Category Archives: Fashion

A bow-tie and a jacket from Brooks Brothers, of course.

(And some very fun underwear that will remain my little secret.)

At first I was resistant to the idea. Like most extreme trends, the idea of a man clutch is initially silly. What’s the point? With all the messenger bags and body bags and portfolios available, do we really need another accessory? Absolutely. To paraphrase a line from Steel Magnolias (because that’s exactly how gay this blog is), the ability to accessorize is the only thing that separates us from the animals.

While in Boston, I decided to forge the trend, but first I needed to find a suitable clutch. Being that the idea is relatively new (and decidedly not-yet-popular) there weren’t very many man clutches available. There were smaller messenger bags, but they all had straps or handles. There were dop kits and toiletry bags, but they were too bulky. The only clutches out right now are the female clutches, so yes, the man clutch, for now, is simply a woman’s clutch carried by a man. I’m cool with that, and confident enough to pull it off, which is one of the secrets on how to utilize the accessory without looking completely ludicrous.

If you’re going to carry a man clutch, there are a few suggestions I would make so you come off as eclectic and quirky rather than straight-up drag queen – but if you’re thinking of doing it, you don’t really have much wiggle-room for differentiation on that front – I mean, you’re carrying a clutch for God’s sake.

First rule, nothing frilly. No bows, or ruffles or even pleats. No ruching or puckering or fringe. No excessive buckles or buttons or ornamentation. The goal is for streamlined and elegant. Simple lines, clean surfaces. Keep the material on the rugged side as well – leather or canvas – and keep colors muted, or at least coordinated with your outfit. Above all, no sequins or feathers. Again, you’re carrying a clutch. It’s enough.

[Now we just need to find a suitable moniker for the object – “man clutch” is a bit too pedantic. “Murse” was snottily suggested by a FaceBook “friend”, but I’m more partial to “mutch” (which seems more suitable since a man clutch is, let’s own it, a bit much). I remain open to suggestions.]

It begins, as so many things do, with a change in wardrobe. Style often leads substance ~ testing the winds, paving the way, setting the journey. This time, this day in fact, feels different. It begins with a shedding – of skin, of hair, of chrysalis, of excess. A metamorphosis – an evolution – the way around the world. And all from a simple change of clothing.

There is power in what we wear. Like it or not, it matters – appearance matters. You can pretend it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and you can tell that to your kids and students, but there are truths to this world that they will discover regardless of your best intentions.

I’m jumping ahead, when really this is still the early stages of the beginning – and it starts with what you decide to put on your back in the morning. For the end of winter, a toned-down palette, a less-fitted silhouette, and a simpler way that approaches minimalism.

There may be peace found in neutral tones- cream, beige, slate, charcoal, gray, and black. Perhaps a dash of some tan, maybe a somber bit of olive green or the formerly dreadful navy – but all subdued, all designed specifically to not stand out – the focus turning to the head, the hands, the skin.

And then, slowly, and almost imperceptibly, the focus moves inward. It’s a new thing to have fashion begin the search for the soul, but how could it have happened any other way?