I wrinkled my nose at clear plastic totes when clear shoes and accessories were all the rage, and I wasn't particularly fond of lucite clutches either when that hard plastic-ey material embellished every shoe and bangle on the market. Now cork seems to be the material of choice for summer wedges, sandals and even some jewelry, so I knew it wouldn't be long until this Lauren Merkin 'Grace' cork clutch came along (US$250). Yuck! Cork is easily stained, marked, dented, nicked, gouged, torn, scratched, and worst of all... it looks ridiculous! ("Here, let me give you my phone number..." the handsome British uni student says to me as he fumbles for a pen. I reply, "Sure. May I borrow a push-pin so I can tack it on to my portable message-board, err... tuck in into my clutch?")
Related: Miss L-Fire Lucite Bags | Jessica McClintock's marbled Lucite clutch | Yay or Nay Wednesday - Oversize cork tote