How Good Are Bottega Veneta Bags, Really?
Introducing The Luxury Report Card, a column where we chat with tastemakers about their luxury purchases and explore the psychology behind buying designer goods. What makes a luxury item worth the price? What is hype and what is real? And why do people choose to pay for more than just the item they’re buying? We investigate.
Photography: NYCXCLOTHES
Since reading Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas, I have become quite skeptical of the value of designer bags. This is because in the late ‘80s, a significant number of conglomerates—in a quest to increase their profit margins—chose to cut corners by outsourcing labor to China and using cheaper synthetic materials for the production of their prized jewels, as the Paris-based journalist reports. It’s the year 2023, and the trend has only accelerated. Prices continuously go up while quality goes down. Leather expert Volkan Yilmaz (better known as Tanner Leatherstein) regularly documents this phenomenon. Thanks to Yilmaz, I’ve become a lot more critical of what I see. It’s not just about the look anymore; it’s about the material composition and whatever I can find out about how the product was made. Part of my homework also involves quizzing my editor and influencer friends about their hot-ticket luxury purchases.
Lately, the influence of Bottega Veneta bags is hard to ignore. The Kering-owned brand puts a premium on its signature intrecciato technique and has managed to translate consumer desire into $1.8 billion in yearly sales for its parent company. Among the top luxury players, it gets the stamp of approval from fashion enthusiasts and experts alike, including Yilmaz who told 1 Granary, “In general, I really like their leather choices because they use minimal finishes.” I’m told Bottega Veneta bags don’t just look beautiful; they are also made of quality leather designed to last a long time. From cult-classics like the Jodie hobo and Cassette crossbody to newer sensations like the Arco Bag and Andiamo, the perceived value of Bottega Veneta bags is undisputed. But is there real value beyond the (very convincing) marketing?
I called on my friend and self-trained luxury shopping expert Krista Jones to find out. She specializes in fashion and lifestyle commerce, and is a proud owner of the Arco tote.
Photography: NYCXCLOTHES
Item: Bottega Veneta Arco Tote Bag
Price paid: $2,200
Current Retail Price: $3,200
Overall Grade: B
First of all, what kind of luxury shopper are you?
KJ: I might be a girl with an arsenal of designer bags in my closet, but by no means am I one who takes these purchases lightly. Whether I buy one on sale, second hand, or tax-free abroad, I’m here for a deal and even more so, a smart purchase. You won’t find me wandering into a store to buy something on a whim.
What was your relationship like with Bottega prior to purchasing this bag?
KJ: I never shopped them or even considered buying them before. It was THAT bag that got me into them, and now I have three Bottegas.
How did you decide to purchase this bag?
KJ: When I open my bank account for a couple grand, it’s a decision I almost lose sleep over. Incoming my best purchase of 2022: the small Bottega Veneta Arco Bag in black. I first saw it on a trip to Paris the previous winter. I was shopping at the Cheval Blanc mall when I picked it up and tried it on. After instantly loving it and swiftly putting it down, another woman tried it out in front of the mirror. I watched her effortlessly trot around the store with it, and I was sold. You know sometimes you just need to see someone else hold it, instead of yourself?
But I did what I always do when I want something expensive: I walked away. I spent 24 hours obsessing over the question of buying it in Paris tax-free and decided not to. The second I got back to New York, I felt I’d made a mistake as I couldn’t stop thinking about how it would be the perfect addition to my wardrobe. I then made the leap and bought it from a store in Italy and had it delivered to me in the US. I did have to pay some taxes, but it was still cheaper than purchasing it at the Bottega Veneta store in Soho.
I get that, but what really made you spend that much on it?
KJ: Why did I make the leap? There are a few reasons, and to start, I didn’t have a bag in this silhouette in my collection. I have so many shoulder bags, clutches and totes, but nothing like this. Secondly, the quality was the biggest detail I couldn’t ignore. As more and more designer brands start to feel like they’re printing out logos on factory machines, the feeling of artisan-made leather seems to be lacking in the industry. This is where I think Bottega Veneta still holds its own. The leather is thick, solid, and feels like it can withstand my days of throwing it around the city.
Tell me about the experience of wearing it.
KJ: Because the leather is thick and well-made, the bag is a bit heavy, but that doesn’t bother me. If anything, it feels sturdy. I like that its shape is very structured as a solid rectangle. I can easily see things inside and reach in and out. There’s a small tie on top, but I really only use it to keep it closed when it’s sitting on my console table so that it keeps its shape.
Photography: NYCXCLOTHES
What should interested shoppers know before buying it?
KJ: A very important aspect of purchasing this bag is knowing the size you want because it comes in many. I have the small model and it’s perfect as an everyday bag. It holds my tiny makeup bag, wallet, lotion, hand sanitizer, and here’s the real game-changer: my 13-inch MacBook Pro. When I say “hold”, I mean it barely makes it in and my bag must have a few less things inside to make it work. I don’t think this bag is designed to be a laptop bag, and I try not to use it as one. I think that if I did, it would wear out twice as fast. For my day-to-day errands, I carry all my stuff in another tote. But on days when I want to feel a little more chic for a meeting or when I have an afterwork dinner, I will take it knowing my laptop can fit, but it isn’t necessarily ideal.
To break down the other sizes. There is a larger size called the Medium, this one can be worn on your shoulder and used as an everyday laptop bag for sure. I didn’t go for this one though, because it felt so bulky on my body with the structured shape. Then there is a Mini Arco, which is more of a structured crossbody bag. Lastly, there is the Candy size, which is a very small cute crossbody. I have zero regrets on the Small size, and in my opinion, the Arco’s best-looking size.
“As more and more designer brands start to feel like they’re printing out logos on factory machines, the feeling of artisan-made leather seems to be lacking in the industry.”
Bottega Veneta Small Arco Tote
$3,200
What about the leather itself?
KJ: The bag comes in a variety of leather choices too: a smoother, more fragile leather, but the black one I have comes in a grained leather. I chose this particular one because I find that this type of pebbled leather ages the best without showing marks or scratches, plus it is easy to clean. I also feel secure knowing Bottega has a lifetime warranty and will give it a touch-up if need be. The bag also came in suede, which I almost got, but in the end, it felt like it wouldn’t be water-resistant. I have carried mine around in the rain, and it withstands the wet weather just as good as any other leather bag I own.
How much do you use the bag?
KJ: I’ve had the Arco bag for almost a year now and I use it five days a week on average. The leather only looks slightly worn, but I do take great care of my bag. The quality hasn’t just lasted, it’s actually impressed me more than some other bags I own. Since owning it, there is one common theme: the compliments I receive on it. People often ask me if it was worth it or if my laptop fits. And my answer to both is yes! One of my friends even purchased it because she said I was selling it so well.
Photography: NYCXCLOTHES
Would you say it’s worth the price?
KJ: While I am smart about my bag purchases and would never throw my money away on a bag, I have to say this is one the best bags I’ve bought in a long time.The price isn’t quite justifiable in my mind though. Hear me out: I bought it in euros, when the Euro was down and I bought it before Bottega Veneta raised the price. Now that it costs $1,000 more, I’m not sure I would buy it again for that price. It is my favorite bag, but IMO it’s not a bag worth more than $2,500. That doesn’t mean you don’t have an option to buy it abroad or secondhand though.
All in all, I have no regrets other than that I didn’t buy it directly in Paris. I would have saved a little more money on taxes, but then again, I am not a girl who makes impulse purchases. The cushion of time and research I had to look into this bag was worth it for me because I felt 100% good about my decision.
Last but not least, how would you grade this bag?
KJ: I would grade this bag a B because it’s perfect aside from the fact that it doesn’t sit on my shoulder, but I’m not knocking major points for that as I knew that when I bought it.
Photography: NYCXCLOTHES