The pursecase: Where Fashion and Function Really do Meet!

New York City may be America's fashion capital, but L.A. is where many great trends and quirky novelty items are born.  However, only time can tell whether the item in question will either become an essential must-have or the next Pet Rock.  One idea I came across through Kelley Coughlin of Melrose PR is the pursecase ($29), first ever smartphone clutch that is "elegantly designed with just your phone and your essentials in mind." With its Chanel-influenced styling and design, to accommodate a smart phone, business, cash and credit card pocket and a lipstick touch-up (with its mirror), the idea seems like a winner. However, it is available in some candy colors that could have made it head into Hello Kitty country.

The real test of its street cred for me (i.e. can a woman over 40 carry this and be taken seriously?) was bringing it to recent networking parties as well as a recent press trip to New Zealand.  Though I tested out the purple case (the black and white, understandably, are the biggest sellers), I found it was quite well received and started several conversations, which is what a good accessory should do.  While it does protect the phone, it also comes off easily, allowing me to swap out SIM cards when traveling abroad.  The only drawback for me?  Having to remove the case when taking photos for Twitter and Facebook, as a purple shadow is likely to appear if I don't. Hopefully subsequent collections will remedy the issue.  The pursecase is now available for iPhone 4/4S, 5/5S/5C and  Samsung Galaxy S4. Shop pursecase ($29), at Kitson stores worldwide or at www.pursecase.com.