Everyone asks if my bag is from AllSaints but it was £11 from the high street

12 September 2023 , 14:19

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My Matalan hangbag cost £11 and looks so similar to an £89 AllSaints purse (Image: Bethan Shufflebotham)

I’m addicted to crossbody bags, along with basically the rest of Instagram and pretty much the whole world, to be honest. Ever since paved the way with their round mini shoulder bag, I’ve built up a small army of similar styles from various retailers - but there’s one in particular that I hold dear.

As a staunch believer in leopard print being neutral, it’s my that becomes the final piece of most outfit puzzles. I love their casual flair and Tardis-like practicality for fitting in everything I need to take on the day - from Airpods and lipsticks, to paperback books and even camera lenses.

So you can imagine my delight when I was standing in a bar a few weeks back and someone asked: “Is that the AllSaints Anita?” At this point I’d never even heard of the , but I had an idea of how much it would cost. “Oh, no, it’s actually from for it,” I responded. I saw the woman’s eyes widen and could almost read the thought in her mind before she even conjured it - she was about to after our conversation ended.

The Matalan bag styled with a denim waistcoat and wide leg trousers (Bethan Shufflebotham)

I had been holding out for to make a leopard print version of their bag after having purchased the black, pink and cream varieties of their viral accessory. It would only be a matter of time, right? But I spotted this on the after coming across the green version while researching for an edition of Friday Favourites and let me tell you. I’ve never clicked ‘add to basket’ and checked out faster in my life.

The , making it actually cheaper than It’s what many would consider a complete and utter steal. It boasts the same dumpling kind of shape that is deceptively spacious, with a zip closure and adjustable crossbody strap. It also comes in green and black - they’re in my basket already.

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I thought little more of my handbag admirer in the pub until a few days later I was scrolling Facebook and saw a targeted advertisement for AllSaints, and within the carousel was the I could certainly see why this fashion enthusiast had mistaken my purse for designer - the similarities were striking.

AllSaints Half Moon Anita Leopard Print Nylon Bag (AllSaints)

Not so similar though was the pricetag, with the - a whopping £78 more than what I paid on the high street. Granted, the premium purse looks slightly more expensive with some added detailing to the strap and a leather zip fastening, but from across the street, I don’t think I could have told the difference.

Just last week I was at the theatre and a friend asked where I had bought the bag, “Matalan, bargain, it was £11 and looks just like one from AllSaints,” I said. To which they responded that they too had seen the Facebook ad and thought it was the same one.

I didn’t buy this bag as a ‘dupe’ of a designer purchase - I bought it because I loved it - but the fact that it looks similar to one that is eight times the price is certainly a bonus. It’s the ultimate accessory to complete any outfit, fits in everything you need and more, and

Bethan Shufflebotham