What Do Carolyn Bessette and Carrie Bradshaw have in Common? Great Clutches
The Power of a Great Clutch
In the ninth episode of the first season of Sex and the City, Carrie’s newlywed friend Brooke states…
‘We think we're Carolyn Bessette. One day John-John's out of the picture...
and we're happy just to have some guy who can throw around a frisbee.’
Arguably, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy shares more traits with Natasha than with Carrie. While Natasha's wealthy parents had a house in The Hamptons, the Bessettes were stationed in well-to-do Connecticut. Natasha works at Ralph Lauren, CBK famously served as a publicity director at Calvin Klein. The actress, Bridget Moynihan, who played Natasha even said;
‘Because originally it was one line, I think at the time I really created a backstory for myself,” she said. “Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife, was kind of my image of who Natasha was. I went in with that energy in my mind.’
What does a real person have in common with a character? One a minimalist, the other one of the most iconic and experimental dressers to be portrayed in popular media. The answer is their choice in accessory.
In this article, I make the case for Carolyn and Carrie overlapping style sensibilities due to their use of clutches. Clutches, a staple of 90’s dressing and the appropriate evening accessory, have all but disappeared from common use amongst young women. The two women carried anonymous, unidentifiable and logo-less clutches. Favouring materials such as patent leather, exotic leather and velvet to infuse interest. Carrie’s were adorned with unique detailing (embroidery, beading, etc) presumably due to their vintage nature. This was mostly in season 1 and 2 of SATC. Before the overemphasis with product placements and references to brands in the dialogue got out of hand.
Carolyn's documented collection included a vintage velvet clutch, gifted by her late mother-in-law, Jackie. A Comme Des Garcon leather pouch, 2 alligator leather clutches, a silk box clutch, a velvet moiré clutch with a gold clasp and a Whiting and Davis gold mesh bag. CBK's preference for black aligns with her reputation as a steadfast minimalist.
CBK was photographed multiple times carrying a wallet in lieu of a bag or clutch for daytime quick errands and casual outings. I always found this to be incredibly chic. It's practical yet unburdened by the sheer amount of stuff you have to carry as a woman. In addition to her various Prada wallets and pocketbooks, she was seen with a green Hermes lizard skin wallet, which I consider to be the most underrated exotic leather.
The usage of a wallet as a casual daytime clutch can be implemented into our own lives when running errands. Leaving the house without a bag and being hands-free is the ultimate little luxury. It suggests an ease of lifestyle associated with a stay-at-home wife (CBK) and a freelance writer (Carrie) that not many women are afforded.
Carrie also understood the practicality and elegance of using clutches. She incorporated them into both daytime and evening occasions. Her infamous red alligator clutch spotted multiple times in season 1 is reportedly designed by Nancy Gonzales. Similar can be found secondhand on the RealReal.
Different ways of carrying a clutch can provide insight into the wearers personality. Carrie, who wore hers tucked under her arm or loosely held, differed from CBK, whose purse was always firmly gripped by her side, perhaps due to her unease with being photographed.
Clutches are not just the socially accepted accessory for evening and formal occasions; their construction, particularly the lack of handles, translates photogenically. They allow for less fidgeting, consequently allowing for cleaner images. Meghan’s Mirror, a blog documenting Meghan Markle's wardrobe noted; “The clutch allows a woman to keep her hands occupied when needed, and can be discreetly tucked under the arm for shaking hands. While carrying a clutch, the shoulders and arms tend to fall in a flattering angle that photographs well …… using these little, elegant bags to occupy her hands at royal events, avoiding an awkward posture or self-conscious hand gestures.” This is not only applicable to Meghan but other public figures, such as CBK.
Being hands-free and unrestricted allows the accessory to move with you rather than against you. When Carrie was waving her arms in frustration and shrugging her shoulders, her clutch served as the perfect accessory. It dramatically emphasized her point. Notice her clutch in this scene (video below) as she moves her arms to express her exasperation with Big. It’s around the 1:24 mark. Here the clutch works as a prop aiding Sarah-Jessica’s physical acting.
Clutches are timeless accessories that utilise both function and form. Far from obsolete, they remain a welcome addition to the wardrobe of any modern woman. Observing CBK and Carrie carrying clutches resonated with me, representing a facet of adulthood and womanhood. This inspired me to start my own collection. Today, with their decline in popularity, there is an abundance of quality second-hand options available.
To begin my collection, I purchased a vintage leather Jane Shilton beige embossed snakeskin clutch and a Whiting and Davis mini purse (the same brand as CBK’s!) from the online marketplace Vinted for a total of £10. Clutches are ideal for evening events, dinners, and formal gatherings. If you're based in the UK/EU and searching for deals, browse Vinted regularly—they have some of the best selection. I will be writing a follow-up post where I will share more links and tips for those interested in starting their own collection.
This chocolate brown Alaïa croc clutch on Vestiaire Collective is stunning.
https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-bags/clutch-bags/alaia/burgundy-patent-leather-alaia-clutch-bag-40639114.shtml
Black Nancy Gonzalez croc clutch.
https://www.therealreal.com/products/women/handbags/clutches/nancy-gonzalez-crocodile-flap-clutch-kdpeu
Lastly, there's a video showcasing some beautiful clutches from The Row's Fall 2024 collection.
