5 Tips in Buying Your First Vintage Luxury Handbag
Chanel colorblock handbag in neutral black and white adds a minimalist vibe to vintage.
1. Do your research.
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.
3. Look up the handbag's original price and determine how much you are willing to pay.
4. Inquire about return policies.
5. Educate yourself on how to spot fake from real.
Let customers speak for us
I had a fantastic 1st experience ordering my purse online! Emma was so patient with me and answered all my questions! She was so professional and even showed me what purse looks like by wearing it for me, so made me feel better purchasing since I could see length etc.. Needless to say I love my new purse! 🥰
I have to commend you CoutureUSA! Because you only accept the best of pre-love designer items I get the best of pre-love designer items. I have had so many recent halls from you. That are just top-notch excellent condition. You have a customer for life.
Having lost my vintage John Hardy sterling silver Pali Budda Belly earrings, I was so happy to be able to purchase their replacement with Couture USA. They arrived in excellent condition, better than described.
Every visit is an exceptional experience. The team is intelligent, intuitive, incredibly knowledgeable, and treats every customer with the same level of care whether you're purchasing a Birkin or a wallet. They take the time to truly get to know your style, understand what you love, and even remember the pieces you're working toward adding to your collection, all in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
The store is over an hour from me, and it's absolutely worth the drive. Their recent expansion and redesign have made the shopping experience even better, with beautiful lighting, more inventory, and a thoughtfully organized layout that evolves with the seasons and current trends.
I also love their FB, Instagram and TikTok content. They share educational snippets about leathers, styles, sizes, and luxury brands that help collectors learn while they shop. It's also clear that every bag is carefully hand-selected before joining their inventory, and their pricing is incredibly competitive.
Most importantly, the team is friendly, professional, welcoming, and completely nonjudgmental. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting your luxury journey, they make you feel valued and appreciated. I can't recommend them highly enough. I admire that they are also involved in many local causes and care just as much about their surrounding community. Thank you Couture!!!
Best place to shop on the city of Tampa
I love shopping at couture I find some great bags. I check their site daily. So I don't miss out on what I'm looking for.
I was honestly a little nervous purchasing a pre-loved luxury bag online, but CoutureUSA made the entire experience feel easy and trustworthy. The photos and description were accurate, communication was great, and my bag arrived quickly and packaged really well.
What I appreciated most was that the item looked exactly like I expected when it arrived. There were no surprises, which can definitely be stressful when shopping pre-loved. Overall, the process felt smooth, professional, and genuine. I would definitely shop with them again.
Best places to shop always have great finds with great prices and the experience with everyone in the store like shopping with girlfriends best ever❤️❤️
The staff are very friendly and they have lots of great collection!
Yet another AMAZING find from Couture! I love this store and the staff! This is definitely worth the trip.
I just purchased three items from CoutureUSA that I never even thought I wanted, and fell in love! My first luxury purchase years ago was from CoutureUSA. Not only are their products in excellent condition, their customer service is excellent. I never worry if items are authentic cause they guarantee authenticity.
Love my new LV bucket bag!
My experience with Contour USA was exceptional from start to finish. My David Yurman 10mm Blue Topaz renaissance bracelet arrived in pristine condition and was exactly as described. The entire process felt seamless, professional, and truly reflective of a high-end buying experience. I would absolutely purchase from them again.
The team there was very friendly and fantastic able to answer any questions that I had products and bags are fantastic quality
It is impossible to visit couture USA without buying something special! Love this store and love the ladies that work here!
Couture VIP
Sign up now for exclusive pre-sale alert before anyone else!
+30 OFF your first purchase of $300 or more
