Clutch for a formal event. I have seen people bring a k25 to weddings and find it quite awkward and out of place. But that is my personal opinion.Reviving this chat cos I’ve gotta black tie dinner to attend, and I was contemplating if my mini Kelly 20 can be considered a clutch if I remove the strap? I was contemplating bringing my croc K25 but I think it might be too big for a black tie? Alternatively, I do have a Chanel clutch. Thoughts? Thank you
Do you have an (Hermes) clutch life?
- Thread starter ladysarah
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Technically, a K20 sellier even w/o strap still isn't a clutch, so isn't appropriate for black tie. But only you know how strict of a black tie dress code the event will be.Reviving this chat cos I’ve gotta black tie dinner to attend, and I was contemplating if my mini Kelly 20 can be considered a clutch if I remove the strap? I was contemplating bringing my croc K25 but I think it might be too big for a black tie? Alternatively, I do have a Chanel clutch. Thoughts? Thank you
IMO K25 is way too big for formal black tie, plus again, not a clutch, plus (again this is strictly by the book) exotics aren't appropriate for classic evening black tie - in fact technically in old-school rules an evening clutch should not be leather at all. (IMO this last rule has pretty much been blown out of the water, but, again, depends on the event.)
Basically you have to read the room in advance. Remember, the Met Gala is black tie, and people have worn body paint, latex, feathers, and giant furry cat heads to that
Personally I have carried the Kelly 25 for weddings (there is usually a sit down meal , as well as dancing and cocktails) and I don’t find it too big. I think using a bag that works with the outfit is the main consideration here. A sellier 25 looks good with clothes that have a little bit of structure like a jacket, so it does depend on the outfit. (I don’t use my Kelly gold retourner though, because that feels quite sporty - especially with contrast stitching, but even a gold mini Kelly feels a bit sporty to me) A Kelly pochette is also nice, but if it was an ball or anything really formal, I prefer those no name silk clutches. You can have them made to match or coordinate any outfit exactly - they only cost around £30- £50.
Most formal events are far less formal than they used to be IME but it’s usually a clutch for me. I don’t have a suitable H clutch (Kelly Cut is strictly for day/restaurant, for example) but I will choose a leather bag if it has sufficient ”sparkle” of some kind. It really depends on the outfit and the event. My Verrou en chaine sometimes works. Sometimes it’s a small inlaid Edie Parker box clutch, an embroidered and beaded Anya Hindmarch clutch (she did some satin book clutches long before Olympia Le-Tan), a satin clutch by The Row or a BV satin knot clutch, depending on the mood of the event. If it’s not too formal, I have a gorgeous black box calf Tanner Krolle bag from their first women’s collection back in the 90s, which is about the size of a Kelly Pochette and has distinctive silver ring shaped handles that enable it to convert from hand carry to clutch.
It's not the formality but the length/volume of the gown (although full-length gown is usually reserved for formal dress). I can't imagine anything but a clutch (or the tiniest of hand-held) for a long evening dress. I also think furs look weird for going out (dressed up) with any bag but a clutch.
I don't think formality has gone out the window, it's just the 'come as you are' or 'as you please' makes it really difficult for guests. Most people don't even know the rules between black ties and white tie anymore. I had a book on etiquette for 1930, the rules were endless on everything, but at least you could look it up.
We celebrate Jane Birkin with her B, but of course. previously to her B, she famously took her basket everywhere, including into Maxims. I guess we all have to balance dress codes, cultural norms and being true to ourselves.
I don't think formality has gone out the window, it's just the 'come as you are' or 'as you please' makes it really difficult for guests. Most people don't even know the rules between black ties and white tie anymore. I had a book on etiquette for 1930, the rules were endless on everything, but at least you could look it up.
We celebrate Jane Birkin with her B, but of course. previously to her B, she famously took her basket everywhere, including into Maxims. I guess we all have to balance dress codes, cultural norms and being true to ourselves.
I use H clutches for daytime (I used to have several jiges for this) and for casual evening. Sometimes I will use my BBK longue wallet as a clutch for cocktails. I prefer a handheld or clutch to a shoulder or crossbody bc a strap can cause undue wear on a coat or jacket. I don’t really have a formal lifestyle, but I do have a few satin clutches somewhere
Exactly - it’s all about thé whole outfit -the bag is not seen as an isolated object. Sometimes people ask ‘should I wear this or that bag’, but it really depends on tne rest of the outfit.
I use leather Kelly pochette very casually with jeans and it seems to work fine. Kelly 25 sellier is great with structured jackets. Dresses with matching jacket are my go to for weddings, (though of course it depends on the wedding.) I have ordered silk clutches from https://harlequin-uk.com/ when a being a bridesmaid meant I had to wear long dress. When I am a guest though, it’s just knee length Dress with jacket. I simply adore the Kelly 25 for that sort of outfit, but a little silk clutch in coordinated colour would work too. To be honest I don’t think Hermes does evening clutches to my taste.
I find that clutches or hand held bags are easier to make informal but i Can’t say the opposite about larger bags. Hence why I gravitate towards not using a K25 for a formal or even formal-ish event. Again, this is all personal preference and like @papertiger said earlier we just have to balance out dress codes, cultural norms and being true to ourselves!
what sort of occasion would you say its the best fit for a kelly 25? … I am not very up to date with etiquette and would love to know others members thoughts. @papertiger @boomer1234
absolutely agree about it being easy to carry a clutch for daytime, -though I really don’t view a Kelly 25 as a ‘big’ bag - of course anything looks massive next to a mini Kelly LOL
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absolutely agree about it being easy to carry a clutch for daytime, -though I really don’t view a Kelly 25 as a ‘big’ bag - of course anything looks massive next to a mini Kelly LOL
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I have a clutch 25 and a top-handle 25 both for dress-up evenings'.
BB Clutch, I last wore with a black moss (matte) crepe, couture floor-length + (slight puddle-train at back) padded, lurex head piece George Jenson silver/gold and tiger-eye collar necklace, Terry de Havilland silver kid leather /black suede (full-on Swanson does Norma Desmond meets Dietrich does Shanghai Lili). I'd do a clutch with a Le Smoking too.
My BB Top-handle 25 (Arceau) was created for cocktails! Anything LBD, XLBD, pencil-narrow, tulip, mini puff-ball, skater, corset dress, mini or midi slip dress, body-con, princess line, skirt suit. Last time I went to an H (women's) fashion show, every woman looked like she was carrying K25 or B25 in bright colours (although it want in the evening). Last time I wore mine was with a simple Dolce and Gabbana black corset dress, fine-mesh fishnets, scarlet Gucci Betty heels (T-bar, quite 1950s) large gold/diamond Florentine owl earrings, big 3-colour gold 'firework' ring, HUGE vintage Chanel black leather bow in hair. I think the jacket (corset on the outside leap-lad print inside) was also Dolce & Gabbana, but part of a suit think Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth in the Lady from Shanghai) but without the peroxide hair.
Wow! Sounds amazing. My outfits (and my events) are not nearly as glamorous as yours! The kind of weddings I go to can last for hours and hours, it feels good to carry a small umbrella, tissues, etc which may all fit neatly in a Kelly 25.
I don’t consider a 25 ‘big’ even by todays mini standards, but love ‘the longer the dress the smaller the bag’ rule. It works well in terms of proportion. In fact I was going to ask if you could share the title of the book from 1930’e etiquette- would love to read more about it.
I attend a bunch of black tie galas and for those events I carry a beaded or satin clutch. Hermes leather clutches are not the right look for when I wear gowns. If cocktail attire is warranted I wear an Hermes clutch.
It’s that time of year again (well nearly) … we have Christmas parties, cocktails and New Years parties to look forward to. Would love to hear and see see everyone’s handbag plans… is it going to be a clutch, a mini Kelly, a birkin 25 or something else ?