Before we get into the shopping, let’s talk about the people who made us want these bags in the first place. The celebrity "Bottega Brigade" is a diverse group, which is exactly why this style is so versatile.
First up, we have to talk about Jacob Elordi. The Wuthering Heights star has officially become the "King of the Man-Bag," and his weapon of choice is almost always a Bottega. Whether he’s carrying the Andiamo or the Cassette, he’s proven that a woven leather bag is the ultimate gender-neutral accessory.
© Getty ImagesThere are plenty of other stars who are in the Bottega Brigade, and Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner are definitely star players.
© GC ImagesWe also have Meghan Markle - she has long been a fan of the no-logo look and she favours pieces that look high-quality, which is why the woven trend fits her Montecito lifestyle perfectly.
Lately while browsing around doing, ahem, bag shopping ‘research’, I spotted the BEST lookalikes and had to share. And Anne Hathaway isn't immune to finding a great dupe. Her recent fashion renaissance has been a joy to watch, and she’s recently been spotted clutching a great woven bag that looks ever so similar to the Bottega Veneta Cassette- only her arm candy was a fraction of the price.
© GothamThe originals:
- Bottega Veneta Barbara Intrecciato Leather Tote, £4,340 / $2,900
- Bottega Veneta Pouch Small Intrecciato Leather Clutch, £2,130 / $2,900
- Bottega Veneta Small Cabat Intrecciato Leather Tote, £6,640 / $8,900
- Bottega Veneta Jodie Teen Knotted Intrecciato Hobo, £2,840 / $3,900
- Bottega Veneta Cassette Small Intrecciato Leather Crossbody Bag, £1,970 / $2,700
- Bottega Veneta Leather Knot Minaudière Clutch Bag, £3,550 / $4,500
The lookalikes...
- The Barbara tote dupe: Mango Woven Tote Bag, £169.99 / $299.99
- The pouch clutch dupe: Dune London 'Encourage' Pouch Bag, £109 / $150
- The Cabat shoulder bag dupe: Marks & Spencer Woven Shoulder Bag, £36 / $70.99
- The Jodie top handle dupe: Melie Bianco Larissa Woven Bag, £45 / from $90
- Cassette crossbody dupe: JW Pei ‘Maze’ bag, £129 / $139
- The Knot dupe: ASOS Design Woven Clutch Bag, £30 / $44.99
Of course, we're all clamouring for the original - and Digital Luxe & Commerce Editor Hollie Brotherton explained to me why. "The appeal of a Bottega Veneta handbag lies in its understated luxury. Known for their signature intrecciato weave and minimalist design, they exude quiet sophistication without flashy logos.
"Perfect for those who favour timeless style over trends, it's no surprise they've earned a cult following from the likes of Meghan Markle and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Whether it's the slouchy charm of the Jodie or the architectural edge of the Sardine, each piece feels like an effortless, undeniably cool statement."
But they're not within everyone's budget - and there's no shame in wearing a designer-inspired bag.
The best Bottega Veneta lookalike bags to shop
Mango Woven Braided Bag
© MangoIf you've got your eye on Bottega's new Barbara tote, you might want to check out this Mango beauty first. With a similar shape and design, it's a great investment purchase.
Dune London 'Encourage' Pouch Bag
© Dune LondonRemember when the Duchess of Sussex carried her iconic Bottega pouch back in 2022 while joining Prince Harry for dinner in Manhattan for a glamorous date night? It has stuck in my mind ever since. Dune London's braided leather clutch bag is so similar - I’d be lying if I said I didn’t immediately want to add it to my handbag collection.
Dune London's bag range is consistently elite. This season, they’ve released a series of woven bags that could easily pass for Bottega at a glance. Look for their 'Encourage' style - and it seamlessly transitions from a hand-held clutch to a chic cross-body profile thanks to the adjustable and removable strap. If red isn't for you, you can opt for other wearable shades.
Marks & Spencer Woven Tote Bag
© M&SStick to neutral, black, tan, chocolate brown, or navy. These shades always look more expensive.
Anthropologie Melie Bianco Larissa Woven Faux-Leather Shoulder Bag
© AnthropologieMeanwhile Anthropologie has come through with a small bag that’s so similar to the to-die-for ‘Jodie’ Bottega Veneta bag, which has famously been worn by the likes of Reese Witherspoon and Hailey Bieber. The cruelty-free bag comes in multiple colours - so there’s one for every look in your wardrobe – and it's very close to the Bottega 'Jodie'.
JW Pei 'Maze' Woven Bag
© JW PeiThe Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway was spotted carrying what at first glance looked like the the Bottega Veneta Cassette crossbody, with it's distinct boxy shape and luxe woven leather. But the chic bag was in fact by JW Pei, the vegan leather bag brand behind the viral bag worn by Gigi Hadid.
ASOS Design Braided Leather Clutch Bag
© ASOSIf you're looking for a clutch style - similar to the Bottega 'Knot', this is your bag. This would immediately elevate an occasion dress.
Editor's verdict
No matter how much we want to spend on a bag, we all deserve timeless style, which is where a great lookalike comes into play. You know, for those fashion girlies who have Bottega taste but a Zara budget. And just think - you could add all of these designer lookalikes to your wardrobe at the fraction of the cost of one designer bag. Tempting...
