Happy & Healthy

7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY A VINTAGE DESIGNER BAG

In the mood for a luxury bank but you don’t have 1500 euros to spare? Then there’s a likelihood you’re going to opt for a vintage designer bag. Perfect plan and solution if you ask us, but do keep these things in mind.

1. Check the size

Use rulers if you need too. Ever since I bought an insane Gucci weekend bag only for it to show up being so small it hardly fit through my mailbox, I’ve made sure to double (triple) check everything before I order it.

2. Check the straps

Are they secure? Are they not withered? A couple months ago I thought I had gotten my hands on a great vintage Louis Vuitton bag. So unbelievably beautiful, pair six hundred (!) euros for it. But after a week of intensive use, the strap broke off. Any yes, precisely when I was running in the most uncharming way to catch my bus. So the bag spent a while in my closet not being used, which was not okay. The eternal solution? I had to get beautiful new straps that weren’t all to cheap strapped onto them, which suddenly made the vintage bag cost almost 900 euros. Hmmm. I did it, and the bag is awesome, but it definitely taught me lesson.

3. Be aware that it isn’t an impulse buy

Here is something you might recognize: after you’ve just read Vogue or any other I-have-to-have-it magazine, and you have to have that new designer bag. Even when you don’t have 1500 to spare. Well, before you know it you’ll find yourself surfing the web for vintage bags and whoops, you’ve just placed an offer. All the while you haven’t even considered if you really even like the brand and want the bag. Is the bag really worth it? And doesn’t it actually look quite a lot like the bag you bought last week? Three hundred euros isn’t pocket change.

”Is the bag really worth it? And doesn’t it actually look quite a lot like the bag you bought last week?”

4. Check the price

Is it secretly still on the high end? Sometime you’ll think you’ve gotten a great deal because you’re on an official vintage designer site or store, but don’t let their prices prevail you. Everyone always sets their stakes high.

5. Is it comfortable?

This sounds hopelessly old fashioned but believe me: if a bag isn’t comfortable, you aren’t going to wear it. Crazy right? Ask/measure the size of the strap to see if it’ll be comfortable on your shoulder. Do it. It doesn’t mean you are annoying.

6. Check the corners and clasps

Because a bag has a tendency of looking worn out if these are damaged.

7. Is it a classic or an it-bag?

One which is hot for a season (or was!). It’s a smart thing if you ask yourself what kind of bag you plan on bringing home. And even if the bag itself doesn’t cost too much, it’s still a shame if you score a bag which you really can’t parade around with a couple of months later. Or do you disagree?

P.S.: These are six types of shoes every woman should own.

Written by: Renske Hoff