You’re likely well aware of the vintage bag boom going on right now. From battered and beaten Hermès Kellys a la the Olsens (a girl can dream) to angular Old Cèline holdalls, swinging something with a little life experience from your shoulder is officially a shortcut to sartorial superiority. Of course, there’s a financial factor driving the demand for bags: whether you’re after an original Fendi Baguette or a prim and polished Prada, a pre-loved option is (almost) always going to be more affordable than a brand-new bag (especially now blockbuster releases are tipping well into four-figure territory).
Gucci’s newly relaunched Jackie will set you back over £2000, but an original? Well, has over 3000 of them, with prices starting from £210. Veering into vintage isn’t just good news for your bank balance though: tracking down a super-coveted piece from seasons past comes with major bragging rights. There’s nothing more satisfying than saying ‘thanks, it’s vintage,’ – especially when the runway relic in question is a Tom Ford for Gucci Horsebit bag or a weighty (both so in-demand, they’re been revived in fresh new guises for SS24).
Of course, when looking for a vintage bag, you can trawl the Chelsea charity shops with your fingers and toes crossed, but the easiest route to success is via the resale apps. Vinted, which has grown in revenue by 61% year-on-year, is reporting huge demand for Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel, while over on Ebay the Fendi Bag.
