Tag Archives: accessories

Introducing BLK BLU NY

Working with a variety of talented innovators, Clutch Made has recently sat down with some of its collaborators to explore their inspirations and designs. This week we interviewed the creative team behind the leather-based brand, Lisa, Oksana, and Gregory. 18512957_1329286823823684_6566141909020966912_n_900x

Company: BLK BLU NYC Production: Made In NYC

Firstly, we must address your name. How and where did such a catchy innovative name come about?
Walking in New York’s lower east side, we noticed the sun was almost setting and we started talking about how beautiful the black shadows of the buildings were against the deep blue sky. It looked amazing and the name came naturally.

BlkBluNyc Collar and Hair Cuff

Drawing inspiration from the streets of New York, BLK BLU NYC has created designs with the idea of catering for creative individuals looking for luxury accessories with an edge.

Have you always known that accessories would be the main focus?
In a way. We all wanted to launch a fashion brand that could bring something different to the industry, accessories became the ideal category for us to do this.

Where would you like to see BLK BLU over the next couple of years?
Hopefully overseas with the likes of David Beckham to Gwen Stefani, Nicole Richie and Jared Leto wearing our designs.

BlkBluNyc accessories are available to shop today on clutchbags.com

What accessories will you be rocking this summer? From our own collection, Oksana favorite piece’s the hair cuff. The Belt Bag is a staple in Lisa’s wardrobe and Gregory is holding out for the men’s scarf in our upcoming collection. Our go-to accessory would also have to be our nude leather choker, which works like a scarf or a choker.

How is it for the three of you to work together?
So far so good!! We all have different strengths that dictate our roles within the business.

Do you have any advice for future designers out there?
Be fashion inspired, not trend driven.

BLK and BLU NYC accessories are available to shop on our website www.clutchbags.com, now.

Handbags You Need for Coachella 2016

The most anticipated music festival, Coachella, is near! You almost have all your outfits planned out, but what’s missing? THE handbag! The handbag you need to not only carry essentials things but show off as a fashion statement. What’s it going to be this year? Get your festival look completed and check out five handbags you need for Coachella 2016.

Coin Bag

For a classic on the go clutch, try the coin bag! Clutch NY‘s coin bag is made out of leather and features a braided detail to perfect your festive look. It is offered in four different colors including white, black, espresso, and silver. The size makes it easy for you to throw in all your ID, lipstick, keys, and cash. You can also match it with classic white sneakers and look coach-hella good.

Belt Bag

What’s handsfree, cute, and convenient? A belt bag! Just strap it around your waist and let the bag do the rest. Clutch NY’s belt bag is perfect for your everyday festival look. It features two zip pockets and is made out of perforated leather. For your convenience, it has a credit card patch pocket and an adjustable belt strap. Rock the belt bag with a matching leather jacket and a choker necklace for a grunge look.

Box Bag

Still not tired of fringe? Fringe is a necessity for your festival look. Instead of the average suede or leather fringe, try beaded tassels. ASOS’ Festival Metal Box Bag With Beaded Tassels can be used as a clutch or over the shoulder. The contrast embellishment on gold makes it easy for this bag to stand out in a mass of original fringed bags. Shop the look and complete it with an off the shoulder dress for a boho vibe.

Cross Body Bag

Cross body bags are life savers; throw it across your shoulders and you are handsfree. If you are more of a keys, cards/cash, and phone kind of gal, Nasty Gal’s Common Ground Crossbody Pouch is for you. It’s small, made out of black vegan leather, and features three card slots. It’s also so easy to style! Wear it with a denim romper and some mules for an effortless look.

Pencil Bag

Do you need a bag with a little extra room for your makeup? Clutch NY’s pencil bag is perfect to throw in your go-to mascara, lipstick, foundation, and any other rescue tools you may need. It has two credit card patch pockets and comes in denim, suede, and silver lambskin. This clutch is great for the night shows you’ll go to! Complete the look with a crop top and high waisted ripped jeans.

Which bag is going to complete your Coachella festival look this year? Keep up with Clutch NY’s weekly blog posts all about the latest trends. And don’t forget, keep it clutch and go!

How to Wear Pantone’s Color of the Year

How to Wear the Pantone’s Color of the Year

Pantone announced that the colors of the year 2016 are Rose Quartz and Serenity. These two pastel colors are playful and very natural, just like cotton candy skies. So, how do you think you can wear it this spring? If you avoid pastel colors on your clothes, try them on your accessories. Both colors are perfect for accessories this spring and will pop among the sea of black. Not only will you appear like a trendsetter but you will stand out!

Here are our top three picks for accessories for spring 2016 that dominate the color of the year:

HANDBAGS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but we think that they meant handbags. Purses and clutches are the perfect way to include the color of the year into your wardrobe. If you wear neutrals, your handbag will be your stand out piece. If you are more daring, try a monochromatic look; you can wear an all rose colored outfit and match it with a rose quartz bucket bag. The best part about these colors is that they can come in any style of handbag you prefer; cross body bag, bucket bag, or your basic satchel bag. It fits your personal style and completes your trendy look.

Classic Handbag in Serenity

Edgy Clutch in a Lighter Shade of Serenity

Go-to Bucket Bag in Rose Quartz

Furla’s Classic Handbag in Rose Quartz

STATEMENT JEWELRY

Jewelry is the statement, you are the model. The color of the year in jewlery is perfect for any occasion from breakfast at Tiffany’s to brunch at a bridal shower. Serenity color in a necklace is the perfect accent color with neutral colors such as white, creme, and grey. A rose quartz colored necklace can be worn with matching pastel colors like mint, yellow, and lavender. This pastel color family all looks great worn together. You can also turn up the volume by adding gold to the rose and serenity colors in bracelets. Since both the rose and serenity colors complement each other, do not be afraid to wear them both at the same time. You’ll look as sweet as cotton candy.

Layering Necklace in Rose Quartz

Bright Serenity Colored Necklace with Gold Accent

Rose Quartz and Serenity Bracelets with Gold Accents

Small Serenity and Rose Quartz Details on Gold Bracelets

SUNNY SIDE UP GLASSES

Let’s face it, sometimes when your outfit isn’t captivating, the best way to disguise it is to throw on some shades. Sunglasses are one of the dominating accessories this spring 2016. Time to put the black wayfarers away and replace them with jazzy pink and blue tinted lens. The most trendy sunglasses styles for spring include aviators, cat-eye, square, and round. It is best to see what works with your face shape. Once you find your match, the sun won’t be the only thing that’s hot.

Classic Pink Tinted Aviators

Round Blue Tinted Sunglasses

Rose-tinted Shades in Many Styles

Quay Blue Tinted Cat-eye Sunglasses

Clutch Bags NY is always on the lookout for trends! We are inspired by the New York women who are constantly on the go but forever looking glam doing it. Let the streets guide your fashion taste and make sure to keep up with our blog posts updated WEEKLY!

Until next time,

Clutch NY

Jewelry Trends of Spring 2016

It is officially time for BATTLE OF THE ACCESSORIES 2016! Spring is finally here which means that the trends will start to magically appear. Dazzling jewelry trends were spotted down runways and now it is time they are spotted on the streets. Now what accessories should you wear? Here are the battle of the top two accessories for spring 2016: Statement earrings VS Off the body chains.

Statement Earrings

Sometimes the only dramatic thing you need in your life is your earrings. Big round and disco-like earrings strutted down runway shows from Dior to Gucci. Other statement earrings resembled the tassel on a handbag trend, a large hula hoop, and funky reindeer antlers. This spring, earrings can stray away from being boring and classic. Have some fun and try the various shapes and sizes earrings come in this season. Will you be bold enough to try?

Off the Body Chains

Show off some skin this spring and let your jewelry talk for you. Calvin Klein and Alexander McQueen showed classic ways to wear this trend to a cocktail party or a glamorous event. How about off the runway and on the streets? Body chains are perfect for those nights you want to stand out in a mass of people at a club or even on the streets. As the weather gets warmer, you can also wear your body chain on the beach; just throw on a cover up and take a long walk along the shore. It is simple and versatile for any occasion. Are you ready to try it?

Now, both accessories are bold and glam, but only one can win in the battle of accessories. Which is it going to be? The winner is all about popular demand. So you decide! Will you wear statement earrings or body chains this spring? Let us know and stick around for more fun posts all about the latest and hottest trends!

CLUTCH NY

Athleisure Accessory Trends 2016

Working out is not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. Today, Americans are dominating healthy lifestyle choices in their activities, food, clothes, and best of all, accessories. Athleisure is the casual trend that supports loungewear into everyday clothing. Adding accessories to outfits allows you to go place to place without looking like you just exercised.

Here are the top 5 athleisure accessory trends to try for spring 2016:

Chic Hatter

Don’t feel like doing your hair? The solution: HATS. Hats are quickly becoming more and more popular on the streets and in the gym. For a more athletic appeal, try Nike’s dry fit running hats in vibrant colors such as fuchsia, teal, and white. For a more fashion-forward look, hats made of leather or suede can disguise the gym look and create a chic street appeal. You can find trendy leather and suede hats at retailers like ASOS and Nordstrom.

Golden Beats

Not all earphones are made equally. These gold earphones are the hottest accessories this spring. Stay golden while working out and jamming to your favorite song. Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones are a great investment if you prefer wireless headphones. All you have to do is connect your phone via Bluetooth and your music will stream handsfree. If you are on a budget, you can find other gold headphones at Urban Outfitters and Nasty Gal.

Hands-Free

You’re running on a treadmill and your arms keep pulling down the wire that won’t stop swinging in front of you. Suddenly it unplugs and you’re left with no music! I don’t know about you but pausing to plug my earbuds back in is definitely a pet peeve. Don’t let a wire stop you from working out! Maybe that new trendy headphone you’ve been eyeing doesn’t come with a Bluetooth option. Check out these reviews to discover a highly rated Bluetooth headset that suits you best!

Not Your Average Gym Bags

We all know that gym bags can be plain and boring. Why not spice up the aesthetic this spring? Designers like Rebecca Minkoff are creating the most stylish gym bags convenient for your lifestyle. For New Yorkers and athletes, the subway bag is not only versatile and cute but it’s the most perfect size for your on-the-go style. You can go from work to tennis practice without the struggle of muddling through packed subway trains during rush hour.

Fanny Pack Love

Fanny packs are not going away anytime soon! This accessory is one of the best on the go handbags. Not only is it hands-free but it is perfect for those who like to carry light. You can grab your phone, chapstick, earphones, and cash and throw it into the bag. Also, do not forget that fanny packs can be fashionable in perforated leather and studs. Shop today at Clutch NY for the hip look.

Fit Bit and Rock It

Accessories can be made for running. The notorious Fit Bit Alta tracks the wearer’s activity including exercise AND sleep. The Fitbit will also have interchangeable bands that you can personalize and customize. You can wear it to work, to the gym, and even to a wedding. The possibilities are up to you!

Keep up with Clutch NY blog posts where more trend posts like this one will be released WEEKLY! This spring, you will capture the trends and easily become a fashionista.

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 3

If you are following along with our posts on How to Make a Handbag in the USA, this week we discuss the third step on how to make your dream handbag, here in NYC. Do you know what materials you need, but unsure how to find it? Maybe you are not even sure of what materials you should use but would love to see options from the market place. At Clutch Made, sourcing is the fun part for our team. We are experts in sourcing and finding anything you need. Our sourcing powers make bags come true.

Here are some of the raw materials that we locate for your design:

Fabrics: Are you unsure which fabrics would be best for your handbag? We can help guide you! The cost of materials is important for the retail price of your bag. We will work with you to ensure your handbag has a great price for the market.
Suedes: Suedes are beautiful and great for interiors. Pig suede is especially known for it’s silky touch and beautiful appeal. Suede can get expensive because of the waste it can create. We will work with you to ensure an accurate weight to save money and still create the handbag of your dreams.
Leathers: Are you aware of consumption and waste? This is what happens when you work with leather. Leather can get very expensive because it has flaws (remember it is an animal) and because of this parts of the leather cannot be used. Clutch Made will work with you to find an accurate weight for your leather that works best for your handbag.
Vegan Leathers: Want to be more sustainable? Vegan leather has become a popular synthetic fabric that is just as luxurious as real leather. Stella McCartney is known to never use real leather or fur in her designs, so can you! Best of all, there is no worry about waste with vegan leather.
Materials (linings): Lining is an inner layer of fabric that will be inserted into your handbag. Linings provide a neat inside finish and the fabric used can feature fun prints like polka dots or a solid color. Clutch Made will work with you to source the best lining appropriate for your handbag.
Hardware: So what hardware are you thinking about? Dog clips? Rings? Hidden magnetics? How about the finish? Nickel? Brass? Gold? Would you like to add a zipper? What material would you like to use? Nylon? Big or small, you don’t want to waste money getting the wrong thing. Save yourself money and the stress! Our team will help you make all the right decisions based on the design of your handbag.
Labels/Hang Tags: Have you thought about your label? Would you want a hot stamp leather with your logo? Or do you want a simple, nice woven label with your logo? Our team will work with your artwork and have it sent to our vendors to ensure you get the label you want.

After we source the materials for your handbag, it is time for manufacturing. Keep following our posts to reveal the work and magic of manufacturing with Clutch Made, the factory you can talk to.

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 2

Here comes the fun part of making a handbag. If you are keeping up with our posts, this week we discuss the second step on How to Make a Handbag in the USA. This step is all about conceptualization and design. When you reach this step we discuss your vision, who you are and what you are looking to design.

Your Vision: A vision is necessary for designers. Your vision could be what inspires you. What do you visualize when you think about your dream handbag? A great way to help you identify those key points is to create a vision board. A vision board helps you organize and conceptualize your wants and goals.

Your identity: After identifying your vision and what you would like to achieve, it is time to identify who you are as a brand or designer. Why is this important for design? We want to help you design for a tailored audience. Who are you making a handbag for? What sort of of image are you trying to perceive? A great example would be Clutch Bags NY. Clutch NY is a collection of handbags designed by creative director, Laura Dotolo. Clutch NY handbags have a classic, utilitarian style that reflect the heart of NYC. It is important to note that the main focus of a brand other than its product is its audience.

Your design: We want to make your vision come to life! The design process is the first step that will lead you to the sample of your handbag. Now would be the time to email or call us at 800.208.1840 and set up a design appointment so we can work with you to design that handbag. Maybe you need ideas for your handbag and are not sure what size, color or zipper it should have. Don’t worry! We are here to work with you during the entire design process. We will help you to formulate all your dimensions, details, hardware choices, functionality and materials for your product.

Stay tuned next week to learn how we help you with the next step of the process: Sourcing..or as we like to say, “the secrets of our sourcing powers.”

How to Style a Handbag

How to Style A Handbag

A handbag is more than just an accessory, it’s a statement. It doesn’t always have to hide on your shoulders. Let it add to your outfit instead! Stand out by styling your look to go with your bag whether its for work or for play.

Here are 3 fun ways on how to style a handbag this Spring:

1. Pop It

tumblr_nomdsmZjbU1tguoxuo1_500 tumblr_nctwg5Bf691r0ldx9o1_500 Stand out among a sea of black. Try to never be afraid of color. This mustard yellow color is still as bright and fun as the color of the sun. The best way to style the color of a handbag is to have it be the stand out color of your outfit. Neutrals also look great with this color. Change the rules and rock this look whether casual or professional.

2. Texture meets Style

Not all bags are made of leather! Suede, the napped fabric, is a great alternative so don’t shy away from a suede handbag. You can match the handbag with denim fabric or funk it up with fringe detail. If you want to go a step further, match your fabrics to your handbag! Who says that monochromatic can’t be used for texture? Whether it’s suede on suede or transitional fur on fur, the mix is perfect for this spring. Suede is also one of the trendiest fabrics of this season, so keep this in mind when styling your handbag.

3. Fringe it Up

Fringe returned 2 years ago as a trend and guess what? It looks like it’s still out to play. When wearing this trend pair it with a simplistic outfit. The best quality about fringe includes its fascinating movement. You want the fringe to be the essence of your look. For those that are still hesitant to try the trend, you can buy fringe as a tassel to clip on to your handbag as well. Give fringe a shot and let it dance while you strut the streets.

Remember, a handbag can be more than just an accessory. It is all about how you style a handbag. Try new trends and see what works for you and what does not. This is why Clutch Bags NY exists! We love handbags and the women who wear them. The streets are inspiring and the trends keep us excited and on our toes. Make sure to keep up with our Instagram for our newest spring collection!

Inspired by the lifestyle of New York, our latest campaign for Clutch Bags.

Clutchbags Blog

The chic New York clutch bag boutique. Shop designer handbags and purses and all things Clutch Bags.

Tag Archives: accessories

Introducing BLK BLU NY

Handbags You Need for Coachella 2016

Coin Bag

Belt Bag

Box Bag

Cross Body Bag

Pencil Bag

How to Wear Pantone’s Color of the Year

How to Wear the Pantone’s Color of the Year

HANDBAGS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

STATEMENT JEWELRY

SUNNY SIDE UP GLASSES

Clutch NY

Jewelry Trends of Spring 2016

Jewelry Trends of Spring 2016

Statement Earrings

Off the Body Chains

CLUTCH NY

Athleisure Accessory Trends 2016

Athleisure Accessory Trends 2016

Chic Hatter

Golden Beats

Hands-Free

Not Your Average Gym Bags

Fanny Pack Love

Fit Bit and Rock It

Keep up with Clutch NY blog posts where more trend posts like this one will be released WEEKLY! This spring, you will capture the trends and easily become a fashionista.

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 3

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 3

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 2

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 2

How to Style a Handbag

1. Pop It

2. Texture meets Style

3. Fringe it Up

Clutch Bags Accessories