Brand new or used? You probably prefer the former. There are exceptions to this rule, however. For instance, when choosing between brand new and used Louis Vuitton purses, used can be better than new.
Why Buy Used Handbags?
There are three reasons you might want to consider buying a used designer handbag.
1. Practice Sustainability
The fashion industry contributes 10% of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, the fashion industry is a heavy consumer of water, using 93 billion cubic meters in one year. A significant portion of that goes to fabric dyeing and treatment.
Additionally, leather production is associated with extensive livestock rearing, which is associated with deforestation, an activity with severe environmental impacts such as massive deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and overuse of land and water.
The Higg Materials Sustainability Index by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition conducts a life cycle analysis of materials to evaluate their environmental impact from sourcing up to the point of fabrication. Most leathers have an impact score of 159, three times the impact rating of polyester and one-third greater than the score of cotton, due to its contribution to global warming, water use and pollution.
Indeed, the fashion industry, including the leather handbags segment, has a significant impact on the environment. To minimize this impact — short of stopping production altogether — everyone must work at maximizing utility.
Buying used, pre-loved or pre-owned designer handbags is a means to this end. It’s the perfect solution, particularly in the case of Louis Vuitton handbags, as they are designed to last decades or even a lifetime.
2. Buy Premium Bags for Less
As with most things, handbags depreciate. What costs USD 6,000, brand new, may be sold pre-owned at half the price. If a purse is in excellent condition, it may resell at 80% of its brand-new price, but it’s rare (although it happens) for handbags to cost more in the resale market than in the primary market.
Therefore, buying pre-owned is a way to own a premium handbag for less.
3. Get Your Hand on Limited-Edition and Discontinued Bags
There are certain bags you cannot get brand new no matter what you do, usually because they are produced in minimal quantities or are not available to the general public. For instance, Hermès doesn’t sell its Birkin bags in store or online and makes them available only to certain clients.
Some bags have also been discontinued – say, Dior Miss Dior, the perfect purse for dinner or a day in the shopping mall.
The resale market gives you a way to buy limited-edition and discontinued handbags.
Used Louis Vuitton Handbags Worth the Splurge
Louis Vuitton is one of the top designer brands in the world. Check out the list of the best designer handbags in Harper’s Bazaar and other leading fashion publications. You’re likely to see it ranking up there with Hermès, Dior, Chanel, Gucci, and Prada.
Therefore, any Louis Vuitton bag bought from a reputable curator of pre-owned, authenticated designer handbags is worth the splurge. The following are the top used Louis Vuitton options on Luxury Promise.
1. Louis Vuitton OnTheGo
The OnTheGo is a tote bag made of monogram raffia-like woven fabric with leather trim, gussets and straps. The bag is accentuated by gold-colored hardware and a charm made of leather and the same raffia-like woven textile of the body.
It is the perfect on-the-go bag – something that is totally at home on the beach and for a day out with family and friends.
OnTheGo comes in two colors, tan and blue, and two sizes, moyen modèle (medium model) and grand modèle (grand model). The MM bag measures 35 x 27 x 14 cm (length x height x width), while the GM bag measures 41 x 34 x 19 cm.
2. Louis Vuitton x NBA Cloakroom Dopp Kit
Technically, this is not a handbag but a Dopp kit. That is, to say, it is a small pouch you use to store and carry your toiletries for when you travel.
However, the Louis Vuitton x NBA Cloakroom Dopp Kit is not for stashing away in a suitcase. It pairs so well with streetwear, so it’s worthy of being arm candy.
The LVxNBA Cloakroom Dopp Kit has a zipper closure that runs down the front. This zipper is linked to a gold-coloured chain that evokes the league’s trophy. It has an NBA logo patch, while the LV and NBA letters are inscribed on the leather handle.
This Dopp Kit has different versions. One is made in monogrammed canvas with a blue leather strap handle, while another is in monogram-embossed, all-black leather with decorative NBA-inspired patches.
3. Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Sunshine Express
The Express is the predecessor of the Louis Vuitton Speedy, the iconic line popularized by Audrey Hepburn and her Speedy 25. The limited-edition Sunshine Express is part of the Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Louis Vuitton collection.
The Sunshine Express is a lavish and glittery sequin-embroidered handbag with leather trim, matte silver-colored hardware and rounded top handles in rolled leather. The clever arrangement of the sequins gives the bag its monogram pattern.
The Sunshine Express, particularly in Baby Bag size, is perfect for a fun but sophisticated daytime to evening look.
4. Louis Vuitton Murakami Judy
The Louis Vuitton Murakami Judy is a whimsical bag borne out of a collaboration between Louis Vuitton and the pop artist Takashi Murakami. The white variant has a pristine white body monogram-printed in Murakami signature colors and accentuated by tan leather trim and golden hardware.
The Judy has a golden-colored frame top that effortlessly transforms the bag into a clutch. It also has a detachable golden-colored chain link strap for easy carrying over the shoulders.
Buy Used Louis Vuitton Handbags
Buying a pre-owned designer handbag is both practical and sustainable. It is also your sole option for limited editions and discontinued handbags.
Check out the OnTheGo, LVxNBA Cloakroom Dopp Kit, Sunshine Express, and the Murakami Judy if you’re looking for pre-owned Louis Vuitton handbags.
