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If you’re looking to update your wardrobe with just a single piece, clutch bags are your answer. While these petite accessories may once have been purely demure and decorative, the latest incarnations are far more practical. These are designed to take you from day-to-night with ease, from oversized shapes made from soft woven leather, to crochet and raffia options. Of course, there’s still always an occasion for those smaller clutches when only the essentials are required.
But what does a clutch add to our wardrobes and why is it enjoying such a resurgence? “The clutch will always stand the test of time as a result of what it represents in terms of the need to feel dressed up and have a purpose to go out once again,” says Emily Blumenthal, handbag industry and design expert. “The need to feel good and dressed up is stronger now more than ever and the opportunity to glam up with a sleek clutch bag serves a larger purpose overall.”
In fact, clutch bags have had a longstanding place in fashion history. Beginning life in the Victorian era as a small decorative bag with no strap or handle, clutches were a sign of independence. From the arrival of the minaudière clutch in the 1930s at Chanel, to Gucci’s signature Horsebit bag in the 1950s, and the release of Rebecca Minkoff’s wildly popular M.A.B. bag in 2005, designer clutch bags have continued to evolve while remaining a mainstay in a woman’s life.
“This has taken us to today’s post-pandemic world where the clutch is once again, the latest symbol of fashionable freedom and luxury,” adds Blumenthal. Following the trend are a plethora of stars and ‘It’ girls, including Charlize Theron, Kelly Rutherford, and Taraji P. Henson, who have all been photographed on the red carpet carrying sleek clutches with floor-length cocktail dresses. Meanwhile tastemakers like Hannah Bronfman and Chriselle Lim prefer to carry metallic bags and black clutches to pull-together more contemporary looks of leather pants and mini dresses.
After hours of research and consulting with our style experts, we’ve curated 15 of the best clutch bags to update your closet this season. From the best everyday bags that wear with everything, to modern slouchy bags, and minimalist bags that exude elegance, we’ve found a clutch for every taste and occasion. Read on to find the perfect one for you.
Top Clutch Bags of 2023
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Best clutch bag for weddings
Michael Kors Mona Large Glitter Chain Mesh Clutch
Materials: Glitter chain mesh
Special features: Detachable chain strap
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
In shimmering gold chain mesh, Micahel Kors’ large Mona clutch is our top pick to wear as a guest to a winter wedding, or as one of the best clutch bags for brides. While it is fairly compact, there’s room inside for all the essentials like your wallet, phone, keys and a lipstick — everything you need for an evening of celebrations. There’s also the option to add the detachable chain shoulder strap for champagne and canapés.
Price upon publish date of this article: $98
Related:
Best Wedding Guest Dresses
Best clutch bag with strap for women
Coach Pride Embroidered Trim Tabby Leather Clutch
Materials: Leather and textile
Special features: Gold chain strap, shell-stitch embroidery
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Feel-good fashion at its best, Coach’s Tabby brown leather clutch celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with a rainbow shell-stitch embroidered trim. It’s design is leans into Coach’s heritage with the iconic C decorating the flap front. And, with a simple lift, it reveals an impressively organized interior. Carry it as the perfect partner to this season’s flared jeans for a modern twist on a ‘70s aesthetic.
Price upon publish date of this article: $187.50
Best clutch for evenings
Cult Gaia Caldera Clutch
Materials: 100% ABS, polyester flocked lining
Special features: Flat base, can fit a pro size iPhone
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Neiman Marcus Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
“The Caldera Clutch in shiny silver by Cult Gaia is a timeless evening piece,” says Blumenthal. “With its unique shape and materials, the clutch speaks to the trend of novelty and whimsy. This is a piece to add-on to a simple black ensemble.” If you’re heading to a party, not only will it hold your essentials for the night in style, it will also act as the perfect conversation starter. The flat bottom adds a touch of practicality, so you can place it on a table without scratching the shell.
Price upon publish date of this article: $598
Best clutch for parties
The Row Lou Oval Leather Clutch Bag
Materials: Polished lambskin
Special features: Bracelet carry handle, magnetic closure
FWRD Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
“An artful execution of form and function, The Row’s Lou leather clutch bag is the perfect 5-à-7 companion,” says Yenia Hernández Fonseca, stylist, luxury fashion expert, and contributor at Margo Paige. “Picture yourself wearing its oval silhouette to your next gallery opening. Choose between a voluminous curly shearling coat, a cozy cashmere dress, and a floor-length coat — the key here is pairing different textures together to bring out the buttery soft finish and curved proportions of this stunning clutch bag.” We also love this designer handbag’s beautiful construction, from the bracelet carry handle, case-style shape, and buttery-soft polished lambskin.
Price upon publish date of this article: $3,140
Best clutch for summer
Proenza Schouler Small Bar Lambskin Clutch
Materials: Lambskin leather
Special features: Comes with detachable shoulder strap, bar top handles
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Shopbop Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 5/5 stars
Neiman Marcus Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
“The Proenza Schouler Small Bar Lambskin Clutch is a stand-out for this season, with its interpretation of their hero PS1 bag,” notes Hernández Fonseca. “This bag in particular also covers the oversized and convertible trend, lending itself to function and fashion, as it can be carried in a myriad of ways.” She notes that the lambskin construction also guarantees that, despite the size, it remains lightweight, as long as you don’t overstuff it. It’s super versatile too, and the detachable shoulder strap means it can be carried as a clutch or crossbody bag.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,590
Best clutch for work
Bottega Veneta Teen Pouch Leather Clutch
Materials: Leather and metal hinged frame
Special features: Expertly folded leather construction, magnetic top
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Net-a-Porter Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
FWRD Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ssense Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Bottega Veneta led the way for slouchy silhouettes on the fall 2023 runways, and the Pouch Teen leather clutch is a highlight from the new accessories collection. This style is constructed from expertly folded leather with a hinged magnetic frame that adds structure to the shape and keeps the contents secure. Carry it under your arm as per the runway styling for the most modern take.
Price upon publish date of this article: $3,300
Best envelope clutch for women
Saint Laurent Uptown Leather Clutch
Materials: Calf leather
Special features: Envelope shape, magnetic fastening
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Envelope clutches are big news this season, and Saint Laurent shines with this new snow-white style. The contrast of white calf leather with gold-tone hardware will lend sophistication to winter outfits — try carrying it with a tonal tailored look or a black tuxedo dress for a monochrome spin. It has a concealed magnetic fastening and a soft fabric lining to keep your precious essentials safe.
Price upon publish date of this article: $645
Best classic clutch for women
Versace Greca Goddess Clutch
Materials: Smooth leather
Special features: Hand slip strap
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Farfetch Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.1/5 stars
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
One of the best leather clutch bags for women, the Greca Goddess clutch encapsulates the super sexy aesthetic that Versace brought to its fall collection. Its curved shape, constructed from sleek black leather, along with signature gold hardware, is bound to elevate countless looks in your daily rotation. Slip your hand through the front strap to carry securely.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,925
Best straw clutch for women
Burberry Duncan Raffia-Effect Pouch
Materials: Raffia
Special features: White-beige logo embroidery
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
FWRD Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Raffia is a key texture for fall and winter 2023, and Burberry shows how to make it work IRL with this monogram-effect pouch. The natural shade is super versatile, and the brand’s logo is embroidered in soft cream for a soft nod to the house’s heritage. Carry it with a crisp-white cotton shirt and straight-leg jeans for a pulled-together daytime look.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,090
Related: Best Straw Bags
Best Black Tie Clutch Bag for Women
Tom Ford Chain Velvet Clutch Bag
Materials: Velvet
Special features: Detachable chain shoulder strap
“Tapping on the subversive, this clutch comes with a naughty yet practical removable leather wrist strap that will softly enliven the most understated dress,” says Hernández Fonseca. “This bag is begging for you to take her out on a date night: Wear a figure-skimming slip dress over tall pointed-toe boots, with minimalist jewelry (a simple and effective red rosette choker will do) to let the clutch command center stage. Unclasp the chain from the wristlet and wear the clutch as a shoulder bag for those hands-free moments.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $2,950
Best foldover clutch for women
Victoria Beckham Chain Pouch
Materials: Nappa leather
Special features: Chain hand strap, detachable shoulder strap
MyTheresa Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Ssense Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Net-a-Porter Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
“The Victoria Beckham Chain Pouch not only has a flat chain handle to carry with its oversized shape, but also it has a strap to tie into the throwback pochette shoulder bag trend as well,” says Blumenthal. It’s available in six elegant shades — from khaki to lilac — and has a soft, slouchy shape thanks to Nappa leather construction. Carry it from day to night to give every look a new-season upgrade.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,390
Best leather clutch for women
Fendi First Midi Clutch
Materials: Calf leather
Special features: Metal clasp, detachable shoulder strap
Cettire Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 3.9/5 stars
As practicality is key this season, many of our top picks come with multi-functionality. This statement First Midi Clutch from Fendi is the perfect example, as it can be carried in hand or by the detachable shoulder strap. Take note from the runway show and carry yours to contrast tough leather dresses and pants or break up fluid gray tailoring.
Price upon publish date of this article: $2,211.45
Best beaded clutch for women
Gucci Broadway Crystal-Embellished Clutch
Materials: Beaded satin, crystal-encrusted bow
Special features: GG rhombus pattern can be found within the bow embellishment, silver chain strap
Net-a-Porter Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
This beautiful beaded clutch is part of Gucci’s Cosmogonie collection that celebrates the stars and philosophers Hannah Arendt and Walter Benjamin. Playing into the whimsical aesthetic, it’s embellished with beaded satin and accented with a crystal-encrusted bow. The gold chain strap adds an alternative, hands-free carry option.
Price upon publish date of this article: $4,500
Best clutch for travel
Dior Saddle Compact Trifold Wallet
Materials: Leather and textile
Special features: Pre-owned, internal card slots
Shopbop Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 5/5 stars
If you’re trying to make less of an environmental impact with your shopping habits, this pre-owned Dior Saddle Trifold Wallet is a great investment. It features the woven Dior monogram and is accented with a gold “D” at the flap front. We love that there’s dedicated space inside for all your cash and cards. Pair it with a full-skirted black midi dress or pencil skirt, à la Dior’s fall runway.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,500
Best luxury clutch bag for women
Chanel Clutch with Chain
Materials: Shiny crumpled calfskin, strass and ruthenium-finish metal
Special features: Detachable chain strap, top handle
The ultimate fashion investment piece, Chanel’s shiny crumpled calfskin clutch will forever hold a place in your wardrobe. It features a top handle and detachable ruthenium-finish metal chain strap, so it can be worn on the shoulder or carried as an adorable mini bag.
Price upon publish date of this article: $4,425
Clutch Bag Trends for 2023
From classic envelope shapes, embellished mini box clutches, and chain-strap styles, there’s so many ways to try the season’s key bag trend. “Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying your clutch bag for the vast majority of time, so you need something practical yet effortless to drape over your forearm or hold on to with your hands,” says Hernández Fonseca. “Plus, it needs to be functional to fit all of your day or evening essentials inside, too.”
- Convertible straps: Many clutch bags are also convertible which guarantees maximum trans-seasonal day-to-night wearability. “Look out for clutches with classic details and multiple detachable straps,” Hernández Fonseca advises. Styles like this go from shoulder bag, to day clutch, and back to an evening clutch with a simple strap swap. For those hands-free events, a chain strap is always convenient, or you can remove the clutch strap for a more elevated evening take.
- Silhouettes: Hernández Fonseca says that the go-to silhouettes of the season feature a pleated or draped-effect structure that hangs from a center chain handle. “Think: Givenchy’s Mini Kenny in silk or Jimmy Choo’s Callie crystal-embellished clutch bag.” Other key styles include classic envelopes and box clutches, “like Saint Laurent’s Uptown and Gabriela Hearst’s Callas.”
- Embellishments: In terms of details, fall 2023 promises lots of embellishment and statement decorations, such as sequins, beads, pearls, crystals or tassels. Standout clutch designs embrace sculptural minaudières, like Simkhai’s Mermaidcore shell clutches and Clio Peppiatt’s Quartz bags. Padded clutches and soft-to-the-touch leather clutches (that large enough to double up as pillows) were also seen across a range of designer collections from Burberry, Simone Rocha, Et Ochs, Brandon Maxwell, Jil Sander, Chloé, and Ferragamo.
What to Look For in a Designer Clutch
- Materials: When shopping for an everyday clutch bag for AW23, Hernández Fonseca says: “Look for natural soft materials and textures like leather, shearling, or terry in easy-to-carry silhouettes.” She notes that elongated clutches with metal hardware details in silver or gold are also big this season, as well as quilted, pleated and braided finishes.
- Closures: “The It crowd will gravitate towards mid to large clutches with classic zippers or magnetic closures,” says Hernández Fonseca. Other on-trend details include cinched drawstring pulls and buckled or chained straps.
- Size: In terms of size, Blumenthal says there are two main trends: Large shapes with minimalist designs and smaller shapes with maximalist elements, like metal hardware and prints. The addition of a slip hand-holding strap is now working its way into the new silhouette for functionality — with oversized flaps and pops of color.”
How to Style Clutch Bags
- Off-duty casual: When it comes to styling the clutch in a casual way, Kendall Jenner is one of our favorite points of inspiration. She often tucks slouchy leather styles from The Row or Bottega Veneta under her arm, styled with a simple cropped white tee, straight-leg jeans, and chic loafers. Recent Bottega Veneta and Versace runways served up effortless looks that combined oversized shirts and denim, paired with large-and-in-charge envelope clutches.
- Formal evening wear: A clutch carried with a formal evening wear gown is an enduringly classic pairing. It’s also a look favored regularly on the red carpet by stars such as Kerry Washington — who recently matched a soft white leather clutch to a white textured gown — and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu who carried a metallic satin clutch with a red-printed evening dress. Decorative mini clutches, similar those seen in Gabriela Hearst’s fall 2023 collection, are the perfect pick for events when only the bare minimum is required.
- Sleek tailoring: The most modern way to update a classic tailored look is with a modern clutch. However, the elevated bag you choose needs to be spacious to accommodate your daily essentials and make a practical swap for a daily tote bag. One of our favorite picks is Victoria Beckham’s chain-strap style, which she styled with layered knitwear and long-length tailored pants.
How We Selected the Best Clutch Bags
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To select the best clutch bags of 2023, one reporter interviewed two style experts for their input on the best styles to invest in this season and the key designers, silhouettes, and fabrics to consider. Using our expert’s advice, we combed through offerings from multiple retailers to find top-rated everyday bags that are both practical and stylish as well as considering hundreds of online reviews. Our shortlist comprises a mix of envelope clutches, mini box bags, chain-strap styles and oversized options from luxury, contemporary and luxury brands to suit a range of budgets. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Emily Blumenthal is known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother.” She is a designer talent scout, handbag and design expert, and the author of “Handbag Designer 101.” Blumenthal is the founder of The Handbag Awards, National Handbag Designer Day, and teaches as the Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Merchandising.
Yenia Hernández Fonseca is a writer, stylist, and visual presentation designer with over ten years of experience in the luxury fashion industry. She’s worked with working with globally recognized designers, high-end specialty stores, and premium service companies. Hernández Fonseca is the founder of @RockFashionHistory, a fashion studies Instagram account that explores the relationship between fashion and identity in rock and roll culture.
Meet the Author
Cat Hufton is a London-based fashion and beauty journalist who has written for some of the world’s best luxury e-commerce companies and publications, including InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Byrdie, and WWD. Hufton is an avid online shopper and has tested hundreds of products during her career giving her a keen eye for what’s worth your hard-earned dollars and what’s not. Hufton wrote this story on the best clutch bags using her extensive knowledge in the space.