In the age of fab Instagram girls with baller budgets, it may seem intimidating to fashionably stand out from the crowd. As the price of designer items has substantially increased (i.e. Chanel bags), so has the popularity of the resale market. For a lower cost, fashion girls can now score pieces from their favorite designers in stores and online at resale shops. Not only is it wallet friendly, but also eco-friendly. Think of it as a high-class second-hand store where the pieces are hand selected for the fashion crowd. After visiting the Paris flea markets last fall, I started to become more interested in vintage designer bags. My interest soon turned into an addiction as I would be scrolling for hours through the internet trying to search for my next perfect purchase. I kind of have a rule whenever I thrift shop, an item must "speak to me" in order to buy it and the same rules apply here. I tend to shop by gut rather than looking for specific items (which can be bad). However, every once in a while, I am hankering over a certain item that I like, or want to try out a new brand, but can't afford to buy it new. There are now so many resale designer sites online that it is difficult to choose which one to shop. After this last year learning the tricks of the trade of the designer retail business, here is a list of my favorite spots to shop.
Disclaimer: This option is not budget friendly. This one is at the top of the list mainly because of the exquisite vintage items that they find. The bags are in near perfect condition and are almost too pretty to touch. I visited the store in New York last spring and I was amazed by the rustic chic interior and inspiring designer pieces. If you need a place to shop in New York, this is definitely worth the visit. My mom's boutique, Marie's Boutique, also recently started carrying these bags in her store and we were blown away by the quality of each bag that we got. However, with quality comes a steep price. Still slightly less than retail, this is the spot to hit if you want a designer bag without any wear and tear. The quality is truly unmatched to any other source.
Vintage Chanel Bags at Marie's Boutique:
One of the first resale websites that I discovered, this site is a one-stop shop for resale clothing, bags, fine jewelry, and even art. Their collection is so big that you need to be willing to look through a lot of pages if you don't have a specific item that you are looking for. However, this increases your chances of stumbling upon something unique. They also are always having featured sales which is helpful if you are shopping on a budget. The Real Real is my favorite online store to shop for resale designer clothing. In my opinion, the selection cannot be compared to any other website. Some of my purchases have included a 2001 collection Chanel jacket, an Isabel Marant blazer and a leopard Dolce & Gabanna corset dress. My advice for tackling this website: patience, tea, and a free Saturday night.
Isabel Marant Blazer:
Chanel jacket:
Some Pieces to shop on the site now:
3. Tradesy
This is a good source if you are shopping for designer items on a budget, specifically bags. The prices tend to be less than The Real Real, however, you pay for the quality here. If you are fine with a little damage, then you will be able to find an item at a great price. But if you want a bag in perfect condition, this is not the place. That being said, most of the pieces on this site are still very good quality. I bought a Dior Saddle Bag on here for $85 that had slight discoloration, but overall in very good condition. This website is set up by individual sellers who sell items on commission. I'd recommend shopping with recognized sellers who have a large closet and many sales because they will have the best selection. Some of the best shops include Marque Supply and Abbey R.
Dior saddle bag from Tradesy:
I discovered this Instagram page from the blogger We Wore What and it is now one of my favorite accounts to follow. Even if I am not looking to buy anything at the moment, this account is one of the first that I search for when I am flipping through Instagram. They have a website but mainly sell from their Instagram page, constantly posting about new arrivals. Their selection is very unique (think LV fanny packs, Fendi crewneck sweatshirts, monogram caps and other rare items), but they will also search for an item if you are looking for something in particular. This account is also convenient because you don't need to search through pages and pages on a resale website to find something because items just automatically pop on your feed. But just a warning: you may have to resist trying to buy all their pieces like me.
Fendi bag from TNYC:
5. Ebay
I hesitated to put this on the list, but I have actually found some great designer bags from here. Going on Ebay seems a little passé, but it is the best place to score a designer item for super cheap. I bought two Fendi baguette bags for $80 and $120 that are both in great condition. However, with the low prices also comes the time commitment for searching for quality pieces and the risk of buying fake items. Unlike other resale websites, the items are not subject to quality standards and are not checked for authenticity beforehand. That being said, if you receive a fake item that is advertised as real, Ebay will help you get your money back, but it is a huge hassle. My recommendation for shopping on Ebay: search for a specific item or designer that you are looking for and be sure to read the seller's reviews before bidding. It is best to buy from an experienced seller just to be safe.
Fendi bags from Ebay:
Some other tips for shopping resale:
1. Enjoy the hunt and take the time to browse through these websites to happen upon a neat item. I always say that something has to "speak to me" before I buy it. If time commitment isn't your thing...
2. Search multiple websites for a specific item or designer that you like.
3. Check all the pictures carefully for the condition of the item. If you are unsure about the quality, ask the seller for more pictures.
4. Research the current retail price of the item you are interested in (or similar) and compare.
5. Resale prices are based on designer and condition. Better quality = a higher price.
6. Like me, consider starting a vintage bag collection. Buy a special piece from one of these sources every once in a while to grow your luxury bag collection.
Other great resale sources:
Eleven Consignment Boutique in New York
Marie's Boutique in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
The Outnet (not resale, but a good website to buy discount designer)