Before parting with any hard-earned cash it is vital to know that you are getting value for money. Functionality, durability, safety, and desirability are major considerations when buying a designer bag.
Contents
What To Look For In A Designer Handbag
Nothing makes an outfit more than a posh Prada Messenger bag or a cool Kate Spade purse. Or one of my favorite luxury brands right now: Polene bags.
Choose one that is versatile enough for you to take anywhere. There are three big questions to answer before making a designer handbag purchase.
- How easy is the bag to carry around?
- How does the bag fasten?
- Do you love it?
Functionality and Durability
If you intend your bag to be a major investment, then the most practical and versatile is a handbag that falls between smart and casual. A dual-purpose designer bag needs to be more of a classic piece than a one-season wonder, so go for something that is less inclined to date.
Subtle branding and soft-relaxed leather will enable a bag to be more durable without it becoming outdated or showing signs of wear.
Consider the size and weight of the bag in comparison to its likely contents. Is it practical to carry around without it causing back pain or shoulder problems? Take the stuffing out to get an idea of its real capacity and imagine it weighing twice as much once it is full.
A saddle or messenger-style bag with a cross-body shoulder strap is a practical alternative to a handbag if you expect to carry a lot. With all our modern-day electronic gadgetry, more and more women are carrying everything but the kitchen sink. Designers are having to make their bags more sturdy at the request of some major retailers.
Consider the practicality of the straps or handles. Will they fit comfortably over a coat or a thick sweater? Look at the stitching. Is it strong enough? If the stitching is angled then the handles will be more durable. Cotton stitching is used on the best bags as it expands to fill the needle hole.
Safety
Nothing entices an opportunist pickpocket more than an open bag without a fixed clasp or zip. Shopping in markets or crowded shopping malls makes you a perfect target. A practical bag needs a sturdy zip or fastened pockets to keep your valuables stored safely.
Consider the placement of outside pockets. Is it easy for a would-be thief to access your mobile phone by lifting the flap? Make sure the clasps are strong enough to do their job. Go for brass or nickel and look at how well they are fixed to the bag.
Desirability
Buying a bag that makes you feel good is preferable to blindly following current fashion trends. Having a bag that you love will boost your self-confidence and you will get more use from it. A great bag can make a classic outfit and give you oodles of style. However, make sure and choose a type that compliments your body shape.
Caring for Your Bag
Most designer brands like Prada and Gucci offer a repair service. If your bag develops a technical fault then you can contact them and request a replacement.
Keeping the exterior clean can be done by using saddle soap, which also conditions. Interiors can be protected by using washable, removable liners (known as Intelligent Pockets) sold through many online stores.
Should your bag get wet, keep it away from artificial heat, like radiators or airing cupboards. Instyle magazine suggests packing it with tissue paper and leaving it to dry naturally.
If your designer handbag is leather, you should care for it the same way you care for leather shoes.
How To Spot Fake Designer Handbags
If you are spending a small fortune on a bag in the belief that it is an authentic handbag, then there are some worthwhile tips to follow to ensure you don’t get caught out. Nowadays, fake handbags or “knock-offs” are getting harder to spot, given the improved quality of counterfeit bags flooding the market from Asia.
For tips on how to spot a fake designer handbag, check out these articles from Harper’s Bazaar and Racked.
Having carefully made one purchase the chances are you will soon be saving up for the next. Everyone woman should have three bags. A tote/shoulder bag for every day, a clutch bag for nighttime, and a mid-sized bag with a chain-link strap for all the times in between.
And if you’re actually looking for a designer dupe handbag, our favorite is this knock-off Bottega Veneta double knot handbag.
Buy Designer Handbags Now Pay Later
Unfortunately, an authentic designer handbags usually comes with a hefty price tag. Therefore we’ve found you the best stores that carry luxury designer handbags and also offer financing options to buy now pay later by making payments. You may be able to save even more by purchasing vintage or pre-loved designer handbags as well.
Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective is a leading marketplace for buying and selling pre-owned designer fashion. Wear now, pay later with Affirm financing. Plus new customers can get $30 off $300 with Code: WELCOMEUS21 – Shop VestiaireCollective.com now!
Luxe DH
You won’t find more pre-owned Louis Vuitton handbags anywhere, and LUXE DH has a 100% authenticity guarantee. Luxe DH’s mission is to find only the best condition items and thoroughly inspect them for authenticity so that when you receive your item, you’re expectations are exceeded. Make easy monthly payments over 3, 6, or 12 months with Affirm. Shop LuxeDH.com now!
Designer Revival
Designer Revival specializes in high-end pre-owned designer, vintage, and contemporary clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes, and accessories. They believe that luxury should be accessible to all who wish to be their best, stylish selves. As such, their prices are set so that everyone gets their chance to feel beautiful. They also offer interest-free Afterpay & Klarna so you can wear them now and pay later. Shop DesignerRevival.com now!
Dallas Designer Handbags
Shop for authenticated pre-loved luxury handbags at Dallas Designer Handbags. They offer a 30-day layaway plan that is totally free to use. Make as many payments as you want. You only have to pay 25% down. Shop DallasDesignerHandbags.com now!
The Luxury Closet
ELLE Magazine claims The Luxury Closet offers a treasure trove of luxury designer pieces at not-so-luxe price tags of up to 70% off! The Luxury Closet is a leading online boutique for buying and selling new and pre-loved luxury items like handbags, clothes, watches, and jewelry. With more than 40,000 unique items as part of Their selection, they feature top luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Van Cleef, Arpels, Cartier, Rolex, and more. If you live in the UAE or KSA region, you can buy now, and pay later with Amazon Payment Services, formerly known as PayFort. If you live anywhere else, you can buy now, and pay later with PayPal Credit. Shop TheLuxuryCloset.com now!
Poshmark
Poshmark is a leading social marketplace for new and secondhand styles for women, men, kids, pets, homes, and more. Buy, sell, and discover fashion, home decor, beauty, and more for less plus financing options. Buy now pay later with 4 interest-free payments & other great payment options with Affirm. Shop Poshmark.com now!
More BNPL Designer Handbag Stores
All of the following department stores also sell designer handbags tools as well as offer buy now pay later financing options so you can make installment payments with deferred billing.
| Store | Website | Financing |
|---|---|---|
| ASOS | asos.com | Afterpay, Klarna |
| Bloomingdale's | bloomingdales.com | Klarna |
| Far Fetch | farfetch.com | Klarna |
| Harrods | harrods.com | Klarna |
| HSN | hsn.com | FlexPay |
| JCPenney | jcp.com | Klarna |
| Macy's | macys.com | Klarna |
| Mytheresa | mytheresa.com | PayPal Credit |
| Neiman Marcus | neimanmarcus.com | Affirm |
| Net-A-Porter | netaporter.com | Klarna |
| Nordstrom | nordstrom.com | Afterpay |
| Overstock | overstock.com | Klarna |
| Perpay | perpay.com | Perpay |
| Revolve | revolve.com | Afterpay, Klarna, Zip |
| Rue La La | ruelala.com | Afterpay |
| Saks Fifth Avenue | saks.com | Klarna |
| T.J.Maxx | tjmaxx.com | Store Card |
| The Outnet | theoutnet.com | Klarna |
| Yoox | yoox.com | PayPal Credit |
| Store | Website | Financing |
