Tips for Buying Designer Handbags

Are you looking to round out your chic ensemble with a bag that boasts a fashion statement? Whether you dream of a Louis Vuitton clutch or a Chanel hobo bag, following are some tips for buying the designer handbag of your dreams.

Have You Decided How You Want To Use It?

Before taking the plunge on this investment, consider the way you plan to use your new bag. This will inform your decisions about the rest of the questions. For example, do you want a bag you can carry to work and throughout your life every day? Do you prefer to reserve it for special occasions, such as holiday parties or a luxury night on the town? Among other things, the size of the bag you need will depend, in part, on how you want to use it.

What Style Do You Prefer?

Speaking of size, it’s time to consider the style you want. As mentioned previously, clutch and hobo bags are two of the styles you can choose from, and they’re on opposite ends of the size spectrum.

A clutch is small and makes a great clubbing bag. It’s just big enough to carry the bare minimum, such as ID, phone and lipstick.

Conversely, a hobo bag is often a more substantial size, able to fit every essential you think you’ll need for all-day activities. Hobo bags may be a great option for mothers with young children, for example, as a diaper bag replacement or a place to stow snacks, toys and books to keep your kids content.

How Trendy or Classic Do You Want To Be?

When it comes to designer handbags, you have two choices: trendy or everlasting. On the one hand, obtaining the latest trends can be a beautiful way to show your zeal for following all things fashion. Your clique will know you are on point.

On the other hand, adopting trendy looks can be fickle. Their temporary nature may not be the easiest thing to reconcile if your budget will only permit this as a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. In that case, going for a classic look with eternal appeal, perhaps even from a long-respected designer such as Gucci, may keep your bag relevant for years to come.

How Much Can You Afford To Pay?

Once you have some ideas in your mind about the styles you’re going for, now it’s time to narrow down your picks by price. This is essential, obviously, for anyone on a strict budget, but it’s not a bad idea even if you have riches galore. After all, you didn’t get your riches without careful consideration to how much you spend on luxury items, right? Jotting down your max price point now will save you time later, as you won’t waste it looking at bags that are outside your range.

Have You Considered Pre-Owned?

One way of getting the top bags, from Prada to Fendi and more, on a strict budget is to check out pre-owned sources. Sellers and buyers are able to connect more readily in recent years, eliminating the requirement to walk into a retail store and buy a brand new one. Some websites even offer bag loans for a price that’s more affordable to the average person, which may be a great way to flash some style and rotate your selection over time without breaking the bank on a single piece.

Can You Spot a Counterfeit?

The other side of that online-shopping coin is that sleazy websites selling fake goods are popping up all the time. Pay careful attention to who you’re considering buying from. If the deal looks too good to be true, it might be!

Vet the company’s authenticity by reading reviews on neutral third-party websites, checking the Better Business Bureau, looking into how established the company is and more. If you can’t find sufficient information to verify the website’s legitimacy, it’s probably best to leave that one in the dust and find a different source rather than risking your hard-earned cash or, worse, your sensitive personal information.

Whatever your style and trend interests or budget constraints, having a carefully laid plan in place before you begin to shop can help you forego the buyer’s remorse that strikes anyone who buys impulsively. That said, just in case you do still realize later that the handbag you picked isn’t the one you really want, one last tip is to check on the return policies before purchasing!