Bottega Veneta has dominated the handbag category for the last several years, with the “Jodie” bag and now the “Sardine” bag being some of their top-selling pieces. Both bags utilize the iconic intrecciato weave that the house has become famous for. To achieve this one-of-a-kind look, thinner strips of leather are tightly woven and sewn together in a diagonal direction. This process was birthed from a production issue that the Italian-based brand faced in the late 60’s. During this time, the brand had inadequate sewing machines to sew through thicker leather which was industry standard.
The New Bottega “Sardine” Bag
Photo: Bloomingdales
Bottega boasts about its Italian craftsmanship and in 2021, new Creative Director, Matthieu Blazy introduced the popular Sardine bag. This celeb-loved bag has been worn by Kendall Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. It comes in several different colorways and textures. You can get the bag in canvas, leather, and wicker material. This diverse assortment gives you many options to choose from with this collection.
The Sardine bag pays homage to this nautical theme by having Italian artisans craft these sculptural handles that resemble the fish. Showcasing this intricate design this style comes in a mini, medium, and large (bermuda) version. This bag features a half-moon shape that’s become very popular among luxury brands.
Currently, the Bottega Sardine bag retails for $5,200 which is nearly three times as much as its popular Jodie bag. Between rising inflation rates and constant price increases with luxury handbags, it seems like owning a piece of Bottega can seem far out of reach.
But actually, you can get a similar style of the Sardine bag for a fraction of the price from Anthropologie. When it comes to dupes, I feel like it’s so hard to make a lookalike of something so iconic but the Asymmetrical Hardware Satchel at Anthropologie gets it just right. This bag retails for $88 and mixes the silhouette of the famous Bottega Pouch clutch with the handles of the Sardine Bag. You can wear this bag for an evening out at dinner or a formal party.
The Iconic Bottega “Jodie” Bag
In 2019, former Creative Director Daniel Lee, reinvigorated Bottega Veneta making it a household name after several years of being an underrated brand. During this time, the famous “Jodie” bag rose to prominence. Many influencers and A-list celebrities have worn this top-handle bag. From Hailey Bieber casually carrying the Jodie bag in NYC to Emma Roberts wearing it on the red carpet this has become the “it” bag over the last few years. This comes in several different colorways, fabrications, and sizes.
The Bottega Green “It” Bag
The Bottega Jodie bag uses this soft lambskin leather on the outside and supple calfskin on the inside. The delicate weaving design ties into this beautiful knot on the top handle and comes in the infamous “Bottega Green” color that Lee made famous during his time as Creative Director.
Currently, the Jodie bag retails for $3,500 which is considered mid-tier pricing for luxury bags. Bottega bags are what you consider investment pieces. When you purchase bags like the Jodie you tend to keep them for years in your handbag collection. You can also wear this bag year-round to many events and occasions. It’s versatile and will give you the best cost per wear in the long haul.
Yet, $3,500 can be pretty steep for many fashion lovers to spend right away. So instead, you can spend $108 on The Bridgette at Anthropologie and still feel like you’re owning a piece of Bottega. You get a top-notch lookalike bag but for less than a quarter of the real price.
Looking to read up on more trendy handbags this season? You can check out my article on the celeb-loved Gucci Horsebit bag. Plus, you can read through my ALDO x Barbie series to stay abreast of the latest handbag collaborations.