Wag N’ Purr Shop’s collection of resale handbags includes everything from affordable designer handbags to vintage and vegan bags. All items are donated by a variety of generous supporters and animal lovers, and we authenticate every bag we receive. You will find both new and gently used handbags in a variety of brands and styles.
Because there is typically only one of any given item in our store, we encourage you not to wait if you have your heart set on something. Remember, you have free shipping! Local to San Diego? You may also qualify for our free “White Paw” delivery.
Our Process for Accepting and Rating Handbags
When we receive a handbag donation, our Wag N’ Purr staff members look carefully at the bag, authenticate it, and make notes of any imperfections or special details. We have a rating system that includes New Handbags with Tags, New Handbags without Tags, and Preowned Handbags in Good, Great, or Like New condition. Our goal is to be very descriptive and provide accurate photos of all items, because we want you to be thrilled with your purchase.
How to Choose an Investment Bag
If you’re considering a luxury designer handbag, we’ve researched what many experts have to say about making this investment. These are the top three takeaways:
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Quality and Craftsmanship – Choosing a luxury designer handbag that is of the highest quality seems obvious, but you will notice that some handbags are better than others in this regard. Look at the material quality, the stitching, the zippers, etc.
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Consider Classic Designs – If you are making your first investment in a designer handbag, you will want to get a great deal of use out of it. Think about all the ways you will use the bag and what items you regularly like to carry with you. If you buy something on impulse purely because it’s trendy, you may find your “investment” sitting in your closet instead of completing your outfit. The other benefit of a more classic design is that it is more likely to hold its resale value in the event that you do decide to sell it, or donate it to a worthy cause. But, whether it’s trendy or classic, the most important thing is next…
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Do you love it? The bottom line—regardless of brand, or what the latest trends are on Instagram—do you love the bag? Is it something that will go with the majority of things in your wardrobe? Is it the right size for your needs? Does it spark joy? What does your gut tell you?
What is Vegan Leather?
In general terms, vegan leather refers to a material that simulates the look and/or feel of leather, but that does not use animal skin. The terms faux leather and pleather are also often used when describing a vegan handbag. The most commonly used materials for vegan leathers are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU); both materials are plastic-based. Other creative and sustainable materials such as pineapple leaves, cork, and recycled plastics may also be used.
In the past, buying a “fake leather” handbag usually meant buying something low quality that wasn’t likely to last very long. Today, there are beautifully made vegan bags of all styles—from totes and shoulder bags, to crossbody and evening bags—and many produced by well-known and respected designers, like Stella McCartney, Angela Roi, Matt & Nat, Melie Bianco and more. In fact, designer vegan handbags are known for their outstanding design and luxury, just like real leather handbags. Between the high quality and affordable price tag of today’s vegan leather handbags, they can be a stylish and attractive substitute for bags made of animal skin.
Basic Handbag Care
Depending on the material of your handbag, or whether or not it has embellishments, like feathers, fringe or crystals, there will be different instructions for cleaning and maintaining your bag. However, there are some universal, basic tips for caring for handbags, such as: stuffing your bag to help keep its shape when not in use; using a leak-proof cosmetic pouch for lotions, pens, or anything that could spill or stain the interior of your bag; storing your bag upright; and using a dust bag. Your handbag purchase at our resale boutique will come with your bag’s original dust bag if available, or one of our signature Wag N’ Purr Shop dust bags.
5 Benefits of Shopping Resale
Shopping resale is on the rise, and for good reason. Here are a few reasons why:
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Save Money without Sacrificing Quality – When you buy secondhand items, it is typically a given that you get a bargain. However, keep in mind that you don’t have to sacrifice quality to save money when shopping resale. Many items you’ll find at Wag N’ Purr Shop are New or Like New, even though pre-owned.
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Help Save the Planet – Many of us don’t know that the fashion industry’s carbon footprint accounts for 10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. You can make a real difference by shopping secondhand. At Wag N’ Purr Shop we are doing our part to reduce fashion’s carbon footprint by giving new life to new and gently used, high quality handbags, accessories and more.
Sustainable fashion is not just a trend, and most experts think it’s here to stay. Shopping resale, or donating (versus tossing) your own gently used items are two of the easiest ways to participate in the sustainable fashion movement.
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Sleuth Out Hard-to-Find Items No Longer in Stores – We’ve all been there. A store discontinues an item you had really loved, and now you wish you could find it again. Shopping resale is a terrific way to find certain models and/or items that are no longer in stores, but are still very much sought after. In fact, shopping resale can be like a treasure hunt…and who doesn’t like a treasure hunt?!
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Designer Items with Deep Discounts– As we said before, shopping for preowned items is a great way to save money. However, getting a luxury designer handbag, pair of sunglasses or piece of jewelry at a bargain price is one of the best and most fun reasons to shop resale.
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Support Small or Local Businesses (and Support a Great Cause) – OK, these are technically two reasons in one, but here at Wag N’ Purr Shop, you’ll not only support a small business, you’ll also help us in our cause to save more pets from economic euthanasia. How? Because 100% of our profits benefit FACE Foundation which provides financial assistance to individuals and families with pets in need of critical or life-saving veterinary care that would otherwise be unaffordable. To date, over 3,000 pets’ lives have been saved. How often do you get to feel this good by making a purchase?
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