For a wedding guest, the clutch is the accessory that turns a simple dress into an outfit. Three rules guide the choice: it does not copy the dress, it answers your jewellery, and it suits the time of the wedding. Here is how to apply them, with examples from our occasion clutches and our evening bags and clutches.
By dress colour
- A bright dress (red, fuchsia, emerald): a neutral clutch that catches the light, in white beads, black and gold, or silver. The white beaded clutch with a flower brooch calms a strong colour.
- A pastel dress (powder pink, sky blue, lilac): pearly white, silver, or a light floral brocade like the plum and silver Japanese knot bag.
- A black or midnight blue dress : the clutch brings colour or texture. Burgundy velvet, red python effect, emerald green metallic.
- A printed dress : a plain clutch that picks up a subtle colour from the print.
Bags & Accessories
Floral brocade Japanese knot bag — plum & silver, gold-tone fringe
€85.00One of a kind
By time of day
Civil ceremony or daytime ceremony: pale, matt materials and a clutch held in the hand. Dinner and dancing: whatever sparkles, and a chain to keep your hands free. If you are staying from the civil ceremony to the dancing, a clutch with a detachable chain does both.
By wedding style
- Country or garden: white beads, a bucket bag, a Japanese knot bag with rosettes or in light brocade.
- Smart, indoors: black beads, embroidered velvet, beaded black satin.
- North African: gold-embroidered velvet, burgundy, gold fringe; see our article on North African weddings.
What to avoid
- A clutch in exactly the same colour as the dress: the whole look falls flat.
- A large day bag: it breaks the silhouette and ends up on the floor.
- Too much shine at once: if the dress is sequinned, keep the clutch matt.
The right size
20 to 23 cm wide is enough for a phone, a card and a lipstick; the full list is in what to put in your wedding clutch. For the bigger picture, read our guide to choosing an evening bag for a wedding.
If you are close family
Sister, aunt, mother of the groom: you will be in a lot of photos and you will be welcoming guests. Choose a clutch one notch dressier than the other guests’, and a chain if you need to greet people while holding a glass. Embroidered velvet or a framed beaded bag does the job without overdoing it.
With a traditional outfit
With a caftan or a Kabyle dress, the clutch picks up one colour from the embroidery or the trim, never the whole pattern. The occasion clutches in gold-embroidered velvet were designed for exactly this.
Delivery in France €4.50, complimentary from €79; dispatched within 3 working days; 14 days to change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
A gold clutch with silver jewellery?
Best avoided: match the metal of the frame or the embroidery to your jewellery.
How much does a pretty wedding clutch cost?
With us, from €39 for a gold-embroidered velvet clutch to €119 for a beaded bag with an engraved frame.
