.product_section .product_form, .product_gallery { opacity: 1; } .multi_select, form .select { display: block !important; } .image-element__wrap { display: none; }

5 Tips in Buying Your First Vintage Luxury Handbag

July 11, 2017 4 min read

Have you ever heard the adage "old is the new trend?" In the world of fashion, there's truth to this. In fact, vintage is coming back like it's here to stay.

If you are a lover of all things vintage, you may already have been saving for your first vintage Hermes Kelly or Chanel Classic flap bag. These iconic vintage luxury handbags are just a few of the timeless fashion pieces every luxury-lover should own. But buying one, like any other luxury purchase, requires serious investment. Luckily, luxury consignment stores make it possible for fashion-lovers on a budget to score vintage designer bags for less.

Chanel colorblock handbag in neutral black and white adds a minimalist vibe to vintage.

Understandably, it can get a little nerve-wracking to purchase your first vintage luxury designer handbag. How do you spot the fake from the real? How much is paying too much even for a pre-loved designer handbag? Can you return it in case you have shopper's remorse? These are only a few of the nagging questions you might be asking as you consider your first-ever vintage luxury handbag purchase.

So how do you ease the worries of vintage luxury shopping? Here are five tips to help you happily bring home your first-ever vintage designer handbag:

1. Do your research.

When it comes to a luxury purchase, it pays to do your due diligence. Research online the history of iconic bags you are planning to purchase. Each piece has a history and soul to it, making it more valuable beyond just its hefty-priced brand name.

By researching each of these iconic bag's history, you'll gain a better appreciation not only of their classic beauty but also of their enduring value.

Step into the bold side with this red Louis VuittonMalesherbes leather bag.

For instance, it's been said that Louis Vuitton's "Speedy" bagwas born after the iconic beauty and Hollywood darling, Aubrey Hepburn, asked the brand to create a scaled-down version of the enormous "Keepall" travel bag. This eventually gave birth to the upscale and trusted day bag.

We have heard of how Hermes created the highly loved Kelly bag, inspired after the royal beauty of Grace Kelly, but did you know how exactly the Birkin bag was born?

2. Expect slight wear and tear.

Because you are buying vintage, you should expect that the handbag would show a little sign of wear and tear. Obviously, you need to steer away from anything with rips, cracks in the leather or broken hardware. Unless you are buying online, inspect the handbag very closely before buying. Ultimately though, be realistic with your expectations when deciding to shop in a luxury consignment store. While "good as new" finds are possible, many pre-loved finds will likely show some age.

In its signature quilted leather, this Chanel crossbody is as functional as it is classic.

3. Look up the handbag's original price and determine how much you are willing to pay.

In order to determine the right value of a vintage purse, find out how much the handbag originally cost. By having it as your baseline for price point, you will be able to determine the worth and value of a vintage luxury handbag.

Be ready to spend though. While pre-loved designer handbags are expectedly cheaper than buying a new one, they could still be at 50 to 70 percent of the original cost. For example, the pre-loved Chanel crossbody bag featured above costs $1,199.99 at coutureusa.com, which is not exactly loose change but more affordable than buying a comparable new Chanel bag that could easily cost $4,000.

This Chanel suede brown bag adds elegance to any after-six ensemble.

4. Inquire about return policies.

As with any purchase, it's best to know in advance a retailer's return policy. Given that buying a vintage luxury handbag is an investment in itself, you want to make sure you covered all bases before you purchase. Most luxury consignment shops have a "final sale" policy, but a few stores, including coutureusa.com, offer a 30-day return policy.

5. Educate yourself on how to spot fake from real.

With so many cheap knock-offs in the market today, it takes a trained eye to spot the real thing. For this reason, it's very important to educate yourself on the tell-tale signs of a cheap knock-off. For instance, authentication experts often suggest you closely inspect the overall craftsmanship. Pay attention to the materials, hallmark stamps and hardware as high-end designer bags often use only high-quality materials. If the materials (e.g. plastic, vinyl, etc.) seem cheap relative to the price point, you may want to investigate further.

When in doubt, it is wise to consult an expert to help you authenticate a vintage luxury handbag. Companies like www.coutureusa.com and www.purseforum.comoffer free authentication services.

For paid authentication services, you may visit:

www.authenticatefirst.com

www.authenticate4u.com

www.caroldiva.com

www.mypoupette.com

www.etincelerauthentications.com

Still apprehensive about buying your first vintage luxury handbag? Contact us with any questions you may have about authentication or brand information, we are here to help!

Let customers speak for us

from 2508 reviews

Beautiful bag in excellent condition

Beautiful bag in excellent condition, exactly as advertised! I’m very happy with my purchase!

Ashleigh

Couture USA

08/02/2026

Louis Vuitton pre loved Aztec in blue

I am very satisfied with my purchase. The bag was more beautiful than I expected. It arrived at her new home very well packaged and pretty quick. This is my second purchase in a month. I have checked on the authenticity of my purchase and there were no red flags. It is an authentic piece. I will purchase from Couture again. Thank you.

Linda M.

Couture USA

07/31/2026

Burberry Purse was everything I expected

Burberry Purse was everything I expected. clean, excellent condition and just the right size.

Susan

Couture USA

07/28/2026

Love this place!

Great place for designer bags!

Linda S.

Couture USA

07/24/2026

Couture USA is my go-to store when I am searching for a luxury designer bag

Couture USA is my go-to store when I am searching for a luxury designer bag. Purchasing is worry-free, all items are 100% authentic. Always fast shipping & great customer service!

Jana

Couture USA

07/22/2026

Smooth Shopping Experience

Super organized store, great specials and helpful staff!

Kourtney B.

Couture USA

07/21/2026

I was very skeptical about purchasing a pre loved designer bag

I was very skeptical about purchasing a pre loved designer bag.
But I was very pleased with my purchase I purchased a Gucci queen margaret and it was much better than I expected. I will purchase again from them. Very trustworthy store. Thank you

Linda M.

Couture USA

07/20/2026

A very exciting and pleasant shopping experience

A very exciting and pleasant shopping experience. Brooke was very knowledgeable and helpful. Very welcoming. We will be back soon. Highly recommend.

Heidi R.

Couture USA

07/17/2026

My first purchase was a breeze from start to finish! I contacted customer support with a shipping

My first purchase was a breeze from start to finish! I contacted customer support with a shipping question, they were quick to respond with a satisfactory resolution. I love that you can become a Couture VIP member & earn points (dollars off) future purchases. I am already looking for my next beautiful bag!

Jana

Couture USA

07/15/2026

Love it!

I LOVE this bag. So functional and versatile.

Louise S.

Odeon MM Bag

06/26/2026

Exceeded Expectation!!

Described as excellent condition, more like almost new!😊

Tiffany

Duo Slingbag

06/26/2026

David Yurman - 7MM Yellow Gold Diamond Stax Chain Link Ring

Love David Yurman love it even more when it’s

Love David Yurman love it even more when it’s discounted❤️❤️

Crystal P.

David Yurman - 7MM Yellow Gold Diamond Stax Chain Link Ring

06/26/2026

Best Boutique In

Best Boutique In Tampa❤️❤️❤️

Crystal P.

Couture USA

06/26/2026

I ordered the Burberry SANDLED and they are in excellent condition

I ordered the Burberry SANDLED and they are in excellent condition . I love them .

Alice T.

Couture USA

06/22/2026

Warning: You’ll Want to Buy Everything in This Store!

If you’re looking for authentic luxury pieces in incredible condition, look no further! I recently purchased a few Louis Vuitton bags from this couture shop, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations.

The selection is amazing, I could honestly spend hours browsing because there are so many beautiful and unique pieces to choose from. Every bag I purchased was in fantastic condition and exactly as described.

What truly sets this shop apart is the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about helping customers find the perfect piece. They made the experience feel personal and enjoyable from start to finish.

I absolutely love my new bags and couldn’t be happier with my purchases. This has quickly become one of my favorite places to shop for luxury fashion, and I will definitely be a repeat customer. Highly recommend!

Julie R.

Couture USA

06/19/2026