When one thinks of Bottega Veneta, the Jodie undeniably comes to mind. Introduced by former creative director Daniel Lee, the piece has made languid and artfully shaped totes the silhouette du jour (the dumpling bag trend, anyone?). Four years after its debut, the Jodie and its evolutions continue to be a favorite among the world's most stylish.
Parisian designer Matthieu Blazy took over the reins in 2021. One of his initiatives for the maison was to carry on the tradition of crafting leather goods by maximizing their intrecciato weaving method. Following in the footsteps of the Jodie, he birthed the Sardine, which—you guessed it—was fashioned after a fish.
The Sardine exhibits Bottega Veneta's mastery of fusing traditional techniques with contemporary style cues. Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about the designer bag and what makes it a worthy investment.
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What Is the Bottega Veneta Sardine?
The Sardine made a splash during the F/W 2022 season of Milan Fashion Week, which was also Matthieu's maiden voyage with the brand. The tote's curved, modernist handle made it a standout in a sea of unassuming designs that adhered to stealth luxury codes. Its first versions came in shades of "bitter chocolate," "barolo," and "chalk."
The carrier has an empty cavity sans any compartments and encloses via a magnetic clasp. Depending on the size you go for, it can come with a shoulder-length strap that allows it to be worn across the body. The sculptural metallic handle, undeniably the bag's piece de resistance, is molded by hand and intentionally marked with dents, making each product a one-of-one original.
How Is the Sardine Different from the Jodie?
The Sardine and the Jodie undeniably share a couple of similarities. For starters, they both have the same shapeless silhouette, with both the interior and exterior done in firm leather. They're both crafted using the intrecciato method, and are meant to be held in one's fingers.
Evidently, the Jodie is accented by a knot on its loop, while the Sardine has, well, a sardine for its handle. The two also vary in terms of sizing. For example, the Mini Jodie measures about 10in x 5.5in x 3in, while the Mini Sardine has dimensions of 4.7 in x 7 in x 1 in, making it slightly smaller. The options also vary, as the Jodie can go as big as a duffel bag, while the Sardine's largest available iteration (so far) is still reminiscient of a standard handbag.
For reference, Filipina influencer and events host Jaz Reyes demonstrated through a TikTok video how many things can fit in a Classic Sardine. According to her, she can pack her passport, a makeup kit, her phone, and yup, an actual can of sardines in it.
So, which one is worth purchasing, you may ask? It's simply a matter of preference, and you can't really go wrong with either option. As the new kid on the block, the Sardine is steadily becoming an It Bag in its own right. Supermodel Kendall Jenner was one of the first big names to boost its popularity when she toted it with her notorious "no pants lewk" in early 2023.
How Much is the Bottega Veneta Sardine?
The Sardine has a modest selection of styles and sizes. The most popular one thus far is the Classic version, which has dimensions of 7.9in x 13in x 1.6in. It can be rendered in a variety of colorways, ranging from fail-safe neutrals to zesty hues.
Sardine with Chain in Black, $4900 (approximately P276,962.70), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Sardine with Chain in Barolo, $4900 (approximately P276,962.70), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Sardine with Chain in Papaya, $4900 (approximately P276,962.70), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Should you want a little more variation for your outfits, it's also available in Mini and Medium iterations.
Mini Sardine in Travertine, $3100 (approximately P175,221.30), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Medium Sardine in Cognac, $4900 (approximately P276,967.60), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Fully metallic versions have also been rolled out in Classic and Mini sizes. These utilize mirror-laminated leather that reflects either silver or gold. A handheld work of art, if we do say so ourselves!
Sardine in Silver, $4500 (approximately P254,358), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Mini Sardine in Gold, $3400 (approximately P192,181.60), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
Where do fishermen usually stock their catch of the day? In a bucket, of course! Bottega Veneta references such with the Sardine Bucket, a capacious cylindrical tote that has three sardines connected to form the handle.
Sardine Bucket in Black, $3600 (approximately P203,486.40), BOTTEGA VENETA, bottegaveneta.com
How to Style the Bottega Veneta Sardine, As Seen on Local Personalities
1. Pia Wurtzbach
Pia Wurtzbach recently added a medium-sized Sardine to her covetable collection of bags. Its rich burgundy tone and gold hardware were exactly what she needed to spruce up her casual blue jean looks.
2. Kylie Verzosa
For a day of errands, Kylie Verzosa kept things chill in a grey knit mini dress accented by an ivory-hued Sardine.
3. Jinkee Pacquiao
Jinkee Pacquiao showed off her matcha-toned Sardine with a relaxed "pambahay" 'fit. The bag certainly does all of the talking!
4. Melville Sy
As a trusted celebrity stylist, Melville Sy knows that the Sardine is a hot item right now. He clutched a black version of it with a casual, earth-toned OOTD.
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