Trend Alert! Bold Red Clutches in the Hands of Kate Middleton and Emma Roberts

Celebs are turning to bright red bags as the perfect finishing touch to their red carpet looks

With winter fast approaching, many of us have cold gray days ahead of us. But that doesn't mean our wardrobe has to look as dreary as the weather!

In fact, the latest trend to hit the red carpet offers an easy way of adding a playful pop of color to an outfit with a single item: the red clutch. Not only is the boldly colored accessory a fast way of taking an outfit from drab to fab, but it's also a budget friendly way of revamping wardrobe items you already own.

Take Kate Middleton, who used her red Alexander McQueen box clutch to punch up a lacy Temperley gown she first wore to the War Horse premiere back in January. The addition of the bright accessory added a fresh twist to the Duchess' dress the second time she wore it in November at the University of St. Andrews 600th Anniversary event.

Eye-catching red clutches are also a tried-and-true way of adding feminine flair to men-inspired looks. Rashida Jones' smartly paired her Christian Dior bag with her boyish blazer-and-shorts combo at the GQ Men of the Year party, while Emma Roberts' chose a hard-to-miss clutch to wear with her Nanette Lepore printed pantsuit. Likewise, Mandy Moore softened her edgy leather jacket with a crimson envelope clutch for the opening of Nars' flagship store in Los Angeles.

You can't go wrong with pairing your ruby red clutch with black-and-white ensembles like these red carpet veterans, but if you're feeling a little more adventuresome, you can even use your purse to create a striking color blocking effect with a contrasting hue.