by Rosanna Carlucci
She is late. She pushes through the evening work crowd, her red croc-embossed clutch under one arm and the daily paper under the other. She is desperate and begins to scan the streets for a cab. As each one seems to pass her, her chances seem slim. Then out of nowhere, a sun- yellow cab screeches to a halt before her and she is amazed. Her prayers have been answered.

Once inside she realizes she is not alone. A smoldering gaze meets her from the other side of the backseat. “I hope you don’t mind”, her tall, dark and handsome speaks, “you look like you are in a hurry.” A small Argentinean band begins to play the tango inside her heart and she begins to imagine things a lady shouldn’t be thinking. Her head tells her she should say something. “I don’t mind at all” she says and finds herself forgetting about her previous appointment. “Actually, I am right on time.”

The clutch or more specifically large clutches are enjoying great popularity this season. Overtime the clutch has evolved from a small evening purse that could only be “clutched” in one hand to a larger version used during the day. Back in the sixties, designers such as Dior or Gucci designed clutches that could be used as both large fold over clutches or totes when unfolded.

For her fall ’08 handbag collection, designer Kate Spade has created the most perfect vintage inspired large faux croc-embossed clutch. The bag is available in either brown or burgundy croc embossed leather. The flap closure and optional gold chain handle add instant glamour and take the bag from day to night.

And for the style obsessed on a budget, Urban Outfitters offers a similar faux leather clutch in a croc-embossed pattern for a fraction of the price.