At a North African wedding, as at a henna night, the outfit is rich: a caftan or Kabyle dress, an embroidered waistcoat, gold-tone jewellery. The bag has to hold its own without adding one colour too many. Here is how to choose it, alongside our guide to North African ceremony outfits.
The embroidered clutch, the classic choice
The occasion clutches in gold-embroidered velvet echo the embroidery of the waistcoats and boleros. They are held in the hand, like an envelope: ideal for a guest who stays seated at dinner and dances without a bag. Black and amber, burgundy and garnet, midnight blue: each picks up a colour from the waistcoat’s embroidery.
The embroidered velvet bag for the evening
For a dressier outfit, or if you want your hands free, the embroidered burgundy velvet bag with fringe carries embroidery, diamanté and a long gold-tone fringe that moves as you dance; its detachable chain takes it onto the shoulder. The burgundy velvet bag embroidered with a bouquet of beads is more understated.
Bags & Accessories
Embroidered burgundy velvet evening bag — bouquet of beads & crystals
€115.00One of a kind
Henna night colours
A henna night calls for warm shades: red, burgundy, orange, green and gold, depending on the family. The bag stays within that range or moves to a neutral gold. The red and black beaded clutch and the black beaded bag with an amber flap are good examples. You will find every outfit idea in what to wear to a henna night.
Beaded bags
Black & amber beaded bag — crystal beads, beaded handle & gold-tone chain
€120.00One of a kind
Matching the bag to the waistcoat and jewellery
- The bag picks up one colour from the embroidery of the waistcoat, not the colour of the caftan.
- The metal of the bag follows the jewellery: gold-tone with the medallions and gold-tone beads of our ceremony jewellery sets.
- If the waistcoat is heavily embroidered, keep the bag simple; if the outfit is understated, the bag can shine.
Three guest outfits, three bags
- Colourful caftan and Kabyle waistcoat: a gold-embroidered velvet clutch that picks up the colour of the trim.
- Plain evening dress and gold-tone jewellery: the embroidered burgundy velvet bag with fringe, which brings the embroidery the dress lacks.
- Modern Kabyle dress: a simple beaded bag in black or burgundy, to let the dress speak; see accessories for a modern Kabyle dress.
For the bride
The bride often changes outfits during the evening and hands her bag to someone close. For the photos, an embroidered clutch to match the outfit of the moment is enough.
All our evening bags and clutches. For the bigger picture: choosing an evening bag for a wedding. Delivery by Colissimo from €4.50, complimentary from €49; dispatched within 3 working days; 14 days to change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
Clutch or chain bag for a henna night?
Usually the clutch: you dance, put it down, pick it up again. A chain bag if you want your hands free.
A silver-tone bag with gold-tone jewellery?
Better to stick to one metal: gold with gold. Silver-tone goes with silver jewellery or with beads.
