Two materials. Two characters. One decision – easier than you think.
You've discovered the Plant Inside Shopper Bag. You know you want one. But then: two versions, two materials, two unfamiliar names.
Vegea®. Viridis®.
Sounds more complicated than it is. Because in the end it's not about certifications or composition – it's about one simple question:
How do you want to carry your bag?
If you're not yet sure whether Plant Inside is the right brand for you, our comparison of the best vegan shopper bags in Europe 2026 gives you an honest overview of 8 brands – from accessible to luxury.
Start here: What does your everyday actually look like?
Before we get to the materials – two quick questions.
Do you tend to carry your bag: — on your arm, loosely and relaxed, sometimes full, sometimes half empty? — or on your shoulder, upright, with clear structure?
And what feels more like you: — a material that's soft, drapes naturally and develops more character with every use? — or a material that holds its shape, stands on its own and has a velvety surface?
If you stayed with the first option: Black Matt from Vegea® is probably your bag.
If you leaned toward the second: Dark Brown Nubuck from Viridis® is the better fit.
But keep reading – because the difference is subtler and more interesting than you might expect.
Vegea® – soft, draped, full of character
Vegea® is a material made from wine production waste: grape skins, seeds and marc residues, combined with vegetable oils and natural fibres. Produced in Milan. Completely free from animal components, PVC and petroleum derivatives.
What sets Vegea® apart from other vegan materials is something you feel the moment you pick up the bag: it's softer. More supple. More fluid.
The Shopper Bag in Black Matt moulds to its contents – it adapts, falls naturally and develops more personality with every use. Like good leather, but without the harm. Everything about the material – its origins, composition and certifications – is covered in our article What Is Vegea® – Vegan Leather from Grape Waste.
This quality isn't coincidence. During the first sample fittings in the workshop in Malbork, it was Anna – our leatherworker with over 20 years of experience – who recommended Vegea® for this model. Precisely because of its soft, draped quality.
Vegea® in Black Matt is for you if:
- you love a timeless, deep black that works with everything
- you want a material that carries naturally and feels more familiar with every use
- you carry your bag loosely on your arm or shoulder – sometimes full, sometimes light
- you prefer low-maintenance materials: a damp cloth is all you need
Less suited if:
- you want a very structured bag that holds its shape completely even when empty
- you tend to reach for warm, earthy tones rather than classic black
Viridis® – structured, warm, unmistakable
Viridis® is a plant-based leather made from European corn and wheat, produced in Italy. It contains up to 69% plant-derived raw materials and carries the certifications Animal Free by LAV, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and FSC®.
What defines Viridis® is immediately clear when you set the bag down: it's firmer. More structured. It stands.
The Shopper Bag in Dark Brown Nubuck keeps its shape – even when empty. It stands upright on your desk, on the floor, next to your chair. A small thing that makes a real difference when you're someone who values order and clarity in everyday life. More about the material – its plant-based composition, origins and long-term durability – in our article What Is Viridis® – Plant-Based Leather from Corn and Wheat.
The nubuck surface brings a velvety texture and warmth that matt materials simply don't have. A deep, rich brown that works at the office, at a café and everywhere in between.
An honest note on care: Nubuck picks up marks a little more easily than matt surfaces. That sounds like a drawback – but it really isn't. A damp cloth with mild soap is all it takes. Once dry, the material looks as good as new. How that works in practice – and how we've been caring for our own bags for years – is documented in our article How to Clean a Vegan Bag.
Viridis® in Dark Brown Nubuck is for you if:
- you love warm, natural tones and find black too dark or too urban
- you want a bag that always holds its shape – even when empty
- you prefer the velvety texture of nubuck over a smoother matt surface
- you're looking for a structured companion for the office, university or co-working
Less suited if:
- you prefer a soft, fluid material that adapts to what's inside
- you don't want to think about occasional care – even if it's genuinely minimal
What both have in common
Before you decide: the most important part first.
Both Shopper Bags are identical in shape, size and function. Both have:
- two large zip compartments – one dedicated to a laptop or tablet up to 15", one for everything else
- lining in 100% organic cotton with the Plant Inside logo
- long handles made from the same material as the bag
- the same craftsmanship – hand-sewn in Anna's workshop in Malbork
- the same price
The difference is entirely in the material – and therefore in character.
Anna and Kinga: the people behind this bag
The Plant Inside Shopper Bag didn't come from a design studio or a computer screen.
Kinga – the designer behind the model – spent long hours in Anna's workshop in Malbork. The bag changed, evolved, grew. Anna has been working as a leatherworker for over two decades. Her bags are the kind that last – my wife bought from her 15 years ago, and still uses those bags today. That history is part of why we started working with her when Plant Inside was founded four years ago.
Anna contributed many practical changes along the way. Stitching, proportions, construction details.
And it was Anna who said at the end: For the black model, use Vegea®. It drapes better.
That's how a bag that keeps its promises is made.
Still undecided? This one question helps:
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine packing your bag tomorrow morning.
Do you reach for a bag that gives softly, moulds to your body and hangs naturally at your side?
Or one that stands upright, feels structured and is ready the moment you pick it up?
First answer: Black Matt – Vegea®. Second answer: Dark Brown Nubuck – Viridis®.
Explore both in our vegan shopper bag collection.
FAQ
What's the main difference between Vegea® and Viridis®?
Vegea® is softer and more fluid – the bag moulds to its contents. Viridis® is firmer and more structured – the bag holds its shape even when empty. Both are fully plant-based and free from animal components.
Which Shopper Bag is easier to care for?
Both are very low maintenance. Black Matt from Vegea® and Dark Brown Nubuck from Viridis® both clean easily with a damp cloth and mild soap. The nubuck occasionally needs a little more attention – but dries back to perfect every time.
Does a MacBook 15" fit in both bags?
Yes. Both models have a dedicated zip laptop compartment for laptops and tablets up to 15".
Can I wear the bag on my arm and on my shoulder?
Yes. The long handles work comfortably both ways – on the arm or over the shoulder.
Is one version more sustainable than the other?
Both materials are plant-based and free from PVC and microplastics. Vegea® is made from wine production waste – which makes it particularly resource-efficient. Viridis® contains up to 69% plant-derived raw materials from European crops. Both are a conscious alternative to animal leather and conventional synthetic leather.
Is the Shopper Bag available in other colours?
Currently the Shopper Bag comes in two versions: Black Matt from Vegea® and Dark Brown Nubuck from Viridis®.