This post is sponsored by eBay. All opinions however are my own.
How I Buy Designer Bags
I get so many questions about my designer bags and how I buy them. So today I thought I would do a post on the designer bags I carry the most and why I like them. As I’ve said before, I’ve always had an interest in designer bags. When I was in college I certainly couldn’t afford one. It was after I got married and was in residency that I received my first Louis Vuitton bag from my husband as a gift. I was so excited to get that bag! And I carried that same bag for almost 9 years (it was still for sale I rationed, so I didn’t need a new one). I finally upgraded to a new Louis Vuitton in 2015, just before starting this blog. But as soon as I started blogging, I quickly realized that a single bag just would not do. Of course, I am always budget conscious, and I like to save money on bags wherever I can! So what is the easiest way to find designer bags at a discount – eBay! Almost every single bag I am showing you today I purchased on eBay.
Choosing a Timeless Bag
When it comes to designer bags, I choose ones that I think will stand the test of time. A designer bag is an investment, and you want to be able to carry it for the next 10 years. I choose bags that are fairly simple in design, that coordinate with the outfit I am wearing. So that means I generally stick to bags in basic colors such as black, brown, grey, and white. Right now I am storing them on this etagere in my home office, which works out nicely until I finally finish my master closet.
Bags For Carrying Everything
Most of the time I carry smaller bags, but I do have a few larger bags. I use my Prada Saffiano leather bag most often for work. It’s big enough to carry my iPad or MacBook Air and it looks professional. I decided to invest in the medium YSL Lou Lou bag in grey, after I saw haw well my Toy YSL Lou Lou bag was made. I love this bag because it works for both casual and office looks, and the leather holds up really well. The Goyard tote is great for going to the gym or for traveling, as it holds just about everything. And the same can be said for my Louis Vuitton Neverfull (my newest designer bag purchase!). With the spring and summer weather, I thought a lighter colored bag would be fun to carry. All of these bags look great, but I will tell you I didn’t buy any of them brand new, direct from the brands. Instead I bought them on eBay!
I get asked about where I found this French style chair in the corner of my den. It actually is from Amazon! 
Bags for Fall and Winter
In the fall and winter I like to carry this Givenchy Antigona bag. I like it so much that I also got it in blue/grey. And this Celine Luggage bag was actually the very first designer bag I purchased on eBay (it was brand new with tags when I bought it).
Bags for Spring and Summer
When wearing pastel outfits for work, I like to carry this YSL Baby sac du jour. For dressier springtime outfits, this YSL wallet on chain is what I like to carry. These bags have been around for years, and I don’t see them going out of style anytime soon!
My Favorite Crossbody Bags
I will say that I did purchase my Chanel wallet on chain new at the store. But you can find the very same bag on eBay for hundreds less. And if you are ever concerned about purchasing a counterfeit bag, you can shop eBay’s large collection of guaranteed authentic designer bags! More often than not I don’t do that, as I can usually tell by the price and the photos if a bag is the real deal.
After searching high and low for the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis bag, I finally found it practically brand new on eBay.It even came with the dust bag and certificate of authenticity. Expect to pay around the full retail price for a bag that is popular but no longer sold.
My Gucci Marmont has gotten lots of wear, as it goes with practically anything. And you can find this bag on eBay practically brand new for $500 less than retail. My YSL Cabas tote is one I often carry for work. I call it my “doctor” bag because it reminds me of the quintessential bag that doctors used to carry. Although I think this one is just a bit more sophisticated.
Designer Perfumes on eBay
It is definitely a luxury to have a collection of designer bags. But if you want just a little bit of luxury without the high price tag, wear a designer perfume! My favorites are this classic Chloe scent, this YSL scent, and this Ralph Lauren Woman scent.
FINAL SUGGESTIONS FOR BUYING LUXURY ITEMS ON EBAY
A picture is worth a thousand words. Look for listings that show lots of pictures of the bag. It is even better if they show you the dust bag, box, and certificate of authenticity. Try to buy local (that is, in the United States). There are so many sellers in countries such as Germany and Japan, but they don’t usually offer returns, and there is little recourse for purchasing counterfeit bags, jewelry or watches. With so many sellers in the United States, that I can usually find a pretty good selection. And definitely choose “Buy It Now” when you can. It takes less time and stress. By choosing a buy it now auction I know exactly what I am going to pay. Often times there is a “Make Offer” option, and I will make an offer that is usually $100-$150 lower than the buy it now price. More often than not my offer is accepted. But most of all, if a deal is too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Expect to pay a price a couple hundred dollars less than retail. If it is less than that, it is more likely to be counterfeit. In the end, if you are smart though, buying a designer bag on eBay is the best way to go!
I hope you have found this post helpful! And thanks so much for stopping by!
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