This season's clutch purses are giving oversized handbags are run for their money, with brightly-colored convertibles, hard cases and big, chunky clutches.

A cute clutch is one of this summer’s must have items. The choice is huge this season with large and small, soft and hard-cased, multi-colored and metallic.

Convertible Clutches

Convertible clutches are a hot item this year, due to their practicality. It is possible to go from clutch to shoulder bag or tote with one flick of your wrist.

If you are not able to stretch to a designer price tag, then consider a fun, summery convertible clutch from Old Navy. At $12.50 or less you have two bags for the price of one, when you get tired of “clutching” your purse, unfold it, hold it by the handle, and viola!, it becomes a summer tote.

Fendi, currently celebrating the Baguette bag 's 10th anniversary, has a versatile version of a patchwork textured oversized clutch (Net-A-Porter £684), which can be worked as a clutch purse or transformed into a shoulder bag.

Hard-Case Clutches

These retro inspired toughened purses look great for evening, against sleek satin or silk. Made of Bakelite acrylic, Alexander Mcqueen’s “unique and lavish” hard clutch (couture.zappos.com $634) is an elegant way to hold all your essentials.

Hard clutches are also taking on the shape of metallic crystal balls, which would also look at home on your Christmas tree. The brainchild of designer label, House of Baulch, featured in SHOP Til You Drop, April 2008; these mystical orbs are a neat twist on both the metallic and hard clutch trend.

Metallic Clutches

For the last couple of seasons the fashion industry has had a love affair with metallics. This is just as true for bags as it is for shoes and other accessories. A metallic clutch is the easiest way to add a bit of instant glamour to an evening look, but don’t necessarily save metallics for the cocktail hour. If you are into high-end designer labels then Jimmy Choo’s Mave Leather clutch (£525) is according to Net-a-Porter, “a fabulous way to finish off an evening look," whilst Kate Spade’s Darlington Ava Clutch ($299) from couture.zappos.com. is perfect for summer daywear.

Mini Clutches

What they lack in practicality, they make up for in style. With just enough room for some small change and a lipstick these cute mini clutches are ultra-fashionable arm candy right now. Choose from two styles – the traditional-shape (mini ) clutch, or a super-slim crayon clutch, the size of a pencil case. Carlos Flanchi 's Witty Sparking Crayon Clutch (couture.zappos.com $205) is one such example.

Oversized Clutches

Giant handbags have morphed into oversized clutches, more versatile than the average-sized clutch purse. Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choo have a range of these sleek and practical enlarged purses. If you have experienced the call of the wild with this season’s animal and safari prints, then Jimmy Choo has an striking large Marin Zebra clutch (£895), available from Net a Porter.

Two of a Kind – Matching Bag and Outfit

This year forget about matching your handbag with your shoes. Create an all-over effect by teaming it with your outfits.

Fashion gurus in the May 2008 Australian edition of Marie Claire tell you to “Forget matching your bag with your shoes." Says the magazine, "This season the clutch is an extension of the outfit with designers finding a thrifty use for al those opulent cut-offs,” from Miu Miu’s matching bright stripe outfits and clutches to Missoni’s bejeweled numbers to Oscar de la Renta’s chic tribal monochromes.

Technicolor or Multi-Colored Clutches

According to Elle magazine's online "Top Ten Fashion Must-Haves for 2008," handbags of all shapes and sizes are being splashed about in glorious technicolor! The brightly colored rainbow of multi-colored hues by high-end designers such as Balenciaga, Fendi and Louis Vuitton will brighten up a summer's day. One of the most beautiful and fun clutches this season is by Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu - the colorful Dragonfly clutch is sure to turn heads wherever you go.(net-a-porter £690). Another attention grabbing purse is Marc Jacobs geometric print, convertible clutch ($232), available from Couture.Zappos.com.

Multi-colored clutches will spice up any outfit. Use it to perk up a little black dress or a classic wardrobe piece, to give it an edgy look. Add a pair of fun and flirty colored shades and you have a stylish look that is right-up-to-date.

Images courtesy of couture.zappos.com