Dress | Foldover Clutch | Flat Clutch | Sunnies | Booties | Necklace | Earrings
This is a Clare Vivier Leopard clutch review. Funny story…I have been pining after these two Clare V clutches for months and months(the foldover and flat Clare V leopard calf hair), I really really wanted one of these bags to add to my collection for the Fall. But they were back ordered almost everywhere, I even tried to have my SA at Nordstrom transfer one of the bags in for me to look at(which by the way was a bust). I was on the hunt, watching reviews, shopping around, checking out new and used places on the internet that had the bags. I finally, decide that I was going to just purchase the foldover clutch and make it happen. SO the day that I bought the foldover I happened to be driving by my favorite resale boutique. I had time so I popped in and YOU KNOW WHAT! They had the flat clutch in the case, can you believe that, I mean what are the freaking odds. So obviously I bought the flat clutch, with a vow that I would return the foldover (which I paid FULL price for).
Somehow in less than 24hrs, after months of kicking the bag(pun intended) I had become the owner of not one but TWO Clare V leopard clutches. So I made a plan, I was going to review the bags and compare them to each other, and blog about it. I really would like to make a youtube comparison video, but I have no clue how to do that(work in progress).
Lets get started.
Clare V. Foldover Clutch in leopard print calf hair.
This bag measures 11.5″ x 11.5″
Ok, first things first, this bag is GORGEOUS. I know you have seen it on a million bloggers and fashionistas and there is a reason why. Its gorgeous, and a super trendy neutral, the calf hair is ultra soft and each bag is unique because it is made from natural fibers(leather). What I love about the foldover clutch is the handbag feel it has. Yes, its a a big square but once you drop your stuff into it and fold it over you have a this awesome super soft and slouchy handbag that just screams take me out and carry me around. I have worn this bag with patterned dresses, flowy peasant blouses, and just your basic LBD and booties.
I know your like “But Anne what fits in this bag?” I will tell you quite a bit.
I use my LV Neverfull Pouch as a wallet, its big and I am in the market for a new wallet(hint hint Keith I know you are reading this 🙂 ) but this bad boy is working perfectly until I get something different. I have to angle the pouch to get it into the clutch but once its in its a really good fit. My phone(6 plus) and keys(I have two different car keys and two house keys on my key ring) and a lipstick(currently wearing Mary Kay Crushed Berry). All of this fits in the clutch and honestly you could probably fit more, but I don’t like to stress my bags so I keep it pretty minimal. If I were to put more into the bag, it would lose that soft folded look that I love so much. I am really strict about my sunglasses, they would fit in this clutch with the other items without the case BUT I am one of those people that believes they should be on your face or in the case. Soo…no case means I am wearing them, either on my face or on top of my head(which I KNOWWW it stretches them out but whatever). But if you don’t mind, or you have a soft sunglasses case, you would easily be able to fit you sunglasses in the bag with the other items I listed.
Clare V. Flat Clutch in leopard print calf hair
This bag measures 11.5″ x 8.5″
Ok first things first. The Flat clutch is 30 bucks cheaper than the foldover clutch and is not quite as popular as its square sister. Those two reasons are what initially attracted me to the flat clutch, not as many people had it AND it was a smidge cheaper. After doing my due diligence by looking for youtube reviews on this bag(which btw don’t exist), Pinterest stalking bloggers that happened to carry the flat clutch and talking to my Nordstrom SA about the bags I decided to order the foldover because I wanted more of a handbag feel. Now that I own both bags (oops) I can tell you this one has its own set of qualities that its sister does not. This clutch is more comparable to a pouch, its simple, easy to carry, and easier to navigate. It is the same length as the other bag but because its shorter it doesn’t hold as much. I forced my LV Pouchette into it, but then it just felt stiff. Like I said before, because these bags are made out of leather and calf hair the leopard pattern varies on each bag. The flat clutch is significantly lighter than the foldover, you can easily see that in the photos above. Now it won’t be that way for every single clutch that is out there, but in my case thats how it worked out :).
Now I hear you I hear you. “What exactly are you fitting into the Flat Clutch Anne?” lol
Inside my LV Pouchette I have a little Hobo International French Wallet to hold all my cards. I scooped it up at Nordstrom Rack in the spring for like 30 bucks, its a great little piece to go inside my LV pouch and helps transform the pouch from a little bag to a big wallet. I love it because it is leather(I have a thing for natural fibers), and I have had many Hobo wallets in the past(before LV came into my life) that are seriously freaking amazing. I have one Hobo wallet that is legit 10 years old and still looks brand new, and I carried that bitch for most of those 10 years. ANYWAYS back on topic. I can fit my phone, keys and a lipstick into the flat clutch as well. If you over stuff this clutch then it looks stiff, which is the opposite of the look you are going for with this style of clutch.
So when I happened to end up with both bags, everyone in my life was like ” Anne you can’t keep them both blah blah blah.” And honestly I did try to convince myself to sell one or return one for a hot second. But because I am a hoarder of all things girlie and fun I am keeping both, so DEAL WITH IT. 🙂