YSL Belle de Jour Clutch Bag Review

photo by Sarah Tirona via Flickr / CC BY / edited: cropped, sharper

Before it became known as Saint Laurent, YSL used to make a lovely little clutch bag called the "Belle de Jour". It has now, sadly, been discontinued, but it's a designer bag that I still see people talking about and purchasing on the pre-loved market.

4 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Designer Clutch Bag

photo by fervent-adepte-de-la-mode / CC BY / edited: cropped, resized, sharper, brighter

Are you considering the purchase of a designer clutch bag? I think that it's a marvellous idea, and here are the 4 reasons why I think you should bite the bullet and add a clutch to your collection.

3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Second OMG Clutch Bag

I've already featured a couple of 3.1 Phillip Lim's 31 Minute Clutch Bag before, but this 'OMG' bag is in the smaller 31 Second design. Both the 31 Minute and 31 Second models are still regularly produced by 3.1 Phillip Lim, with new quirky and colourful designs being released each season. This 'OMG' design is a few years old, and only ocassionally appears in the pre-loved designer bag market. 

3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Bubble Clutch Bag in Black

Bubble clutches enjoyed a lot of success a couple of years ago, and a few big brands - including 3.1 Phillip Lim and Maison Martin Margiella - produced a take on the trend. As a longstanding fan of 3.1 Phillip Lim's 31 Minute Clutch Bags, this particular bubble clutch is a personal favourite.

3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Pop Art Clutch Bag

3.1 Phillip Lim makes some of my favourite designer clutch bags. Season after season, the brand produce fun and innovative designs - and I usually want all of them. The preloved market makes it possible to buy designs from seasons gone by, and that's how I find most of my favourite designs.

Gerard Darel Red Leather Clutch Bag

Stored and Adored's latest sale is this lovely pre loved Gerard Darel Clutch Bag made from smooth red leather. It has quite a slim silouhette and features one large internal pocket, secured by a magnetic fastening, and a slim zipped pocket on the front flap. Quite a few Gerard Darel designs feature this zip-pull design (it can also be seen on the Le Buci bags) and I like that the brand chose this sort of leather detailing rather than anything metal, which would badly scratch any smooth leather.

Smythson Mara Clutch Bag in Purple

This pre loved Smythson Mara Clutch Bag is very similar in size and style to the Smythson Mara Travel Clutch (RRP £495). Both bags feature printed cow leather and an enamelled clasp closure, however, the pre-loved version does not come with any internal dividers and instead features one large internal pocket.