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Over the years our love for clutch bags for formal occasions, or evenings out, has not waned. The style may have varied from oversize designs, slouchy creations, to minuscule versions, but they remain our go-to accessory.
Lately there has been a move to longer length bags, otherwise known as barrel bags, combine the two – clutch bags with barrel length – and Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo Clutch Bag springs to mind.
However, the £2,150 price tag makes us question if this is a trend we want to hop on board with, or a bag we will get our cost per wear out of. Thankfully, River Island has created the Woven Clutch Bag, which looks very similar to the designer version, but £2,122 less. Sold!
River Island Woven Clutch Bag
Crafted from a fabric material, this long length clutch bag features a woven exterior. It boasts a top handle, as well as a detachable long shoulder strap to wear across the body and go hands-free. It also features a flap overlay, with a buckle detail on the front, and is held close with a magnetic popper fastening. Available in two colours, gold and white.
Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch
Made from ultra soft lambskin leather with a calfskin lining. This clutch bag features Bottega Veneta’s signature Intrecciato woven exterior. The front flap is fastened in place with a metallic knot closure, which requires a knotted hardware on elastic to wrap around the toggle on the bag to stay shut. It also boasts a short top handle. Available in eight colours.
At first glance we didn’t notice the difference between River Island and Bottega Veneta’s clutch bags.
River Island’s bag has been made from fabric material, whereas the Andiamo clutch has been crafted from top-quality lambskin exterior, as well as a premium calfskin interior.
Both designs feature a woven exterior. The Intrecciato weave is a signature feature of Bottega Veneta designs, and requires an artisan to hand weave the stylish accessories. River Island’s bag also features the same textured outer.
Both bags feature a flap closure, but look a little closer and you may notice Bottega Veneta’s flap reaches halfway along the body of the bag, whereas River Island’s close falls about thee quarters down the length of the bag.
River Island’s design features a strap around the middle, as well as buckle hardware, which the designer brand’s staple doesn’t have. River Island’s bag is also held in place by discreet magnetic popper fastening. Instead, Bottega Veneta has a metallic knot fixed to a fine piece of material, which wraps around metallic hardware in the centre of the clutch bag to secure the flap closed.
Both bags feature a top grab handle, but River Island’s bag also includes a long detachable strap, which Bottega Veneta hasn’t included with its design. This is an added detail we love, as it gives customers the option to style the bag in different ways, and go hands-free too.
The Bottega Veneta bag measures 13cm in height, 31cm in width, and 3cm in depth, whereas the River Island Clutch Bag is fractionally shorter, yet deeper as its dimensions span 12cm x 30.5cm x 5cm.
The Bottega Veneta bag features size card slots inside, as well as one additional pocket to house your essentials in a designated area, which River Island’s bag lacks. But, do we really need compartments in a clutch bag designed for a phone, cards, keys and a lippy?
Aside from the price, the colour options are a standout difference between the two bags. River Island’s bag is currently only available in white and gold, whereas the Italian fashion house has crafted the Andiamo in eight hues.
Whether you pair it with jeans, heeled boots, a top and blazer, a dazzling evening dress, or tailored suit, this River Island bag is practical, stylish, and the ideal size to house your evening essentials. You’re bound to be flooded with compliments on your new arm candy.
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