Bottega Veneta Handbags

Today, September the 6th, marks a special day. It’s the day that Ms PurseBlog Herself, Megs, celebrates her birthday! Yay baby, I love you, Happy Birthday. While I am still stuck in Columbus and only will be flying out tomorrow to go visit her in Florida, it’s already party time here at the PB! Feel free to congratulate her in the comments section or on the forum in Roo’s thread.

Speaking of party time… this Bottega Veneta bag looks like party time! Megs actually stumbled across it a few hours ago, before Net-A-Porter reported an error on the page the bag was listed at. Who knows, maybe it was just sold out tonight? Doubtful, as the bag will require the buyer to dash out over $5,000 – and the probability of someone buying it tonight – within a short time frame – is pretty slim. But you never know.

Some stats: The limited edition bag has a braided leather handle with silver hardware, multi-colored snakeskin horizontal stripes with gray stitching, slight ruching at top and a hidden clasp fastening at top. The BV bag is lined in blue suede with a silver limited edition plaque on zip fastening pocket inside. In size it measures 12.5 by 6.5 by 5 inches. If you feel like checking NAP for more info, click here.

Today Vlad and I strolled the streets of SoHo. Seriously, if you have never been to SoHo put it on your to-do list. Many people have a misconception that the rich and famous shop on 5th Ave, when really SoHo is where it is at. Since Vlad and I have been spend happy, today we just browsed and enjoyed an amazing lunch. The street fashion there is very chic and laid-back. At that moment I realized I desperately need an across the body bag. I am not fully sure what bag will be the ‘one’ but I am determined to find a messenger that reflects my desire to be stylish and laid back all at once. I stumbled across the Bottega Veneta Woven Messenger Bag because of its signature woven leather along with its removable and adjustable shoulder strap. If you have touched a BV bag, you are well aware of the supple leather used. Nickel hardware is used to offset the leather and there is an inside zip pocket and canvas lining. This bag is a square shape, measuring 13″H X 13″L X 2″W. While I think I am more in the search for a rectangular bag, I will keep this beautiful BV number in the back of my mind. Available through Saks for $1350.

While simple handbags are easy to match with many outfits, quirky and decorative handbags appeal to my imaginative side. I fell in love with Bottega Veneta last summer when I had the chance to try on and feel the quality of the bags while in Germany. Since then I drool over Bottega Veneta bags, literally. So finding this lush exotic looking BV makes my heart skip a beat. The Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Karung and Tortoiseshell Bag is a limited edition intecciato karung leather bag accented with faux (yahoo!!) tortoiseshell beads and fastening. The inside is lined in pale blue suede along with camel leather. Although the tortoiseshell is faux, this bags price coincides with the exotic being real: available through Net-A-Porter for $4100.

Side note: This bag totally may not be loved by all. I just showed Vlad and his immediate reaction was “Oooh that is pretty hideous!” Ha. So, it really is different strokes for different folks!!!

As much as I am a huge fan of the texture and feel of Bottega bags, there is just something way too western for my liking when it comes to this one. The Bottega Veneta Embroidered Trim Tote shows off the signature supple woven leather but is further accentuated with embroidered trim detail on the top. While I love detail, I just can’t seem to like the trim on this bag. I really feel like I’d have to go out to the Wild Wild West to sport it. The hardware is silvertone which is a nice touch against the subtle pink leather. On the inside you will find suede lining and an interior zip and open pocket and finishing the bag off is double shoulder straps with a 6″ drop. Finally, this western bag sizes up at 7 ½”H X 17″L X 3 ¼”W. I have no reason to categorize this bag as a fug bag, but I do want to categorize it in the department of ‘not my style’. Pre-order this Bottega Veneta Handbag via Saks for $2350.

While you may be yearning to own a piece of designer heaven, many times our budgets just don’t allow it. While price is all relative, it is nice to see a Bottega Veneta bag well under $1,000 every now and then (wow that just shows what high end bags are costing us nowadays! Yikes!). I have had my eyes set on Bottega Veneta for a while now and am waiting until the time, price, and bag are right to make my move. For usability, practicality, and price there is one BV that I wouldn’t mind having at all. The Bottega Veneta Woven Leather Mini Bag shows off supple Napa woven leather in a perfect small bag. I go out so often and hate to have to carry a big bag every time (since I am a lover of huge bags), so this bag would work perfectly with so many outfits. The handle is braided with hand-wrapped toggle detail. On the inside there is a small pocket and suede lining. Measuring 5″Hx3″Wx10″L, I find this mini bag to be a mini piece of perfect Bottega heaven. I may just have to go for it and buy this bag through Saks for $560 (like I said, seemingly practical compared to many other BV bags!)

It may be because I am sick and just not in the best of moods because I’ve been stuck inside all day or because I watched American Idol and want to sound more like Simon, but I think that Bottega Veneta should stick to their signature woven leather. The Bottega Veneta Small Canvas Top Handle is a colorful bag made from cotton canvas. You will only find lush leather on the double top handles and piping trim. I guess multicolor leather would be a bit more overpowering than canvas, but I just can’t help that I miss the woven leather. This bag closes with a magnetic snap, has an inside zip pocket, and is also lined in canvas. The dimensions are 6 ½”H X 10 ¾”L X 3 ½”W. Maybe I am being way to harsh (blame it on my being sick), but I just loved seeing the signature BV supple leather over this colorful canvas. But if this Bottega Veneta bag is for you, buy it through Saks for $780.

Many of you (including myself) may have doubted this longer than expected life of metallics. But they are still going strong. Take Bottega Veneta for example. Not only are they implementing the use of shiny metallics on some bags, they are using this shine on a cosmetic case. No longer will every lady have to make a ‘freshen up’ stop with their plain black bag. No, No, No. The Bottega Veneta Perforated Leather Cosmetic Case is all about the silver glimmer and sparkle. This cosmetic case is made from silver perforated intrecciato leather. By silver, we mean that bright glistening silver, not any of that matte stuff. The bag closes with a zip fastening on top and shows off a scalloped trim. On the inside you will find beige cotton canvas lining. While I would not go for a huge bag this color, I think this color on a cosmetic bag would be fun. Measurements are 4″H x 7″W x 2″D. Break free from the drag of carrying black cosmetic bags by buying this beauty via Net-A-Porter for $370.

Recently a thread was started on the Purse Forum asking for help finding a black bag. Instead of posting my response on the forum, I’m going to do it on the site because I have found a black bag that I truly love. Bottega Veneta became the new love of my life this summer while vacationing in Europe. Sometimes you have to see a bag in person to truly appreciate its beauty. Their bags are intricately designed and made of the supplest leather. This may sound so cliche, but I can’t help but sound that way when talking about these bags. The Bottega Veneta Chain Strap Leather Handbag shows off both the woven leather and beautiful leather on the main part of the bag. This black beauty has a valley zip opening for the main compartment, and then playfully intertwines woven leather trim at the corners, on the straps, and running along the top of the bag. The inside of the bag adds some hidden color with its lime green suede and inside pouches. To add a little glitzy and glam, the shoulder straps are done in gold chain. Sizing up at 30cm x 17cm x 11cm, this is the black bag I would suggest!! But, my suggestion may remain just a suggestion, with the designer price tag of $1150 via Net-A-Porter.

Sometimes you can never truly appreciate a bag and really understand its beauty until you see it up close. While I spent all of August in Europe, I indulged myself in shopping and browsing which helped me truly understand many designers and the workmanship that goes into their pieces. A key example of this is Bottega Veneta. They are a fairly new company, but their bags have made a loud entrance into the purse and handbag market. When I went to their stores around Europe I could see the intricate design and feel their product up close- let me tell you something- it is divine! You have never felt such a soft supple leather until you feel some of their bags- not to mention they become softer with time!

While not unpacking my new place, I ran into this Bottega Veneta Intreciatto Leather Floral Leather Applique Bag. Quite the long name for quite the beautiful bag. This bag is a limited edition sienna intreciatto leather bag. What I happen to love are the floral leather applique and really nifty leather chain strap. The strap just seems so innovative and cool to me since it is like a chain-link strap made of woven leather. The bag has a flap front with press stud fastening, two small fabric flowers at each side of bag where the strap is fastened, and a small inner pocket with zip fastening. I just realized that the bag may look a little bit country to some of you- but I still think with the right outfit it could be perfectly cute. The price is, of course, a heafty number- this bag is available via Net-A-Porter for $2750.

If there is one thing I learned about Bottega Veneta bags in the past few weeks, it’s gotta be the divine suppleness of the leather they use to craft their bags with. For those of you who never had the pleasure to get touchy and feely with one, the picture of the fall Braided Handle Tote should give you a good idea. Granted, the leather is probably not as durable as, say grained leather, but the feeling of being able to use your bag as an ultra comfortable pillow in the case of a spontaneous nap, that makes up for it tenfold.

Excuse me, but that was exactly the thought that went through my head when I got a taste of the absolute softness of Bottega’s materials. I like to take mid-day naps, what can I say?

Anyway, the tote is immediately available through Saks 5th Ave for $1,350. Ok, Saturday nap time.