My Small (But Growing) Vintage Accessory Collection
There’s something about a good vintage find. Carrie Bradshaw loved them, and so do I!
I find many vintage items to be of really great quality, sometimes better than newer styles, and I love the already broken-in feeling of a vintage item that’s been well cared for.
Buying vintage items is also a great way to save money on luxury items. Many luxury brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton continue to produce the same styles they have had for ages, they are considered classics and will never go out of style. If you purchase an LV Speedy, no one will know that you didn’t get it new, they just see, and love, your bag! Also, many brands are reintroducing older styles thereby making the vintage items popular again. For example, the Dior Saddlebag and the Fendi Baguette, which were both popular in the early 2000’s, are now being brought back and people are scrambling to find vintage ones to add to their wardrobe!
So where do you find these items and how do you know they are real? Well, there are online resellers on eBay, buy/sell/trade groups, resale and vintage shops, and websites like Tradesy or TheRealReal. I highly encourage getting items authenticated through an online authentication service before purchasing to ensure your item is real.
I find that LV and Chanel bags tend to hold their value really well and it’s harder to get a “deal” on those items, but you can still save a significant amount of money buying preloved items over new. I also find that outside of Louboutin, most luxury shoe brands do not have a high resale value and are totally worth buying preloved if you can find them in new or barely used condition. I cannot wear shoes that have someone else’s toe prints in them and I like to wipe down any shoes I buy second-hand.
Here are a few of the items I have acquired thus far!:
My Vintage Dior Saddlebag
I ALWAYS wanted one of these. But in the early 2000’s when they were super popular, I was in undergrad and it just wasn’t happening. I’m so glad to have found this one is the classic navy blue Dior monogram with gold hardware. It looks very similar to the new version and is in very good condition!
These Vintage Prada Heels
I spotted these on a Houston high end buy/sell/trade group and snatched them up! They came with the original box and were never worn. The lady told me that while she loved them, she just couldn’t wear heels anymore and they had never been out of the house. I love the chunky heels and thick straps…so fun!
These Stuart Weitzman Wedges
The picture doesn’t do these sandals justice! But they are amazing. So versatile and easy to walk in. These did not come with a box or anything, but they had only been worn once and were in near perfect condition. I love these with summer dresses and shorts! I got these on Poshmark.
My Favorite Stuart Weitzman Booties
My First LV Bag
My LV Musette Tango
This was one of those vintage bags that everyone raved about and I just didn’t get it until I had it! I love the snap closure and the size is perfect. It actually has a short shoulder strap, but I just tucked that inside and attached my LV long strap to turn it into a crossbody!
My LV Pochette
Another item I wanted in the early 2000’s and just couldn’t afford at the time. Coincidentally, the date code on this bag is 2001! This is the bag I take to concerts, baseball games, etc. because it is big enough to carry the essentials, but small enough to not weigh me down or get me searched!
That about rounds it up guys! There are still items I want to add to my collection including some vintage Fendi and Gucci, and maybe a Chanel one day. All in due time and after plenty of saving!
