My Definitive Guide: The Best Places to Buy Pre-loved Designer Luxury Bags Online in 2025
In the neverending world of online shopping, the allure of scoring a second-hand designer bag at a fraction of its original price is hard to resist. But, beneath the surface of tempting deals lies a sea of worries that can make even the savviest shopper (and I like to think I am) worry & hesitate. The biggest worry of all…. is it fake though? Before we get into the best places to shop…read my five tips to lessen the stress,
1. How to alleviate authenticity anxieties:
The digital space has become a breeding ground for dupes trying to be passed off for the real thing, making it essential to meticulously verify the authenticity of the bag before sealing the deal. Authenticity certificates, detailed clear photos, and reputable sellers are your lifelines in this pursuit. Beware: sellers will post pictures of an authentic bag to get past photo checks - then send you a fake one! Tip: I cannot say this loud enough - pay the additional authenticity check fees offered by the sites I have listed below!!! - you are spending £100s or £1000s the extra £15-£25 is worth it.
2. Condition Conundrum:
While online listings may boast about a bag's "excellent condition," interpreting that description can be subjective. What one seller deems as pristine, another buyer might perceive differently. Scratches, scuffs, and wear are part and parcel of pre-owned items. Clear communication with the seller is key. Tip: Request additional images or videos if you are unsure of anything, or if they have not posted pictures of the edging, corners etc.
3. Sizing Skepticism:
Dimensions can be deceiving, especially when relying solely on online images. A bag that appears spacious in photos may end up being smaller or bigger than anticipated upon arrival. The websites I have listed below (Handbag Clinic) post pictures of the bag alongside a mannequin which is very helpful! Tip: Go into the actual designers store and try on the original that you want - or check out my blog posts on the difference in sizes of some of the most popular handbag styles in 2025. Remember an Iphone 15 Pro is 14.6cm high - I use this as a good guide and hold my phone against my body for reference.
4. Returns Policy:
Unlike the reassuring experience of trying on a bag in-store, online purchases come with the anxiety of a potentially rigid or non-existent return policy. Before committing to the purchase, carefully review the seller's return policy to ensure it aligns with your expectations. Personally, I would only ever shop online where I 100% had the guarantee of getting my money back if they sold me a counterfeit product by accident, ideally they offer a 14 day return policy or the seller offers a return if thats the platforms model.
My current personal worries when shopping online:
are standards slipping?
Do all these companies now just rely on Enrupty? if you go too big as a company how do you have enough specialists to authenticate each bag? and when we say ‘specialists?’ how do the companies determine what a specialist is? You cannot know every single style, or every single bag? How do fakes not slip through.
Handbags are specialist subjects - does everyone you hire really know everything about every brand in order to make an assessment?
All the above being said, the sites below really do make me stress less, and when I buy preloved online (which is a lot) - this is where I go.
Aspinal of London Mayfair bought from The Handbag Clinic
Definitive Guide: Best Places to Buy Pre-loved Designer Luxury Bags Online in 2025.
Luxe Collective X Fashionphile
BEN’S BACK!!!!
Trustpilot reviews: I’m basing the reviews on Luxe Collective (same company and owners just merged with Fashionphile, and reopened. Luxe Collective has now become the UK Fashionphile - if that makes sense, but operating again under Luxe Collective) 3,139 reviews and 4.2 stars/ 5 stars
Best if you are looking for: Louis Vuitton, Chanel camera bags, Goyard (the stock of Goyard is unmatched)
Really good for: Saint Laurent, Dior, Gucci, Prada
Get a bargain on: Jacquemus, MCM, Marc Jacobs, and less popular Gucci styles
Worth knowing: I suspect they will do a Black Friday sale / Christmas… stay tuned.
About/my review.
I’ve followed Ben Gallagher, his brother Joe and Luxe Collective for years — and now, with their merger with Fashionphile, it feels like they’ve levelled up in the best possible way. The partnership means access to incredible stock, slicker operations, and even more of the pre-loved treasures we all hunt for. I’ve always loved Ben’s passion for authenticity and how Luxe started from his bedroom, with his brother Joe and nothing but drive and an eye for style. I’ll admit, I was sceptical at first about the idea of “bags for sale on TikTok” but Ben proved me completely wrong. He turned it into a movement, making designer resale feel exciting, transparent, and genuinely accessible.
Shipping and Presentation (based on when I bought from Luxe Collective, I have not bought anything post merger (YET!):
Shipping - Super quick, depending on time of day you order - you are waiting a max of two days to get your order. I got mine the next day,
Presentation: The presentation is very good. They make you feel like you are buying from a luxury brand. Solid Luxe Collective garment tag, wrapped beautiful and in a sturdy solid box - either with original dust bag or a Luxe Collective one.
Returns policy - I bought the wrong YSL belt, I didn’t realise it was patent - super speedy returns and I got my money back quickly
I have bought: YSL Belt, but returned due to it being patent I wanted leather (I did not read the description - I hit buy now too quick.
Trustpilot reviews: 2,126 • Excellent, 4.3 *
Best if you are looking for: Mulberry, Aspinal of London, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Chloe, vintage Celine, vintage Chanel, Celine
Really good for: Saint Laurent, Dior, Gucci, Prada
Get a bargain on: Mulberry (amazing prices), Aspinal of London (amazing prices)
Worth knowing: They have online sales at Christmas and in Summer.
About/my review.
I would tell strangers on the street about The Handbag Clinic. I think 50-60% of my bags come from The Handbag Clinic Online because not only do they sell bags but they started as a restoration and authentication service. I discovered them first as an authentication service. The fact they authenticate bags mean they know bags! (Also, this was pre-enrupty) It was founded in 2013 by Charlotte and Ben Staerck. Ben was a leather and fabric furniture restorer and Charlotte had a passion for handbags and their two loves combined. I still use their authentication service after I’ve done all my own checks for peace of mind. I cannot explain how much I love the Handbag Clinic.
Shipping and Presentation:
Shipping - This is a very good service. You will get your bag in 1-2 days depending on what time of day you ordered. You do have to sign for the parcel - if you are not in UPS cannot deliver it (keep this in mind!) and it gets returned and that can be quite a long process to then reschedule.
I would recommend getting it shipped to you. If you request to pick up from the store - this can be a drawn out process, as in most cases they have to internally ship the bag down from their Newcastle store adding a few days on - depending on the day of the week you ordered.
Presentation: They will give you a very good quality handbag clinic dustbag if they do not have the bags original dust bag. They wrap your item in tissue paper, and leave you a cute note to say thank you. Five stars from me.
Returns policy
Swift returns policy. You have to email them, they send you a UPS link, and then you arrange the pick up from your house. Alternatively, from memory (two weeks ago) they send you a Royal Mail QR Code to scan.
I have bought: Celine, Givenchy, Dior, Channel, Fendi, Prada YSL and Louis Vuiton handbags all from the Handbag Clinic.
The website had a slick new design in 2024 - and I am here for it <3
Best if you are looking for: Saint Laurent, Valentino, Celine
Really good for: Prada, Burberry, Lady Dior, Miu Miu, Stella McCartney, Sunglasses and clothes.
Get a bargain on: Mulberry, sunglasses, belts, Valentino, Miu Miu
Shipping and Presentation:
Shipping: Quick, They will give you a very good quality Designer Exchange dust bag if they do not have the bags original dust bag. They also pack the bags with polystyrene so the leather does not damage and wrap the item in tissue paper. They also note who from their team has authenticated your item (I like this touch). If you select to pick up from store it can be available in under 24 hours.
Return Policy
All products purchased and sold by Designer Exchange are authentic and covered by a 12 month authenticity warranty from the point of purchase. 14 day returns policy when bought online.
About/ a little review
Angela Seebue is the co-founder of Designer Exchange alongside Dominic Durante.
I have bought Chloe boots, YSL wallet on chain, Chloe Paddington, Celine bag, Prada purse, YSL belt, Louboutins and Miu Miu from Designer Exchange. All packed well, delivered quick and impeccable condition.
Best if you are looking for: Fendi, Saint Laurent, Celine, Bottega Veneta
Really good for: Louis Vuitton
Get a bargain on: Saint Laurent
Shipping: A little reminder about buying from overseas sellers if you are UK Based. I got stung an extra £240 at customs purchasing a Lady Dior from Australia. Not HEWI fault, silly UK Customs. Always check shipping T&Cs.
About
HEWI is one of the original players in the preloved marketplace, established in 2012. Tatiana Wolter-Ferguson, founded the company alongside her sister, Natalya and mother Sharon.
Review: I used HEWI a lot around the mid 2010s. But, then my love for Handbag Clinic and Vestiaire Collective took over. I used to love that they had a tick box system where people would share with you if they had the receipt, dustbag, authenticity cards etc. I only ever purchased items that had the receipt. I potentially think this is why HEWI got rid of this system, because people were not buying the items that didn’t have all the above ticked - the boxes being unticked almost alerted buyers to this fact and was off putting ? who knows why the format change? But anyway, all I am saying is that I liked it.
I have purchased from HEWI: Lady Dior, Lady Dior Strap, Chloe bags, YSL Kate, YSL Wallet, Celine Luggage and a Burberry Trench Coat.
Best if you are looking for: Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton Special Editions, Goyard, Chanel Special Editions
Really good for: Lady Dior, Fendi
Get a bargain on: Balenciaga, (certain) Celine’s, Valentino
They sometimes do: Celebrity drops. Lydia Millen and Georgina Toffolo sold their bags exclusively through Sellier.
About: Sellier is a mother – daughter duo Dina Ibrahimova and Hanushka Toni. Hanushka Toni is absolutely stunning and has the most impeccable taste. The way she layers jewellery I just adore. I want to be her. I hadn’t realised that prior to March 2020 Sellier wasn’t online. Hanushka in the pandemic completely pivoted and turned Sellier into an online business that has a shop. I read this in Harpers Bazar. She is a power house.
I trust them and I trust the clients that sell with them.
What i’ve bought? In the past I have missed out on a Fendi Baguette bag, a Celine Box bag and a Chanel boy. I look at the website basically everyday. I bought my Louis Vuitton Milk Carton bag, Hermes Belt and Louis Vuitton Belt from Sellier.
Does it need an introduction?
Best if you are looking for: Vintage Handbags, Older Season Styles, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Loewe, Brand Collaboration drops and Celebrity Drops
Really good for: Paco Rabanne and some of the lowest prices around for pre-loved. I do not think you can find lower prices on any other resale platform,
Tip: Do not be put off at what the seller is selling it for… look at what previous sellers sold their identical bags for and go in with offers in that range. They also do discount codes throughout the year and 24hr discount drops.
They sometimes do: Celebrity drops. Jessica Chastain’s Closet sale in February.
Shipping: Always get it sent to VC first for authentication, and reminder about buying from overseas sellers, you will get hit and have to pay extra at customs. Always check shipping T&Cs.
Returns and Buying Advice
So this is my only problem. If you do not like your item you cannot get a refund. That’s why you have to be 100% certain you love the item you are buying. You can relist the item for free within 72 hours but no refund - UNLESS, you are buying from a professional seller in which case you have 14 days. I will repeat myself but go into the brand store and try to find the bag you want, or the colour you are looking at. Neutrals and browns can come in so many variations, and slightly change season to season - you might want a more stone coloured neutral bag, but it turns up and its pink/beige and then you cannot get a refund, unless its a pro seller.
About: Vestiaire Collective, the brainchild of Fanny Moizant and Sophie Hersan, has become a powerhouse in the world of sustainable fashion. Founded in 2009, Moizant and Hersan envisioned a platform where fashion lovers could buy and sell pre-owned luxury items with ease. With a shared passion for both fashion and sustainability, the duo set out to create a marketplace that would redefine the way people consume fashion. Their innovative approach to curating and authenticating pre-loved pieces has not only garnered widespread acclaim but has also made Vestiaire Collective a trailblazer in the circular fashion movement. Moizant and Hersan's dedication to promoting a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry has solidified Vestiaire Collective's reputation as a pioneer in the realm of luxury resale. (blurb taken from their website)
What i’ve bought: Burberry Trench Coat x 2, Chloe Boots x 2, Louis Vuitton Scarf, Chloe raffia bag for summer…and something else I think a Celine bag? was it? I cannot remember.
What I’ve sold: Gucci Jackie, Christian Louboutins, Chloe ankle boots, Celine Luggage, Zadig and Voltaire boots and Russell and Bromley trainers
Worth a mention - but not competitively priced.
I personally think Selfridges are just trying to get in on the act… prices are quite expensive for the superbrands. But you can get good prices on the vintage bags and older styles.
New Player alert* Vinted, But make it…. Designer
We all know and love Vinted. I have earnt £2,238.90 on the site since joining… yes I have also spent double that… but they are now selling Designer. I was dubious, but I bought Mummy Alice Elizabeth a Mulberry Freya Bucket Bag for £150 for Christmas and she love, love, loves it. I paid the £15 for authentication and then authenticated it myself.
Have I missed any?
I cannot comment on TheRealReal as I have never used it! Ebay for designer clothes YES! Ebay for bags…. I still have concerns - these are from the early 00’s and I cant shake it. (But, Ebay gave me my Bond Girl dress so it has my heart)
