You’ve probably heard the adage that “shopping is like a sport”, and if that’s true then I am VERY fit! So why not treat your next foray into the luxury world like you would any other sporting event? For some people, shopping for designer handbags is an art (yep, I’m a part of that mission). Others may find themselves flummoxed by the sheer number of options available.
For my money, there are two major factors to consider when buying a designer handbag: price and quality. You want something durable enough to last for years but also look good on your arm daily. These tips will help you make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for.
Set a budget when shopping for designer handbags.
The first step in buying a designer handbag is setting a budget. The price of designer bags varies greatly, so it’s best to know what you are willing to spend before considering your options. If you are shopping for someone else and have a lower budget, it’s better to start with bags priced lower than the average retail cost of $500 or more. This will allow you to buy multiple bags without breaking the bank!
On the other hand, if this is a gift for yourself and requires an investment, consider limiting yourself only when purchasing designer bags over $1,000. I usually set the budget first unless I’ve already identified a particular bag that I want. You will thank yourself later.
Decide what you want to use the bag for and how often you’ll carry it.
The first thing you need to consider when shopping for designer handbags is how you will use it. Will this be a bag that you carry everywhere? A weekender bag? Or is it just going to stay at home and get pulled out for special occasions? Will it have the same amount of wear and tear as your workhorse everyday bag, or will it only see occasional light use?
If you’re using the bag frequently and taking it on trips, it’s best to invest in one with high-quality materials such as leather or suede. You’ll want something that can stand up against daily wear and tear without getting scuffed up too badly or poking holes in the seams.
Consider where you’re purchasing from, not just what you’re purchasing.
When considering where to buy your designer handbag, it’s important to know that not all bags are created equal. Many factors determine an item’s quality, and sometimes these factors can be lost in translation when purchasing online or from less reputable retailers. I like to shop from brands such as Net-A-Porter, The Real Real (for vintage), SSENSE, Vestaire Collective, and a few others.
Consider where you’re purchasing from, not just what you’re purchasing! For example:
- The same designer creates not all designer bags. A Coach bag is made by a different company than Louis Vuitton (though both have their own lines under those names). The company that makes Coach may also make Michael Kors or Kate Spade handbags and other brands. This means that depending on where you purchase your bag—and which company manufactures it—the construction techniques used could vary greatly between brands (and even within brands).
- Not every manufacturer makes their bags in-house or within their country of origin. It’s important when shopping for luxury items like designer handbags to consider who manufactured them; not only does this affect how long it will take for your order to arrive at your doorstep, but also whether its materials were ethically sourced and if the factory adheres to international labor laws regarding working conditions and wages paid out during production stages.
Compare prices for the same bag.
If you’ve spotted a particular handbag that you’re interested in, take the time to do some research. Search for the same bag on different websites and compare prices. If there is a steep difference between sites, it could be worth calling local stores to see if they carry the bag at a better price. This can also be useful when comparing online and physical retailers, consignment shops, and vintage dealers.
If you don’t get the price you want, walk away! It may seem silly not to buy something just because of $10 or $20, but think about it this way: if your goal is saving money and building up your wardrobe with quality items that will last for years (not trendy fast fashion), those extra dollars add up over time!
If nothing else works for getting that discount off their original asking price, try asking them what kind of discounts they offer their regular customers or ones who pay cash rather than credit card (this one’s tricky but worth trying). You might even ask them what kind of deals they give their friends or family members — sometimes people are willing to work out deals with those close to them so long as no one else knows about it (and of course this depends on how much trust there is between both parties).
Look at the measurements of the bag.
You should always pay attention to the measurements of a bag when shopping for designer handbags. The first thing you want to ensure is that it’s big enough for all your stuff: keys, wallet, phone and a notebook or two. If your bag can fit all those things comfortably, then it’s probably worth investing in one because you won’t have to carry around an extra purse or pocketbook just for those. Seriously, this is one of the reasons why I’m not for the micro bags — honey, I need my stuff to fit!
Secondly, check out the space between the top of the bag and its opening (known as “drop length”). You don’t want anything too large where everything falls out every time you reach into it—but also avoid something so small that it’s not useful! Finally, look at how deep this opening is—if there aren’t enough pockets within easy reach inside, perhaps try another model if you really want it.
This may seem like common sense but here’s the thing: if you’re shopping for designer handbags, then odds are they’ll cost more than what most people can afford at any given moment, which means when shopping online, make sure shipping costs aren’t going up before making any decisions about whether or not to buy it. Those shipping costs can get you, and every penny counts. It may be worth physically going to the store.
Really think about one particular designer’s style before buying.
When you’re considering a designer handbag, think about the style of that particular designer’s bag. That being said, if you’re buying a bag from a brand whose other designs are similar to what you’re looking at, it’s probably safe to say that their signature bag will align with their design choices.
If this is your first time buying from this brand or even designer and you aren’t familiar with its aesthetic, do some research! The best way to determine if something will work for your style is by looking at examples of their work beforehand. You can also look through reviews on sites like ShopStyle or Polyvore that show photos of real people wearing these products to get an idea of how they look on different body types – which brings me to the next point…
Be sure to look at reviews before shopping for designer handbags.
One of the best things you can do before shopping for designer handbags is to look at reviews. Reviews from multiple sources, reviews from people who have used the bag, and reviews from people who have used the bag for long periods are all great resources when trying to find out if a designer handbag is right for you. Do your research and read all the good reviews and the bad ones. You need to know what you’re getting into before you spend all that money on that bag.
Also, it’s important to read about how well the product has held up under different conditions. If someone mentions that their purse doesn’t hold up well in the rain or gets damaged easily by water and stains, those are signs. Now, you may not care about those types of things, and that’s okay. But if you want a bag that’s going to serve as an investment, that’s what you need to prioritize.
There are a few things to remember when buying a designer handbag.
- Look at the price first of all. A Louis Vuitton bag will be expensive, but if you’re willing to make that investment, then it’s worth considering. However, many other options won’t break your bank account but still have quality craftsmanship and features you’ll like, such as a removable strap so you can use the purse as an over-the-shoulder bag or crossbody bag.
- If you’re looking for something more affordable yet still want great quality, try looking at brands like Kate Spade or Coach – these companies offer stylish purses that aren’t too pricey compared to others like Michael Kors or Tory Burch (though both those brands offer very nice bags).
- Check out reviews from other shoppers on sites such as Amazon before making any final decisions about which one is right for you!
Shopping for designer handbags can feel a lot like buying a home – there are many factors to consider, and it pays to do your research beforehand. We hope these tips will help you find the perfect bag for your needs at an affordable price.
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