leiber.
Her bags are just the sort of decadent arm candy coveted by the likes of celebrities such as: Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum, Keri Hilson, and Kelly Osbourne; and were a familiar sight on the red carpets of the 2011 Grammy and Academy Awards.
And…if you can cast your mind back, Leiber’s pink cupcake minaudiere was famously worn by “Carrie” in the Sex and the City movie. Have a look at the slideshow above to see some of what I saw of her bridal collection!
