Vintage handbags are new again. Just look around, they are everywhere.
They were the talk of the fashion industry when many ‘A list’ celebrities were seen toting vintage handbags,
gowns and accessories at this years Emmy Awards.
Buying vintage designer handbags is a great way to broaden your handbag
collection. There are thousands to choose from and can sometimes be bought for pennies on the dollar. But
when is a vintage handbag right for you, and what makes a bag vintage and not just used?
You will need to determine if the new women handbags you are in the market
for will be used frequently or are you more interested in the bag as a collectable. There is no harm in
wanting to use a vintage handbag, how else are you and your impeccable sense of fashion going to be the topic
at this years Christmas party, but it is important to buy a bag that will hold up to the challenge. So make
sure you follow some simple guidelines when purchasing your new vintage handbag.
Only buy from a reputable dealer. Many of your questions can be
answered and your worries set to ease when you know the dealer has done their homework and has a reputation
of being honest and fair.
Obviously, anything that you use often must be made to last. Do not
buy a handbag that is worn or stained more then a little. Some ’wear and tear’ can add mystique, but too much
damage only looks used. Handbags can be restored and repaired, but it is highly unlikely you would want to go
to all the trouble of having a handbag repaired, only to use it on a daily basis. Also, although most people
would not be able to tell the bag had been repaired, repairing a bag greatly decreases it open market
value.
Understand what you are paying for. Vintage handbags are given value
not only for their popularity of past and current times, but also for workmanship. This can include things
such as the clasping mechanism. Your biggest concern might be that the handbag close properly, but you could
pay top price because the bag you are eyeing happens to have the first magnetic closure ever used on a
designer bag. If you happen to find these types of things interesting then this is the bag for you. But if
you are more interested in the appearance of a handbag, you might not want to pay this much for a piece of
ingenuity and history.
Prices for vintage designer cute handbags can range from less then a
hundred to several thousand. The price depends on condition, uniqueness, design, rarity, condition,
adornments (beading), the material from which the bag is made and age.
When shopping online for vintage designer fabric handbags, try using
different search words: purse, handbags, vintage purses, vintage designer handbags, clutch purses, lunch box
purses, cigar box purses and so on. Also look for an online boutique that offers great detail on the items
they sell. A good description of the bag, estimated age and a full list of any flaws should be provided. It
is essential that the retailer offer a money back guarantee.
A vintage handbag is right for you if you want genuine GUCCI or Hermes
leather bag at a great price and couldn’t afford one new. Nobody has to know that it is vintage, but everyone
will be wondering where you got it.