New year, new wardrobe…right? You deserve to fill this year with luxury, so why not add another fashion favorite to your collection? Accessories are a must—and especially so when it’s a used designer bag at a discounted price. Getting a compliment on your new (to you) leather tote, baguette bag, or suede top-handle option will allow you to enjoy the lavish lifestyle that much more.
Secondhand shopping is more popular than ever—and that applies to the luxury market, too. The best part is, for some of these hidden gems, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch to discover a chic bag you might not otherwise find. However, you may question how to mark the authenticity of these designer goods; you can use your best judgment—and the fact that some sellers are using AI technology—to make your final decision. But, in case your best judgment isn’t quite on par, we asked experts in the field to share the best tips to find quality luxury bags on the secondhand market.
Shopping for secondhand designer pieces is not only fun but an investment in your wardrobe, too. With that in mind, we went ahead and decoded everything you need to know to shop like an editor. Take notes, and act fast—this is the resale market we’re discussing, which means the stock will be limited.
First things first, do your homework
“Researching is the key to making a successful secondhand purchase,” says Charles Gorra, CEO and founder of resale platform Rebag. “If you don’t have dozens of tabs open on your web browser, then it’s possible you haven’t done enough research.” He suggests checking blogs and forums for peer-to-peer reviews and cross-comparing resale sites to ensure prices are legit. Remember the age-old adage: If it seems too good to be true—i.e. the bag costs way below its resale market value—it probably is.
Buy from reputable sellers
The best types of sellers tend to have detailed descriptions of the bag with plenty of information, plus a variety of photos showcasing it at different angles. Gorra suggests looking for “sellers that are responsive and willing to give more information.” You’re looking for complete transparency from the seller because they should have nothing to hide. Sasha Skoda, head of The RealReal’s women’s department, agrees. “If you’re investing in a luxury handbag, you want to be positive you’re buying from a legitimate source that authenticates bags and has an authenticity guarantee,” she says. “Make sure you’re clear on the site or seller’s return policy, so you know what your options are if something is off.”
Know the value of your bag
“You will get back a substantial ROI for a luxury brand, compared to an aspirational luxury brand,” says Gorra. Chanel’s flap bags and Hermès Birkins are classic handbag styles because their superior quality makes them outlast others. Skoda shares the same sentiment, noting, “Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, and Goyard are some of [The RealReal’s] most popular handbag designers—and that demand translates into strong resale value for consignors.”
When it comes to contemporary labels, you’re likely to get more bang for your buck. “If you’re hunting for a great deal, consider a style that speaks to you but is from a few seasons back (like the Loewe Puzzle Bag or The Row Hunting Bag) or bags from more emerging designers—we love Staud and Cult Gaia,” says Skoda.
The last option is going vintage. With brands like Dior dipping into the archives for inspiration and reissuing iconic shapes like the Saddle, “the participation of brands in ‘vintage revival’ has resulted in the popularization of the original vintage pieces, thus increasing their resale value within the market,” says Gorra. You’re still on-trend because what’s old is always new again, but at a fraction of the cost.
Now that you’ve had a quick 101 lesson on shopping secondhand, use your newfound knowledge to shop the 14 reputable sites below.
Rebag
Known for: Multilayered evaluation criteria.
Price Range: $100-$3,000+
The idea behind Rebag is to refresh your wardrobe constantly. Here, you’ll find everything from hard-to-get Kelly bags to kooky Chanel accessories you only saw on the runway. It’s a veritable candy shop of designer goods, where every item is examined by an in-house team that inspects, vets, and approves all bags sold.
Loewe Spirited Away Hammock Bag Printed Leather Mini
Now 10% Off
Christian Dior Saddle Bag Embroidered Printed Leather Medium
Now 10% Off
Chloe Marcie Satchel Leather Small
Now 10% Off
1stdibs
Known for: Connecting design lovers of all industries.
Price Range: $70-$5,000+
1stdibs, a mega destination for antique furniture, jewelry, art, and fashion, can feel a little daunting at first. Think of this online marketplace as the middleman between you and vetted shops and galleries around the world. Treat it as a one-stop destination for that Roly Poly chair you’ve been eyeing on Instagram, authentic vintage fashion in incredible condition, and designer bags at every price point.
Versace Metallic Leather Pocket Shoulder Bag
Saint Laurent Leopard Print Hobo Bag
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Black Lambskin Corset Bag Clutch
Now 20% Off
Alexander McQueen c.2003 Brown Leather Crocodile Embossed Buckle Box Handbag
Now 25% Off
StockX
Known for: A competitive hype market.
Price Range: Under $500-$10,000+
Recently expanding from its sneaker roots (also an active re-sale marketplace) to include bags in its stock market-like format, StockX is where the hypebaes shop. Once you find a bag you love, you can place a bid below the asking price and wait for the seller to approve. It’s similar to eBay’s “make an offer” option versus “buy it now.”
Goyard Anjou Tote Mini Yellow
Bottega Veneta Jodie Teen Teal Washed
Jacquemus Le Bambino Long Flap Shoulder Bag
Sandy Liang x BAGGU Mini Bow Bag
The RealReal
Known for: In-house curation and authentication.
Price Range: $20-$220,000
Based in San Francisco, this tech-first company is one of the most well-known resale sites. Browsing the plethora of consigned goods on The RealReal is all about spontaneous discovery, with offerings like handbags, clothing, and even housewares. Its brick-and-mortar locations are a playground of quirky styles, and the Soho store even has a secret Hermès vault filled to the ceiling with colorful Birkins.
Fendi Zucca Embossed Chef Hobo
Maison Margiela Leather Tote Bag
Now 48% Off
Givenchy Leather Crossbody Bag
Dolce and Gabbana Leather Devotion Handle Bag
Now 52% Off
Vestiaire Collective
Known for: Authenticated pre-owned luxury goods, not vintage.
Price Range: $50-$5,000+
Vestiaire Collective is a community of over 3 million users both buying and selling pre-owned items. Once you add items to your cart, the product goes through rigorous authentication and quality control processes to ensure it’s exactly what you expected before it’s sent to you. If any issues occur and there are discrepancies about the product’s description, the company will help you and the seller haggle the price down, too.
Saint Laurent Lou Lou Leather Crossbody Bag
Now 43% Off
Vivienne Westwood Granny Handbag
Now 53% Off
Balenciaga Lindsay Leather Tote
Now 30% Off
Christian Dior Leather handbag
Now 16% Off
Re-SEE
Known for: A focus on iconic, rare, and collector pieces.
Price Range: $50-$80,000+
Founded by two former fashion editors, Paris-based Re-SEE offers a highly curated selection of covetable secondhand and rare vintage bags. You won’t have to sift through pages of seemingly identical Neverfulls and 2.55s to find a special piece that’s effortlessly trendy. Each item is handpicked by its editors, then authenticated and restored by a team of experts in an effort to make sure that great fashion stays in circulation.
Prada 2015 Sequin Bucket Bag
Now 50% Off
Miu Miu 2022 Polka Dot Mini Spirit Bag
Hermes FULL SET Rose Pourpre Mysore Kelly 20
Farfetch
Known for: New and pre-owned designer pieces.
Price Range: $30-$45,000+
Farfetch is one of the luxury e-commerce forces that brought pre-owned items back to the forefront of fashion. Ever since the global platform—which connects shoppers with independent boutiques around the world—rolled out its Second Life designer bag selling program in 2019, the site has become a destination to find some of the most iconic vintage bags out there. Whether you’re looking for pristine Hermès Kellys from the ’70s, iconic Chanel styles from the ’90s, or that limited-issue Dior bag you just couldn’t manage to get your hands on, you can find it at Farfetch.
Fendi Mini FF Plaque Croissant Handbag
Burberry Pre-Owned Vintage Check shoulder bag
Bvlgari Pre-Owned x Alexander Wang 2019 Serpenti Forever Shoulder Bag
Gucci Pre-Owned 2000-2015 Medium Horsebit 1955 Tote Bag
Bag Borrow or Steal
Known for: A unique business model.
Price Range: Under $250-$1,000+
We all remember Bag Borrow or Steal’s iconic cameo in the Sex and the City movie back in 2008, and the service is still going strong over a decade later. While it still offers rentals (like the one Jennifer Hudson’s character took advantage of), you can also opt to buy a bag.
Salvatore Ferragamo Briana Small Tote
Now 46% Off
Tod’s Belted Shoulder Bag
Miu Miu Crystal Tote
Now 68% Off
Stella McCartney Crossbody Bag
Now 46% Off
Ebay
Known for: A user-driven, organic marketplace.
Price Range: N/A
Thanks to a rigorous authentication program, you can now be assured that the luxury bag you finally tracked down on eBay is worthy of a bid. Any listing stamped with the marketplace’s “Authenticity Guarantee” goes through a multi-point physical inspection by eBay’s team of authenticators and receives an NFC-enabled authentication card for you to learn more about your bag.
Loewe Heel Mini Bag
Versace La Medusa Lavender Metallic Leather Shoulder And Top Handle Bag
Now 61% Off
The Row Womens Braided Small Double Circle Handbag Black White Leather
Now 61% Off
What Goes Around Comes Around
Known for: High-fashion secondhand shopping experience.
Price Range: Under $500-$10,000
WGACA is one of Los Angeles and New York City’s most beloved vintage stores. It makes sense, then, that it’s frequented by celebs like Beyoncé and the Kardashians, who love the tight edit of well-kept Chanels, Guccis, and Saint Laurents of designers’ pasts. It feels like shopping from someone’s (really good) personal closet, in pristine condition. These high standards mean you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
Louis Vuitton Blue Epi Vinyl Lagoon Bay Mini
Prada Pink Calfskin Bowler Crossbody
Fendi Blue Leather Fendista Crossbody
Burberry Grey House Check Canvas Shimmer Stowell Roll-Up Tote
Fashionphile
Known for: High customer satisfaction.
Price Range: Under $200-$2,000+
Founded in 1999, Fashionphile originally started off selling high-end items on eBay before it became the luxury resale giant it is today. You can buy and sell on its sleek site simultaneously, meaning you can use your credit to fuel your continuing fashion addiction. If you happen to be in California, its three real-life stores are not to be missed; for city dwellers, there’s a newly opened 60,000-square-foot HQ in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. Fashionphile also partnered with Neiman Marcus, redefining the resale industry as an inclusive experience, dubbing the venture as a new strategy for “re-commerce.”
3.1 Phillip Lim Textured Calfskin Mini Pashli Satchel Cerulean
Now 53% Off
Valentino Garavani Metallic Nappa Medium Rockstud Spike Shoulder Bag Silver
Now 15% Off
Mansur Gavriel Lambskin Cloud Clutch White
Now 59% Off
Marc Jacobs Calfskin Quilted Stam Light Yellow
Now 34% Off
Yoogi’s Closet
Known for: Professionally examined goods.
Price Range: $150-$15,000
There’s always something new to browse over at Yoogi’s Closet. The authenticating process involves sellers sending in bags, which are then examined and photographed before the team posts them on the site for you to shop. This site is known for top-notch customer service, so you can be certain you’re in good hands.
Proenza Schouler Beige Leather Fringe PS1 Medium Satchel Bag
Celine Pink Smooth Leather Mini Ava Shoulder Bag
Bottega Veneta Red/Pink Leather Studded Floral Applique Bag
Alexander McQueen Burgundy Calfskin Leather Medium Padlock Zip Tote Bag
The Luxury Closet
Known for: A wide-range of pieces and global reach.
Price Range: $90-$50,000+
With discounts of up to 90 percent off retail value, you don’t want to miss out on The Luxury Closet. Based in Dubai, the retailer focuses on everything from designer shoes, clothing, and, notably, handbags—you can find it all! Specifically, peep the wide-ranging selection, from classic LVs to Gucci’s collaboration with Comme des Garçons.
Bottega Veneta Brown Intrecciato Leather New Ball Hobo
Now 20% Off
Celine Light Blue Leather Blade Flap Shoulder Bag
Now 41% Off
Coach Beige Strawberry Print Signature Coated Canvas 22 Mollie Bucket Bag
Alexandre Vauthier Women’s Leather Cross Body Bag – Black
Grailed
Known for: Peer-to-peer business model.
Price Range: $50-$5,000+
The latest peer marketplace for die-hard and casual style enthusiasts alike, Grailed is a one-stop shop for resale fashion (handbags and beyond). All listings are assessed, authenticated, and stamped as such before they hit the feed—this way, you know that the item you’re buying has not only been fully reviewed but also offers purchase protection. As an extra layer of security, any ‘high-risk’ items (highly sought-after designers or particularly pricey styles) are also required to have photos with authenticity indicators included in the sale posting.
Gucci Authentuc Gucci GG Supreme Hobo Shoulder Bag
Now 35% Off
Vivienne Westwood Handle Bag
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