Vintage-Inspired Clutch Purses
From Hard-Cased Clutches to Glamorous Cocktail Party Purses
Jun 7, 2008
The fashion world is currently clamoring for everything vintage, and clutch purses are no exception. Rifle through your local vintage store for a bargain, or choose from the large number vintage-inspired styles now hitting the high-streets.
Whether it be beaded or embroidered vintage-look designs, or metallics and mesh; there is a strong revival in ‘70s retro and the elegance of the ‘40s and ‘50s. The woven straws of the wartime ‘40s or the heavy stitching, glamorous clasps and satins of the Hollywood years. Not forgetting the re-emergence of the hard box clutch in lovely lucite or wood. Devi Kroell has a very individual collection of wood framed clutches, and check out Stella McCartney's elegant engraved wooden purse and a very-vintage-looking silver metallic punch-hole clutch, all at Net-A-Porter.com.
The Advantage of Buying Vintage
The great thing about vintage bags is that they guarantee an individual look. Many of today's fashion conscious women are tiring of the status given to celebrity IT bags, which spawn designer-inspired look-a-likes and a rush to buy the latest IT looks. Instead, a discerning group of ladies, like Carmen Haid, Director of Communications at Tommy Hilfiger, and shoe designer Alex Finlay, prefer to enjoy the fun of searching through vintage shops and occasionally striking gold, secure in the knowledge that the next party, or social gathering won’t be full of women with the same styles. In the article “Look What We’ve Found,” from Eve magazine, June 2008, Finlay claims that her collection of vintage bags are a “brilliant conversation piece,” and an ice-breaker at parties.
The desire to be individual and unique also explains why a lot of celebrities are turning to vintage or vintage-inspired fashion. Rather than suffer the embarrassment of a Sarah Jessica Parker moment, which recently involved her being duped into wearing (and being photographed in) the same couture gown to her NYC Sex and the city premier, which two other celebrities had previously worn.
Get the Vintage Look Today
If you love that vintage look but prefer to buy something new rather than from a vintage store, then this season’s vintage-inspired trend is for you.
Today’s vintage-look inspired clutch bags have taken key influences from the past and updated them. The high-street currently sees accessories departments full of ‘70s-style clutches, but if you want to go for something more unique then take a look at British designer, Rachel Hannah’s handmade bags.
Rachel Hannah Vintage-Inspired Handbags
Based in London, Rachel Hannah has an amazing collection of modern and vintage-inspired, handmade, yet affordable purses. Featured in their 5th May edition, Look magazine says “that they are worth their weight in gold — but don’t cost it.” Hannah has created a range of '50s inspired vintage chic to '80s cocktail party purses. With their glamorous clasps and fashion-forward fringes and bow detailing, the bags look more expensive then they really are. The elegant Ophelia clutch retails at only £95 (approximately $190) and the Vintage Princess Heather Honey and Babette Sugar Plum, tick several trend boxes in one; bows and ruffle fringes, and purple hues.
“A simply scrumptious collection of stylish leather handbags!!! .............. A must have recommendation for any handbag queens out there."says member, Nicole Robinson, of Hannah's collection, on sheerluxe.com.
Only recently launched in 2007, Rachel Hannah's handbags are still very much a well-kept secret. Her purses have been designed with modern, fun-loving women in mind; vintage-inspired, yes; but somehow Hannah makes them look cool and stylish at the same time. The good news is that these unique designs are available both in the UK and internationally, and can be purchased online, though PayPal. A list of current local and international stockists is also shortly to be available on her website, Rachaelhannahbags.com.
Images courtesy of Rachael Hannah Bags
