SIMKHAI Bags: The Guide to the Shell Clutches, Suede Totes and Raffia

Most people meet SIMKHAI through a dress. The bags are the quieter part of the house, and in some ways the more interesting one, because they carry the same sculptural thinking into metal, shell, raffia and suede. This guide covers the SIMKHAI bags and clutches currently at Luxury Shoes : what each family is, what it holds, and which dresses it belongs beside.

SIMKHAI bags in brief

SIMKHAI makes four kinds of bag. Sculptural evening clutches in cast metal, shell forms, pearls and beading. Soft suede and nubuck shoulder bags and totes for the day. Raffia bags for summer. And a small run of structured leather pieces. For a first SIMKHAI bag, buy a clutch. It is the category where the house is most inventive.

The evening clutch

This is the signature. SIMKHAI clutches are objects first and bags second, and they look best beside a dress plain enough to let them show.

Shell and oyster clutches

The shell motif runs through several seasons. The Bridget Metal Oyster Clutch is a hard shell clutch cast from metal in the shape of an oyster, finished in silver with a removable chain strap. The Venus Metal Shell Clutch takes the same idea into a sculpted gold shell, and the Marion Shell Clutch softens it into a glossy acrylic spiral with a pearl finish. If you like the motif and want it on your feet as well, the Bridget Shell Wedge Sandal carries it into footwear.

Metal and sculptural clutches

The Splash Metal Clutch is polished gold metal cast in the shape of a fish, etched with scale detail. The Monet Clutch and the Reya Clutch are the other two hard clutches: the Monet a ribbed shell, the Reya a sculpted form that reads like jewellery. Both come in gold and in silver. The Isabella Artichoke Clutch is the most literal of them all, an artichoke in gold that can be carried by hand and worn as a wristlet.

Pearl, beaded and woven clutches

For a softer evening, the Morgan Woven Pearl Clutch is woven from faux pearls, the Maddox Pearl Clutch is marbled ivory acrylic with a pearl lustre, and the Morgan Woven Rhinestone Clutch does the woven idea in black with crystal. The Pia Beaded Fringe Clutch moves when you do.

Leather and shearling clutches

Not every evening wants metal. The Maddox Croc-Embossed Leather Clutch, the River East West Leather Clutch and the Amaya Nubuck Leather Clutch are the clutches you can take to dinner on a Tuesday. In winter, the Solange Shearling Clutch is a warm, tactile choice against a black coat.

Day bags: suede, nubuck and leather

The day bags are cut soft and large. Suede and nubuck dominate, in desert, light camel, cacao and black.

• Shoulder bags. The Devon Suede Shoulder Bag is the everyday bag of the range, with the Harlow as a smaller alternative and the Atlas Leather Shoulder Bag for a sharper line in black leather.
• Totes. The Devon Suede Tote is a long east west shape with a detachable zip pouch, and the River Leather Weekender Tote carries a weekend. The Nicola Croc-Embossed Leather Mini Tote is the structured option, with a detachable crossbody strap.
• Bucket bags. The Wynn Large Suede Bucket Bag and the Wynn Nubuck Leather Bucket Bag are slouchy and deep. The Mccall Laser Cut Leather Bucket Bag is the summer version, its cream leather cut into an open pattern.
• Crescent and hobo. The Nixi Suede Crescent Bag sits close under the arm; the Nixi Leather Hobo Bag is the slouchier take.
• Fringe. The Marena Suede Fringe Crossbody is the western note in the range, worn across the body.

Summer: raffia

Raffia is a recurring SIMKHAI material, used in dresses as well as bags. The Khai Raffia Hobo Bag is the holiday bag that still looks right in a city, and the Cleo Mini Raffia Bucket Bag is the small, two tone version. Pair either with a cotton poplin dress and a flat sandal.

How to choose a SIMKHAI bag

Caring for SIMKHAI bags

• Metal and shell clutches: wipe with a soft dry cloth and store in the dust bag, away from other metal that can scratch the finish.
• Suede and nubuck: keep away from rain, brush with a suede brush to lift the nap, and stuff lightly with tissue between wears.
• Raffia: keep it dry and store it flat and lightly stuffed, never folded.
• Pearl and beaded pieces: store flat in the dust bag so the threads holding the beadwork are not under tension.

Natural materials such as suede, calf hair and raffia vary from piece to piece in colour and texture. That is a property of the material, not a fault.

Frequently asked questions

Does SIMKHAI make handbags?

Yes. Alongside its ready-to-wear, SIMKHAI designs handbags each season: evening clutches in metal, shell, pearl and beading, suede and leather shoulder bags and totes, bucket bags and raffia bags. They are designed in Los Angeles to sit with the house’s dresses.

What is the SIMKHAI oyster clutch?

The Bridget Metal Oyster Clutch is a hard evening clutch cast in the shape of a closed oyster shell. It is part of a shell motif the house has used across clutches and footwear, including the Venus Metal Shell Clutch and the Bridget Shell Wedge Sandal.

Are SIMKHAI clutches heavy?

The metal clutches have more weight than a fabric clutch, because they are cast, but they are sized to be held in one hand through an evening. If weight matters, look at the pearl, beaded and leather clutches rather than the metal ones.

What fits in a SIMKHAI clutch?

A phone, a card holder, keys and a lipstick in most of the evening clutches. The east west leather clutch and the day bags hold considerably more; the product page lists measurements where the brand publishes them.

Where can I buy SIMKHAI bags?

Luxury Handbags carries the current SIMKHAI bags and clutches with worldwide express shipping. Every piece is 100% authentic and verified before dispatch.

See every bag in the SIMKHAI collection at Luxury Shoes , browse all designer clutch bags, and pair your bag with our guides to SIMKHAI shoes, SIMKHAI gowns and SIMKHAI dresses.