To have and to hold: things to clutch on tightly to this Christmas

It is hard to feel Christmassy when it is sixteen degrees outside. This crazy old weather is really putting the kybosh on winter and so last week’s post about all things snuggly seems like total lunacy.

So on to safer ground, ground that doesn’t matter whether it is pouring with rain, blowing a gale or super sunny: things to hold on to. Things that will work year round, but that will also make excellent Christmas gifts:

Clutches, you need at least one in your life and here is why – when you go out they look much, much, cooler than a tote and really if you are flying solo, all you need is your phone, some notes and your keys. I am not talking about the bejewelled, boxy black tie-types either because, like the aforementioned sparkly tops, these can also score very highly on the cruise-o-metre.

What you need is a soft squishy number and there are so many different ones out there that you can still play it safe with a classic black or have some fun to brighten up any neutral outfit. This is a great little number from Jigsaw, which actually has a lot of very lovely bags at the moment: Medium Clutch £49 in black leather. Timeless.

I am a fan of a bit of hair (on accessories I would hasten to add) so this Large Clutch £45 comes in black and metallic silver and would be a contemporary bit of wrist candy.

Another black option at Whistles is this Shiny Croc Medium Clutch in Black £65. There is also a small version for £45 in navy – very sophisticated.

I was in store yesterday and they also have a black suede option with a wrist strap that isn’t on the website annoyingly but at £55 it is the perfect all-rounder. Where oh where are you whistles.com?

Styles are disappearing before my eyes from the Whistles website so head to store to benefit from their great sale and super styles.

 

A sucker for a bit of skin, here is their Leopard Snake Small Clutch £45. This is another one you could wear now to add a hit of personality to a black ensemble but would also work well in the summer with lighter wash jeans, a top and some heels.

 

Topshop’s Leather Cuddle Clutch £32 would also serve you well this winter.

Perhaps the best of both worlds is this Blank Space Mini Clutch from Jigsaw £45. It is black suede on one side and calf hair on the other. As my husband would say, business at the front, disco at the back!

If you really want to lift an outfit then this Flintstone Animal Print Clutch £39.50 from Oliver Bonas is spot on for now, never mind Bedrock.

Stella and Dot has taken the wear in multiple ways concept of its jewellery to its bags and the Waverly bag £85 in Grey can be worn as a clutch or as two different versions of a handbag. Yes it is more expensive than others but the shimmer will work well now and in the summer and you can wear this 9 to 9.

Another metallic option is this Darya Dazzling Clutch from Oliver Bonas £34.

Accessorize has a Metallic Leather Clutch Bag for £25 . This also comes in green, grey and a silver.

So I think this is it for 2015 as I fear the school holidays and an excessive consumption of booze will put pay to any good intentions for the next couple of weeks. Happy Christmas and here’s to a great new year. x