By Glynnis Mapp, TheKit.ca.
The Kardashians, the Olsens: overflowing from the arms of celebrities, socialites and the rich and famous are gorgeous -- and painfully pricey -- designer handbags. "The handbag is, without doubt, riding in the front seat with the statement shoe," says pursehound and owner of online and in-store Toronto consignment shop Fashionably Yours, Janet Han. "Every designer is trying to get a piece of the multi-billion dollar designer bag pie." The former celebrity stylist (she's worked with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Fefe Dobson) owns more than 100 handbags (!!!) and carries luxe labels in her store at a fraction of the cost.
Han suggests you consider these four points carefully to find your perfect purse purchase -- or sell the ones you have the strength to part with, smartly:
1. HARDWARE. "Consider what kind of jewellery you will wear with the bag. Tone-on-tone buckles and zippers are subtle and versatile."
2. BRAND NAME. "Most handbags go on sale once the season ends and lose value -- Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès never (almost never) go on sale. Even decades from now, these brands will hold their value."
3. SHAPE. "Choose a classic shape that suits your body and fulfills your needs, both for function and fashion."
4. LEATHER. "The softer the leather, the more expensive -- and delicate -- they are. Lambskin leather bags retail for slightly more than caviar leather, but caviar leather tends to have a higher resale value."
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