Three Tips to Score Designer Bags + Shoes for Less

From the very start of my handbag obsession, I’ve had to pick up tricks to score designer pieces for less and I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Read on for three tips plus a bonus thought to get the item you’re coveting:

Tip #1: Shop the Online Sales

There are key sales throughout the year I’ve learned to wait for. If I have a bag in mind that I’m interested in, I check for sales around major holidays at sites like Matchesfashion, Netaporter, SSENSE, Farfetch and Shopbop. I’ve gotten my best deals in November online around Black Friday. I usually find the best deals on many designer items like Saint Laurent and Chloe during these sales.

I’ve scored beautiful designer bags that aren’t on sale anywhere else just by signing up for e-newsletters, checking all sale emails and moving quickly. I also visit some of these sites frequently to watch for unexpected sales and price drops.

You can also shop online designer outlets like The Outnet, Barney’s Warehouse or others.

Tip #2 Shop Secondhand

I prefer shopping secondhand for bags like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Chanel because I can’t afford it brand new and Louis Vuitton because some of the bags I want are in high demand and virtually impossible to buy from the store.

I love Classic Coco for Chanel purchases (I’ve also bought a couple Chanel bags from eBay (one from Shop E-Drop Off) and Bella Bag which totally screwed me over and I heard they’re no longer in business) so it’s important to research who you buy from and make sure they’re reputable.

Classic Coco was a recommendation to me from a friend and she was incredibly easy to work with. She kept her eye out for the boy bag I wanted and within a couple months, she had it and I bought it! Classic Coco is my top recommendation if you’re looking for Chanel specifically.

I’ve bought from Fashionphile too and had a wonderful experience–they have  a huge selection of handbags, plus some shoes, jewelry and accessories too.

You can also check out the clothing resale app Poshmark and they authenticate designer purchases and will advise you against the purchase if they deem it fake or not matching the description.

Tip #3 Watch Seller Social Media Accounts

For a great mix of new or like new designer items, I love Julia Rose Boston on Instagram. I’m addicted to her Instagram Stories sharing new arrivals! Her items are almost always less than retail and if they’re not, it’s because the item is in high demand and one of the few on sale (like Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis go for more than retail since it’s virtually impossible to buy new.) She sells a mix of new and used items including bags, leather accessories, jewelry, scarves and shoes.

I also recently started following personal shopper Inna Plotkin as she’ll share hot items at Bergdorf Goodman, a mix of handbags and shoes!

There are also private Facebook groups like this one or this one selling Louis Vuitton and other designer items, and I’ve found great items and prices there as well! I find it’s a lot of consignment shop owners sharing pieces and I can check their website first and feel safe with my purchase.

Extra Tip! Saving + Selling to Get the New Bag

I can save up quicker for the bags I want by selling one I own first and putting that towards the purchase. I actually prefer to sell a bag to buy a new bag. This helps manage how much stuff I own and let go of pieces that I am no longer using enough.

I’ve sold my bags to Midtown Authentic, which I didn’t have the best experience with. I’d recommend selling on Facebook or Instagram on your own. Sometimes though it’s still difficult to sell pieces like designers perhaps people aren’t as familiar with.

In these cases, I prefer to use Fashionphile. You snap photos of the bag and share more about the condition and they send you back an offer along with a printable shipping label and cover the cost of shipping. This has been the easiest way for me to sell. I’ve also sold on Poshmark, but it’s a pain in my ass, but it’s always an option!

Did I miss anything? Let me know if you have any tips or tricks to score designer items for less!