The only thing better than investing in the best designer handbags is finding one at a discounted price. But, easier said than done. Luxury brands like Fendi or Louis Vuitton typically do not mark down products (in order to control brand image and value), and you’ll rarely find a Chanel bag on clearance anywhere in-store. If you aren’t quite ready to take the financial leap on that brand-new Prada Re-Edition you’ve been eyeing for months, try shopping secondhand. This may seem like an obvious, sustainable solution, but the task itself can be daunting.
Whether you’re looking to try out one of the trendiest handbags of the season or want to add a timeless staple to your arsenal, the fear of being scammed is real. “Super fakes” or “triple-A fakes” are almost indistinguishable from authentic luxury goods, and even a pair of trained eyes can be confused by the quality. As scary as that sounds, there are ways to shop smart. We spoke to experts in the field to help navigate the search for your dream bag, including where to shop and helpful tips on how to avoid being duped.
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
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.
Shop more styles from Rebag
Hermès Birkin Sellier 30 Gold Epsom Bag
Now 23% Off
Prada Re-Edition 2005 Shoulder Bag
Christian Dior Lady D-Lite Cannage Embroidered Canvas Bag
Chanel Gabrielle Quilted Tweed Backpack
1stdibs
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.
Shop more styles from 1st Dibs
Tom Ford for Gucci Rare Chain Bag With Studs
Chanel 2.55 Reissue Transparent Bag
Now 24% Off
Pierre Cardin 1970s Gold Metal Clutch
Alexander McQueen Twist Lock Novak Shoulder Bag
StockX
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.”
Shop more styles from StockX
Virgil Abloh x IKEA Medium Bag Brown
Credit: Courtesy
Gucci x Balenciaga The Hacker Project Bag
Balenciaga Year of the Tiger Le Cagole Bag
Fendi x Versace Fendace Nano Baguette Micro Bag
The RealReal
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.
Shop more styles from The RealReal
Brandon Blackwood Braulio Nylon Waist Bag
Now 40% Off
The Row Half Moon Shoulder Bag
Loewe Bicolor Hammock Bag
Telfar Large Shopping Bag
Vestiaire Collective
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.
Shop more styles from Vestiaire Collective
Khaite Leather Mini Bag
Now 20% Off
Coperni Leather Handbag
Now 13% Off
Paco Rabanne Nano 1969 Handbag
Now 10% Off
Re-SEE
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.
Shop more styles from Re-SEE
Bottega Veneta Maxi Cabat 30 Tote Bag
Alaîa Studded Leather Shoulder Bag
Chanel Leo Chevron Jersey Bag
Farfetch
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.
Shop more styles from Farfetch
Chanel Mini Classic Flap Square Shoulder Bag
Hermès Medor 29 Clutch Bag
Christian Dior Saddle Bag
Bag Borrow or Steal
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.
Shop more styles from Bag Borrow or Steal
Louis Vuitton Artsy MM Shoulder Bag
Now 20% Off
Tory Burch Robinson Slouchy Medium Hobo
Now 17% Off
Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Ginny Crossbody Bag
Now 10% Off
Saint Laurent Sac De Jour Small Tote
Now 59% Off
Ebay
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.
Shop more styles from eBay
Christian Dior Embroidered Canvas Book Tote
Chanel Aged Chain CC Flap Quilted Tweed Bag
Loewe Small Raffia Basket Tote
Valentino Garavani Rockstud Flip Lock Bag
What Goes Around Comes Around
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.
Shop more styles from WGACA
Gucci Torchon Marmont Chain Bag Mini
Fendi Metallic Copper Leather Spy Bag
Goyard Goyardine Canvas Bellechasse PM
Louis Vuitton Mandarin Epi Noé Petite NM
Fashionphile
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.”
Shop more styles from Fashionphile
Valentino Roman Stud Handle Bag
Now 31% Off
Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 45
Now 54% Off
Hermes Evercolor Verso Constance 18 Bag
Givenchy Small Cut Out Chain Bag
Now 20% Off
Yoogi’s Closet
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.
Shop more styles from Yoogi’s Closet
Bottega Veneta Calf Leather Arco Tote Bag
Now 49% Off
Balenciaga Le Dix New Cartable S Bag
Now 71% Off
Celine Leopard Print Shearling Soho Clutch
Now 26% Off
Fendi Nylon and Shearling Mini Backpack
The Luxury Closet
With discounts 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.
Shop more styles from The Luxury Closet
Chloe C Double Carry Top Handle Bag
Bvlgari Quilted Serpenti Forever Shoulder Bag
Hermes Kelly Retourne 28 Bag
Louis Vuitton Black Leather Blossom Capucines PM Bag
Grailed
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.
Shop more styles from Grailed
Gucci Vintage Flap Crossbody
Bottega Veneta The Chain Fur Tote Bag
Stella McCartney Vegan Falabella Mini Shoulder Bag
The Row Circle Suede Leather Handbag
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.
