Kate-Inspired Purchase Review: Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley Muse Clutch

Here I am with a brand-new Kate item review! This week we're taking a closer look at the Duchess's navy suede "Muse" clutch by Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley.

It's probably one of the most frequently seen bags of the Duchess's, and it's been on my wishlist for quite some time. Although, coming with a price tag of £255 (approximately €355 or $385), I'd admire it in the Russell & Bromley window display, never quite able to justify the purchase. After all, the Duchess may be able to go about her engagements carrying dainty clutch bags, but, let's face it, for the majority of us this type of bag is usually reserved for evenings or special occasions - for day to day wear I tend to carry around a large tote, and as much as I like them, there just aren't many occasions in my life that warrant the use of a clutch bag!
Therefore I was absolutely thrilled when Kate's Closet shared on her Facebook page an eBay listing for the real deal. Better still, the bag was offered for sale by the Sevenoaks branch of Oxfam GB, so by purchasing it one was even doing a good deed, as 100% of the sale benefited the charity.
Acquaring an original Kate item at a good price and helping a worthy charity? Count me in, please!
Cue some jittery few minutes right at the end of the auction to see if mine was the winning bid - and it was! Still not exactly dirt cheap at £167.70 (€233 or $253) plus shipping, this was still a significantly reduced price and, hey, it's for charity!

As I mentioned above, this is a well-loved bag of Catherine's. It's first appearance was in July 2012 at the London Olympics and it's been in use many times since.

 

 

Left: 31 July 2012, equestrian eventing competition on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park - Right: 3 August 2012, men's tennis quarter finals at the London Olympics.

 

 

Left: 12 September 2012, visiting the Rolls Royce factory in Singapore - Right: 23 April 2013, visiting Willows Primary School in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on behalf of Place2Be.

 

Left: 20 November 2013, attending the Place2Be Forum in Canary Wharf, London - Right: 9 April 2014, visiting Blenheim, New Zealand.

 

Left: 16 April 2014, departing Wellington, New Zealand, en route to Australia - Right: 17 April 2014, visiting the Blue Mountains, Australia.

 

 

Left: 25 April 2014, attending ANZAC Day commemorations in Canberra - Right: 10 June 2014, launching Britain's America's Cup bid at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

 

 
 
 

 

Left: 18 June 2014, visiting Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire - Right: 5 August 2014: visiting the Poppies Swept Land and Seas art installation at the Tower of London.

 Left: 19 Januray 2015, three engagements in Kensington in aid of various charities - Right: 2 March 2015, attending the Goring Hotel's 105th birthday celebrations.

 

 

13 March 2015, service of commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan.

 

Close-ups of the clutch with various outfits:

 



 

First thing to say, this bag is absolutely Amazing! This is my first ever Stuart Weitzman purchase and you really can tell it's a high-end product, made from soft, high quality suede.

It has a flap closure with a magnetic button fastening and a detachable navy leather strap. The interior is lined in the most gorgeous, black jacquard fabric with a rose decor and branded with the Stuart Weitzman logo. It's details like these, which we never usually get to see, that I love most!

 

 

The bag is approximately 10x26x4.5 cm, so more than roomy enough as clutch bags go, and perfect for carrying all your essentials on a night out. The detachable leather strap has a total lenght of approximately 70 cm, thus allowing a drop of about 28 cm.

The Muse remains available to buy at Russell & Bromley in navy suede as reviewed, black suede, black textured suede, blush patent leather, shimmering platinum fabric, shimmering glitter fabric and snake print patent leather in a selection of colours (mushroom, rainbow, blush and navy blue).
The Duchess, as well as in navy suede, owns it in black suede and brown suede (not currently available).

 

Black - Left: 8 November 2014, engagements in Wales - Right: 25 November 2014, visiting EACH Hospice in Norfolk.

 

 

Brown - Left: 21 February 2012, visiting Oxford Spires Academy School in her role as patron of The Art Room - Right: 8 December 2013, visiting the London offices of crime prevention charity Only Connect.