Although they are not carried as often as some other styles of purses, clutch purses can play a vital role in the wardrobe of any woman who finds herself going out to formal affairs from time to time.  These affairs do not have to be as fancy as a dinner with the president, but even a cocktail party or wedding calls for something more formal and appropriate than a large frumpy bag that looks like you might use it to live out of on vacation.

Clutch purses are small, classy bags meant to carry only what a woman will need for her time out at some event.  You will not usually find water bottles shoved into these purses.  Some of these are so small that they are only meant to carry keys and a lipstick.