Last year, Bottega Veneta celebrated forty years of business, and luckily shows no signs of stopping. Of course, just a few years ago, the classic line known for their clothing and fine leather goods was having a bit of an identity crisis. This may seem hard to believe coming from a brand that has a well-known and established aesthetic, but it is true.

In 2001, Bottega Veneta was bought out by Gucci. Normally, a buyout of any kind means that the company being bough out is in trouble. Luckily, Gucci (in their infinite wisdom) decided that instead of eradicating the competition that BV brought, they would instead nurture the brand and make it recognizable again.

Proof of how Gucci helped Bottega Veneta regain their identity and go back to the fine, supple leathers and clean lines of their menswear and women's clothing line can be found in each new season's offerings. A really great example is the white croc duffel that takes the always-chic croc pattern and puts it into a bag with very elegant details.

Baghaus Pewter Sequin Woven Tote-48.99

And yet, BV can also take a very trendy item like metallic handbags and put their own look on it, making it an instant classic that is neither trendy nor old, but simply chic. The pewter sequined woven tote here at Baghaus is the bargain $48.99 version inspired by the $1600 original. Likewise, Baghaus has a budget $59.99 version of the white croc Bottega Veneta, a bargain compared to the $2000 BV.

Baghaus Croc Duffel-59.99