I don’t often do this, so please bear with me as I try and explore the elusive always chic and elegant in women’s fashion.)
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always believed that good things come in small packages. And that must be the case for those enlightened women who can travel, like Grace Kelly in “Rear Window”, with the bare minimum of luxuriousness. A Mark Cross Overnight Case, in that instance, which was one of the first examples of conspicuous product placement in a film. (Hitchcock was a friend of Gerald Murphy.) Mark Cross has since closed its doors, making it even more difficult to travel in style.
In fact, the trend toward oversized baggage, which may be on the decline now that we have stricter regulations about air travel, really went overboard with the advent of those enormous handbags that women have been carrying for the last few seasons. I’m not even sure that “handbag” is the right word to use to describe them. As carryalls, they work well, I suppose. But form following function, they are less than elegant, in my opinion.
I would like to see a return to women wearing glamourous clothes, of that we are all certain. But what would the nouvelle chic carry on those evenings out for cocktails? A “tote?”
It’s time to bring back the clutch. Something like the one pictured above by Abas from Nordstrom.
And look how well it goes with Ben Silver’s Luncheon at Tiffany’s look from their Late Spring 2008 Catalog.
Of course, a clutch will only hold a credit card, large denomination bill, lipstick, compact, driver’s license and smallest of cell phones, but what else would you need? You are meeting a gentleman, aren’t you?
E&E – just that, though I always carry a pen. Someone always needs one.
Exactly. If it doesn’t fit in a clutch, it cannot be that important. I notice my key ring is not welcome in my newest clutch, but I couldn’t care less so long as my gloss has secured a place. 😉
Mrs. B… I’ve had far too many ink moments to carry a pen. But I agree someone always needs one. Fortunately, someone else always has one, or the cafe manager (barista, host…) will.
Ohhh… did i tell you i found Honoria Murphy’s book about her parents at Book Thing this past weekend? can’t wait to crack it open and begin reading. maybe over the long weekend.
glad you’re all better.
Hi Mrs. B! Glad you agree. I’m always hesitant about making pronouncements when it comes to things female — your fashions are mercurial at best.
Welcome Ms. Durbin! There used to be these marvelous little sterling ballpoints that were sort of flat and fitted into very tiny notebooks which would work well and didn’t ever seem to explode. I wonder if anyone still does them?
Fairfax, you’re killing me. Her on camera interviews at the exhibit were fascinating to watch, especially when juxtaposed with the stills of her life and the few home movies of those halcyon days. Let me know how you like it.
Wonderful post! I do so wish I could dress elegantly more often, and that more women did. Love your blog.
Welcome Cindy, and thank you. I believe that you can dress more elegantly, it’s a question of editing, cultivating and playing with your clothing. I’ll try and do more about women’s clothing as I figure it out.
Love your foray into women’s fashions, and the clutch you chose is beautiful. A pen for me as well, and of course, a lipgloss, compact {no one wants to be shiny}, and my BlackBerry. Oh dear–have I surpassed the clutch’s capacity?
Hi TIG, thanks. They really should make the Blackberry larger and have the back swing open to carry the rest of the essentials… introducing the Clutchberry.
A clutch with the ability to receive e-mails and hold your lipgloss? Think you may be on to something 🙂