Designer bags never go out of style – and now your accountant might even tell you to buy some pre-loved arm candy as a sound and sustainable investment. After all, who wants to stick to a boring savings account – or a property portfolio for the very fortunate among us – when we can make money on something that looks so good?
Kylie Jenner has a vast luxury handbag collection worth $1million, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton and even a rare $100,000 Hermès Birkin bag that she received for her 25th birthday from her momager Kris Jenner.
Celebrities such as former Spice Girl turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham and pop sensation Harry Styles are also known for their affinity for ‘It’ bags, with Styles often seen sporting the latest Gucci bag, including most recently the Gucci Bamboo 1947.
This approach isn’t just about fashion; it’s a strategic investment. Vintage pieces by these designers are timeless, having already proven their enduring sense of style and quality, and they’re also an affordable entry point into building a portfolio, one that you can wear for years to come while its value goes up.
And if you hit the big time – bagging the Hermès Himalaya Birkin or the rarest handbag in the world, the Himalaya Kelly bag – then you will be the queen of sustainable style, and the envy of celebrities and collectors, as well as your accountant’s favourite!
Today, finding second-hand designer bags in excellent condition in the UAE has never been easier. And as a host of new and now well-established pre-loved websites and boutiques are booming in the region, we’re here to point you in the right direction of where to look. Not only can buying pre-loved luxury be an eco-friendlier option, but it’s also a way to discover rare, limited edition pieces or – if you’re lucky – pocket an absolute steal. Read on for some handy expert shopping tips as we round up our top places to shop pre-loved pieces…
BEST KEPT SHARED
Founders of rental fashion and accessory platform Best Kept Shared, Kelly and Sophie, are bringing the coolest contemporary brands to the UAE at a fraction of the retail price. Driven by a conviction that style should be savoured, not squandered, their vision is to bring women freedom from chasing constant wardrobe ‘newness’. As many fashion-savvy women turn to a capsule wardrobe model, this is the go-to service for adding that statement piece you’ll only wear once. The best bit? If you can’t bear to give back your rental, you can buy it!
BUSINESS OF PRE-LOVED FASHION
A digital platform devoted to bridging the gap between sustainability and style, BOPF Founder Hadiza Aboubacar takes immense pride in ensuring that every item listed on the pre-loved shopping site surpasses meticulous standards of quality and authenticity. With 10-15 new designer handbags landing online each week from brands such as Dior, Gucci, Loewe, Hermès and more, Hadiza says following BOPF on social media is the surest way to spot the latest gems.
Her biggest tip for buying pre-loved? Stick to the classics. ‘Black and beige classics are the pieces that not only elevate any look but are wise investments that will stand the test of time,’ she says. ‘It’s all about choosing pieces that grow more cherished as the years go by.’
GARDEROBE
Are you someone who prefers to see their new bag before you buy? When you’re making a designer investment, this can be a non-negotiable for some, which makes Garderobe on Al Wasl Road a must-visit. Customers can browse the site’s listings and then drop by the boutique to inspect a particular item. Scroll through everything from new season Bottega Veneta to limited edition Christian Dior to vintage Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
If you were quick, you could even have bagged yourself an embellished Gucci GG Supreme Canvas Padlock Shoulder Bag. With strict quality parameters in place, Garderobe are sure to highlight any slight imperfections if there are any (so there are no scary surprises on delivery) and you can request more photos and details.
THE LUXURY CLOSET
An early adapter to the demand for pre-loved luxury, The Luxury Closet launched in Dubai in 2012 and has since become one of the Middle East’s largest online boutiques for vintage designer goods. As Chief Brand Officer Maya Azzi says, ‘once loved always preloved.’ A treasure trove of luxury pieces, some items can be found with up to 70 per cent off the original price tag and, rest assured, all inventory goes through a rigorous authentication process to ensure they are genuine.
Pick up coveted classics from a fuchsia Gucci Dionysus bag, one of the Italian brand’s most coveted styles and sported by the likes of style icon Alexa Chung, to a Chanel Boy Bag which has been seen adorning the arms of supermodels, actresses and reality TV stars since its debut in 2011. With such an extensive selection for both men and women, the key to finding that winning purchase on The Luxury Closet is filtering by your favourite designer.
YOURBAGSY
If you’re not ready to throw your hard-earned savings into one particular style renting your next accessory could be the answer. OK, you won’t be making any money, but if you’re a nervous investor, this is the way to see how much fun buying a pre-loved bag can be while it goes up in value at the same time.
YourBagsy is the rental platform that allows you to borrow a designer bag for a few days at a time. The benefits? YourBagsy CEO and Founder Farah Syed Shah says it really helps slow down the fast fashion model. ‘One person buying a bag and sharing it with the community is better than 10 people buying the same bag and keeping it untouched, collecting dust in their homes,’ she says.
Not to mention, you have more options at your disposal – a new handbag for every occasion sounds good to us! Choose from Saint Laurent, Fendi, Prada – the luxe list goes on – with prices starting from just AED 200 for a three-day rental. Alternatively, become a renter yourself to claim 40 per cent of the listed rental price. If you need any more incentive to shop responsibly, YourBagsy even plant a tree for every rental dispatched.
LOVE LUXURY
At Love Luxury Dubai, Founders Emily and Adam Abraham specialise in a handful of sought-after designers (Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel to name a few) and receive pre-loved bags from all over the world. ‘We have clients who want to sell classic Chanel that might have belonged to their grandmothers, those who are looking to make a profit on Hermès bags they’ve bought last week, and those that have fallen out of love with their designer accessory,’ says Emily. ‘But we only buy box-fresh or very lightly worn pieces, so the pieces must be in impeccable condition.’
Which bags are best for retaining their value? Due to the consistent supply and demand, the exclusivity of Hermès makes them the smartest investment, she says. Always check the bag has an authenticity certificate that is cross-checkable. Visit their Business Bay store or shop online.
