Already popular for the past several seasons, clutch purses continue to be a trend for spring 2010. A clutch can look extremely chic for a dinner or party, and there are various fabrics and looks from which to choose. However, for women who are used to carrying around their entire lives in their day-to-day tote bags, a clutch can suddenly seem quite… small. Here’s a method to the madness of packing a clutch:
The Essentials
There are a few items that simply have to fit in the clutch, for they can’t be left at home. The first is a cell phone. When buying a clutch, make sure that one’s cell fits in comfortably (so that the outline of the cell phone isn’t bulging against the fabric, especially leather.)
The next are money and a license or ID. This doesn’t mean having to take an entire wallet, though. For dinner or a party, all that’s needed is adequate cash, one credit card and ID. There’s no reason to bring every department store card, coffee card, bookstore card… the list goes on. To save room, try using an extremely thin wallet or a money clip for nights out.
Finally, keys are an essential. Again, it’s not necessary to take every key (such as if one has a separate key for their mailbox). Try keeping a separate keychain for times like these and adding only the needed keys.
Beauty
A woman has to bring a few beauty items for touch-ups, right? Folding a few facial tissues saves room (unless one has allergies, usually an entire pack isn’t needed.) It’s a good idea to save sample or miniature sizes of a favorite lipstick or lip gloss, as opposed to taking a full size that one might use daily.
Compacts can often be heavy and bulky, so a better option is to find a flat, small mirror. Sometimes lipsticks have mirrors on the end, but if not, try looking in a makeup or beauty section meant for young girls -- often the mirrors are tiny and just enough for a quick glance.
Blotting papers can also be useful, particularly in summer or a crowded party. They don’t take up much room.
Tips
Make use of an inside or outside pocket of a clutch. Even the tiniest pocket can fit something -- a house key, several folded tissues, coins for a parking meter.
Also, don’t forget about pockets on one’s clothing. Money can be kept in an inside pocket, as opposed to in a purse. A cell phone can often fit in a pocket as well, provided it’s not a coat that will be taken off.
The teeniest of clutches can look cute and appealing in a store, but these are often better used with a bigger bag. When buying a clutch to use alone, keep in mind that it does need to be large enough to comfortably carry a night’s worth of items!
Lindsey Michelle - Lindsey Michelle is the author of Dimensions, a novel about interconnected characters who involuntarily travel to an alternate ...
