Tips for scoring designer bags for way less: Tested and tried

If you’re not new to the luxury world, you know that handbags are the most coveted pieces. Also, they have higher chances of retaining their retail value over time. So, here are the best tips for scoring designer bags for way less.

Don’t get me wrong though. I love designer pieces whether bags or outfits. My favorite dress from R.G Kane is a vibe always. Also, a cute hoodie from Marc Jacobs is top of my wish list. I am a logo mania and about craftmanship, so yes, I love the hoodie. This will be linked below.

Saving on designer pieces has always been my way to shop them. I don’t like the prices of designer pieces because it way above my tax bracket. And the now with the recent price increases by Chanel, Louis Vuitton among other is quite discouraging. Don’t get me wrong, the price is justified due to the inflation, yet it makes them more unaffordable.

So, I had to figure out ways to get these designer pieces for cheaper. If you’d love to hear this tips, read on.

Tips for scoring designer bags for way less

Here are my tested and tried tips for scoring designer bags for way cheaper. Like I said, the focus is on designer bags is because of the value they retain. Check out my post on classic designer bags that are great investment pieces in 2024.

Shop sales

Sales is one of the best time to shop for designer bags. You can get designer handbags up to 70% off during the sales. So, if you have a wish list, buy items from this wish list when it goes on sale.

Typically brands that the List, Coach outlet, the outlet offers designer bags for huge sales. This could be during the summer sales, New year eve sales, Winter sales or blow out. One of the best ways to shop sales is to sign up for the newsletter of these websites. You will definitely be notified when these items go on sales or if there is a sale going on.

My first designer bag purchase is a Michael Kors Saffiano leather Jet set bag. It is a pastel pink bag that is super fun and chic. I shopped it from therealreal for about 70% off. That was steal along with my store credit. This brings me to the next point, shop pre-loved.

Pre-loved or second-hand stores.

It is easy to fall into the harms of fraud online. So, I will recommend you shop from Verified second hand designer brand stores. I have written a post on the best second hand designer online stores to shop.

There are so many brands online that claim to sell designer brands but sell counterfeits to shoppers. So, if you’re new to shopping designer brands, they may take advantage of you. I’d rather shop dupes vs counterfeits. Then I know I am shopping the lookalike and not a fake.

Shop from brands that take their time to authenticate this products before selling to you. Brands like therealreal, Fashionpile, Rebag, Farfetched pre-loved, Coach Pre-loved, Maison De Fashion or vintage among others. With the craze for vintage pieces this year, this is best time to shop pre-loved pieces.

Sadly, the prices have gone for pre-loved or vintage pieces. If you don’t know, vintage style is one of the 2024 fashion trends every IT girl is in on. Yet, if you’re patient, you will still get a good deal on your favorite vintage piece on the market.

Avoid shopping Classic colors

Another of the best tips for scoring designer bags for way less is for going for less classic colors. Classic colors are neutral colors like black, white, grey and brown. Many will definitely gravitate to these neutral colors for bags. And you know the law of demand and its implication on prices.

Invariably vibrant colors are less sought and cheaper too. So, go for other chic colors asides the classic colors. Also check out my post on handbag colors that never go out of style for inspiration.

Authenticity is Key

It is easy to fall for the trap of counterfeits. This is because many designer brands especially the “IT” bags have counterfeits. And many of these counterfeits offer it at a low price range. So, you may assume it is a steal and later find out its fake.

How can tell authenticity of these bags? I highly recommend you go to an expert. Also, buy from brands that are verified and tried. When shopping for second hand designer bags, go to brands that does the authentication already as listed above.

If you are unable to do this but found a site like e-bay or Etsy that sells designers but doesn’t authenticate, you need this tips.

1. Check for the serial numbers: That is what I look out for when shopping designer bags from a random site. DO you research online on where to see this serial numbers. If it is an instagram brand as for pictures or videos that capture this serial number
2. Ask for extra pictures
3. Pay attention to details: You may get Prado bag in place of Prada bag. Michael Kors or Michael Michael kors is the same brand but check the spelling.
4. Be patient
5. Don’t be deceived by the price: These brands that sell fakes wants you to buy from them using any gimmick. You many will say if the price is close to the retail price, then it is real. Darling, never the case. I saw a tory burch bag online for a price that seems reasonable for second hand but girl, it is was a counterfeit.

Comment below other tips for scoring designer bags for way less you have applied that worked. Which of these tips will you be applying to get your first budget friendly designer bags. Ciao.