In The Bag

By Jessica Miga

Sara C Accessories is a locally designed bridal line featuring romantic custom clutches.

THE STORY

During a summer working at Nordstrom, Sara Chaffee found herself drawn to gorgeous handbags she couldn’t afford. Instead of despairing over their price tags, Chaffee studied the bags to learn how they were designed and constructed. When she received a sewing machine from her parents shortly thereafter, Chaffee knew exactly how she was going to use it.

Founded in 2007, Sara C Accessories offers brides fashion-forward, handcrafted purses and clutches. Originally based in California, Chaffee moved her business home to Rhode Island in 2013 and opened a studio in Coventry. “It’s been a wonderful experience,” she says of living and working in the Ocean State. “I haven’t looked back once.”

THE PRODUCT                                                                                                   

“It’s rare to see a woman without a purse, and a bride should be no exception,” says Chaffee. Even on your wedding day, you’ll need a few essentials — lipstick, a compact and tissues, to name a few — and having a purse or clutch on-hand is the perfect way to keep everything close.

Sara C Accessories come in a variety of styles and colors, the most popular being an ostrich feather clutch. Easy to work with and simple to dye, ostrich feathers have been used in fashion for centuries. Brides love the romantic aesthetic of this natural material, as well as its soft texture. Chaffee also employs one hundred percent silk duchess satin and silk dupioni in all of her bags.

THE PROCESS

When placing an order, brides can expect individual attention from Chaffee herself. “I will work with a bride to ensure that her purse is exactly as she envisions it,” assures the designer. In addition to a variety of purse and hardware colors, brides may also consider adding a personalized message, which can be embroidered inside their bag. Once all the details are set, it takes about two hours to make each purse.

“People are always surprised,” she admits, but this quick turnover doesn’t sacrifice quality. Chaffee continuously scours bridal magazines for inspiration and tracks runway fashion to stay abreast of current trends.