What Is a Clutch Bag? Types, Sizes and How to Carry One

A clutch bag is a small handbag designed to be held in the hand, tucked under the arm, and carried without a long strap, which is where the name comes from: you clutch it. It holds only the essentials, usually a phone, a card holder, keys and a lipstick, and it is the classic bag for weddings, dinners and evening events. See the Zimmermann bags at Coveti and our full edit of designer clutch bags for the shapes described below.

Our worked example is the Zimmermann Cloud 91 Small Clutch in dusk, a soft nappa leather clutch with a tassel drawstring. If you are building an evening look around it, our guide on how to wear gold heels covers the shoes.

Key facts

• A clutch is a small bag carried in the hand, with no handle, a short handle, a wrist strap and in some cases a detachable chain.
• It is called a clutch because you grip, that is clutch, it in your hand.
• A small clutch around 20cm long holds a phone, a card holder, keys and a lipstick.
• The Zimmermann Cloud 91 Small Clutch measures 20cm long, 12cm high and 10cm deep, with a handle drop of 50 to 55cm.
• At a seated dinner, a clutch goes on your lap, behind your back on the chair, beside your feet; never on the table.

What is the point of a clutch bag?

The point of a clutch bag is to carry the minimum with the maximum polish, so that the bag finishes an outfit instead of weighing it down. A shoulder bag and a tote are built for a full day’s load; a clutch is built for a few hours out, when you need your phone, a card and something to touch up your lips.

Because it is small, a clutch also keeps the line of a dress clean. A long strap across the body cuts through a neckline and creases silk, while a clutch held at the hip lets the dress do the talking. That is why it remains the default bag for black tie, weddings, cocktail parties and dinners.

Why is it called a clutch bag?

It is called a clutch bag because the defining way to carry it is to grip it, to clutch it, in one hand. The word describes the action rather than a particular shape, which is why a clutch can be a flat envelope, a rigid box and a soft gathered pouch, and still share the same name.

What is the difference between a clutch bag and a handbag?

A clutch bag is a type of handbag, but it is smaller, has no long handles and is carried in the hand, while most handbags have handles and hang from the arm. The table sets out the differences between the three bags people confuse most often.

The lines blur at the soft end. A gathered leather clutch like the Cloud 91 Small Clutch looks like a pouch, but it is finished as a stand alone bag with a cotton lining, a leather tassel drawstring and an internal magnetic snap.

What are the main types of clutch bag?

There are six main types of clutch bag, and each suits a different kind of occasion.

• Envelope clutch: a flat rectangle with a fold over flap, like a letter. Sleek and good with tailoring.
• Box clutch, also called a minaudière: a small rigid case, often metal and embellished. The most formal type.
• Frame clutch: a soft body on a metal frame with a kiss lock clasp. Ladylike, vintage in feel.
• Pouch and drawstring clutch: soft, gathered leather and fabric. Relaxed, tactile, easy for summer. The Cloud 91 Small Clutch belongs here.
• Wristlet: a small clutch with a loop that slips over the wrist, freeing the hand.
• Oversized clutch: a large flat bag carried under the arm, more daytime than evening.

Zimmermann’s clutches on Coveti include the soft Cloud 91 family in gold, milk and the larger Cloud 91 Medium Clutch, plus the Facet Clutch. Our Zimmermann bags guide compares them in detail.

What fits inside a clutch bag?

A small clutch around 20cm long fits a phone, a slim card holder, a key and a lipstick, and a medium clutch adds room for sunglasses and a compact. Measure your phone before you buy, since it is almost always the item that decides whether a clutch works.

The Cloud 91 Small Clutch measures 20cm long, 12cm high and 10cm deep. That 10cm depth is more generous than a flat envelope, because the gathered patchwork body expands around what you put in it. Coveti’s product notes describe it as taking a phone, a lipstick and a card holder with nothing to spare, which is exactly right for a wedding but too tight for a long day out.

1. Phone
2. Card holder with one card and some cash
3. Key, without the full key ring
4. Lipstick and a small mirror
5. Folded tissue and a plaster

What is the proper etiquette for carrying a clutch bag?

Carry a clutch in your non dominant hand so your other hand is free for greetings, and at a dinner put it on your lap, behind your back on the chair, beside your feet, never on the table. A few more rules of thumb help at formal events.

• When standing with a drink, tuck the clutch under the arm that is not holding the glass, so you can still shake hands.
• At a wedding, leave the clutch on your seat during the first dance, rather than dancing with it.
• If the clutch has a handle, as the Cloud 91 does with its 50 to 55cm drop, you can wear it on the shoulder while you eat at a standing reception.
• Keep it small enough to sit flat in your lap; anything bigger belongs on the floor.

Which clutch bag is best for a wedding?

For a wedding, choose a small clutch in soft leather, metallic and satin that picks up a colour from your shoes and jewellery rather than from the dress. Matching a bag exactly to a dress can look stiff; a related tone looks considered.

Zimmermann’s styling note for the Cloud 91 Small Clutch in dusk is to hold it with a cream lace midi and gold sandals for a summer wedding. The dusk nappa is warm enough to sit with gold, and soft enough not to compete with lace. Pair it with the Solstice Sandal 85 in gold, an 85mm laminated nappa sandal made in Italy, and the look is finished.

For dress ideas to go with it, see our Zimmermann wedding guest guide and our edit of blue wedding guest dresses.

Do people still carry clutch bags?

Yes, people still carry clutch bags, especially for weddings, black tie and dinners, where a crossbody strap would spoil the line of a dress. What has changed is shape: soft, gathered and slouchy clutches now sit alongside the rigid evening box, and many come with a detachable strap so the same bag works at a daytime lunch. The Cloud 91 Small Clutch is a good example, swinging from the wrist with a linen shirt and wide leg trousers by day, then held in the hand at night.

How do you style a clutch bag with everyday outfits?

To carry a clutch by day, choose a soft shape and pair it with relaxed fabrics such as linen, cotton and denim, so it looks intentional rather than overdressed. A drawstring clutch with a sheer silk organza shirt and ivory cotton capri trousers works for a long lunch. Over a cropped denim jacket and a midi skirt, it reads easy and weekend ready; our guide on how to style a cropped denim jacket shows how. For a scarf trick that changes a clutch’s look instantly, see how to tie a scarf on a bag.

How do you care for a leather clutch?

Store a leather clutch stuffed with tissue in its dust bag, away from sunlight and damp, and keep it out of contact with pale fabrics in humid weather. Zimmermann’s care notes for its handcrafted leather say colours may fade with exposure to light and heat, and that humidity can lead to colour transfer onto lighter fabrics. Protect it from water, oils and solvents, and wipe it with a soft dry cloth after each use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the point of a clutch bag?

A clutch bag carries only the essentials for a few hours out, such as a phone, a card and a lipstick, while keeping the line of an outfit clean. It is the classic bag for weddings, dinners and evening events.

What is the difference between a clutch bag and a handbag?

A clutch is a small type of handbag with no long handles that you hold in your hand, while most handbags are larger and hang from the arm by handles. Clutches are made for evenings; handbags for daily use.

Why is it called a clutch bag?

It is called a clutch bag because you carry it by gripping it, clutching it, in your hand. The name describes how it is carried rather than a single shape.

What fits in a small clutch bag?

A small clutch around 20cm long, like the Zimmermann Cloud 91 Small Clutch, fits a phone, a card holder, a key and a lipstick.

What is the proper etiquette for a clutch bag at dinner?

At dinner, place your clutch on your lap, behind your back on the chair, beside your feet. Never put it on the table.

Do people still carry clutch bags?

Yes. Clutch bags remain the standard choice for weddings, black tie and dinners, and soft drawstring styles with a handle now work for daytime too.