If You Love Hunting For Vintage, You’ll Love This Hack

While my collection of handbags is vast, it lacks in the vintage department. Out of the 16 designer bags I own, only two are vintage. It’s worth noting that one of them is my Dior Saddle Pochette, which was my very first designer purchase. It has stayed with me all these years, so it wasn’t exactly considered vintage when I bought it.

On the Hunt

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve curated my collection and honed in on my aesthetic a bit more, looking only to keep bags I hope to hold onto forever. I’ve also furthered my knowledge of various designers, both vintage and current, and discovered and fell for bags that were created well before my time.

Thus, I’ve made it a point to start a list of vintage bags I’d like to add to my collection, and when I went to Paris earlier this month, I was on the lookout for those rare gems.

I was mainly looking for the perfect vintage Fendi Baguette, but time after time, I kept striking out. I had my eyes peeled for other options, as I really wanted to leave with a vintage bag, but nothing spoke to me enough to spend. Hindsight is 20/20 because shortly after I returned, I discovered the Tom Ford-era Gucci bag of my dreams.

A Vintage Dream

Tom Ford’s Gucci pieces remain some of the most coveted items on the vintage market, with certain pieces selling well beyond their original retail value. As an adult, I’ve most enjoyed rediscovering this period in fashion, and I’ve wanted to add a vintage bag from his tenure to my collection for a long time.

While certain bags, like the Horsebit Shoulder Bag, are well known, the designer was responsible for dozens of designs at the brand’s helm. When I saw a slim black shoulder pouch with a chain strap that is indicative of Tom Ford’s designs on Instagram, I instantly had to have it.

A shop I follow, Nünü Vintage, was selling the bag for $750. I almost—and let me repeat, almost—purchased it immediately, but I know better than to buy anything secondhand without using my secret weapon: Google Lens.

Using the Google App on my phone, I quickly popped the image into Google Lens, locating a Poshmark listing within seconds. Immediately, I sent the seller an offer, and just like that, I snagged the vintage Tom Ford-era Gucci Bag of my dreams for $382.

Pretty cool, right? I haven’t worn her out yet, but I picture this being the perfect mini for nights out, weddings, and black-tie events—the perfect vintage mini I’ll keep forever.

Shop Tom Ford-era Gucci via TRR.