So guys, wanna hear my messy adventure picking a Bottega Veneta bag at Saks? Buckle up ’cause it ain’t as smooth as those shiny Instagram pics. Started with zero clue – just knew BV was “it” right now.
The “Let’s Just Go See” Phase
Woke up last Thursday feeling fancy, drove straight to Saks. Thought it’d be simple: walk in, point, buy. Ha! Wrong. Stepped into the handbag section, all gleaming shelves, felt kinda lost. Saw the BV area – those woven leather pieces looking expensive and quiet.
Grabbed the first thing that caught my eye – the Padded Cassette. Held it up. Felt… bulky? Like carrying a deflated basketball. And the chain strap? Heavy! Clanked like my aunt’s old purse. Instant no.
The “Okay, Maybe Listen to the Salesperson” Fail
Approached this guy, Arthur, real polished. Said he was “the handbag expert.” Told him I needed something stylish but usable. He nods, pulls out the Mini Jodie in bright yellow. Bright. Yellow.
- “Signature look!” he beams.
- I ask if it fits anything beyond lip balm? He says it’s “statement jewelry” size.
- Tried forcing my phone in. Phone lost the fight.
- Then shows me a Large Arco tote – bigger than my gym bag! Almost needed a trolley.
Arthur clearly thought “expert tips” meant selling whatever looked slow-moving that week. Walked away wondering if Saks hired experts based on tie knots, not actual bag knowledge.
The “Back to Basics & Painful Homework” Part
Home again, wallet still safe. Opened my dusty laptop. Avoided fancy words like “intrecciato.” Just searched “BV bags real people use.” Stalked YouTube reviews.
Realized two things:
- Size is TRICKY! BV sizes lie like cheap scales. “Mini” sometimes means “toy,” “Large” means “house.” Focus on exact dimensions.
- Leather types MATTER. That shiny stuff? Scratch magnet. Saw pics of used ones looking wrecked. Found stuff called “nappa” and “calfskin” – reviewers said these hold up better.
Checked the Saks website again. Filters became my best friend. Narrowed down:
- Something actually shoulder-carriable?
- Black or dark neutral leather (scratches won’t glare)
- Bigger than a fist, smaller than a suitcase
The “Second Try & Finally Getting It Right” Moment
Went back to Saks today. Ignored Arthur. Found a calmer associate, Maria. Knew her stuff immediately. Showed her my homework notes. “Ah,” she smiles, “Smart one.” Pulls out two possibilities:
- Classic Pouch 20 in black nappa – soft, structured, shoulder strap. Felt like butter. Phone? Fits! Wallet? Fits! Keys? Fits! Miraculous.
- Medium Andiamo in dark green calfskin – sturdier, sleeker. Loved the top handle.
Played dress-up in their mirror for 20 mins. Pouch 20 won. Paid. Walked out feeling smug, not scammed. Didn’t buy based on hype. Bought what worked.
What I Learned? (The Actual Tips!)
So forget fluffy expert advice. Here’s my bone-deep, wallet-safe tips:
- PHYSICALLY GO & TRY ON. Online pics lie. Colors are weird. Bags feel totally different hanging off you vs. on a model.
- KNOW YOUR SIZE NEEDS BEFOREHAND. Bring your daily stuff – wallet, phone, keys. Shove them into potential bags ruthlessly.
- ASK ABOUT LEATHER TYPE. SERIOUSLY. If the SA says “oh it’s just leather,” press harder. “Is it delicate shiny? Or sturdy matte?”
- BAGS AT SAKS OFTEN FEEL ‘DISPLAY-ONLY’. Check stock online beforehand or be ready to order later. That perfect bag? Probably not on the actual shelf.
- IF IT FEELS OFF, WALK AWAY. Don’t let Saks pressure or sparkly lights fool you. Your cash deserves the right match.
My Saks BV search wasn’t glamorous. It involved wrong sizes, wrong colors, scratch paranoia, and one highly questionable yellow handbag. But finding “The One”? Worth every weird minute.
