First off, the “handmade” thing. I gotta be honest, everything claims to be “handmade” these days, doesn’t it? It’s like, the new “artisanal.” But with Bottega Veneta, you kinda *believe* it. You look at that Intrecciato leather – that woven style they’re famous for – and you just *know* some poor soul (probably in Italy, sipping espresso, hopefully) spent hours painstakingly weaving that leather. It’s not something a machine can *really* replicate, right? Or maybe it is? I dunno, I’m no expert. But I *feel* like it’s handmade. And that feeling is kinda worth something, you gotta admit.
Then there’s the price. Oh my GOD, the price. Let’s not even talk about it. Okay, let’s talk about it. It’s, like, “mortgage payment” expensive. Is it worth it? Probably not. I mean, practically speaking, it’s a hat. It keeps the sun out of your eyes, or the rain off your head. A $20 baseball cap does the same thing, ya know? But that’s not the point, is it? It’s about the brand, the prestige, the feeling of being all boujee and sophisticated. And, like, if you got the cash to splash, why not, I guess? I mean, good for you, seriously. Live your best life.
I saw some stuff online about second-hand Bottega Veneta hats, which, honestly, is probably the way to go if you’re remotely sane. I mean, a “pre-loved” bucket hat? Sign me up! (But not *really*, because I still can’t afford it). Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal seem to be hot spots for that kinda thing.
And the styles! From those iconic Intrecciato leather bucket hats (in, like, black, blue, yellow – choices, choices!) to corduroy baseball caps (who knew corduroy could be so…expensive?), there’s something for everyone. Or, at least, something for everyone with a trust fund.
One thing I’m a *little* confused about is the different materials. Some say leather, others say corduroy, and yet others hint at some kinda…Bottega Veneta magic weave? It’s all a bit of a jumble in my brain. Is it all hand-woven? Is some of it machine-made? Is it leather *and* corduroy? The world may never know.
