MANILA, Philippines?In these times of recession, rising inflation rates and bloated gasoline prices, it may seem petty to be spending big on fashion.

But that all depends on what you spend on, since certain items become investments in the long run.

There is a way to rev up your wardrobe without eating up your gas money. It?s all about fashion economics or ?recession styling,? which calls for going back to low-key, high-chic style.

The strategy is to focus on key accessories. When chosen well, a good bag can instantly upgrade an outfit and become the centerpiece of your look.

For this season, ?It? bags are taking a backseat. Save that Hermes Kelly for better times. Instead, smaller ?anti-It? bags are now suddenly big in style.

One bag that?s making the headlines this season is the clutch bag.

The difference is, you won?t see clutches reserved solely for evening cocktails or the red carpet. Clutches have now crossed over into daytime, with bigger sizes available. Designers have also turned to different fabrics, colors and textures in creating exciting styles good for everyday use.

Louis Vuitton and Nine West, for instance, have taken the handle-less handbag and oversized them.

Feminine and always chic, the classic clutch?s statement is that it?s time to assess your daily carry-all possessions and strip them down to the essentials.

These days, less is definitely more.

E-mail the author at jfashion@inquirer.com.ph