Bottega Veneta bags offer immense quality with designs that manage to be timeless without boring you to death. The label is known for keeping things classy, without extra embellishments, and no ostentatious hardware. It’s the luxury brand for those who don’t need their accessories to scream luxury. A whisper cuts through a room just as effectively.
The Italian house is having a moment right now, with Bottega Veneta purse sales only going up. Now is your chance to get into this incredible label that, under the direction of Daniel Lee, is becoming iconic once again. Lee has been crafting clean, chic designs that respect the history of the label but offer a modern twist.
We’ve selected the most important Bottega Veneta handbags for you to admire, with nods to both historical offerings and new designs that are making history in the here and now. We also touch on the interesting history of Bottega Veneta and finish off with important tips to help you avoid counterfeit Bottega Veneta purses.
Most Iconic Bottega Veneta Bags of All Time: Contents
- 27 Best Bottega Veneta Bags to Buy
- A Brief History of Bottega Veneta Bags
- How to Spot a Fake Bottega Veneta Purse
27 Best Bottega Veneta Bags to Buy
From the traditional to the new and unique, these are the best Bottega Veneta bags you can get to celebrate this classy yet quirky fashion brand.
1. Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Bag
We’re starting with something old and something new – this bag represents Bottega Veneta’s history while catapulting it into the future. This gorgeous rectangular design features the brand’s Intrecciato (i.e. woven) leather design in a large, voluminous size, which makes it seem soft and luxurious. As with all Bottega Veneta bags, it’s made of extremely supple leather (lambskin in this instance), so with the added volume, it’s extremely pleasant and comforting to hold.
Because of its small size, it’s ideal as a day bag. It has a single, large compartment and a small zipped pocket on the inside. It is fitted with an adjustable strap with a triangular, gold buckle, which constitutes the bag’s only major hardware embellishment. We love this bag in caramel because it is a great earth-tone neutral, but it comes in many other colors. Get it directly from Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, Farfetch or Net-a-Porter!
2. Bottega Veneta The Pouch
The Pouch is one of Daniel Lee’s major contributions to the Bottega Veneta portfolio and to the purse world as a whole. It came into the world with the label’s spring/ summer 2019 collection, and it caught everyone’s attention. Rihanna was spotted carrying it in white, while Rosie Huntington-Whiteley seems to have it in every color imaginable.
This exaggerated clutch is voluminous with a solid inner frame that helps it keep its shape and gathered leather along the closure that makes it appear even more pillowy and softer. It was one of the Bottega Veneta bags responsible for the shift towards volume and lushness in bag trends as a whole.
The Pouch is made of extra-soft calfskin, which is important if you intend to hold it all night long! With that said, though it’s super chic, it’s also slightly unwieldy, making it the kind of bag you reserve for occasions when making a statement is more important than being comfortable.
Its inner compartment can hold a surprising quantity of items. It comes in both neutral and more vibrant shades, but we love how ocra, a natural yellow-brown, bridges the divide. Find it at Bottega Veneta, My Theresa or Net-a-Porter!
3. Bottega Veneta Maxi Cabat
The original Cabat was the first bag Tomas Maier designed for Bottega Veneta, back when he first joined the label in 2001. The original design is an unlined tote made strictly of handwoven leather, without any panels or seams – just one beautiful, woven piece. Different iterations of this Bottega Veneta purse came back season after season in different colors and occasionally with new motifs added.
Then, Daniel Lee introduced it again as the Maxi Cabat in his first Bottega Veneta collection. It’s the perfect luxury oversized tote, made of exquisite leather that is elegant enough for any situation. This tote is large enough to be truly utilitarian, so it can work as a day bag for a maximalist or as an overnight bag for a chic minimalist. Pick it up from Bottega Veneta!
4. Bottega Veneta Knot Box Clutch
The knot box clutch is an important Bottega Veneta bag that Tomas Maier brought back to existence after diving through the brand archives. The design he was inspired by was actually first created in 1978, but he gave it an update for spring/ summer 2002.
The clutch has a small, rectangular shape with soft, rounded edges, and a plump center. The most iconic detail is the knotted hardware top, of course, which adds a luxurious vintage charm to the bag.
While the knot box, at its purest form, is a clutch, over the years, it was also adapted as a shoulder bag or flap bag. Daniel Lee made it a point to incorporate knots into Bottega Veneta bags in other new and exciting ways. Currently, you can still find knot box clutches at Farfetch.
5. Bottega Veneta BV Jodie
Named after Jodie Foster, this Bottega Veneta handbag is the new, chic, and shrunken size of the original, oversized hobo that the actress hid behind in a famous paparazzi photo. This hobo is made of tightly woven leather in a small and busy version of Intrecciato.
We love that it’s all one piece because there is something pleasing about the continuous flow and lack of separation between the body of the bag and the handle. A knot on one side of the handle is an asymmetrical touch that adds interest.
Though the bag is smaller than the original, it’s still on the bigger side of a day bag, making it a very convenient choice for those with busy lifestyles. Choose black to match Foster’s original look, or keep things bright in blush. It’s available through Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, and Farfetch.
6. Bottega Veneta Arco
The Arco is another new Bottega Veneta bag. It was presented for pre-fall 2019 where it stood out from the rest. It’s a bag with a point of view, and it shows that Lee can get endlessly creative with Intrecciato. The original Arco is a large bag – nearly as wide as it is long – it isn’t quite weekend bag sized, but almost.
The silhouette is fascinating since the softness of the unlined rectangular bag is countered by a front panel that turns into a flap that adds a more structured square shape. The second interesting element is the handles (long enough for an over-the-shoulder carry), which are attached to the bag at the center and then curve dramatically above it. The original size is available in six colors directly from Bottega Veneta, Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, and My Theresa.
7. Bottega Veneta The Chain Pouch
When it was finally released, the Chain Pouch offered fantastic relief, as the more convenient version of The Pouch. It’s just as iconically pillowy, but it’s fitted with a dramatically thick gold chain that allows you to carry it hands-free – what a mercy!
One of the best Bottega Veneta bags, it’s slightly smaller than the original Pouch, but it’s still adequate for day-to-day use with an inner compartment that easily holds all of your essentials. It comes primarily in neutral tones, with a bright, coral-leaning orange being the lovely exception. It’s sold directly by Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, Net-a-Porter, and Farfetch.
8. Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag
This is a slightly more subdued variation of the Padded Cassette bag that still features the brand’s iconic woven design. The weave gives the bag a monochromatic square pattern that’s streamlined and chic.
While this bag’s dimensions are significantly smaller than the Padded Cassette, the internal compartment is large enough for day-to-day since the flat leather doesn’t take up as much space. Since this Bottega Veneta purse is so sleek, we loved the added punchiness it has when made of orange lambskin. It’s available through Bottega Veneta, and Farfetch.
9. Bottega Veneta BV Snap Bag
The Snap Bag is the clutch reimagined, and we are obsessed. Of all the new Bottega Veneta bags, this one is a favorite that manages to make our hearts sing. This is likely because it stands out a bit from other BV purses with its conceptual combination of leather, metal, and wood.
It’s a spacious, square-shaped clutch that opens on a diagonal thanks to a unique fastener design. The combination of clean lines from the wood and metal closure with the soft leather is what dreams are made of. Bottega Veneta offers it in four colors right now.
10. Bottega Veneta BV Twist
This is as unusual as a tote bag can get, so much so that while the construction leaves us with questions regarding practicality, it still seduces and intrigues. This tote, made of signature Intrecciato leather, features a knot at the top that acts as a thick wrist strap, while the opening itself is at the bottom of the bag, in the form of a silver zipper.
It’s a roomie and chic bag, but we’d be a little cautious about putting breakable items in it. We think it’s best in vibrant colors like indigo or orange, but it also comes in pale yellow and black. Order it directly from Bottega Veneta, Farfetch or Net-a-Porter!
11. Bottega Veneta BV Classic Bag
As the name tells, this delicate Bottega Veneta purse is a real classic. It’s a simple flap bag that comes in either dark chocolate or orange, with a solid rectangular design. Because of its small size, it could be a fabulous evening bag that also doubles as a clutch.
The closure is slightly blingier than we’re used to from BV, featuring an engraved gold plaque base and a rounded button. The brand logo actually decorates the base, but only when the flap is open, which is subtle enough to be acceptable. Pick it up directly from Bottega Veneta, My Theresa or Net-a-Porter!
12. Bottega Veneta Daisey Bag
The tradition of naming bags after women is alive and well at Bottega Veneta, but many couldn’t help but compare the Daisey bag to Celine offerings from back when Daniel Lee was part of that brand. It’s a lovely box bag with a slim design, so it’s a good fit for events when you need to look very chic and not weighed down. It has that golden touch in the form of a cylindrical brass fastener, but otherwise, it’s all smooth calfskin, both inside and out. It’s available in red or nude directly from Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, and Farfetch.
13. Bottega Veneta Clutch
After the Pouch, the envelope-shaped Clutch was the next handheld offering from Bottega Veneta. It’s a little sleeker and more structured, but it still has some of that pillowyness that Lee’s fans crave. The most important detail of the clutch is the triangular, folded flap that contrasts against the soft and squishy body of the bag. It’s on the large side as far as clutches go, but it comes with a wrist strap (knotted, of course) that keeps it a little more secure. Bottega Veneta offers it in five colors right now. Also, find it at Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, and My Theresa.
14. Bottega Veneta The Shoulder Pouch
This is the third, drool-worthy iteration of The Pouch. It combines the charm of the modern puffy clutch with a hobo bag, which is a style that has been an important part of Bottega Veneta purse history and gives off cool ‘90s vibes. This bag extends the pillowy, gathered design of the leather to a handle that can go over the shoulder, making for a much more convenient daily bag that doesn’t have the blingy drama of the Chain Pouch. This single-compartment, calfskin bag is available in ten shades at Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, Net-a-Porter, and Farfetch.
15. Bottega Veneta Drop Bag
Bucket bag obsessives, pay attention! This is the new Bottega Veneta handbag you will love. It’s a small bag more suited for evening, and it has some design elements that are instantly noticeable because of how unusual they are.
The bottom of the bag is solidly structured, so it can stand upright, while the top is softer, so it folds inwards when the magnet closure is fastened. It also includes a strap looped over a metal buckle, which adds even more interest to the bag. While the big is unlined, it does include an inner pocket for small valuables. Get it directly from Bottega Veneta in either ice-cream yellow or black!
16. Bottega Veneta Maxi Cabat 30
There is a more reasonably sized (and slightly more affordable) version of the Maxi Cabat available for those finding themselves obsessed with the design but without the need or cash for a huge tote bag. This is still a tote, and it’s still large, but large like a big daily bag for someone who might carry their laptop around, rather than large enough to hold a change of clothes and a toiletry bag.
It has that same impeccable one-piece, entirely woven construction that is extremely durable and beautiful. It comes with a detachable crossbody strap, which is unusual for the company but is welcomed in this instance. Find it directly through Bottega Veneta or My Theresa!
17. Bottega Veneta Marie Bag
The Marie Bag feels especially professional to us – we could see it carried by a high-powered lawyer or executive (perhaps along with a larger bag for the laptop and files). True to Bottega Veneta, it’s clean and elegant, but not mundane.
It’s more structured than other Bottega Veneta bags with multiple inner compartments that are mostly open, although the center one zips up, making it good for a wallet and other valuables. It has a thick strap with two gold buckles, and it can be adjusted for shoulder or hand carrying. Our favorite shade is the bordeaux, but it also comes in black and butterscotch through Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, Farfetch, and Net-a-Porter.
18. Bottega Veneta Basket Tote
This maxi-sized Bottega Veneta bag makes us think of summer! It has a design inspired by traditional woven Sicilian totes, though here it’s made of smooth napa. The arched handles add a structured touch, and they’re large enough for easy shoulder carrying. The inner part of the bag is one large compartment lined with smooth suede, though the bag does come with a little, detachable card pouch. It comes in orange, black or wood brown. Shop for it on Bottega Veneta, My Theresa, Farfetch or Net-a-Porter!
19. Bottega Veneta BV Window
This is another new take on Intrecciato, with the leather this time knotted together with little “windows” that allow a glimpse into the inside of the bag. This small Bottega Veneta purse was presented for resort 2020, and there is definitely something about its open design that fits a relaxed summer vacation.
It comes with an inner canvas pouch, should you want to feel more protected and private, but the flap itself does not have a fastener. It is fitted with an adjustable strap that allows for a crossbody carry. Buy it directly from Bottega Veneta, My Theresa or Farfetch!
20. Bottega Veneta BV Angle Bag
Shape and silhouette get more and more interesting as we dive deeper into the Bottega Veneta bag portfolio. The Angle bag is an easy favorite on that front, with a folded, architectural shape combined with very classy design elements. Though it does include a flap, the shape of the Angle bag reminds us of a doctor’s bag.
This bag is made of grained calfskin, rather than the typical smooth leather we’re used to. The inner lining is suede and fitted with a zipped pocket as well as two flat compartments. There is also a zipper compartment on the outer exterior of the bag, making it a great, practical choice for any situation. Bottega Veneta offers it in four neutral tones. You can also find it at My Theresa, and Farfetch.
21. Bottega Veneta Slip Tote
This is a minimalist take on maxi Intrecciato. This tote is reminiscent of the Cabat, but with a few changes that make it subtler. To start, though elongated, the tote is quite slim, so it can hold your tablet and files, but not a thick wallet. It has a smooth leather top panel with a cutout that serves as the handle, which might be restrictive for some but also makes the design very clean and chic. This simple tote isn’t strictly for daytime, however. You can fold it in half to carry as a clutch in the evening. Buy it from Bottega Veneta in either black or white!
22. Bottega Veneta Pyramid Bag
Standing in stark contrast to the Pouch, the Pyramid bag is an evening bag that’s all straight lines and hard edges. If you’re a fan of geometric designs, this will surely be your favorite Bottega Veneta purse. It’s a pentahedron, which means that it has five sides, with one of them being the small closure on the top, which unclasps to showcase the interior of the bag in quite the show.
This version of it is made of smooth, opalescent leather with gold details and a matching wrist strap. It’s made of both calf and lambskin, as well as brass hardware. Get it from the source – Bottega Veneta!
23. Bottega Veneta Mini Bag
This bag is quintessential Bottega Veneta, and we think it could be a fantastic introduction to the brand. The Intrecciato technique makes it emblematic of traditional BV designs, though it follows the direction that Lee introduced to the brand.
It’s fairly simple, and thanks to its small size, it’s also more affordable than other Bottega Veneta bags, though it’s still large enough to offer practicality – it can easily carry your essentials, including a full wallet and smartphone, and thanks to a top zip, you don’t need to worry about spillage. It comes in four colors at Bottega Veneta, and Net-a-Porter.
24. Bottega Veneta Small Arco
This small version of the Arco is a practical Bottega Veneta purse. It’s small but with a spacious interior, and it has the same intriguing shape as the original. However, the colors it comes in are punchier (especially orange and blue), while the grained leather finish is a little more mature. The small Arco is also significantly more affordable for budget-conscious fans of the silhouette. The best place to get it is straight from Bottega Veneta.
25. Bottega Veneta BV Banana
Playful and a little ‘90s, the Banana bag is one of the best Bottega Veneta bags for hobo lovers. It is made of a chunky version of Intrecciato, with the woven leather tightly scrunched, which adds texture without the bulk of the Padded Cassette.
What’s cool is that because the bag is unlined, you can also enjoy this texture on the inside. The one source of contrast is the handle, which is belt-like with a gold triangle buckle and can be adjusted for either hand or shoulder carry. It’s currently available for pre-order in orange or dark brown from Bottega Veneta, and My Theresa.
26. Bottega Veneta Maxi Arco Slouch
This large and slouchy version of the Arco feels a little different from other Bottega Veneta bags. Though it’s shaped like the Arco and features the same oversized wave, the soft design is more like old BV, while the shiny finish of the leather feels even more vintage.
This bag would be a great weekender because it has a very roomie interior, while the flap closure offers some security. It’s mostly just one-compartment, though there are a few tight inner pockets for tiny valuables. Get it directly from Bottega Veneta!
27. Bottega Veneta Shoulder Bag
This bag, to us, feels like old Bottega Veneta, but in the best way possible. It’s a simple flap bag, but it’s composed of woven leather, which makes it easy to identify at Bottega Veneta. It bears some similarity to the Cassette, though it’s softer and more rounded in appearance, which reminds us of the Tomas Maier era.
The flap top is secured closed with two magnetic buttons, and it comes with an adjustable belt strap for crossbody or shoulder carry. Though it’s small, it’s also roomie, so a minimalist could easily rely on it as their day-to-day bag. Grab it from Bottega Veneta or My Theresa in your favorite of the six shades available!
A Brief History of Bottega Veneta Bags
Italian fashion houses are known for their marvelous, high-quality leather goods, and Bottega Veneta is one of the houses responsible for that reputation.
The Beginning
The company was first established in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy, by two entrepreneurs, Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. Their initial range of offerings was leather goods – It’s not surprising that this is the area where they still excel, more than 50 years later!
The Intrecciato technique, which created a woven leather pattern on the exterior of various goods, is Bottega Veneta’s most iconic brand motif. According to an article in Grazia, it was developed as a way to make do with sewing machines that were made for cloth and could only handle extremely thin leather. In order to make the bags more durable, those thin pieces of leather were woven together, which resulted in a very strong and durable bag.
Another thing that made Bottega Veneta memorable is the minimal branding, which stood out in contrast to the logomania of other luxury fashion labels. This was also reflected in BV’s 1970 tagline: “When your own initials are enough.”
At some point in the late 1970s, Renzo Zengiaro and Michele Taddei left Bottega Veneta, and the management of the company was taken over by Laura (Taddei’s ex) and her new husband Vittorio Moltedo.
Bottega Veneta continued to thrive in the 1980s and has been appreciated by many famous figures over the years, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis and former empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi. However, going into the ‘90s, Bottega Veneta lost some of its appeal and was on a decline, despite attempts to launch ready-to-wear collections in 1998.
Tomas Maier Era
The downturn ended in 2001 when Bottega Veneta was purchased by the Gucci Group (which, a few short years later, would become a subsidiary of Kering). Tom Ford, who was Gucci’s creative director at the time, appointed German designer Tomas Maier as the label’s next creative director. Maier expanded the brand’s ready-to-wear offerings, although ultimately, it was his leather accessories, and especially the bags, that won over a new set of fans.
Under Maier’s leadership, Bottega Veneta became a success yet again. He stayed true to the brand’s history of high-quality artisanal products, the Intrecciato weave, and the absence of logos, which proved to have wide appeal. However, all things come to an end, and after 17 years Tomas Maier exited the company.
The Modern Bottega Veneta
In 2018, Daniel Lee was appointed as Maier’s replacement. There has been a ton of hype surrounding the British designer, who has made the fantastic choice to reimagine the brand’s staples, including the braided Intrecciato motif. He also added his own unique touch, and bags like The Pouch became instant successes. Bottega Veneta was successful under Maier, but Lee brought it into the present and made it go viral.
Less than a year after his appointment, he swept the British Fashion Awards, winning all of the four categories in which he was nominated. Since then, he has released a couple more exciting collections and many gorgeous Bottega Veneta bags. We will wait with bated breath to see what else he offers in the future!
How to Spot a Fake Bottega Veneta Purse
While there are certainly counterfeit Bottega Veneta bags going around, there is a small mercy in the fact that the Italian house’s offerings are not extravagantly labeled, so their fakes are not as common as Gucci or Chanel fakes.
That said, counterfeits are becoming slightly more common with the newfound virality of Bottega Veneta bags like The Pouch or The Padded Cassette. We have some tips that will help you recognize the real from the fake, whether you’re looking online or in real life.
• It’s always best to buy from a source that you trust. You will never receive a counterfeit when buying directly from Bottega Veneta or from trusted resellers like Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom, My Theresa, Forward, or Farfetch.
• The first sign to look for that you have a real Bottega Veneta purse in your hands is just the overall quality. The leather should be buttery, while the construction should be durable without any frayed threads.
• You should also carefully examine the tags of the bag. The tags say “Bottega Veneta – Made in Italy” on one side and “Originality Certified” on the other side with a unique serial number. However, while the print is easy to replicate, what’s often not replicated is the actual look of the tags. Authentic Bottega Veneta bag tags are often a little frayed on the sides or are decorated along the perimeter with a dotted edge.
• On vintage Bottega Veneta handbags, the label might be in Italian, potentially with an English translation.
• With newer Bottega Veneta bags, there is often no lining, but if there is, it’s always suede (and recently, in a color that matches the bag’s exterior). If the lining of a bag is a different material (fabric, microfiber, etc.), that’s a likely sign of a counterfeit.
• When shopping for used or second-hand Bottega Veneta bags online from a website like eBay or Poshmark, ask the seller to provide photos of the lining and tags. If the seller does not make them available, that’s a potential sign of a counterfeit.
• If the bag is already in your possession, you can take it to a local authenticator, or you can reach out to experts on a website like Purseblog.
Photos via Bottega Veneta
