There are endless reasons as to why someone would choose to buy pre-owned or vintage over new from a retail store. In the luxury space, it is generally much more cost-effective to buy a designer good at resale than firsthand. But when it comes to vintage vs. pre-owned, there is some confusion.
Often, ‘vintage’ and ‘pre-owned’ are used interchangeably to refer to items that are not new. And while items that are pre-owned can be vintage, they are not necessarily vintage. Yet, all items that are vintage are pre-owned.
Let us explain.
Vintage Vs. Pre-Owned
What Is Vintage?
Although it depends on the given industry, within the fashion and luxury industry, vintage typically refers to items that are at least 20 years old. Once an item is 100 years old or more, these items would fit into the antique category.
For example, as of 2024, a bag made in 2004 is considered as vintage. A bag made in 1924 is antique.
An exception to this rule is that in the world of watches, timepieces manufactured between 1990 and the early 2000s are what is known as 'neo-vintage'.
What Is Pre-Owned?
Pre-owned stands for previously owned. A pre-owned item has been owned by at least one other person over any period of time. This could be a vintage or antique item, but it could also be new-in-box. Pre-owned is a broad term in which the vintage period sits.
Is Vintage Designer Worth It?
When you buy vintage designer, you are buying a piece of history. Vintage Chanel in particular is renowned for its high-quality designs, so many in fact favor it over newer designs. One of the benefits of vintage Chanel is that prior to 2008, the yellow gold hardware on Chanel bags was plated with 24-karat gold.
Not only can you find great quality items at a lower price, you can also find rare designs that are no longer in production. As 'vintage' covers a century-long period, it means any items from your favorite fashion eras fall under the category.
Is Pre-Owned Designer Worth It?
Pre-owned designer is usually the best way to get a good deal. Unless you are buying a particularly hard-to-source item, such as an Hermès Birkin, then it is much more affordable to buy designer items pre-owned. Make sure to source the items from a reseller that has a strict authentication process in place.
Buying pre-owned is the only way to get your hands on sold-out designs and items from past collections that are no longer being made.
Where To Buy Vintage & Pre-Owned Designer Accessories?
If you are in the market for vintage or pre-owned designer accessories, whether it be mob wife-inspired jewelry or a vintage handbag, look no further than myGemma. With great prices as well as rare pieces, there is something to suit every want.
One of the prime advantages of buying with myGemma is that each and every item that goes onto the website has been authenticated beforehand. myGemma has an in-house team of highly experienced authenticators to ensure that you are buying the real deal.
myGemma offers a wide range of designer accessories, covering categories such as small leather goods, handbags, watches, jewelry, and more. Find accessories from big names such as Cartier, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton.
Download the myGemma app to get first access to new-in pieces so that you don’t miss out.
How To Sell Vintage & Pre-Owned Designer Accessories?
If you are not in the market to buy but looking to sell, myGemma offers the full resale experience. With a streamlined selling process, there is no middleman involved and no hidden fees. You will be offered a fair and competitive price for your designer accessories with no obligation to go ahead with the sale.
Whether you are a watch enthusiast looking to make space in your collection or you have too many vintages pieces gathering dust, it is always a great time to sell. To get started, simply fill out the easy online form and a member of the team will be in contact with an offer. From price quote to payment, it can take as little as 24 hours.
By selling to myGemma, you help to contribute to a circular economy. It is not only the right choice for your wallet, but also for the planet.
