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.

Hermès Birkin Sellier 30 Gold Epsom Bag

Now 23% Off

Re-Edition 2005 Shoulder Bag

Prada Re-Edition 2005 Shoulder Bag

Lady D-Lite Cannage Embroidered Canvas Bag

Christian Dior Lady D-Lite Cannage Embroidered Canvas Bag

Gabrielle Quilted Tweed Backpack

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.

Rare Chain Bag With Studs

Tom Ford for Gucci Rare Chain Bag With Studs

2.55 Reissue Transparent Bag

Chanel 2.55 Reissue Transparent Bag

Now 24% Off

1970s Gold Metal Clutch

Pierre Cardin 1970s Gold Metal Clutch

Twist Lock Novak Shoulder Bag

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.”

Medium Bag Brown

Virgil Abloh x IKEA Medium Bag Brown
Credit: Courtesy

The Hacker Project Bag

Gucci x Balenciaga The Hacker Project Bag

Year of the Tiger Le Cagole Bag

Balenciaga Year of the Tiger Le Cagole Bag

Fendace Nano Baguette Micro 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.

Braulio Nylon Waist Bag

Brandon Blackwood Braulio Nylon Waist Bag

Now 40% Off

Half Moon Shoulder Bag

The Row Half Moon Shoulder Bag

Bicolor Hammock Bag

Loewe Bicolor Hammock Bag

Large Shopping 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.

Leather Mini Bag

Khaite Leather Mini Bag

Now 20% Off

Leather Handbag

Coperni Leather Handbag

Now 13% Off

Nano 1969 Handbag

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.

Maxi Cabat 30 Tote Bag

Bottega Veneta Maxi Cabat 30 Tote Bag

Studded Leather Shoulder Bag

Alaîa Studded Leather Shoulder Bag

Leo Chevron Jersey 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.

Mini Classic Flap Square Shoulder Bag

Chanel Mini Classic Flap Square Shoulder Bag

Medor 29 Clutch Bag

Hermès Medor 29 Clutch Bag

Saddle 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.

Artsy MM Shoulder Bag

Louis Vuitton Artsy MM Shoulder Bag

Now 20% Off

Robinson Slouchy Medium Hobo

Tory Burch Robinson Slouchy Medium Hobo

Now 17% Off

Vara Ginny Crossbody Bag

Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Ginny Crossbody Bag

Now 10% Off

Sac De Jour Small Tote

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.

Embroidered Canvas Book Tote

Christian Dior Embroidered Canvas Book Tote

Aged Chain CC Flap Quilted Tweed Bag

Chanel Aged Chain CC Flap Quilted Tweed Bag

Small Raffia Basket Tote

Loewe Small Raffia Basket Tote

Garavani Rockstud Flip Lock Bag

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.

Torchon Marmont Chain Bag Mini

Gucci Torchon Marmont Chain Bag Mini

Metallic Copper Leather Spy Bag

Fendi Metallic Copper Leather Spy Bag

Goyardine Canvas Bellechasse PM

Goyard Goyardine Canvas Bellechasse PM

Mandarin Epi Noé Petite NM

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.”

Roman Stud Handle Bag

Valentino Roman Stud Handle Bag

Now 31% Off

Monogram Keepall 45

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 45

Now 54% Off

Evercolor Verso Constance 18 Bag

Hermes Evercolor Verso Constance 18 Bag

Small Cut Out Chain 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.

Calf Leather Arco Tote Bag

Bottega Veneta Calf Leather Arco Tote Bag

Now 49% Off

Le Dix New Cartable S Bag

Balenciaga Le Dix New Cartable S Bag

Now 71% Off

Leopard Print Shearling Soho Clutch

Celine Leopard Print Shearling Soho Clutch

Now 26% Off

Nylon and Shearling Mini Backpack

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.

C Double Carry Top Handle Bag

Chloe C Double Carry Top Handle Bag

Quilted Serpenti Forever Shoulder Bag

Bvlgari Quilted Serpenti Forever Shoulder Bag

Kelly Retourne 28 Bag

Hermes Kelly Retourne 28 Bag

Black Leather Blossom Capucines PM 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.

Vintage Flap Crossbody

Gucci Vintage Flap Crossbody

The Chain Fur Tote Bag

Bottega Veneta The Chain Fur Tote Bag

Vegan Falabella Mini Shoulder Bag

Stella McCartney Vegan Falabella Mini Shoulder Bag

Circle Suede Leather Handbag

The Row Circle Suede Leather Handbag
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