£17 La Redoute bag takes style inspiration from Gucci's £2.4k shoulder bag

We love a good designer dupe, and the £17 Horsebit Handbag from La Redoute is being called a great dupe for the classic Gucci shoulder bag which would set you back £2.4k

There's nothing better than finding an affordable alternative to a designer item that you’ve had your eye on for a while, so when you come across the "perfect dupe" (shoppers say online) of a Gucci bag, it's really a case of when, not if, you buy it.

The La Redoute Horsebit Handbag, £17 here, was originally £34 but has been slashed to half price in the brand's current sale, meaning you’re saving even more money on your designer version.

A perfect alternative to the Brown 'Gucci 1955' Horsebit Bag, £2430 here, the La Redoute version features similar equestrian influences, including the gold horsebit detail that's present on both bags. The La Redoute Horsebit Handbag also has a retro style, which mirrors the original 1955 Gucci bag.

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The original handbag itself is made from tan faux leather and closes with a handy magnetic button, and features two inside compartments and two inside pockets that make it easy to keep all your things neatly stored and safely tucked away. The short shoulder strap can also be tucked inside and the top handle used instead, making it an ultra handy and versatile handbag.

Its retro vibe also means it goes with just about any outfit, so you can pair it with jeans and loafers for a chic daytime outfit, or tuck the long strap away and use it as a clutch bag for a sophisticated evening look.

The horsebit was first an iconic part of the Gucci brand when Guccio Gucci visited London's Savoy Hotel and was inspired by the English racing scene, adding it to the brand's leather loafers in 1953, before adding it to the first handbag in 1955, which was – you guessed it – the Guci 1955 handbag.

The Gucci brand re-released the iconic bag in 2020, and thanks to its popularity and fashion status symbol, it has inspired a whole host of dupe versions of the handbag to allow those of us without a luxury budget to get the look for less, including the La Redoute Horsebit Handbag, £17 here.

Mango contrast cross-body bag, £45.99 here

Although it doesn't have the horsebit design, Mango's version of a Gucci-like bag features a similar shape and style with metal hardware on the front and an adjustable strap.

Gallop Guru Genuine Leather Snaffle Detail Handbag with Cross Body Strap, £79 here

The real leather cross-body bag from Gallop Guru features a similar metal horsebit design and square shape, with cross-body straps. It's also available in both black and tan, so you can choose which colour fits in better with your wardrobe.

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