Vintage Week: Shopping for Vintage Handbags (+giveaway!)

by grechen on August 13, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

This is a guest post By Sandra Mendoza-Daly at DebutanteClothing.com

Sandra Mendoza-Daly is the owner and editor of Debutanteclothing.com. The blog features news, tips and resources on all things vintage. It’s a must read if you love vintage. The shop is loaded with wearable vintage which has been carefully selected by Sandra herself. No frumpy or dated items in this store! Sandra is on a mission to teach the world how to incorporate vintage with modern clothing.

When it comes to accessories, women are usually in one of two camps: shoes and handbags. I’m part of the handbag camp. I love bags of all shapes and sizes, every decade, and a variety of materials. But shopping for vintage handbags is one of my favorite pastimes. Shopping for vintage purses can be a real treasure hunt, with some designer names and styles worth a small fortune. Before you set out for shopping for your next vintage bag, here are a few pointers to help you find a purse you will treasure forever.

Buy What You Love

This old adage is true of any collectible, but especially true when you are shopping for vintage bags you actually want to wear. Always buy what makes your eyes dance and your arm or hand feel like it’s carrying a work of art.
Less is More
Vintage bags do tend to run smaller – women didn’t have Blackberries and iPods back in the good old days. Be sure to buy a bag that will be roomy enough to hold just the essentials. Think of it as a junk in your bag diet.

Some of my favorite Day Bags:

Leather satchels

Vintage Coach Bag: $75

Totes

Vintage Gucci Bag

Structured

Vintage Navy Blue Faille Kelly: $39.49

And favorite Evening Bags:

Plastic

Mesh & Beaded

Vintage clutch: $20

How to Care For Your Bag

Keep in a dark, cool place like a closet. It’s hard not to display these beauties, but keeping them out of light or harsh temperatures will keep them around for another 50 years.
Keep them in a dust bag. You can make your own out of a clean pillow case.
Clean with a damp, soft cloth. Do not wash or spray your bag with any harsh chemicals.

Great Places to Shop for Handbags

Etsy.com

Decodame.com

Bagladyemporium.com

ModBag.com

Giveaway!!

Do you love vintage handbags? Want to win one? Sandra has been so gracious to allow one winner her choice of either a lovely vintage satin clutch or a cute mustard pleather & plastic clutch.

Ways to enter to win:

leave a comment here and tell me which one suits your style better – the classic black, or the edgy mustard? (I personally would rock the mustard pleather/vinyl clutch!)

Follow Sandra on twitter – leave a comment back here confirming your follow to be entered to win.

RT this post using the button below

Good Luck! Giveaway ends next Monday, August 17th and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Tagged as: enter to win a vintage clutch, etsy.com, giveaway, how to shop for vintage handbags, vintage, vintage handbags

{ 25 comments }

hannah August 13, 2009 at 10:05 am: the yellow one too!
Evie August 13, 2009 at 11:19 am: I like the edgy mustard one.
.-= Evie´s last blog ..Art by Lyndie Dourthe =-.
Savannah August 13, 2009 at 1:17 pm: i love the classic black
Lisette August 13, 2009 at 9:33 pm: Def. the classic black
Heather S August 14, 2009 at 12:57 am: Classic black is my style for sure!
scott August 14, 2009 at 8:02 am: My wife would totally blast that mustard vinyl!!!
angie August 14, 2009 at 8:02 am: I would def pick the black clutch.
angie August 14, 2009 at 8:03 am: RT this via tofufairy!
kat C. August 14, 2009 at 9:28 am: I want both, but yeah you are right; that mustard clutch would look so cool

katch05 at gmail dot com
CMC August 14, 2009 at 7:55 pm: The classic black would be my choice, especially since my puppy destroyed the one I had.
Susan August 15, 2009 at 12:58 am: I love the black one
Susan August 15, 2009 at 12:58 am: Twitter follower – @sd9302
Elaine R August 16, 2009 at 9:08 pm: I would love the classic black bag-so elegant.
ShootingStarsMag August 16, 2009 at 9:16 pm: the black one!
.-= ShootingStarsMag´s last blog ..Guest Post + Contest: Dear President Obama =-.
ShootingStarsMag August 16, 2009 at 9:17 pm: following on twitter: @shooting star mag and retweeted:

http://twitter.com/ShootingStarMag/status/3353219366
.-= ShootingStarsMag´s last blog ..Guest Post + Contest: Dear President Obama =-.
christina August 17, 2009 at 9:09 am: Yellow!
Marina Ederra August 17, 2009 at 10:26 am: I love them both!!!!, but if I have to choose one, I think I will go for the classy black satin.I can already picture myself at a party with a fancy dress and carrying this adorable clutch!!!!!
Marina Ederra August 17, 2009 at 10:26 am: I am now a follower of Sandra on Twitter too!!!!I
Tisa August 17, 2009 at 12:24 pm: I love the classic black one! ~ Thanks!
Lizzie August 17, 2009 at 1:03 pm: I would pick the yellow one too only because I don’t have anything that color and it is such a cute little shape!
Lizzie August 17, 2009 at 1:03 pm: I also follower her @wizfoe
Siv August 17, 2009 at 2:15 pm: I love the black one!
.-= Siv´s last blog ..Jimmy Choo Glenys Watersnake Sandals =-.
Denise August 17, 2009 at 2:27 pm: Retweeted this from http://twitter.com/PsychVintage and followed Sandra, too.

I adore the black satin clutch! I often carry a vintage bag, and this one would be perfect for nights out!

cheers ~
Denise
Shawna August 17, 2009 at 6:55 pm: The yellow is so unique – it would be my choice.
Susan K August 18, 2009 at 8:00 pm: The Pleather one for sure – not much chance to “dress up” these days