It’s coming up to party season and most of us will be on the hunt for the perfect party dress (for which I will post about in due course so keep your eyes peeled!) but what is the perfect accompliament to the party dress…the clutch bag.

Clutch bags can have a tendancy to be inpractcal, however if you shop around you will be sure to find one that will fit more than just your lipgloss. Some helpful tips to consider when purchasing a clutch bag…

• Is it secure? Clutch bags tend to be pretty and delicate, which sometimes results in them not being too reliable at holding your valuables. Try picking one that has a zip fastening or clasp mechanism to ensure items wont fall out.
• How big do you want it to be? Recent trends has seen an increase in oversized clutch bags such as the ‘envelope’ bags, but even these bigger clutches can still be a bit impractical if you’re going to be on your feet most of the time, make sure you pick a size that is best for you.
• How many outfits do you ned it to match? Ensure that it will fit it’s purpose, whether that’s to accompany one outfit or several, it needs to be just right!

Here is an example of the ‘envelope’ clutch bags. This one is from Marni available at net-a-porter.

 
Most of us usually buy the dress and then the bag to go with it, but don’t be afraid to go against the grain and splash out on the bag first. Your clutch bag can be your statement item that will make your outfit stand out, those of you who prefer to play it safe with the dress can afford to go all out on the clutch bag!

Here are some of my favourites to choose from…

Canvas is a great fabric of choice for a bag as it can be lightweight, come in a variety of colours and prints and, as it tends to be a whole lot cheaper than the leather alternatives, it can be a cheap way of updating your wardrobe and look. Here’s three picks we just adore:

We love the candy coloured stripes of this little clutch -  perfect for injecting a bit of fun and colour into any ensemble. ASOS, £8 (down from £25!) Read more of Crazy for Canvas!

Heading for the beach and need a bag to fit in all your essentials? We’ve got some perfect ones that are big, cheap and aren’t afraid of a bit of sand!

First up we have this fab drawstring bag perfect for the beach or beyond, £29.99. Up next is this sweet little straw bag, on sale for £14.99. We think it works as an all-round summer bag from the beach to picnics in the park. Finally we have a this trusty striped canvas bag, also on sale for £7.49, perfect for withstanding the sand and throwing EVERYTHING into! All bags from H&M.