E-Mail This Article to a Friend Get in gear with a new clutch Handheld bags are all the rage this season BY DARCY HEITZKE

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am a collector of handbags. After all, different outfits and occasions call for different types of bags. I have small ones and big ones, plain ones and fancy ones. Black ones, brown ones, polka-dot ones ... well, you get the point. What could my vast collection possibly be missing, you ask? A clutch, of course! No outfit is complete this season without one of these classy, stylish, versatile handbags. Clutches come in all shapes, sizes, fabrics, and colors — some are elegant, some are formal, and some look great with just jeans and a T-shirt. And fortunately, since versatility and fashion go hand in hand these days, many clutches are convertible — meaning they come with an optional wrist or shoulder strap for the woman who likes to keep her options open.

At Mint Julep, you’ll find the Missy clutch by Maine designer Angela Adams ($128). This faille-lined wool bag has a retro look and is available in oatmeal and burgundy: the former comes with white and silver accents, the latter with tangerine and pink. Both have a hinged frame and a foldable handle that can be flipped to the outside if you get tired of clutching or want to try a different look. At the same store, you’ll find a brocade envelope-style clutch ($78) made by Timi & Leslie. This elegant handbag comes in silver and pink and has a removable vintage brooch on the front.

If the vintage look is your thing, you’ll surely find something at Anthropologie. It has a variety of clutches, some available at the store and others sold only through the Web site. The Lucky Penny Purse ($128, Internet only) is a classic, silk-lined clutch covered in gold glass beads, which are hand-stitched to form a swirl pattern. Also available online is the dark-brown velvet envelope clutch ($88), a small, delicate handbag that’s wrapped in a pink suede ribbon and comes with a heart charm. If you go to either of Anthropologie’s local stores, you’ll find several small envelope clutches ($58) in burgundy, cream, and chocolate. These velvety bags have a subtle woven pattern and a tweed flower sewn to the front.

For simple sophistication, head over to Float, where you’ll find a selection of handbags by Hobo International, most notably the sleek Simone clutch ($89), made of Italian leather and designed to have a worn, vintage appearance. Available in red, pink, black, and copper, the Simone is equipped with a shoulder chain for versatility. In the same vein of sophistication, yet more modern, is the Geneva Cinzia ($195) at Kate Spade. This elegant crocodile-embossed-leather clutch is available in apple green, blue, pink, and yellow. It has a flap closure, and a gold wrist ring attached to the side for those who don’t want to make the total clutch commitment.

If you’re looking for a bag to go with a particular outfit and just can’t find the right one, try designing your own at Anna William. This shop carries the clutch wristlet ($32) as well as the larger Wellesley clutch ($58). Each can be made in up to three different fabrics — and there are more than 150 from which to choose. You can order online and pick from one of four preselected fabric combinations, or go to the store in Porter Square to create your own design. Ordering from the Web site takes two weeks; a custom design from the store takes about four weeks.

For those who don’t have the patience to wait quite so long, there’s Luna Boston. Not only does Luna carry a large variety of clutch bags by different designers, it also sells a clutch by one of my favorite local designers. The classy Far East clutch ($120) by Tiffany Christian Designs is a pleated bag made of Oriental silk brocade and soft suede. It comes with a removable wrist strap and is available in three color combinations: light-green brocade surrounded by dark-pink suede, blue brocade nestled in deep-chocolate suede, or pink brocade coupled with tan suede. These clutches also can be found at Moxie, or you can call Christian direct to place an order.

Where to find it:

• Anna William, 2014 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 547-2662; www.annawilliam.com

• Anthropologie, 300 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, (617) 559-9995; 799 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 262-0545; www.anthropologie.com

• Float, 267 Harvard Street, Brookline, (617) 277-7222.

• Kate Spade, 117 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 262-2632; www.katespade.com

• Luna Boston, 286 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 262-3900; www.lunaboston.com

• Mint Julep, 1302 Beacon Street, Brookline, (617) 232-3600; www.shopmintjulep.com

• Moxie, 73 Charles Street, Boston, (617) 557-9991; www.moxieboston.com

• Tiffany Christian Designs, (617) 742-0371; www.tiffanychristiandesigns.com