Vintage Handbags: The Ultimate Fashion Frill

    Every girl loves a handbag. If you are like me it is your favorite accessory, the ultimate must have. As a young girl, I must be honest. Many Saturdays I would frequent the local flea markets looking for the quick fashion fix for the weekend, a hot new knock off designer style handbag. Yes, the first step to acknowledging you have a problem is admitting to it. So, here is a truth moment. I like so many others used to purchase knock off handbags. But when you know better, you do better!

     As I have matured and ventured into my life’s passion, which is to style, design, and to sell clothing. I can know spot a knock off two blocks away. Now I'm not going to get into how I know it is a replica, but if you have one its time to retire it. Now don’t get me wrong I still love handbags and I am not a ballin’…yet. So now instead of hitting the flea market on the weekends. I set the money to the side in my special stash and if I have to…I go vintage.

                                                           Balenciaga Brown Printed Logo Purse - Made In France

     Vintage is a timeless trend that will stand the test of time. In the recent years, vintage clothing and accessories have been in higher demand. One could say its because of the economy or maybe it's because vintage is an investment.  If you follow all of the hot fashion trends and watch all the reality shows, most of these women will buy a vintage evening gown, handbag, and even shoes and many times you never see them do this at the mall. I know we don’t live in Beverly Hills but you can always make it a fun outing with your daughter or friends and take a Saturday and hunt yard sales and thrift stores. It’s a great big world out there you never know what you can find but be careful and know what you are looking for.

                       Louis Vuitton LU Monogram Mini Looping Handbag- Made in France

      Now, you are ready now to go out and find that special piece, but don't wear your heart on your sleeve. Before your adrenaline gets pumping, here a few tips. Make sure that you carefully inspect your new find. Look at the logos, stitching, handles, and lining to make sure that they are made of high quality materials. For instance, a real leather handbag will smell like leather no matter how old it is. Make sure there are no threads coming out of the handles or anywhere else around your handbag. And most importantly, do not assume that an authentic designer handbag is being sold at your local flea market. I'm sorry to disappoint you but they are not real. A nice place to look is an estate sale and or consignment boutique. The owners as well as their staff should be knowledgeable about authenticity, condition, grading, and pedigree of the designer handbag or purse.
     Some very sought after designers are Louis Vuitton, Christabol Balenciaga, Yves St. Laurent, Coco Chanel, Georgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Marc Jacobs, and a few more. If you don’t know what you are looking for then I would suggest getting in contact with an expert  or someone that you are for sure is a Fashion-holic…like me. My name is Joy and I don’t need rehab.

Sources:
Vintage fashion guild: The ultimate resource for vintage fashion. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/