Buy Designer Handbags on the Cheap and be Chic.

These are my tips and tricks for getting a designer handbag for a fraction of the original retail. You can get a real designer bag without the designer price tag.

Tip #1: Buying second hand

The first tip for scoring a great price on a designer bag is you have to buy it used. Handbags are just like cars, they depreciate once you take them out. So get one that has a few scratches and imperfections. It's going to happen anyway so why not get 70% off.

Tip #2: Buying vintage

There are a lot of designers that have been making the same bag for over 20 years. Chances are you'll be able to find them for a lot cheaper and made with better quality material.  For example, I'm on the hunt for a vintage Chanel flap from the 90's because they were made with real gold plated hardware. Now, they're not made with that and they are thousands and thousands of dollars more. I currently have two vintage Louis Vuittons and one newer from 2016. I can notice a big difference when it comes to the thickness of the canvas. My Vintage Noe only cost me $345 where a new one would set me back around $1200.

Tip #3: Buying a bag that is no longer popular

There are two bags in my collection that I bought because I saw them about 10 years ago in Vogue and drooled! I just thought they were so beautiful but way out of my price range at over $1,000. Now,  I was able to purchase those same bags for just over $400! Amazing quality and in good condition, but they're just no longer as popular. I don't buy designer so people know I have one, I do it because I love fashion and the quality.

Tip #4: Buying the bag from a regular person and not a second hand retailer

There's a mark up like everything else and you will pay more for a bag if you buy it from a site like Fashionpile. Don't get me wrong, I'll always recommend those sites because you never have to worry about your items being fake. Personally, I like to buy these items on Poshmark because of the buyer guarantee. If I do receive a fake, which I have before, I can return it with no problem. I always get my bags authenticated through real authentication. It's just $20 and they get back to you in about a day, which keeps you in the 3 day return window policy for Poshmark. I got both my red Fendi and my pink one on Poshmark. These bags retail on Fashionphile used for around 500 to $700 dollars I got mine for $80 and $185, both are in great condition and were authenticated.

Bottom line is that you can own designer fashion without the high price tag. Hope these tricks get you thinking. I buy a lot of my fashion items including clothing and shoes second hand. It's not something to be ashamed of but to be proud of. I always love telling people how little I paid for something. Yes, I'm cheap but I'm also chic!