Are you wondering why many people fall in love with vintage fashion? There is a good reason for this: possessing that special thing that nobody else has (or few people have) can be very exciting. In today's fashion-conscious world, vintage handbags offer a fantastic blend of sustainability, affordability, and trendiness - there is no doubt about that. Whether you're a newbie looking to explore vintage designer fashion or an avid vintage collector, you should know how to spot an authentic vintage handbag.
With the popularity of vintage designer pieces on the increase, many opportunists out there claim to sell authentic items while doing the exact opposite. As such, it is easy to fall into their trap, and this is where Google becomes your friend. Research the company or online store you're buying from. While doing this, always remember that any attempt by the marketplace to hide vital information from the public is a red flag. One advantage of buying from a reputable source is that a lot of heavy lifting (brand research) has been done for you. All that is left is to select and pay for the item. My personal favorite is aretrotale.com.
Thankfully, most brands have unique codes that allow buyers to verify the authenticity of their items. For instance, Hermes items feature their signature 'Piqûres Sellier' stitches, which are known to be manually sewn. You can easily tell their irregularities are not machine work. As for Gucci, the brand usually includes a serial number or date code on the handbag. This gives you the peace of mind that you're buying a genuine item.