What makes a purse vintage

Many were crafted from supple leather or suede and designed to be swung across the body via a long, slender strap. In , Mulberry opened its doors, offering soft suede bags embellished with embroidery and fringing from its Somerset workshop which still stands today. The excess of the s, with its maximalist styling and rampant consumerism, was undoubtedly a decadent time for fashion, and the handbag was the quickest way to communicate your style — especially when replete with look-at-me monograms, glinting hardware and unmissable branding.

Capitalising on the demand for practicality, Miuccia Prada's first bag for the family-run house was coveted throughout the decade. Crafted from nylon — a fabric previously reserved for the Italian army— it was a revelation, complete with a discreet triangle for identification.

Costing more than many leather bags, this nylon creation led people to question their predisposed ideas of luxury, ushering a new era of utilitarian fashion. The s held many definitive bag moments, but few experienced their own pop culture moment as monumental as the Fendi Baguette.

Designed to be slipped neatly under the arm, just like its namesake French loaf, the Fendi Baguette may have been small, but it was designed to make a statement — the supersized FF clasp made sure of that. Spotted on the arms of Naomi Campbell and Madonna and a regular on the small screen thanks to a recurrent role in Sex and the City , the Baguette was perhaps the first bag that a generation of women were willing to spend more than their rent on. The It bag had been born.

Demand quickly outstripped supply, leading to lengthy waiting lists, and since over different iterations have been created — testament to the staying power of this revolutionary silhouette. Cloth Tote Gucci Clutch Bag. Shoulder Bag Hermes Birkin Bag. Shoulder Bag Prada Messenger Purse. Fortunately, many brands especially designer brands have developed their own product identification standards. Pay close attention to these brand compliance criteria.

They can help you to determine if the handbag is authentic. For example, a designer handbag brand might be known for its buttery-soft leather. Evaluate the hardware quality as well. Not surprisingly, there are countless fake designer purses on the market. Some of those purses may have been distressed or otherwise doctored to give them a vintage appearance. This can be a purchase receipt, original box, serial number, or certificate of authenticity.

Buying a vintage or antique purse online can be risky. If you have to buy an antique purse online, be sure to protect yourself! Research the company and its online reputation before making your purchase, and only buy from a reputable source. Ensuring you have an authentic antique or vintage handbag will help you protect your investment, guaranteeing its resale value over time.

With thousands of vintage purses and handbags on the market, determining whether a specific piece has value will take some work. Next, the vintage purse or handbag should make a memorable style statement. Finally, a valuable vintage bag should be in excellent condition considering its age. However, scuffs, stains, tears, ink marks, odors, and worn-looking hardware will certainly bring the price down.

Popular vintage bag materials include leather, Lucite, snakeskin, straw, and vinyl. Also, ensure the interior pockets are in good condition. Be sure to also evaluate the condition of other metal hardware, such as clasps, feet, and zippers. The first is demand and availability. An antique handbag in excellent condition will demand a higher price than the same handbag in poor condition.

The stitching should be straight, the engraving on the hardware should be smooth, and the hardware itself should not look cheap or plastic-y. The zippers can often be a dead giveaway.

All designer brands have zipper brands of choice that they use in all brands, and some make their own zippers and stamp them as such. This is a small detail, but it's one fakes often get wrong. Another store I shop at often is Fashionphile. Proprietor Sarah Davis finds the most notably sought-after bags from vintage to current seasons, and her well-priced boutique also reminds you that designer vintage need not cost you a fortune.

It's tough to find collectibles, so when you do and it's a smart price, jump on it. Keep it in near-pristine condition, and then you can sell it for a nice profit 10 years later.

Keep in mind there is a major difference between a vintage bag and a used bag. It was once the rule that for a bag to be considered officially vintage, it had to be at least 20 years old. Now a bag 10 years or older can be termed vintage. Meanwhile, your Chanel bag from Fall is just a used bag. It won't reach its vintage status until Then again, it could be well worth the wait. Fashionphile's Sarah Davis proves this point. It was up for less than 30 minutes. I posted it on Instagram, and gone!

This is partly because of the quality of the leather workmanship, but also because the hardware used real gold plating. On the two vintage LV examples - the monogram Ellipse bag center and the monogram Alma bag right - you can see how the leather ages and acquires a patina over time. Oftentimes, the best things in life come when you are not looking for them. This is especially the case with vintage designer handbags - few, besides avid collectors, actually set out shopping for a specific vintage handbag.

The more likely circumstance is you are browsing a designer consignment boutique either in store or online and come across something that catches your eye. That said, the most important quality of a vintage bag is its authenticity, so the best place to look is always with a reputable designer reseller that provides an authenticity guarantee - that way, you can rest assured knowing the bag is real.

You never know what treasure you might find. Other Publications. Louis Vuitton. All Designers. We Ship Worldwide.