Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch review: worth it or skip?

What the Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch does well

The headline: knuckle-duster clasp with skull detail. The details: Material: Satin or leather; Size: 20 x 11 x 4 cm; Hardware: Skull ring; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: edgy evening. It usually sells for $1,500–$1,900 in the US.

Also works as a day clutch in leather.

The trade-offs

Good: distinctive, good craft. Not so good: heavy clasp, polarizing. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you prefer classic.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Loewe Flamenco Purse ($1,500–$1,800): drawstring-knot pouch in napa leather. Better if you want a soft pouch for evenings.

Instead, consider the Jimmy Choo Bon Bon Bag ($1,500–$2,100): round bag with crystal handle. Better if you want a fun evening bag with sparkle.

Instead, consider the Saint Laurent Kate Pouch ($1,600–$1,900): grain de poudre clutch with Cassandre logo. Better if you want an elegant evening clutch under $2,000.

Before you buy

Phone fit: measure your phone; many beautiful clutches cannot close over a large smartphone. Chain or wristlet: a hidden chain or wrist strap frees your hands for a drink or a handshake. Embellishment: crystals and beading look spectacular but can snag delicate fabrics and lose stones; check the backing and repair service.

Buyer tip

Choose a metallic, black or neutral evening bag and it works with almost any outfit for years; trend colors date quickly.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT (around 20%), while US prices exclude sales tax, so a bag can look cheaper in Paris or Milan than it really is. Visitors from outside the EU and UK can often claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU, which is why many Americans buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès while travelling.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.