Some girls love shoes, the rest of us love Handbags, and nothing quite beats the designer ones. With my first ever paycheque I bought the Prada re-edition 2000s nylon handbag, wearing it everywhere and anywhere, it quickly elevated my looks, and mood! Luckily, these days designer handbags don’t have to cost a bomb, as it’s never been easier to find an authentic, second-hand, designer bag for an affordable price.
PS: It’s also great for the environment.
As the second-hand market has boomed, powerhouse department store Selfridges, has opened Reselfridges, selling second-hand, vintage, designer handbags, in great condition. Can you imagine copping a floral Gucci Jackie bag for 520£ from Selfridges? No, I’m not joking, you now can. Having vintage designer bags available to buy at Selfridges, makes shopping vintage accessible to people of all ages, encouraging the older generation to also think vintage.
The Collector’s Cage, based in Copenhagen, is one of the largest second-hand shops specialising in designer handbags. Focusing on sustainability and authenticity, you can feel confident their bags are genuine while also being good for the planet. If you’re ever in Copenhagen pop into their shop where Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Prada handbags decorate their walls or visit their website with hundreds of dream-worthy bags to drool over (and 10% off your first purchase).
A new one on my radar is Designer Pick, and I am so happy I found them. One of the most affordable sites, they have vintage Gucci bags for under 300£, while also stocking archival designer items that make your heart skip a beat. My favourite bag of theirs, currently on my wish list, is their Fendi crochet baguette bag in a cotton candy pink – it would literally brighten all my outfits but alas, is out of budget (as of yet).
Although Sign of the Times doesn’t specialise in designer bags, their vintage stock of just under 300 designer bags is unique and fairly priced. The longer an item has been up on their website for, or in their shop on Elystan Street situated just off the Kings Road, the more discounted it becomes. Currently my favourite find is a Bottega Veneta White The Pouch bag for £895 and 47% off its retail price.
Based in London, Break Archive has amassed a following of 167k followers on Instagram, making them a hotspot for the best vintage designer handbags. Known for their rare collections and stock of gorgeous Fendi Baguettes, Break Archive is guaranteed to have an iconic bag you’ll love – and if they don’t, they offer a sourcing service, dedicated to finding the bag of your dreams.
Alice in Wonderment 