u/ENataliaH

Hi everyone! 🤎💚 I’m about to make my first big handbag purchase, as in my first bag over $1,000, and I desperately need some advice.

I was recently in Monaco and stopped by Bottega Veneta, where I completely FELL IN LOVE with the Jodie after getting to see it, touch it, try it on, and experience it in person. I’ve deliberately waited for so long before buying my first high end designer bag because I always wanted that first purchase to be something I genuinely fell head over heels for, a bag I could see myself keeping for the rest of my life. I’m ridiculously sentimental about things like this, so I already know this bag will always be “the first one” to me 😂

The one that completely stole my heart in the boutique was the green tweed suede Jodie. It’s much more adventurous than anything I currently own since all of my bags are black, brown, or beige, but there was just something about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it afterwards.

I actually managed to find the green one, completely new, through a reputable retailer that partners with major luxury brands, and because of a membership I have with them, I was able to get 22% off.
BUT… here’s my dilemma.

I’ve never owned a suede bag before, I live in Sweden, so rain, snow, and generally questionable weather are very much a reality 😅, and I know suede is considerably more delicate. On top of that, since I wouldn’t be purchasing it directly through Bottega and because it’s suede, it wouldn’t come with Bottega’s lifetime warranty and care.

The other option is the brown leather Jodie, which I also really loved in person. It’s timeless, much more practical, far less delicate, and something I could realistically use all year round without constantly worrying about damaging it. I’d also be able to purchase it with Bottega’s lifetime warranty, including access to repairs and treatments over the years.
So I’m torn between the green suede, the more unique, limited edition, slightly impractical one that I absolutely fell in love with the moment I saw it, and the brown leather, the timeless and practical one that I could use constantly, in every season, and hopefully keep in beautiful condition for decades with Bottega’s lifetime care.

Since this is my first major designer bag purchase, and I genuinely want to keep it for the rest of my life, what would you do? Would you choose the sensible brown leather Jodie because of the longevity, versatility, and lifetime care, or would you follow your heart and get the limited edition green suede Jodie, knowing it’s more delicate, less practical for Swedish weather, and doesn’t have the same lifetime coverage?

Part of me thinks my first designer bag should be the one that makes the most sense for a lifetime, but another part of me thinks the whole reason I waited this long was to find the bag that made me feel exactly the way that green Jodie did. 🥲💚