Hands-Free Travel: A Review of the Nyala Foldover Clutch and Soto Belt Bag from Parker Clay

Most people don’t like to admit when their opinions change.

It’s a bit scary to admit because it feels like we were “wrong” – and it is naturally embarrassing to admit when we’re wrong.

But it’s also very human to grow and change and, well, occasionally be wrong about things.

So for the sake of normalizing being wrong about things, I’ll go ahead and share this:

I was wrong about you, clutches. And I was wrong about you, too, fanny packs.

You see, had you asked me several years ago if I would ever travel with a clutch or a fanny pack, I probably would have stared at you like you had three heads. “Absolutely not,” I might have said. “One is just not practical… and the other is a siren song for pickpockets.”

But one particularly wonderful thing about travel is that it is mind-opening; it’s made me see the grey in a world that I once thought was very black and white.

(Yes, we’re getting very philosophical in a post about handbags, but if not now, when?).

While I once would have said that a crossbody bag is the only bag you need for travel (and one with a secure zipper and flap closure), I also realize that we occasionally need to consider other options.

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We may be traveling to attend a loved one’s wedding or baby shower or just a fancy dinner for our own damn selves and may need a bag to suit the occasion. Or we may simply want to follow the trends and have a little fun with our fashion because it feels good to feel good in our outfits.

Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand

So today I’m removing the foot from my mouth, and sharing two beautiful, versatile, and travel-ready options for your next trip from a brand I’ve long admired, Parker Clay. Both of these bags align with my mission of traveling light, and doing so stylishly – as well as featuring production practices that don’t harm the world and people we all love to visit. Let’s meet the Nyala Foldover Clutch and Soto Belt Bag:

NYALA FOLDOVER CLUTCH REVIEW

The Nyala Foldover Clutch℅
Color | Sand
Also wearing | Dress | Necklace | Bracelet | Rings | Sandals* | Sunglasses

No matter where I am, I always receive compliments when I carry this bag. At first glance, the Nyala Foldover Clutch looks like any old rectangular clutch – but this bag packs a lot of personality for its tidy size.

The clutch is constructed from premium Ethiopian full-grain leather, which is soft yet sturdy, and it has a little bit of a lived-in texture. Unlike a lot of leather bags these days, the interior is fully lined with linen. The two ring handles are made of upcycled brass artillery, which adds a bit of shine – although you can fold them inward if you want to tone things down a bit.

My favorite way to carry this clutch, though, is as a handled tote bag. The capacity is just right for a day’s worth of activities, carrying my full-size wallet, hand sanitizer, mask, lipsticks, phone, and snacks (I always have snacks) with room to spare. It has become my go-to summer evening bag, as the color and style have the potential to feel a little laid-back or dressy, and it goes with everything.

But how is a clutch or tote hands-free?

The beauty of this bag lies in the hammered brass rings, which slide like jewelry right onto the wrist without constriction. Clutches often can feel like a burden, but if you need your hands to hold your phone, your drink, or a loved one, the bag can slide beautifully on the arm to free you for the task.

Packing the Nyala Foldover Clutch is a cinch, too. It takes up virtually zero space in a suitcase as it can be packed flat (I like to place it at the base of one of the clamshell halves of my suitcase). And helpfully, the clutch is accompanied by a dust bag for storage (which also helps put my mind at ease when traveling). Care-wise, Parker Clay offers some helpful tips for keeping leather goods in great shape. I have been careful to avoid any wet weather when traveling with this bag, but will likely apply a waterproofing spray just to be on the safe side. In any case, I can’t wait to see how the soft nubuck leather patinas over the years.

SOTO BELT BAG REVIEW

The Soto Belt Bag℅
Color | Rust Brown
Also wearing | Tank* | Shorts* | Hat | Sunglasses | Sneakers

A belt bag in warm and toasty leather adds an element of ease to an outfit, and the Soto Belt Bag does so beautifully.

Like the Nyala Foldover Clutch, this belt bag is also crafted from premium full-grain leather in Ethiopia – except instead of slightly-velvety nubuck, the leather is smooth and supple. The interior is fully lined and offers a card-sized slip pocket, perfect for organizing the day’s essentials. A fun leather tassel is attached to the sturdy zipper, which adds a delightful bit of movement when worn. Best of all, the Goldilocks size holds everything you need for your outing, without tempting you to carry far too much.

The belt bag is perfectly suited for travel, as the belt can be removed and worn on its own and the bag can also serve as a carry-all pouch. To save space when packing, use the bag as your toiletry bag or tech case, and then empty its contents at your destination so you can wear it as intended. I love to embrace a more casual look and pair this bag with jeans and a T-shirt (unless it’s summer – then it’s a tank top and shorts!). Oh – and if you’re in an area where pickpockets are an issue, you can help protect your belongings by wearing the bag across your chest and adding a jacket on top. As always, it helps to stay aware!

To extend the life of my belt bag, I plan on using a leather conditioner as needed. And when I’m not using or traveling with it, I prefer to stuff it with tissue paper and store it in its dust bag. Doing so helps it retain its (super cute) shape, and protects it from getting scuffed by any other items in my closet.

*this item is no longer available and a similar is linked

ABOUT PARKER CLAY

Thanks to a few clues sprinkled throughout this post, by now you’ve probably caught on that Parker Clay manufactures both of these bags (and more) in Ethiopia. By doing so, they are able to employ at-risk women and provide a living wage (according to the retailer, “We calculate living wages based on a ‘basket of goods’ model, which reevaluates the local cost of living on a regular basis to ensure that the lowest salary we pay is always enough to provide for a family in Addis Ababa”) along with paid maternity leave.

Parker Clay is a Certified B Corporation, which means that in addition to positively impacting the lives of their workers, they must be striving to better the planet, too. Not only is their leather locally and sustainably sourced, but they also stand behind their products with a lifetime guarantee to repair or replace an item free of charge. As ever, we vote with our dollars (or Euros, Yen, etc.) – we should make each one count.

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What travel “rule” have you changed your mind about?

One Comment on “Hands-Free Travel: A Review of the Nyala Foldover Clutch and Soto Belt Bag from Parker Clay”

Melissa at Welcome Objects says:

August 16, 2022 at 10:30 am

Belt bags have really grown on me. I find them indispensable now when I’m going to the airport. I can easily grab my phone, ID, or credit card.