The Bulb

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The Mini Bulb arrived. Here are photos and comments:
View attachment 4930034
It’s dark now so I don’t have a photo of the color outdoors. It’s a rich plum.
View attachment 4930035
It’s a small bag. I can fit my iPhone X and cinch it. If I add the compact wallet, it won’t cinch.
View attachment 4930036
I’m 5’10” and 150 lbs. crossbody it hangs right under my breast. Shoulder carry is just above the hip. On someone petite, it might hang really nicely.

Other thoughts:
The leather is soft but not buttery like I hoped. This could be due to the dye. The gathering on the bottom looks a bit sloppy. Capacity wise it’s definitely more evening bag wear. It could serve as a Covid run around bag but I fear it’s too small — at least in my opinion. You add a small wallet and a wee bottle of hand sanitizer and you’re done.

And if I may be blunt—and I’m sorry to be so negative because it is cute—but I simply do not see how this bag is worth $1100. I’d barely pay $100 for it.
Are you going to return it?
 
Yes. Would you like it?
I'll have to pass this time, but I appreciate the offer! :amuse: Oddly I've been craving a more "grownup" evening bag, even though I have absolutely no occasion to wear one right now! Maybe it's just wishful thinking...

If I were to buy a MB, I'd go with intrecciato, and I'm hoping BV eventually does a dark metallic intrecciato MB. I'm also keeping an eye on the resale market for a chain Knot. Either way, I'd need a bag with a strap, because I wouldn't want to cover my clutch in deodorant as I carry it under my arm while, also juggling appetizers and wine. :whut:
 
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Other thoughts:
The leather is soft but not buttery like I hoped. This could be due to the dye. The gathering on the bottom looks a bit sloppy. Capacity wise it’s definitely more evening bag wear. It could serve as a Covid run around bag but I fear it’s too small — at least in my opinion. You add a small wallet and a wee bottle of hand sanitizer and you’re done.

And if I may be blunt—and I’m sorry to be so negative because it is cute—but I simply do not see how this bag is worth $1100. I’d barely pay $100 for it.
Too bad poor little bag is very underwhelming. Thanks for the great review and pics.
 
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The Mini Bulb arrived. Here are photos and comments:
View attachment 4930034
It’s dark now so I don’t have a photo of the color outdoors. It’s a rich plum.
View attachment 4930035
It’s a small bag. I can fit my iPhone X and cinch it. If I add the compact wallet, it won’t cinch.
View attachment 4930036
I’m 5’10” and 150 lbs. crossbody it hangs right under my breast. Shoulder carry is just above the hip. On someone petite, it might hang really nicely.

Other thoughts:
The leather is soft but not buttery like I hoped. This could be due to the dye. The gathering on the bottom looks a bit sloppy. Capacity wise it’s definitely more evening bag wear. It could serve as a Covid run around bag but I fear it’s too small — at least in my opinion. You add a small wallet and a wee bottle of hand sanitizer and you’re done.

And if I may be blunt—and I’m sorry to be so negative because it is cute—but I simply do not see how this bag is worth $1100. I’d barely pay $100 for it.
Thanks for the review. It does look very awkward. It also seems very shallow. I worry that my things will spill out. I wonder if the bigger one is any better...
 
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I think this can be a very versatile bag in the Small size. The Mini is just a little pouch. I saw the Large in the store. I went to see the Clip which I thought I’d like, squarish shoulder bags being my favorite style (but I found it clunky, the proportions odd, and the leather too shiny). I hadn’t even heard about the Bulb and I found the design very intriguing, with the detachable shoulder straps, the long think straps that can be knotted for crossbody or left loose as adornment, how different it looks depending on how gathered it is... It feels kind of very BV too.
 
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I think this can be a very versatile bag in the Small size. The Mini is just a little pouch. I saw the Large in the store. I went to see the Clip which I thought I’d like, squarish shoulder bags being my favorite style (but I found it clunky, the proportions odd, and the leather too shiny). I hadn’t even heard about the Bulb and I found the design very intriguing, with the detachable shoulder straps, the long think straps that can be knotted for crossbody or left loose as adornment, how different it looks depending on how gathered it is... It feels kind of very BV too.

Thank you for the very helpful review!
 
I quite like the shape and went for the intrecciato version in black after agonizing over it. I scoured Google, Instragram, and YouTube but couldn't find any info on the bag. I understand it's a fairly new release but was surprised the brand wasn't promoting it at all.

I put in an order for the mini bulb yesterday and it arrives tomorrow. I hope it works out.
Oh please post pics when it arrives!
 
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It's here and I love it (for all the wrong reasons), haha.

The mini bulb is my first Bottega Veneta piece. The leather on the bulb is so shiny and the intrecciato gives it so much character. Aesthetics-wise it's lovely but for most it won't be practical.

In the photos attached, I've cinched the bag as much as I could without feeling like I'm putting too much tension on the leather. From photos online, I've only seen the smooth leather version close completely. The intrecciato version appears to always be somewhat uncinched. The bag isn't very deep with the inner lining not reaching the bottom. I would say you're losing about an inch in depth. It's currently not shaping up to be very secure bag but I could say that for anything that doesn't have a closure. It works for me since I'm all about mini bags and it fits all my essentials including my Pixel 3. I do hope the leather will soften up a little over time. Inclusion of inner pockets would have also been a nice touch.

I am about 5'3 and it sits pretty high on me when I wear it crossbody and tie the knot as close to the end as possible. This is how short I wear all my bags though but I don't think it would work for anyone taller unless you want to wear it across your chest like a belt bag.

I can include modshots and do a comparison with another mini bag if anyone is interested.

PXL_20210126_225706184.PORTRAIT-02.ORIGINAL~2.jpg

PXL_20210126_225742446.MP~2.jpg
 
It's here and I love it (for all the wrong reasons), haha.

The mini bulb is my first Bottega Veneta piece. The leather on the bulb is so shiny and the intrecciato gives it so much character. Aesthetics-wise it's lovely but for most it won't be practical.

In the photos attached, I've cinched the bag as much as I could without feeling like I'm putting too much tension on the leather. From photos online, I've only seen the smooth leather version close completely. The intrecciato version appears to always be somewhat uncinched. The bag isn't very deep with the inner lining not reaching the bottom. I would say you're losing about an inch in depth. It's currently not shaping up to be very secure bag but I could say that for anything that doesn't have a closure. It works for me since I'm all about mini bags and it fits all my essentials including my Pixel 3. I do hope the leather will soften up a little over time. Inclusion of inner pockets would have also been a nice touch.

I am about 5'3 and it sits pretty high on me when I wear it crossbody and tie the knot as close to the end as possible. This is how short I wear all my bags though but I don't think it would work for anyone taller unless you want to wear it across your chest like a belt bag.

I can include modshots and do a comparison with another mini bag if anyone is interested.

View attachment 4970623

View attachment 4970624

It's. So. Adorable. I can't even with this bag!!! I'm also 5'3, so I'd love a mod shot, and if it's not too much trouble, I'd love a picture showing what what you can fit in mini pouch. Pretty please, with a cherry on top!

And congratulations, and welcome to the slippery slope of BV! :biggrin:
 
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It's here and I love it (for all the wrong reasons), haha.

The mini bulb is my first Bottega Veneta piece. The leather on the bulb is so shiny and the intrecciato gives it so much character. Aesthetics-wise it's lovely but for most it won't be practical.

In the photos attached, I've cinched the bag as much as I could without feeling like I'm putting too much tension on the leather. From photos online, I've only seen the smooth leather version close completely. The intrecciato version appears to always be somewhat uncinched. The bag isn't very deep with the inner lining not reaching the bottom. I would say you're losing about an inch in depth. It's currently not shaping up to be very secure bag but I could say that for anything that doesn't have a closure. It works for me since I'm all about mini bags and it fits all my essentials including my Pixel 3. I do hope the leather will soften up a little over time. Inclusion of inner pockets would have also been a nice touch.

I am about 5'3 and it sits pretty high on me when I wear it crossbody and tie the knot as close to the end as possible. This is how short I wear all my bags though but I don't think it would work for anyone taller unless you want to wear it across your chest like a belt bag.

I can include modshots and do a comparison with another mini bag if anyone is interested.

View attachment 4970623

View attachment 4970624
Congrats on your cute little bag. Would love to see mod shots and what fits. It would be so interesting to compare it to the mini pouch
 
It's here and I love it (for all the wrong reasons), haha.

The mini bulb is my first Bottega Veneta piece. The leather on the bulb is so shiny and the intrecciato gives it so much character. Aesthetics-wise it's lovely but for most it won't be practical.

In the photos attached, I've cinched the bag as much as I could without feeling like I'm putting too much tension on the leather. From photos online, I've only seen the smooth leather version close completely. The intrecciato version appears to always be somewhat uncinched. The bag isn't very deep with the inner lining not reaching the bottom. I would say you're losing about an inch in depth. It's currently not shaping up to be very secure bag but I could say that for anything that doesn't have a closure. It works for me since I'm all about mini bags and it fits all my essentials including my Pixel 3. I do hope the leather will soften up a little over time. Inclusion of inner pockets would have also been a nice touch.

I am about 5'3 and it sits pretty high on me when I wear it crossbody and tie the knot as close to the end as possible. This is how short I wear all my bags though but I don't think it would work for anyone taller unless you want to wear it across your chest like a belt bag.

I can include modshots and do a comparison with another mini bag if anyone is interested.

View attachment 4970623

View attachment 4970624
Oooh that leather looks so yummy, please show us more! BV leather softens with use. It should have more give in time. Too bad it doesn’t cinch more.
 
It's here and I love it (for all the wrong reasons), haha.

The mini bulb is my first Bottega Veneta piece. The leather on the bulb is so shiny and the intrecciato gives it so much character. Aesthetics-wise it's lovely but for most it won't be practical.

In the photos attached, I've cinched the bag as much as I could without feeling like I'm putting too much tension on the leather. From photos online, I've only seen the smooth leather version close completely. The intrecciato version appears to always be somewhat uncinched. The bag isn't very deep with the inner lining not reaching the bottom. I would say you're losing about an inch in depth. It's currently not shaping up to be very secure bag but I could say that for anything that doesn't have a closure. It works for me since I'm all about mini bags and it fits all my essentials including my Pixel 3. I do hope the leather will soften up a little over time. Inclusion of inner pockets would have also been a nice touch.

I am about 5'3 and it sits pretty high on me when I wear it crossbody and tie the knot as close to the end as possible. This is how short I wear all my bags though but I don't think it would work for anyone taller unless you want to wear it across your chest like a belt bag.

I can include modshots and do a comparison with another mini bag if anyone is interested.

View attachment 4970623

View attachment 4970624

Thank you for the pics, and helpful, detailed review! Much appreciated!
 
Here are some photos of what fits in the bag. I am not too worried about items falling out but for added security, I might put all my stuff in a small drawstring bag.

I am working from home today and still in PJs so modshots to come tomorrow.
 

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