This orange Gatsby Longchamp clutch has been my style savior for the past 2+ years, and it deserves a standing ovation. It’s my personal It bag that will hopefully stay by my side for many more years to come! Photos by Christian Hadidjaja.
Before I came across this lovely orange clutch at Longchamp San Francisco store in Spring 2013, I did not believe in having a personal “It” bag. I was content with my top-handle, messenger, and tote bags, and was not a big fun of having a clutch. But I was starstruck since the first time I saw this lovely Longchamp clutch in the perfect orange color.
There’s something about it that looks effortless. Good looking embossed leather with clean design exuding subtle luxury that’s just perfect for fashion events. The size is also perfect: 12.5″L x 8.5″H x 1″W. Not too big, not too small. The lining fabric has cheetah print and it has a back pocket.
The Longchamp San Francisco boutique near Union Square only had one clutch available for two color options: this bright orange and cobalt blue. Orange has been my favorite color for a long time, so the choice was obvious. I was hesitant at first, because I was not raised by my parents to easily justify paying hundreds of dollars for a bag. I don’t shop often and rarely shop impulsively. But I have loved Longchamp’s simple design aesthetic and I know I can afford the clutch – I’d hate to obsess over a bag I cannot afford – so I asked it to be put on hold.
For the next several days, I asked Chris to check with the store (his office is nearby). He claimed that he did not have time, and that he still saw it on the shelves. At one point, I was ready to go to the store and buy it, but he stopped me. Little did I know that he secretly bought it the day after after our first store visit. It was such a wonderful birthday gift :)
2013
He knew I love it so much (it’s love at first sight, guys!) and after this first casual snap near Maiden Lane, that love is well deserved. My outfit was elevated from carrying an orange clutch. From that time on, the clutch becomes my personal It bag.
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H&M top, ASOS jacket, Banana Republic Pants, Lucky Brand flats.
People started giving compliments and asking where I got the bag. One local San Francisco fashion designer was so impressed with the clutch that he almost did not believe it’s a Longchamp bag! Later that year, I took the Longchamp clutch on its first official fashion event, the California College of the Arts (CCA) 2013 fashion show.
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Piperlime blouse, Isda & Co. sleeveless blazer, United Colors of Benetton coat, Sou Sou pants, Frye flats, thrifted rings.
2014
I repeated the feat on the following year, this time wearing a mini dress to CCA 2014 fashion show. Jim, the campus photographer said my look that evening was “gorgeous!”
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French Connection dress, Zara jacket, Max Studio wedges.
A month later, I took it again with me to Art Institute of California (AiCA SF) 2014 Annual Fashion Show. Here I was posing with Jesus Romero, the student designers who won Best in Show Award that night.
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United Colors of Benetton dress, 49 Square Miles belt, Qupid wedges, thrifted vintage bracelet, thrifted peacock eye earrings.
2015
This year, I brought it to the media preview of High Style: The Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at Legion of Honor.
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Zara top, Sessa by Gusmi & Monika Jufri skirt, Frye flats, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace, thrifted vintage bracelet.
And it’s my 3rd year bringing it to CCA! I felt it was a no-brainer to have it with me on CCA 2015 fashion show.
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Harputs dress, Melissa boots.
There were more occasions where I brought the bag, but I didn’t bother to document it every single time. I just love how much easier my decision-making process has been for choosing outfits for fashionable events. Somehow when everything else fails, the Longchamp clutch just works. That’s why it has been my style statement for more than two years now, and I hope I have many more years with it by my side. It’s my ultimate It bag and I love it so much.
Now, how about you? Do you have a go-to It bag? Please share!
Thanks for reading; until next time,
Musank
Photos by Christian Hadidjaja
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