Where to buy second-hand bags? - The Sourceity

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your closet or invest in an item you know will have a high resale value, buying a luxury handbag is a great option. That being said, designer handbags are notorious for having a high price tag and committing to one can be intimidating. There’s also very little opportunity to find them at a discount as luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel won’t often reduce their prices in effort to hold a high standard for their reputation. If you find yourself lost in this cycle, buying second hand can be a great option. In fact, of my own personal collection, my vintage finds are my most favoured. What some don’t consider is that because luxury handbags are created with the best materials and craftsmanship, they’re made to last a lifetime. It’s also a great way to find unique or rare styles that set you apart from the rest. 

 Do your homework or, let us do it for you. 

A big concern with shopping second hand can be the authentication process. A collector’s nightmare is the dreaded “Fucci” (aka fake Gucci), so whether you’re shopping for your first piece or looking to add to an already impressive collection, the concern of getting scammed is real. In today’s world everyone is trying to develop a “dupe” for the real thing. At The Sourceity we’ve removed the worry by developing a multi step authentication process so you can shop with confidence. Firstly, we source from reputable places where often bags have already been assessed by trained professionals. Once we have the bag in hand, we then authenticate extensively again in-house. Lastly, it gets assessed by a third party for the final step of authentication. This way, there are more than one set of eyes on your bag before it gets to you. We like to give complete transparency regarding condition, description and any flaws we think the bag may have. Have more questions? We pride ourselves in being quick to respond to your inquiries and are more than happy to chat with you further. 

What goes around, comes around. 

We know fashion is always cyclical, so what was once old is always new again. This is what makes shopping with The Sourceity so ideal. Obsessed with the Dior Saddle Bag or the Gucci Jackie? The vintage versions of those bags can be so similar and come at a fraction of the price. Not only are you opting for a more affordable and unique version, you’re also reducing your carbon footprint. Did you know that the fast fashion industry generates 100 billion garments each year and is one of the top polluting industries in the world? By shopping vintage you’re doing your part to contribute to the sustainability movement. 

Know your bag’s value

Knowing the value of your bags is important. If you’ve ever heard that a Birkin costs more than a car, in some cases you’d be right. Their resale is also better. Investing in the right timeless pieces is like lining your closet with reassurance, knowing if you ever decide to switch them out or upgrade, their value will hold strong. Because of the popularity of the vintage revival movement, this has re-popularized original vintage pieces, and in turn has increased their worth. At The Sourceity, we are mindful of which bags have the highest resale value and make sure our collection reflects that. Our goal is to curate a selection of investment pieces for our customers. It’s also important to do your own research so you know what you’re investing in. Did you know that the Fendi Baguette and Fendi Mamma Bag retain an average of more than 100% of their value? These are great things to consider when picking a bag to invest in. 

With Chanel raising their prices a whopping 5 times in the last two years, it’s clear that it’s getting more and more unattainable to buy new. They’ve even set a limit to two flap bags per customer every year. Did I need another reason to recommend vintage?!

We hope this guide was helpful to any of you looking to take the leap in investing in a vintage or archived designer bag. Stay tuned for more updates on how to best pick the bag that’s right for you! 

Love,

The Sourceity Team