When is comes to handbags? Well, there are plenty of sustainable ideas for Christmas but they usually fall into recycled wrapping paper, crackers, greeting cards, giving to charity, rent a Christmas tree and for the Blue Planet II watchers, avoiding plastic is front of mind. But can you be sustainable when gifting a handbag?
And the answer is, yes you can! The way to do it is seek out pre-loved handbag sources to keep your eco-friendly values firmly in place. Pre-loved, or well cared for second hand designer handbags (to the uninitiated) are aplenty and here are some examples of how to find them (all under £5000):
1 Chanel – how about the Maxi Double Flap? Classic quilted bag which chain strap. Found at Designer Exchange for £3500.
2 For the lovers of British design, how about Burberry? This small buckle bag at The Handbag Clinic is brand new (never used by its previous owner). Priced at £3845.
3 A classic Hermes from Rewind who specialise in vintage items. This clutch bag, Jige PM Swift will satisfy many a clutch bag fan. Priced at £1850.
4 Go from Winter to Spring and Summer with the Lady Dior from Christian Dior at Designer Exhange. Priced at £3000.
5 Last but by no means least from Louis Vuitton the Artsy tote bag, to rock an elegant weekend style. Found at The Handbag Clinic for £1495.
My top tips for buying pre-loved designer handbags are:
- Buy from a reputable company (see reviews below)
- Speak with the seller to check condition (the classifications vary between sellers but as this is a Christmas gift guide I’ve selected those marked A or 9 out of 10 for condition, which means minimal signs, if any, of wear)
- Check delivery times to meet your Christmas deadlines
Check out a few reviews of the online retailers for pre-loved designer handbags and if you are ever in London, a street just off the main road in Knighstbridge can be a treasure trove (or should I say Santa’s Grotto for the handbag lover)!
And if pre-loved still isn’t your thing and a brand new bag will only do, why not seek out the designers who are all about creating designs in new materials or have ethical mindsets such as
- Matt & Nat whose motto is ‘live beautifully’ who explore new ways to remain sustainable and eco-friendly
- Lost Property of London who take ‘zero waste’ as their focus and are for those who seek luxury in the sustainable, long-lasting and handmade.
Happy gifting!
Photo credit: by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
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