This Week's Obsession: Top 5 Reasons to Try Resale
The luxury resale market has exploded in recent years, making it easier than ever to buy and sell pre-owned designer bags. Whether you’re hunting for a rare vintage Hermès Birkin, a classic Chanel Flap, or a trendy Bottega Veneta Cassette, the secondary market offers access to sought-after styles at competitive prices.
But is buying designer bags resale really the best option? While it offers benefits like lower prices, sustainability, and access to rare pieces, it also comes with risks, including counterfeit concerns, unpredictable pricing, and high resale commissions.
The Pros of Buying Designer Bags Resale
1. Luxury for Less
One of the biggest advantages of resale is the ability to buy authentic designer handbags at a fraction of their retail price. Many gently used luxury bags sell for significantly less than new, making high-end fashion more accessible.
2. Access to Rare and Sold-Out Pieces
The resale market is the best place to find discontinued collections, limited editions, and vintage designer bags that are no longer available in stores.
3. A More Sustainable Fashion Choice
Buying secondhand luxury handbags contributes to the circular economy, reducing waste and extending the life cycle of high-quality goods.
4. Potential Investment Value
Some designer handbags appreciate in value, especially classics like the Hermès Birkin, Chanel Classic Flap, and Louis Vuitton Capucines. Buying smart on the resale market could mean a great return on investment.
5. Global Marketplace with Endless Options
Resale platforms offer a massive selection of pre-owned luxury handbags, giving buyers access to styles and colors that might not be available in their local boutiques.
The Cons of Buying Designer Bags Resale
1. Risk of Counterfeit Bags
The resale market is flooded with high-quality counterfeit designer bags. Without proper authentication, buyers risk paying thousands for a fake luxury handbag.
2. High Seller Commissions & Fees
Selling on traditional resale platforms comes with hefty fees—sometimes up to 30% commission—which eats into your resale profits.
3. Uncertain Market Value
Resale prices fluctuate, and sellers often struggle to determine their bag’s true market worth, leading to overpricing (which causes slow sales) or underpricing (which means lost value).
4. Wear & Tear Can Lower Resale Value
Even gently used pre-owned luxury bags can show signs of wear, making them less desirable to future buyers.
5. Slow & Competitive Selling Process
Many resale platforms are oversaturated, meaning it can take months to sell a bag. Plus, buyers often haggle, making it difficult to get your desired price.
More Luxury Club: A Smarter Alternative to Resale
At More Luxury Club, we offer a better way to own and resell designer bags, without the risks and hassles of traditional resale. Our co-ownership model allows members to share high-end bags, maximising both affordability and resale value. Here’s how we de-risk resale for our members:
1. Sell Your Share with Market Transparency
Instead of selling an entire bag, you can sell your share on our marketplace with clear visibility on its market value. No guesswork—just transparent pricing that reflects real demand.
2. Lower Selling Costs
Since you’re only selling a 20% share, your resale commission is just a fraction of what you’d pay selling a full bag on traditional platforms.
3. Pristine Condition, Higher Resale Value
We store and maintain your luxury bag in perfect condition, ensuring it retains its value—something that’s impossible with traditional resale, where bags experience wear and tear.
4. Direct Access to Luxury Enthusiasts
Unlike faceless resale platforms, More Luxury Club is a community of designer bag lovers. You can communicate directly with other members, ensuring a smooth and trusted resale process.
More Luxury Club is a modern, sustainable marketplace where members can effortlessly buy and sell shares in designer handbags. Our co-ownership model allows luxury enthusiasts to trade in and out of coveted pieces with full transparency—maximising flexibility, value, and access to high-end fashion. Let us know if you'd like to join the club!
Brand Spotlight
Why Alaïa Handbags Are a Must-Have for Luxury Collectors
For those who appreciate luxury handbags with impeccable craftsmanship, timeless elegance, and a distinctive design aesthetic, Alaïa is a brand worth watching. While Hermès, Chanel, and Bottega Veneta often dominate the luxury handbag conversation, Alaïa’s sculptural silhouettes, intricate detailing, and commitment to artistry make its handbags an essential addition to any collector’s wardrobe.
Founded by the legendary Azzedine Alaïa, the brand has long been associated with precision tailoring and architectural fashion, and this same dedication extends to its handbags. Crafted from the finest leathers and exotic materials, Alaïa bags feature laser-cut motifs, structured shapes, and refined finishes, offering a balance between understated luxury and bold craftsmanship. Unlike brands that rely on monogram-heavy designs, Alaïa handbags appeal to those who appreciate quiet luxury with a strong, sophisticated presence.
One of Alaïa’s standout pieces, the Le Teckel bag, initially made its debut in 2023, but it wasn’t until a special presentation at Crazy Horse—where dancers showcased it in multiple colors—that the bag gained widespread attention. By mid-2024, it had secured its place as an "It" bag, frequently spotted on celebrities and high-profile fashion influencers. Its elongated silhouette, inspired by a Dachshund, combined with Alaïa’s meticulous craftsmanship, has solidified its status as a highly coveted accessory among luxury handbag enthusiasts.
Love It or 'Hate' It - Suede Designer Bags
Suede handbags are everywhere this year, and we absolutely love them. But as a co-owned bag, we might also say we ‘hate’ them. Why? An important thing to consider when buying a suede designer bag is that it will inevitably get marked or scuffed—but for some, this only adds to its worn-in, retro appeal. Of course, you can have the best intentions to take care of it: take inspiration from Miu Miu’s toffee-hued, horsebit-adorned suede handbags, which were clutched tightly to the body, or JW Anderson’s loafer bags, which hovered mere centimeters above—but never quite touched—the ground.
If you love the vintage charm and evolving patina of suede, it can be a beautiful addition to your collection. But if you prefer your luxury bags to stay pristine, suede is a high-maintenance choice—making it less ideal for co-ownership or long-term resale at top value.
For those looking for a more affordable option, resale may be the best option However, some coveted suede bags don’t always come at a discount—especially when demand outweighs supply.
Take The Row’s Brown Suede Margaux 17 as an example. Originally priced at £5,190, this highly sought-after bag is now sold out at retail. On Vestiaire Collective, a pre-owned version in "Very Good Condition" is currently listed at $8,562—a substantial markup. Despite visible wear (and an incorrect listing as velvet), its resale value has soared due to scarcity and exclusivity.
Would you pay that markup? Please let us know.
While resale may seem like a more affordable option, the reality is that you may not be satisfied with the condition of a pre-owned suede bag and for that reason you may decide to purchase new.
If you’re considering a luxury suede handbag, be mindful that its condition will naturally evolve over time—whether you buy it pre-owned or brand new. For those who love the lived-in, vintage appeal of suede, resale may still be the best option, as long as you’re comfortable with signs of wear.
What’s Your Take?
Would you invest in a suede designer handbag, or do you prefer more durable luxury materials? Let us know your thoughts.
