Women, Men

RELOVE: How To Buy A Designer Vintage Handbag

17th February 2021

By Fenwick

Low waste is good taste, so we're looking at our wardrobes a little differently this year. Join us in prioritising the planet as we repurpose the old, reconsider the new, and make sustainable choices a little easier for you.
When it comes to supporting circular fashion, one of the simplest ways to make a difference is to buy less but buy better, so join us in forgoing fast fashion and entering the world of pre-loved shopping. Forget trawling through dusty charity shops though - this is a thoroughly premium affair. Here to help you get started is our Accessories Buyer Victoria Claridge, who has the following tips to help you shop designer vintage with confidence. Second-hand will become second-nature in no time.
Shop designer vintage
###### **Authenticity** As the leading purveyor of authentic luxury vintage since 1993, you can be sure that when you shop our [What Goes Around Comes Around](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/brands/wgaca-vintage) handbag collection, you're in incredibly safe hands. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, their team of meticulously trained authenticators thoroughly inspect each handbag they procure to ensure it is guaranteed authentic, and in excellent condition. Need further reassurance? A letter of authenticity card is provided with each purchase, ensuring you're totally clued-up on exactly what you're carrying - which is especially helpful when the inevitable compliments and questions flood in.
Individuality

Looking for something you won't see worn by anyone else? One of the most exciting aspects of shopping designer vintage is the potential to find pieces that are truly unique - a feat that is very difficult to achieve elsewhere. I like to look for special, standout and rare pieces that really define exclusivity, such as this Rajah Shoulder Bag by Gucci. The only snag? Most of these bags are quite literally one-of-a-kind so you have to keep your wits about you - once they're gone, they really are gone!
Collectability

Shopping designer vintage is not simply an investment in your wardrobe - you'll also be (very selflessly) preserving the history and legacy of iconic fashion for years to come. One of my favourite timeless treasures is this Louis Vuitton Amfar Bag from 2001, that was originally designed by Sharon Stone as part of a collection benefiting the AMFAR foundation. Needless to say, the signature monogram coated canvas and adjustable shoulder strap make this is a perennial wardrobe winner that I can't wait to bring out season after season before passing onto the next generation.

###### **Sustainability** It is often said that the most sustainable item is the one that's already in your wardrobe, so why not treat your hardest-working handbag to a spot of TLC? Whether looking to correct small scuffs, scratches and stains, or reverse the damaging effects of a particularly enthusiastic outing, [The Handbag Clinic](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/services/women/the-handbag-clinic/eeb7acac-b7c6-40bd-b33c-22d1a7666e3f) in [Fenwick Newcastle](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/stores/newcastle) offer a range of expert restoration services to breathe new life into your old favourites. Find their new space on our First Floor once stores reopen, and discover more about the work they do [here](https://www.fenwick.co.uk/services/women/the-handbag-clinic/eeb7acac-b7c6-40bd-b33c-22d1a7666e3f).

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