I’ll be honest with y’all… I love luxury handbags. They’re one of my weaknesses for sure (along with shoes!)  when it comes to shopping. But because of the hefty price tag that comes with making luxury handbag purchases, I have a little checklist I like to refer to whenever I get the idea that I need a new one stuck in my head. Plus, I’ve also gotten quite a few questions from y’all over the years asking about what my process is when I’m thinking about buying a new purse, so I thought it’d be a good idea to make a whole post about it.

Places like eBay have made buying luxury handbags much more affordable, and I’ve talked before about using eBay to make luxury purchases, but it’s still super important to think these decisions through. Gotta watch out for your finances, after all. But if you are in the market for a luxury handbag, or maybe you’ve thought about it for forever, but didn’t want to make a mistake (both money-wise and style-wise), these four little tips should help!

Size and Structure

OK, this is so important! I like to think about what my closet doesn’t already have and go from there. If I already have something super structured, then I’ll go for more of a tote like this Louis Vuitton Neverfull. Another thing I think about is if I need more of an airport/travel bag (speaking of, I have this one also by Louis Vuitton and love it! or something cute like a crossbody or shoulder bag. So, if you already have plenty of crossbody styles, then it’d probably be smart to invest in something larger or vice versa. See what I mean here? Basically what I’m saying is try not to buy all of the same – mix it up a bit! And I know the heading mentions size and structure, but I also think A LOT about color. And one thing I’m really particular about is making sure that the color and material of the bag will go with A LOT of things I own. I consider shoes I have as well as belts to make sure that the bag will pair well with things I already own.

Trendy vs Classic

This is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned about buying luxury anything – not just purses! When trends are new and fresh, I totally understand the temptation to give into them. But when it comes to spending tons of money on something, sticking with more classic options is a much safer bet, especially if it’s your first time. My mom has always tried to teach me this and I may have ignored her advice a time or two, but now that I’m older, I see that she was definitely always right!

Price

Some purses are just worth investing in, in my opinion. For me, one of those purses was my Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote. I paid retail for mine a few years ago, but I did a quick search on eBay recently and was blown away by their inventory! And at really good price points – like way below retail. The biggest thing when it comes to price, though, is just making sure you can afford it. I recommend starting with smaller options like crossbodies or wristlets. This way you can experience the brand you’re interested in for a smaller price tag. However, if a larger bag is in your budget, I can’t recommend the Neverfull tote enough! It can fit alllll the things (and I only have the medium one, so I’m sure the large can fit even more!).

Authentication

Making sure a bag is authentic before buying it is crucial. These things cost a lot of money, so don’t chance buying a fake! I purchased the majority of my luxury handbags used or from a consignment shop and eBay has been a GREAT resource for finding quality pieces! The eBay Authenticate program takes all the worry and guesswork out of making sure your bag is real. All the bags in the ‘Authenticated Luxury Handbags‘ section on eBay are verified by experts, so there will be absolutely no doubt that your bag is legit!

Was this helpful to any of y’all thinking about purchasing a luxury handbag? I hope so! Let me know if you have any other questions and I’ll help as much as I can!

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If you’re on the market for something special, I did some digging around what eBay has available right now and here are some of my favorite picks:

• I personally have this Louis Vuitton wallet and love it so much! I purchased it new, but this one is in GREAT condition!
• My mom has had a similar Gucci weekender bag for almost 10 years and I’ve always wanted one just like her! It’s the perfect carryon for all your STUFF when flying!
• Speaking of Gucci, I personally have the Gucci disco bag in the tan color and LOVE It. it’s the PERFECT size! But this rose pink color is SO pretty for Spring! It would pair so well with so many of the Spring floral prints I’ve seen this season!
• and this Chanel Deauville bag is so beautiful for Spring and Summer…