In recent years, a few bags have felt like an instant must for me, just as the Bottega Veneta Hop did.
When the slouchy, smushy Intrecciato carryall burst onto the scene last summer, I was obsessed. Then, we took a closer look at Bottega’s newest must-have, and I knew it wasn’t just a collective must-have; it was a must-have for me, too.
The Hop was (and really is) everything I love about Bottega Veneta’s bags. It was introduced in Oyster, a really pretty light lilac hue, so it felt like something I would get a lot of use out of.
“Then, I saw it at the boutique in Paris later that fall and it felt like the stars were aligning.“
I really did not need a new bag, but after getting to check out the bag up close, I kept coming back to it. Then, I saw it at the boutique in Paris later that fall and it felt like the stars were aligning.
I had not intended to buy a bag in Europe despite being very well aware of the savings thanks to lower overall prices and getting the VAT (valued added tax) back. Arriving in my favorite color, the easy, slouchy silhouette was really a no-brainer—I knew I’d use it a lot.
I hate to admit it, but I was very wrong.
A Great Bag Is Not Necessarily Great for You
It’s not that I don’t like the bag—I did, and I still do; it just doesn’t work for my lifestyle.
It’s too large for me to carry most days—I simply don’t carry enough to fill it up, and when I do require a bit more room, it’s not big enough.
The interior is not small, nor is it large, and for many, I imagine it’s just right, but for me, this size is my main issue. I really want to love it, but the only handful of times I’ve used it has made me realize that it just doesn’t work for my needs.
Hindsight is 20/20, but I would have been better suited with a second Mini Jodie (which I’ve worn hundreds of times) or a Small Jodie, which offers a bigger interior. At the end of the day, a bag can be beautiful and great but just not great for you, which is a hard pill to swallow when you’ve already spent money on something.
Truthfully, I should have let her go a few months in when I realized it was not the bag for me. However, the excitement I felt leaving the store with my hand has made it hard to let go, but I think it’s time to sell and swap for something that offers me that same pang of joy.
Have you ever had something similar happen to you?
For me it’s hobo style bags; I love the look of them on anyone else. When I’ve purchased them, too many to count, it’s just a big hole that gobbles up my accessories, whether I have an organizer or lots of pouches. After much experience I’ve learned to admire them on others but to never add to my cart or say “yes” in shops. But they are so nice on others.
The Pochette Métis! And I tried, I really did! That front clasp makes me homicidal, it’s so fiddly and inconvenient.
I bought and sold it twice. I learned my lesson.
This is hilarious, homicidal 👏
Yes! Sadly, my stunningly beautiful Chanel double flap jumbo is just too heavy. It is eleven years old and I have used it perhaps that many times. What to do? I hate the thought of giving away 20% of it’s cost to a seller. At this rate the person I will leave it to in my will is gonna have a great bag. I hope she’s weight training for it already.
Have you tried Fashionphile? I’ve sold Chanel double flaps for more than I initially paid. Like you, I purchased them years ago when the prices were more reasonable at $3,600.
I’m definitely feeling this same sentiment with my larger bags. I don’t know why I was carrying all that extra stuff around to need such a big bag! I also work from home now and don’t need to bring so many things with me. I feel like the pandemic really helped me to narrow down what I bring and now I can’t go back as otherwise I’m carrying a nearly empty bag. Anything longer than 9-91/2” just doesn’t get used and feels cumbersome to carry around. I love totes but I only use them to travel which isn’t often enough to have more than 1-2 of them. Smaller bags just feel younger and chicer to me now. But not minis- that is to small for me except for evening.
I agree – size is so important! Like Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears – you have to find the one that’s just right!
It is so sad when this happens, but it’s true. We need to take our lifestyle into account when making a purchase. I can’t do mini bags because I carry too much stuff. 😞 The vast majority of my bags are “work bags” — totes or satchels in darker colors — because I’m on that RTO (return to office) grind and in-office everyday for the most part. I have a few smaller fun bags but have to know when making the purchase that they won’t get as much use.
Also, I have a Bottega wallet in that oyster color. So gorgeous!
I LOVE the color!!
I feel the same way about the Loewe puzzle bag. I was fascinated by this bag and then, when I finally purchased one last year, I realized that I totally over-romanticized it! I find it awkward. It doesn’t really fit my style. It’s fussy. It’s cumbersome. I have no idea why I thought this bag would work for me. I ended up selling it.
Yes! Same! I ended up selling my Puzzle because it just wasn’t working for me.
Mine are bucket and hobo bags. I love the look, but I hate how things settle in the bottom like a trash bag. I have two bucket bags and two hobo bags. I got rid of the rest.
I also learned my lesson with black handbags. I don’t use them, and I’m okay with not owning one for daily use. I do, however, have two clutches for nights out.
What colours do you tend to have please?
Any color really. This week alone, I’ve carried a grey-ish blue Naghedi, pink Coach Willow, and burgandy Burberry small Banner. I don’t, however, have a green bag yet. I only have one red bag. I took an inventory of my bags in June, I did not realize how many cream bags that I have. Must be my favorite!
My least favorite color to buy is black as well, feels so boring compared to all the beautiful colors out there which really punctuate an outfit!
Chanel 2.55. I love it. But rarely used it. Whenever I put it on I didn’t find it cool on me. I keep it. Maybe when I’m 50 it will suit me better.
My Birkin 30. I love the color but the bag is just too heavy for me now.
Same! Beautiful bag and totally impractical for me. In fact, I think that’s the case with most Hermes bags: awkward shapes, no interior organization, no secure closures or impossibly complicated ones, etc. Yes, many are beautiful and like small pieces of art… but most days I need a user-friendly bag, not a leather Picasso.
Yes, exactly this with the LV Felicie, wanted one for ages but couldn’t justify the price for such a small bag, then convinced myself it was worth it because of the credit card inner and separate pouch.
Just could not fit my essentials in it at all and the credit card pouch was such a pain. But loved the chain and where it sat on the body.
Sold it, now looking for something larger.
Try the LV Ivy Wallet on Chain. It has 2 chains too. Find it very useful and functional.
Hermes Arçon bag, same exact feeling as you have with this bottega i LOVE IT can’t make it work.
Truly the worst!!
This is EXACTLY why I told everyone to get the large Hop when I purchased mine in fondant last august. I was the very first one in North America to get mine and I knew instantly that the small (or rlly any size other than the large) was a mistake waiting to happen. It’s all about the magnetic closure that’s too awkward to get things in and out of in the small/mini sizes. The large size is just SO chic and will be a timeless bag for years to come (if you chose the right color as well!). When it comes to Bottega always go for the rich jewel tones or dark brown or black. You can’t go wrong, they’ll age beautifully. The lighter pastel colors will be cute for spring but overall just look cheap in time.
Same for me with large totes! There’s so many that I see and fall in love with, but then I realize I don’t actually carry that much around anymore and I would basically be carrying them empty. I have lots of other large bags in my collection that I bought years ago when big bags were all I carried (I seriously don’t remember what I even put in there) and I have a hard time selling them but I also never use them. Gah!!!
The Puzzle bag. I loved it in pictures and on others. Hated it on me and my biggest regret when it comes to luxury purchase. I need to sell mine!
I feel your pain, and I adore my Puzzle Hobo! Sometimes it’s best to appreciate from afar!
I regret my LV Loop bag. It’s a great bag but for me it’s just a bit too small. I want to sell it online but haven’t got around to it yet.
My LV Artsy, I wanted it for YEARS and finally bought one in 2021. It’s gorgeous but I’ve come to realize it is just too big for me as a purse, and the narrower opening and short single shoulder strap means it can’t easily be used as a work bag either without maneuvering. I don’t use it enough to justify the cost so I decided to sell it. I’ve gotten so far as to package it up but haven’t summoned the strength to send it off to the consigner yet.