Blouse (under $50! wearing size small) // Skirt (also wearing small) // Bag (similar, less expensive here) // Sunglasses (similar here) // Shoes (also LOVE these) // Necklace (old but this is so similar and under $20!)
I've been wanting to post a little bit about buying secondhand accessories on the blog for some time now, and I thought today was as good a day as any - especially when many of us are in the market for a new fall handbag. So first things first: if you see me carrying a luxury bag, wearing high end sunglasses, or styling an expensive dress on the blog, the odds are that I bought it secondhand.
No shame here! High end brands are usually also high quality meaning that they last and last, with very little if any wear being shown even by the time the items make it to the second owner. I will always link to a similar item (or the original item at retail) here on the blog because I know that not everyone enjoys "the hunt" but I truly do and it's definitely a hobby of mine. Another thing to note - high end brands will have GREAT resale - I am usually funding new purchases with $$ from eBay sales, which go far better when you list things with a brand name. This skirt, for example, will not have great resale because it's not a well-known brand. It was under $50, and I'm okay with that. HOWEVER. These very trendy Dior sunglasses will not always be my favorite thing, but I'll have a very easy time selling them on eBay once I'm tired of them because of their label. Then I can get something new!
Here are some other examples of items you've seen on the blog that I found secondhand:
These Karen Walker sunglasses have made numerous appearances, and I got them brand new with tags and case for less than 50% off retail on Tradesy, a fantastic site that offers free returns or exchanges on anything you buy. That was a particularly lucky find, because they usually sell for not much under retail, but I was hunting for them (searching daily on multiple websites) until an affordable listing came up. There is sometimes a little legwork involved to get the right price!
The wedges from this post were purchased on eBay for half off retail while they were still full price at Nordstrom. I just searched the style name and a pair popped up that had been worn only once, and the seller decided that didn't match enough of her clothing. Her loss, my gain!
Other than buying secondhand, I'm a huge fan of Nordstrom Rack. The shoes in this post were purchased there (they aren't online, sadly) for $40!! I've worn this Rebecca Minkoff "Mac" bag in multiple posts, and I paid less than half retail for it. On that same trip I found a "Mac Mini" for $80, along with several other styles for $150 or under, all brand new. You also can't beat their designer jean selection - usually a mix of J.Brand, Hudson, Citizens of Humanity, and Current/Elliott around $90.
For very very high end handbags, I would recommend going through a reputable site like TheRealReal. They authenticate their bags through a tireless process, and you can get some amazing deals. I carted this shearling and leather Reed Krakoff "Boxer Bag" in Excellent Used Condition, and with all the discounts on their site it came to $300. INSANE. That bag retailed $1500.
Here are a few other tips and tricks to find the best prices:
On eBay, search potential misspellings of the brand. For example, I often type in "Lily Pulitzer" (it's correctly spelled "Lilly") and find a plethora of results with very low bids.
Also on eBay, if the "Buy It Now" price is within your budget, snatch it up! Once you place a bid the buy it now option often disappears and you want to avoid that, because frequently the price will go even higher. Never be afraid to use the "make an offer" button, because sellers are often motivated to move something quickly, but be respectful! I scored a large Tory Burch Robinson tote for fall at way at less than half of retail, and it showed up in pristine condition, including the dustbag. Also, instead of sorting results by "ending soonest" sort them by "newly listed." A seller may not always know the true value of their item and sometimes the best deals have to be found quickly, before someone else beats you to the low price!
If you find an item with the tag snipped or soles marked at a low price, don't be wary! Mistakes happen in manufacturing and retailers have extremely high standards. Factories will often sell these barely seconds quality items at much lower prices on eBay - it's how I've purchased many an "Elsa" top by Lilly Pulitzer, and the quality is often exactly the same as ones I've purchased at Saks.
I hope this post was helpful! Do you have any other tips for finding a great fashion deal? Please share in the comments! I'd love to hear your secrets.
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