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The Glamorous Wedding Day Clutch

Hi there, it’s Jacqueline Weppner from Merci New York.  I’m thrilled to be back on StrictlyWeddings.com.

Spring wedding season has officially sprung, and with it comes the all-too-common flurry of brides scouring the city for the often forgotten (and ever-elusive) accessory: the glamorous wedding day clutch.

As brides, we spend months preparing our wedding day wardrobe. Getting The Dress.  Finding The Shoes.  Coordinating it all with a veil, of sorts, and trekking to fittings galore.  We invest hours in every other part of our wedding day wardrobe, but often ignore the most versatile (and re-wearable) accessory until the last minute.   Our clutch.  Well, shouldn’t it be an heirloom as well?

Enter Judith Leiber’s gorgeous minaudières. The designer is arguably the city’s swankest source for gala and benefit accoutrement, but I just adore her life-saving presence for the wedding wardrobe.  There’s just something so special about her designs… Almost jewels in their own right, Judith Leiber handbags are stylish investments designed to last a lifetime.

Of all her designs, I cannot resist the novelty creations… they’re so whimsical and add a personal touch to any ensemble.  Here are a few that are currently available in the New York boutique:

Of course, if the novelty miniaudieres are a bit too editorial for your taste, Judith Leiber’s classic pieces just ooze glamour and sophistication.  They quickly transition from bridal to evening, and remain the perfect accessory for any high-gloss occasion. (In fact, every First Lady since 1953 has carried a Leiber handbag to the Presidential Inauguration).

Of the four styles below, the “chocolate bar” (lower right) has become an iconic classic.  It’s certainly my pick for a bride who’s looking to add a bit of bling to her wedding day ensemble… (and rumor suggests it will relieve the cupcake miniaudiere of it’s starring role in the SATC sequel this spring).

Fashionista fun fact: Judith (Peto) Leiber’s life was quite the Cinderella story.  She survived World War II in hiding, and met her husband Gerson, an American soldier, in the streets of Budapest when the city was liberated. She moved to the United States as a GI bride and worked as a pattern maker, but always had dreams of owning her own business… She and Gerson worked hand in hand on Judith’s vision, and they formed her namesake company in 1963. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Frugalista fun fact: Saavy summer brides can score perfectly posh Judith Leiber clutches at half off their original prices at the Manhattan boutique’s annual sale, which generally takes place in mid-June.  Check the New York Magazine sale guide for more details. (For those who don’t live here, sounds like a great basis for a shopping trip).

Photos courtesy of Judith Leiber.

4 Comments on “The Glamorous Wedding Day Clutch”

• Britton Felber March 31st, 2010 3:57 pm

  This are awesome! I can’t wait to be the photographer at a wedding where one of these is around. BEAUTIFUL!

• Courtney March 30th, 2010 9:05 pm

  I will take one of each:) I wish!!! Thanks for sharing…

• Nell March 30th, 2010 5:54 am

  I will never forget the day I got my first Judith Leiber/now I am giving it to my daughter to have and to take to one of her many events leading up to the day she gets married. They are such a treat to have:)

• Janice March 26th, 2010 9:49 pm

  I love these Cluthe’s, would it not be great if all the Bridesmaids could pull their funds together, and give one as a gift to the Bride? Of course, these have to be RICH Bridesmaids!

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