The holiday season is upon us, which means that the season of finding the perfect gift for everyone you know is well underway. While this time of year may come with some stress and worry about remembering everyone on your gift list and the correct dress code for each holiday soiree, gift shopping has always been challenging.
Nowadays, you can shop for gifts in your pajamas and be comfy at home. Plus, you can always shop for second-hand items. It might not be your go-to shopping method, but it is an incredible choice for almost anyone, especially if you are in the luxury and designer goods market.
As experts in that department, we have compiled this handy guide on all things designer second-hand. We answer some commonly asked questions and give you the rundown on how and why you should shop preloved this holiday season.
Is it Technically a Regift?
First of all, there is no shame in regifting. If it is something that the person to whom you are giving will love and appreciate, there isn’t anything wrong with it. We are big supporters of environmentally friendly gifting; regifting is a significant part of reducing waste.
Either way, whether you are strictly on the “no regifting” train or not, we don’t think that shopping for a preloved bag is even close to regifting. You are still purchasing something new to you; it was just once loved by someone else. Plus, no one gifted the piece to you; you bought it.
If you are worried about committing a gift giver’s faux pas, take it from us: gifting your loved one pre-owned designer handbags is a safe choice.
Why Should I Buy Pre-Owned?
For many reasons, shopping preowned is a great choice this holiday season. Here are just a few of the reasons why shopping secondhand is the way to go:
Money Saving
The holiday season can be an expensive time. On top of your usual monthly expenses, you now have to shop for your mother, mother-in-law, friends, neighbor Susan, the lady in HR; the list goes on and on. All of that gifting adds up after a while, and while you want to save money, you don’t want to give the people you love in your life terrible gifts. Shopping second hand gives you access to high-quality gifts at far more affordable prices.
Planet Friendly
Shopping for pre-loved goods is not only a gift for your friends and a gift for your wallet, but it is also one of the best gifts you can give the planet. Shopping for second-hand items keeps goods out of landfills and prevents CO2 emissions from being released into the atmosphere. Few things in life give you a win on three fronts, but shopping for gifts second-hand is one of them.
Unique Finds
Shopping in the second-hand luxury market is a fantastic choice if you are looking for incredibly unique items or products no longer available from fashion houses. You can find limited-edition runs of unique handbags or vintage items that are stunning and trending but are no longer sold.
How Do I Shop Second Hand Luxury?
Shopping secondhand can be daunting, but shopping for preloved designer bags, especially as a gift, can be overwhelming without the proper guidance. Thankfully, we happen to be experts in the task and are here to help you every step of the way.
Know Your Recipient
As with any gift-giving endeavor, you should try to know what the receiver of your gift likes and dislikes. Especially when it comes to luxury purses and accessories, spending a lot of time with them and observing their personal style, or even committing some lighthearted Instagram and Facebook stalking, might help you figure out what their personal style is and what pieces they may benefit from.
If you always see them in gold jewelry, getting them something in silver is likely not the best choice. If they tend to gravitate toward muted and understated tones, a neon handbag shouldn’t be what you move to. Just knowing the person you are gifting to is half of the battle in the gift-giving game.
Luxury vs. Vintage vs. Retro
Deciding what direction you want to take will most likely be informed by what you gather about your loved ones' style. Those with a more classic style will likely love a vintage piece, while your trendy friends and family may love a quirky retro or bold modern piece.
For those looking for a more classic piece, try looking at pre-owned Chanel bags, pre-loved Dior bags, or other legacy fashion houses such as Hermes or Goyard. Finding pieces from these brands from vintage lines, typically anything at least 30 years old or older, is a safe bet. And yes, it hurts us too that 30 years is vintage.
Trendy friends may love pieces from the 90s logomania trends, or early 2000s and 2010s pieces featuring quirky shapes and bright colors. Most houses released pieces like these, but some to look out for would be pre-loved Gucci bags for sale or pre-owned YSL bags. Look for pops of color, fun details, and unique shapes, and you will surely find a piece that your loved one will adore.
Shop Where You Trust
The luxury resale market is full of imitators, scammers, and counterfeiters. You want to ensure that you are paying for the real thing and that your loved one isn't walking around with a “Gussi” or “Channel” bag. While there may be unique and exciting finds on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist, finding used, authentic designer bags is best done by experts in the industry.
At the Purse Ladies, we authenticate each and every piece that comes into our store. Our team of experienced luxury experts knows the ins and outs of designer authentication, and we offer a lifetime authentication guarantee on every one of our products.
Check the Quality
Luxury handbags fetch top-dollar price tags because of their unmatched quality. However, purchasing a second-hand designer bag means you must be cautious about the condition. If you can swing it, look for bags in mint condition or excellent condition and above. You don’t want to give a bargain luxury bag with rips, tears, snags, and stains as a gift.
Luxury resellers such as the Purse Ladies will provide a detailed explanation of the quality of each piece so that you know what you are paying for. Look for something with minimal damage, and if there are any signs of wear and tear, make sure they are in an inconspicuous place.
For the right women with impeccable taste, a pre-loved designer bag can be the best gift to find under the tree on Christmas morning.
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Infographic
Shopping for secondhand designer bags, especially as gifts, can be daunting without proper guidance. Discover how to navigate the world of preloved luxury in this infographic.
