Gillespie is also very selective about the brands and types of bags she sells. “Our most popular brand is Louis Vuitton, and it’s the most common types like the monogram and the Dalmier checkered handbags that sell really well.”
Color also matters. While limited edition patterns and bright tones may seem more valuable, for the average consumer of Luxe.It.Fwd black is the color of choice. Prices also range from $500 to $27,000 (from Louis Vuttion to Birkin) with an average spend of about $1100.
While limited edition patterns and bright tones may seem more valuable, for the average consumer of Luxe.It.Fwd black is the color of choice.
“Everyone wants versatility in their bag and colors other than black just won’t fetch the same price,” says Gillespie.
Handbags have always been a big part of Sydney-based luxury boutique Di Nuovo, and founder Viktoria Barber says they would “probably have the highest sales”.
She says there has always been a demand for authentic quality pieces that retain their value and style, but that customers are “much more concerned about durability” these days.
The store’s bestsellers — which, according to Barber, are often ready in minutes — include Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Gucci and Chloe. Edgier brands like Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler and Ulla Johnson are also popular, especially among younger people.
It was a brown Vivienne Westwood imitation crocodile worth $1647 that caught the attention of 22-year-old Samarra Ewing-Crellin on luxury resale site Vestiaire Collective. Part of the designer’s 1993 Red Label collection, the bag is a smaller version of one run by model Naomi Campbell that same year.
Ewing-Crellin bought a brown faux crocodile Vivienne Westwood bag worth $1647 on the luxury resale site Vestiaire Collective. Credit: Wayne Taylor
Ewing-Crellin wanted something unique and with a story. The ethical consumption part also appealed to her.
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“Buying vintage, if it’s original and not counterfeit, is not only good for the environment, but cool,” she says.
But how do you know you’re getting the real deal? Gillespie recommends purchasing from a reputable seller whenever possible.
“Check the reviews online and make sure the seller has been around for a while,” she advises. “Also check the condition description and ask for photos.”
Make sure to do your research too. “Resellers can overvalue their items in marketplaces, so always check online to see how much the bag you want will cost elsewhere,” Gillespie says.
Before I bought my Gucci bag, I did just that, and I ended up getting a bargain. Although I got it through Facebook Marketplace, the receipt, dust bag, and bag brand passed the quality test, enough to convince me I got the real deal.
Plus, it just looks damn good.
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