How To Shop For Vintage Bags

Just like wine, the longer it stays the better it tastes. A good bag should last forever. The more loved and used they are, the more character your bags will have.

For some owners of vintage  pieces, these bags become a part of their family. When it comes to vintage bags there are so many fakes out there.To be on the safe side, buying rare pieces is better, then you can tell if they are still in production and their chances of being fake.

Another way to tell the real thing from a fake include numbers on the keys, which come with the bag; the quality of the hardware and the good old-fashioned touch.

Now there’s a vintage and consignment. A bag is considered vintage at 10, 20, or 25+ years, and designer provenance is important here whilst consignment is a bag that you can’t get anymore because it’s a few years or more out of production.

Now follow these steps to get tips on how to buy a vintage bag.

Check authenticity first-

Research into the shop that you want to buy the bag to see if its reputable before you walk in to make purchases. Some vintage bags have serial numbers printed in them whilst others have trademark symbol of the designer embossed in it. I personally go to Blossom and Wednesday(Accra,Ghana) to get authentic vintage bags and items.

Examine

Before you buy the bag, look for discoloration, check whether the clochette lock and key works, look at the hardware, feel for dryness in the leather, tears and sniff the bag because some can have bad odor from years of usage. Renata (Blossom and Wednesday) is passionate about her bags, lovingly cleaning and repairing them before putting them up for sale.

Some marks can be removed with leather cleaners so grab it if you have fallen in love with the bag. Speaking of price, don’t always assume that vintage and consignment means it has to break the bank. If you’re not reaching for designer merchandise, you will still come across that diamond in the rough that you can’t believe no one has snatched up yet and make it your own.

Remember that some vintage bags are investment, they grow with years. Proper care for the bags can retain their value even more.