Minaudière

A minaudière is a women's fashion accessory, generally considered a jewellery piece, intended to substitute for an evening bag.

A case with compartments, it allows storage for several items in a small space, such as a makeup compact, lipstick, watch, reading glasses, or keys.

Generally metal plated and oblong, sized small enough to be held within the hand, a minaudière is a dainty accessory.

However, textile designs also exist, with cloth overlaying a frame or flexible and supple, using velour, silk or brocade fabric, embroidered or not.

According to fashion journalist Lloyd Boston, a minaudière constitutes an "essential" part of an evening wardrobe, a small object with no limit to its usefulness, and a "fabulous character".