I am a handbag addict. I’m completely addicted to the experience of buying and enjoying second hand designer handbags. My weaknesses is Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. And then everyone else. I love the feeling of having a handbag make a whole outfit, and sometimes that means styling an entire outfit around one!
Purchasing designer these days is more expensive than ever. With costs rising on classic items nearly each year (like the Chanel Double Flap), and the cost of everything these days feeling overwhelming, the opportunity we have as consumers to make better purchasing decisions is paramount. By purchasing designer bags second hand you’re able to get incredible prices on items you might not otherwise be able to afford or want to spend the money on, and you get to purchase sustainably, thereby reducing the demand on new items. Look at you!
Every handbag needs a home, and it’s so fun to be able to adopt these little creatures. But what’s more fun is supporting small female-owned businesses that create sustainable flywheels for luxury consumers. These shops buy and sell designer handbags to addicts like myself. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to source a handbag that has been on your wishlist or discover a vintage piece you’ve never seen before, but what these shops also offer is the ability to consign and send your little handbag lovies into the world.
Second hand designer bags and sustainability
There has been a trend of a decrease in spending by consumers, especially in the past year–they’re spending less on brand new luxury goods and more on second hand. Lauren Sherman at Puck news was just quoted saying “Luxury goods are slowly but surely losing their cachet as they’ve become “democratized,” with more consumers able to access them via the secondhand market, discounting, and the expansion of what is defined as a luxury good.” There has also been an important trend of creative directors leaving the major fashion houses and it’s hard not to speculate that this change in consumer behavior, in China, and in other parts of the world like the US and in the EU, is creating more of a demand for second hand designer shops.
While there are many places to buy luxury goods second hand, it can be tough to find places that you can trust that have authenticity for their bags and who are really focused on sustainability. My top recommendations for shopping for luxury consignment and especially second hand designer bags is The Refind Closet, Select Vintage, and Nicole Cripe Style.
The Refind Closet
The place to go for all items in your wardrobe. Get your next going out or special event look, find your favorite pair of jeans, or snag that designer handbag you’ve had your eye on.
Instagram: @the_refindcloset
Website: https://therefindcloset.com/
If you read my Love letter to The Refind Closet you already know about my obsession. The Refind is located in Seattle Washington, but most of us know them for their permanent location on Instagram, by way of lives that happen six days a week (and twice on Wednesdays now…like what?!). While you can find ready to wear items from favorites like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Jaquemus, Ganni, and literally everyone else, my guilty pleasure is buying and consigning handbags with them. From new to vintage Hermès Birkins to Chanel Double Flaps and well-loved Gucci Jackies, I cannot get enough of their inventory. Not to mention all the women who work there are so kind and excited by what they do and have truly created the most incredible online community. Come hang out with me everyday on their lives, and especially on Handbag Fridays!
Select Vintage
Find the most interesting pieces that are sourced with so much love and care. In addition to finding rare designer handbags I love their selection of vintage blazers (like Ralph Lauren) and button ups.
Instagram: @selectvintagenyc
Website: https://selectvintage.com/
I’m fairly confident I stumbled upon Select Vintage NYC through Soco, the fabulous daughter of one of the owners of The Refind Closet. What I love about this shop is the unique pieces they source; on a weekly basis I see things I didn’t even know existed. Classic Louis Vuitton shoulder bags in denim that I didn’t know even came in denim, Gucci monogrammed micro bags in the prettiest colors, and well-loved classic Chanel bags with 24 karat gold plated that I can’t find anywhere else! What is so fantastic about Select Vintage is their range of prices. There are times when you can get a second hand Ralph Lauren blazer for less than $300, and the aforementioned Gucci bag for less than $800 (from my own purchase history!). I love being able to shop responsibility, which is something they pride themselves in. In their own words they believe “vintage is the future. Our mission is to incorporate sustainability practices alongside searching for the best vintage pieces around the globe.” They are also carbon neutral and are able to provide carbon neutral shipping to all of us ladies around the country!
Nicole Cripe Style
The place to go for chic style and taste. Every luxury handbag you purchase will be super high quality so you can always trust Nicole to get you the best of the best second hand!
Instagram: @nicolecripestyle
Website: https://nicolecripestyle.com/
Nicole is such a gem of a human and is such a great face for her brand–representing genuine kindness to her clients and enthusiasm for the items that she sources and sells. She even does a little champagne toast during her lives every other Wednesday evening when someone makes a purchase. What is so fun about Nicole’s brand is the breadth of designer handbags that she sources. In my opinion she really excels at finding new or new-like bags that are current and hardly to gently used. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to find unique pieces or keep an eye out for a bag that you’ve seen on the street or on your fav celeb online. She does previews for her lives and really walks through all the items that she sources biweekly. There’s usually a little reward for those of us who hang out for the whole live (do it and you’ll see) and it’s just so fun to hang out with her and her assistants/friends/fabulous people!
Please go give these businesses some love. One of my favorite things about my business, but also just something that I have always loved doing for friends and family is being able to highlight and share my favorite things–especially when those include where to shop! You say a lot by what you spend your money on and how, and if you’re here you’re probably at least a little obsessed with fashion and designer items, and these three women-owned businesses are my favorite places to buy second hand bags! But honestly, you can find everything you need for your entire wardrobe beyond just handbags between The Refind, Select Vintage, and Nicole Cripe. So get to it lady!
