Fashion People Love Buying Their Designer Handbags From This One Store
Walk down the street on any given day during New York Fashion Week, and you'll find hordes of editors, celebrities, and influencers wearing the most sought-after handbags. Working within the industry means we're privy to any rising trends at a whim, and there's no greater slippery road to spending all of your money on a ludicrously capacious (or, teeny!) bag than seeing the latest and greatest on the runways all the time. While it looks like we're constantly paying full price for the handbag of our dreams, we have a secret—nearly all the time, our editors get their bags second-hand from one of our favorite retailers, Fashionphile.
The online store specializes in designer-grade purses, jewelry, and other goods—often selling at a lower price than in the designer stores themselves. For anyone on the hunt for a rare bag or a vintage find from the mid-2000s, more than likely, what you're looking for exists.
"Our customers usually embody the 'kid in a candy store' behavior, in that they feel so spoiled to see such a wide variety of brands, collections, price ranges, and color options that they don't limit their purchases to just one or two designers or types of handbags," Lara Osborn, Vice President of Procurement and Authentication, told Who What Wear.
I can attest it's certainly true. On a cold winter night, I found a Phoebe-Philo era Celine bag from 2010 for over 40% off the original price more than 13 years ago. I've been hooked ever since.
"On any page, you can sort by Best Value, which surfaces items that are up to 90% off the original retail price," Osborn went on to say. "There are so many fun stories we hear about customers who missed out on buying a bag when it was in stores and are ecstatic to find it (often at a better price) at Fashionphile."
If price isn't your problem, perhaps sustainability is. Now more than ever, retailers are increasingly tuned in to the waste fashion creates. While labels certainly have a long way to go in using less harmful practices and textiles, it's also incredibly important to be a mindful shopper. If buying a bag secondhand eliminates the waste of creating an entirely new one, I'm all about it.
If you're looking for a deal, look no further. Below, Osborn detailed all the best-selling bags the fashion crowd is trying and buying on Fashionphile.
Bottega Veneta
"A must-have shoulder bag from the brand known for its minimalistic design and absence of branding."
Shop more Bottega Veneta bags:
Saint Laurent
"This shape is so tempting and the clean aesthetics are always in style."
"Beautiful leather without all over logo prints. Chic and and easy yes."
Shop more Saint Laurent bags:
Louis Vuitton
"One of the newest iterations of Louis Vuitton’s handbag darling. Still practical but in a fun and youthful size."
"Still a go-to for the general Louis Vuitton audience. The seasonal collections in this classic staple are always a hit."
"A fresh take on the city bag. This style says buy me, love me, carry me."
Shop more Louis Vuitton bags:
Hermès
"This style is ageless but ties back extremely well to Hermès’ equestrian roots—the Evelyne story practically tells itself."
Shop more Hermès bags:
Dior
Shop more Christian Dior bags:
Chanel
"This fresh style is on everyone's wish list, and the elusive Mini version is even more coveted."
"The Mini Flap is highly stalked but not always highly stocked. Enter Fashionphile!"
Shop more Chanel bags:
Shop more Chanel bags:
Goyard
"The iconic Saint Louis' slightly more durable cousin is perfect for those of us who prefer a secure and enclosed tote."
Shop more Goyard bags:
Gucci
"This collection is so easy to (still) love. Classic and timeless."
Shop more Gucci bags:
Shop more Gucci deals:
Next, 11 Quiet-Luxury Bags That Are Low-Key, Anti-Trend, and Peak Cool
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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