Have you ever wondered what the differences are between the old and new Dagne Dover Essentials Clutch Wallet designs? Read on!
Dimensions: 9 ½ L” x 6 ¼ H”, 21 ½” - 23 ½” shoulder strap drop length
ECW "2.0" MSRP: $135.00 ($175.00 for limited edition leather versions)
The original Essentials Clutch ("ECW 1.0") was released on March 2nd, 2017 as part of Dagne Dover's re-designed Signature Collection. The design was later modified and re-released as the Essentials Clutch 2.0 ("ECW 2.0") as part of the brand's FW19 collection, with new features including:
Expanded zippered pocket compartments
Addition of crossbody strap
Additional side D-ring for crossbody wear
Additional card slots (increased from four to eight)
Interior body key clip moved to zip pocket interior
The overall width and length has not changed.
ECW 1.0
ECW 2.0
Key clip placement
ECW 1.0 in Nubian Rose, OCW in Linen, ECW 2.0 in Siren
The ECW 1.0 replaced the 2013 Original Clutch Wallet ("OCW") in 2017, and the 2.0 version re-introduces many of the features customers loved about the OCW design (more card slots, crossbody strap option, etc).
ECW 2.0 with alternate strap (Coach Dinky chain strap in Dark Gunmetal)
ECW 1.0 in Bleecker Blush with Coach Dinky 24 Chain Strap
ECW 1.0 with strap (Coach Dinky Strap in Gold)
The ECW 1.0 design has only one D-ring, but you can turn it into a crossbody bag by passing a strap through the black elastic lipgloss loop (as shown above).
I've also discovered a few 'hacks' to make the ECW 1.0 more practical. Behold!
Magnetic card holder from OCW
Accordion Travel Wallet in Bone — has magnetic closures
Access to back card slip pocket
Accordion Card Case in Lychee with Hearts — has magnetic closure
The Original Clutch Wallet still has my heart, but the ECW 2.0 definitely feels like a step in the right direction. I'd finally be sold on it if Dagne Dover re-introduced the magnetic card holder from the OG design—it was seriously a brilliant feature!
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Did this post help you choose your new Dagne Dover Essentials Clutch Wallet? Let me know what you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).
Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds.
If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!
I reviewed the Small and Large Andras in depth on Totes Dagne in early 2019 (see it here!), but with the recent release of the Epic Crossbody style, I wanted to compare the three in depth. I've uploaded an overview on Youtube and will share additional details here. Many of my thoughts regarding the Andras are copied or paraphrased from my previous review.
The video has no narration and includes various size comparisons, packing examples, and a strap length adjustment demonstration. Please consider setting the video quality to 1080p for a better viewing experience.
Small Andra Specs:L 8” x H 5.25” x W 2”, .8 lbs, 21" - 22.5" crossbody strap drop length
Epic Crossbody Specs:L 7.75” x H 6” x W 2.75”, .9 lbs, 20" crossbody strap drop length, 4.5" handle
Medium Andra Specs:L 9 ½” x H 6 ¾” x W 3 ½”, 1.4 lbs, 21" - 23" crossbody strap drop length
A few things to note:
The leather on the Andras is quite stiff and rigid
With the exception of certain limited edition styles (such as Holographic Leather and Block Party Print), the Epic Crossbody is made of coated canvas with leather trim and an interior mix of coated canvas and polyester. The lower back of the bag appears to be made of a smooth leather.
The Small Andra and Epic Crossbody have a key clip instead of a key leash
The Andras are meant to be worn crossbody, but because I don't care for the straps they come with, I substituted the original crossbody straps with the straps from my Coach Dinky 24 bags (as the thinner Coach straps can be brought/doubled through the side loops to create a much shorter strap length); the short strap from the Epic can also be used as an alternate option.
My iPhone 7 fits in the back slip pocket of the Epic and both Andra sizes (provided the body of the bag isn't too overstuffed).
When I saw the Epic pop up during the FW19 release, I immediately wondered what it meant for the Andras. Can these two very similar styles co-exist within the Dagne Dover line-up, or is the Epic meant to become the Andra's replacement? The FW19 sale section is still chock-full of Small and Medium Andras, and they weren't released in this most recent season's colorways—a first for both sizes. On the other hand, the Epic Crossbody was released in three SS20 colorways; Pomelo, Lime (with an exclusive short resin chain strap), and Block Party Print in Leather. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over future releases.
I don't own a regular coated canvas Epic Crossbody, but I do own one of the limited edition leather versions in Block Party Print. The leather feels thinner/more flexible on the Epic than the Andras, which could be due in part to the polyester lining. (This also helps reduce the overall stiffness of the bag, which I appreciate.) The Epic comes with a short handheld strap as well as a non-adjustable crossbody strap. I love hand-carrying bags and never cared for the adjustable Andra crossbody straps, so both strap designs are winners to me!
The Andra and the Epic are great for quick errands and for going out to dinner. These bags definitely require an intentional packing strategy. Small, modular items are the key to unlocking the potential of the Small Andra and Epic Crossbody in particular. If you'd prefer to wear these at shoulder bag height, I would suggest investing in a Coach Dinky chain strap (or something similar) that can be doubled up through the D-ring to reduce the strap's length.
If you're no stranger to packing light, either one of these styles could be a good match for you. If you prefer to bringALL the things, I suspect the size and rigidness of these styles might drive you nuts in no time. 😜 Keep an eye on the Sale section for discounted seasonal colors if you're looking to try one out at a lower price—as of the time of writing, there are Small Andras for $99 (normally $155), Medium Andras for $119 (normally $195), and Epics for $89 (normally $145).
Did this post help you choose an Andra or Epic Crossbody? Let me know what color you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).
Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds.
If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Looking for a new wallet? Dagne Dover has some great options! I'm going to break them into three categories—small, medium, and large—and add a fourth bonus category for the smaller DD clutches with built-in card slots. I gave videos a shot for this post (with no audio/narration), and they're best viewed in HD. Click the 'settings' gear icon on the video to change the definition to 1080p HD!
Small: Card Case (full size), Card Case (Tiny Tote version), Accordion Card Case
Medium: Slim Wallet, Accordion Travel Wallet, Original Clutch Wallet Insert
Large: Original Clutch Wallet, Essentials Clutch Wallet
Bonus Category: Small Elle, Small Andra
Small Wallet Options
Dagne Dover Accordion Card Case:L 4” x H 2 ¾” x W ¾”
Dagne Dover Tiny Tote Card Case:L 4.13” x H 2 ¾”
Dagne Dover Card Case:L 4 ½” x H 2 ¾”
I used my Card Cases for about a year and the Lychee with Hearts Accordion Card Case for nine months. These smaller card case designs are ideal if you use credit/debit/gift cards/mobile pay for most of your purchases, and there’s room to store some folded-up bills if needed. I'd absolutely recommend either design based on my experiences using them!
The Card Cases included with the old Tiny Tote design are slightly smaller than the ones available for purchase today—additionally, the D-ring is located on the opposite corner. Some of the older full-size Card Cases did not come with a D-ring at all, if I remember correctly: I suspect it might have been added during the early 2017 relaunch of DD’s Coated Canvas products. Unlike its predecessor (the Tiny Tote), the Petite Tote does not come with a matching Card Case and key leash.
Medium Wallet Options
Dagne Dover Accordion Travel Wallet:L 6.75” x H 4.25” x W 0.5”
Dagne Dover Slim Wallet:L 7 ¾” x H 4”
Dagne Dover Original Clutch Wallet Insert: L 7 ¾” x H 3 ¾”
If you have a fair number of cards, cash, coupons, coins, and checks to wrangle and tend to carry a variety of bag sizes, the medium-sized wallet options might be ideal for you.
I've written an in-depth review of the Accordion Travel Wallet previously, and it's the wallet I'm still using now—click here for more information.
I haven't used my Slim Wallet yet, but I've heard so many good things about them from fellow Dagne addicts. It boasts a whopping ten traditional card slots, two slightly larger card slots, three large slip compartments for cash/checks/coupons, and a zippered compartment for change or a cell phone. If you need to carry a lot of cards and/or coins in your wallet, the Slim Wallet is the way to go!
The magnetic card holder insert from the Original Clutch Wallet has eight card slots, one large slip pocket for cash/checks/coupons, and a zippered compartment for change or a cell phone. The Original Clutch Wallet was discontinued several years ago, so you'll need to scour the secondhand market if that style is of interest. Be sure to verify with the seller that the magnetic card holder insert is included if it's not visible in the listing pictures.
Large Wallet Options
Dagne Dover Original Clutch Wallet:L 6 ¼” x H 5 ½”
Dagne Dover Essentials Clutch Wallet:L 9 ½” x H 6 ¼”
I'm a big fan of the Original Clutch Wallet's design (discontinued). Unlike any of the other wallet options, it was sold with both a wrist and crossbody strap. There was a point where an Original Clutch Wallet in great condition would sell for $200+, but the introduction of the Slim and Essentials Clutch Wallets seem to have reduced the demand—you can likely find one in good used condition for $100 or less these days. The zippered closure takes a little getting used to and the strength of the magnetic strip in the card holder insert can weaken over time, but I think the overall design is awesome. "Common" colors on the secondhand market include Onyx, Champagne, Linen, and Dagne Blue; colors such as Ivy, Oxblood, Sangria, and patterned designs are generally considered rare.
The Essentials Clutch Wallet is quite large—it's as tall as and slightly wider than the Small Elle, and its height and width are larger than that of the Small Andra (although the Small Andra has a far greater depth measurement). It has four card slots, two slip pockets with magnetic closures (which fit an iPhone 7!), a pen/lipgloss loop, a key clip, a wrist strap, and two large zippered pockets. You could conceivably run a removable crossbody strap through the pen/lipgloss loop and carry the Essentials Clutch Wallet as a crossbody, although the strap might damage the interior over time. While I haven't personally used my Essentials Clutch Wallet yet, I could see this wallet working for international travel or in lieu of a purse.
Bonus Category
Although they've been discontinued, I do still plan to write a review/comparison of the Small and Large Elle clutches in the future. The Small Elle has a single slot that can hold multiple cards, and it also has a key clip. The card cases fit with lots of room to spare, and the Accordion Travel Wallet fits but doesn't leave room for much else. (Alas, the magnetic insert from the Original Clutch Wallet is just a touch too wide to fit inside the Small Elle.)
The Small Andra has three card slots located under the front flap and also has a key clip. The card cases and Accordion Travel Wallet fit inside—see this post for additional pictures.
Did this post help you choose your new Dagne Dover wallet? Let me know what you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).
Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds.
If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!
