Buying vintage handbags is a great way to broaden your handbag collection. There are thousands to choose from and can sometimes be bought for pennies on the dollar. But when is a vintage handbag right for you, and what makes a bag vintage and not just used?

You will need to determine if the new handbag you are in the market for will be used frequently or are you more interested in the bag as a collectable. There is no harm in wanting to use a vintage handbag, how else are you and your impeccable sense of fashion going to be the topic at this years Christmas party, but it is important to buy a bag that will hold up to the challenge. So make sure you follow some simple guidelines when purchasing your new vintage handbag.

Only buy from a reputable dealer. Many of your questions can be answered and your worries set to ease when you know the dealer has done their homework and has a reputation of being honest and fair.

Obviously, anything that you use often must be made to last. Do not buy a handbag that is worn or stained more then a little. Some ‘wear and tear’ can add mystique, but too much damage only looks used. Handbags can be restored and repaired, but it is highly unlikely you would want to go to all the trouble of having a handbag repaired, only to use it on a daily basis. Also, although most people would not be able to tell the bag had been repaired, repairing a bag greatly decreases it open market value.

Understand what you are paying for. Vintage handbags are given value not only for their popularity of past and current times, but also for workmanship. This can include things such as the clasping mechanism. Your biggest concern might be that the handbag close properly, but you could pay top price because the bag you are eyeing happens to have the first magnetic closure ever used on a designer bag. If you happen to find these types of things interesting then this is the bag for you. But if you are more interested in the appearance of a handbag, you might not want to pay this much for a piece of ingenuity and history.

Prices for vintage designer handbags can range from less then a hundred to several thousand. The price depends on condition, uniqueness, design, rarity, condition, adornments (beading), the material from which the bag is made and age.

When shopping online for vintage designer handbags, try using different search words: purse, handbags, vintage purses, vintage designer handbags, clutch purses, lunch box purses, cigar box purses and so on. Also look for an online boutique that offers great detail on the items they sell. A good description of the bag, estimated age and a full list of any flaws should be provided. It is essential that the retailer offer a money back guarantee.

A vintage handbag is right for you if you want genuine GUCCI or Hermes leather bag at a great price and couldn’t afford one new. Nobody has to know that it is vintage, but everyone will be wondering where you got it.

Deanna Key is the author of many articles and resources concerning desinger handbags. She has worked as an importer/exporter of designer fashions for over 5 years, and has imported over $25 million worth of designer goods. Read more helpful articles and get discounts on designer handbags at [http://www.handbag-spot.com].

Author: Deanna Key
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Boxy Satchel Handbags – True to its name, the boxy satchel is literally a box-shaped bag that is built to last and carry lots of your essentials. These satchels typically feature short, sturdy handles and prominent hardware. They lean more towards casual, but some can be used for dressy events. Colors are an array of browns, black and tan. You’ll find a few reds and green in the mix. Patterns and fabric range from embossed crocodile to shiny patent leather.

Most suitable for: work, casual

Structured Hobo Handbags – The hobo handbag has been around for so long because we love it. Its simple triangle shape has become a fashion handbag classic. Now, it’s getting a bit of an update for fall. You’ll find the new hobo in sturdier leather materials and with bolder pockets and hardware. Colors are brown, black, red, with a few unique colors like cornflower blue making a splash. Also, you’ll see some dual tones like a basic black with brown pockets.

Most suitable for: work, casual

Nylon Tote Handbags – The nylon tote has been given a funky handbag update and now it’s actually cool to own one. The flexible nylon material makes them lighter to carry than leather. You’ll see them in quilted patterns or plain. Colors range from maroon to green, from neutral to red. They have short handles and minimal hardware – mostly zippers.

Most suitable for: work, casual

Soft Bowler Handbags – Bowler handbags got their style inspiration from bowling bags, but you won’t be carrying any heavy balls in yours. These handbags are very sturdy with short handles and classic construction. Stylish accents are usually buckles and hard and suede leather. Colors are winter white, tan, dark brown, blue, tweed and dark red.

Most suitable for: work, casual

Slim Shoulder Handbags – Slim and sleek is the name of the game for this retro style. These slender bags have long handles and sit close to the body. As far as style choices go, the sky’s the limit. They are beautifully elegant in patent leather, quilted fabric, suede leather, embossed python, or a simple canvas style. This is a very classy look.

Most suitable for: work, casual, dressy

Black Patent Trim Handbags – Essentially, these are small satchels and bowlers, with short handles, that are highlighted with sleek patent leather accents. You’ll see patent leather on the handles, the top of the bag, sometimes on the bottom, and in the middle around the straps. They look very chic. Even if you are a big bag person, you may find these too cute to pass up.

Most suitable for: work, dressy

Slouchy Leopard Handbag – Wildly eye-catching, these bold and beautiful handbags make a statement all on their own. Every woman should have an animal print bag sitting in her closet and these comfy bags will wear on your arm nicely.

Most suitable for: casual, fun

Cracked Gunmetal Handbag – The future of fashion handbags is here in the coolly modern cracked gunmetal bag with its chic and grownup sense of style. You can now add a little silver flash to your collection without any fear of looking tacky. These grown up metallic handbags are very alluring. The shapes are familiar – some retro 70s and 80s styles can be found. Very new millennium.

Most suitable for: casual, dressy, fun

Oversize Clutch Handbags – Did someone say super size me at the last handbag designer show? Your basic handheld clutch purse has now become a giant clutch big enough to carry lots of the day-to-day stuff that you enjoy hauling around. These look like your typical snap or zip closed clutches on steroids. They are handheld and the style is classy.

Most suitable for: work, casual, dressy

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Author: Nikki LeRoi
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

If you are, then you would opt for a more personalized handbag that has a unique design that you will be certain no one else in the world will have the same handbag as yours.

You now ask how you can have this kind of handbag. Today, thanks to the advancement of printing technology, you can now put your name or your face on your handbag, literally.

These handbags are known as photo handbags. If you’ve seen personalized coffee mugs of your friend that has his or her face printed on it, you have an idea on what your handbag will look like.

It is up to you to choose the photo you want to be printed on the handbag. With this option, you can be sure that no one else will have the same design as yours. Photo handbags are also one of the best gift ideas you can give your friends. For example, if your friends are celebrating their wedding anniversary, you can have their wedding picture or a romantic picture of them printed on the handbag.

It is relatively easy to find a company that produces photo handbag and you don’t have to look very far. Just type in photo handbag in your favorite search engine and you will have dozens or even hundreds of websites that offer customized photo handbags.

All you need to do is choose the handbag design you want, and send the picture you want to be printed in your new handbag. Payments are usually made through credit cards or checks.

In fact, these companies can even print on different things. You can have a picture printed on blankets, on pillows, on purses, on shirts and other things.

There are even websites that offer design and preview feature for you to really personalize your handbag. With this feature, you can play around with the design by altering the background color, the position of the picture and also the way the photo of your choice is placed on the handbag.

With these feature, you can really show your artistic side and really give your friends something to talk about.

Taking fashion to the next level by getting a customized photo handbag is one of the best things you can really do.

However, the quality of the handbag and print varies from company to company. If you know someone who did this before, you should consult him or her on what company to hire for making a customized handbag.

There are thousands of different handbag styles that you can choose from in the internet. Choose one that suits your personality and also choose one that is fashionable and has manufacturing guarantees.

So, if you’re tired of having the same handbags as your friends, you can try and consider buying a customized photo handbag. Here, you will be the one who will design your handbag. It can be anything. It can be a picture of you, a picture of your favorite pet and it can even be a picture of your car. With custom photo handbags, design possibilities are limitless. All you need is to get those creative juices flowing.

Jo Creel is part of SnapTotes Picture Perfect photo

handbag, photo purse and picture purses.

SnapTotes allows you to customize and design your own bag by choosing your favorite image,

handbag style and interior colors. For more information, visit www.snaptotes.com

Author: Jo Creel
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Some bags are chosen by us and are exclusive to STYLE ICON so if you are looking for a new bag come and see us first or give us a call .

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Find all the top Handbag designers and suppliers in New Market by Visiting New Market Nz

Newmarket is open 7 days

• Late nights at Two Double Seven:
• Thursday till 7pm
• Friday till 7pm

Newmarket facts

• 500 fashion, lifestyle and retail stores
• 100 bars, cafes and restaurants
• 24 shoe stores
• 40 designer fashion stores
• 14 parking buildings
• 1 train station

Sylvia Park Shopping Centre
286 Mount Wellington Highway
Mt Wellington

Strandbags stock a range of beautiful handbags, small leather goods, travel goods, business cases, backpacks and carry both internationally renowned brands as well as long established and exclusive private label ranges.

Shop 24,
Queensgate Centre
Queensgate Rd
Lower Hutt

Westfield Shore City
Cnr Lake Rd & Como St
Takapuna
North Shore

Strandbags stock a range of beautiful handbags, small leather goods, travel goods, business cases, backpacks and carry both internationally renowned brands as well as long established and exclusive private label ranges.

Westfield Shoppingtown – West City,
Edsel St
Henderson
Auckland

Lynn Mall Shopping Centre
Auckland