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Top Tips For First-Time Designer Handbag Buyers

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Published
04/09/2019

Designer handbags are highly sought after by fashion savvy fashionistas and celebrities alike. These bags are often pricey but made to last using quality materials and superior craftsmanship. You don't NEED a designer bag, but it sure feels good to own one! If you're going out to purchase your first designer bag, keep the following tips handy:

Find YOUR Perfect Bag

The Internet and gossip magazines are filled with the latest fashion news. It's no surprise that designer purses are featured prominently in fashion photos! Looking at what others consider the latest handbag fashion is a good place to start gathering ideas, but it shouldn't be your only source of inspiration. Many designer bags popular with celebrities are not-so-useful in everyday life. Consider your lifestyle and work from there to choose a design, color and size. A great way to own a unique designer handbag is to go vintage. Visit The Vintage Bar to find your perfect handbag.

Do the Research!

As a first-time designer bag shopper you need to do the research and get acquainted with the different designers out there. Written blog posts, reviews and YouTube videos can help reaffirm your belief if a certain bag is right for you, or help you move on. Most people are brutally honest in their reviews, and if a handbag falls short on the quality scale, you will find out and save money.

Designer bags aren't cheap, so head into a brick and mortar location where they're sold. Touch and feel the bag you're interested in buying, and most importantly, sleep on it!

Look at Your Wardrobe Collectively

An expensive bag is only worth the investment if you can get plenty of use out of it. The right bag color is one that matches and pairs appropriately with at least half of your clothing. Neutral colors are always viewed as the safest option as they can work and blend in with a variety of outfits. A word of caution: if you want a light colored bag, you need to be aware of the possibility of color transfer.

Most bags have either silver or gold tone hardware. Consider the types of jewelry and accessories you wear. Doing so allows you to purchase a bag that matches your style well.

Choose Classic Over Trendy

Most celebrities can afford to update their handbags with changing trends, but for a first bag, choose a classic style. Select from bags that never go out of style and are seen as classics that are fashionable to this day. Timeless accessories are the best investments as they don't depend solely on modern trends. Plus, due to their timeless nature, they have a much higher resale value than trendy bags.

Choose Durable Over Dainty

Designer materials are beautiful, but oftentimes, dainty velvet, suede or calf leather are easily marked and scratched. If you hope to use your bag beyond special occasions, choose a hardy material such as coated canvas or textured leather. As you're spending quite a bit of money on your new investment, choose a material that's sturdy and durable enough for regular use.

Always Comparison Shop!

It's not uncommon for a number of retailers to stock the exact handbag on your wishlist at different price points. Comparison shopping and looking around really pays off as you'll get the lowest priced bag while the quality still remains. Create a list of websites that have your chosen bag in stock and subscribe to their newsletters. This way, you will gain quick access to certain sales and receive coupon codes that can give you great discounts.

You may be excited to purchase your first handbag, but try to remain level-headed. Wait out sales or promotions that are usually available during the holidays.

Pre-Owned Bags Shouldn't Get Overlooked!

What happens if your perfect dream handbag is either sold-out or vintage? The only place you can get such a bag is on the secondary used market. There are many fashion sites catering to used bags, and a number of auction sites as well such as eBay. You do need to be careful and keep an open eye for potential fakes! Having said that, designer handbags are stitched to perfection, often contain serial numbers and certain characteristics that no fake can replicate.

Used handbags are also a good option if you can't afford new full priced bags. Many classic styles hold their prices and won't ever go on sale!

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