Vintage Designer Bags Under $1,000

Fendi, Dior and Saint Laurent each have a way in under $1,000, and every bag in this grid is priced under that line. Fendi's Zucca print dates to the 1960s and the Selleria leather is a long-running house signature, while the YSL Muse was introduced by Stefano Pilati in 2006.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Fendi Yellow Zucca Zip Messenger, the Fendi Silver Selleria Pomodorino Tote and the YSL Silver Leather Muse Large.

 

I would pick the one that matches the way you already dress, since the shapes here range from a small messenger to a full tote. For more of the house, see The Fendi Archive.

Gucci's Abbey totes and bamboo bar totes are the most approachable way to own a piece of the house's canvas era, and each of these is priced under $1,000. The bamboo handle comes from a design Gucci first used in 1947, and the Original GG canvas carries it across every shape here.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Gucci Orange Original GG Canvas Bamboo Bar Tote, the Gucci Green Original GG Canvas Bamboo Bar Tote Large and the Gucci Gold GG Lurex Abbey Tote Large.

 

These are roomy bags that work as an everyday carry. For the wider story of the house, The Gucci Years goes through each creative era.

Vernis is Louis Vuitton's patent leather, and the colors in this grid are the reason to look at it: bronze, amarante, red, mimosa and grey. Every bag is priced under $1,000, so any of them can be a first Louis Vuitton.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Louis Vuitton Beige Monogram Vernis Houston, the Louis Vuitton Amarante Monogram Vernis Wilshire PM and the Louis Vuitton Mimosa Epi Noé.

 

I would choose by color first and shape second. For more bags built around a single bold shade, see The Art of Collecting Color.

This grid gathers the Louis Vuitton pieces that sit outside the monogram classics: striated Epi leather, soft Mini Lin canvas and a patchwork pochette from the Spring 2002 fairy tale collection by Marc Jacobs and Julie Verhoeven. All eight are priced under $1,000.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Louis Vuitton Green Monogram Mini Lin Patchwork Conte De Fees Pochette, the Louis Vuitton Yellow Damier Geant LV Cup Weatherly Crossbody and the Louis Vuitton Bleu Celeste Epi Soufflot.

 

Epi leather was introduced in 1985 and it still looks sharp on a vintage shape like the Cluny or the Randonnée. For more from the house, The Louis Vuitton Collector's Club is worth a read.

Start with the house you already love, then decide how much shape you want. A tote carries a laptop, a Vernis bag adds color and a Fendi or Muse adds attitude.

 

Everything here is priced under $1,000, so the choice comes down to taste. Read each listing for condition notes, and remember that these are pre-owned bags that were made in an earlier era, which is exactly why they look different from what is in stores now.