The LOVED Guide to Buying Vintage Right: Part 1 — Exterior Checkpoints
The LOVED Guide · Part 1 of 4
Buying Vintage Right
Exterior Checkpoints
What to Look For Before You Buy
A note from Erin
If you've ever wondered how to confidently buy vintage luxury, this is where it starts. I'm kicking off a 4-part series designed to teach you exactly what I look for when sourcing vintage pieces, especially Louis Vuitton.
Because not all vintage is created equal, and knowing what to look for makes all the difference.
Today: Part 1, Exterior Checkpoints. These are the first things I assess before I even consider bringing a bag in.
Inside this guide, I’m breaking down:
- How to read vachetta leather and what to avoid
- The most important structural areas of a bag
- What wear is normal and what isn’t
This is the difference between buying a bag that lasts years and one that doesn’t.
Erin
It Must Be Loved
Part 1
Exterior Checkpoints
Before I source any vintage bag, I check these key areas first. They determine structure, longevity, and overall value. If these fail, the bag isn’t worth it.
01 Vachetta Leather
What to Look For
✔ Look For
- ✔ Even honey patina
- ✔ Soft, flexible leather
✘ Avoid
- ✘ Cracking
- ✘ Dryness
- ✘ Splitting
02 Side Tabs & Handles
The Most Important Area
✔ Strong Tabs
- ✔ Firm, intact structure
- ✔ No deep cracks
- ✔ Leather supple at stress points
✘ Red Flags
- ✘ Cracked tabs
- ✘ Peeling or splitting leather
- ✘ Tabs that flex or feel hollow
03 Piping & Corners
Check the Edges
✔ Acceptable Wear
- ✔ Light surface rubbing
- ✔ Minor patina at corners
- ✔ Piping still intact
✘ Walk Away
- ✘ Exposed or cracked piping
- ✘ Deep corner damage
- ✘ Canvas separating at edges
04 Canvas Condition
Canvas Should Feel Structured
✔ Good Canvas
- ✔ Thick and rigid feel
- ✔ Holds its shape when held
- ✔ Print clear and even
✘ Red Flags
- ✘ Flimsy or soft feel
- ✘ Warping or bubbling
- ✘ Cracking or peeling surface
Quick Checklist
Before you buy, confirm all four:
- ✔ Strong, intact side tabs
- ✔ Healthy, even patina
- ✔ Minimal corner wear, piping intact
- ✔ Structured, rigid canvas
If these pass, you’re off to a strong start.
From My Experience
When I source from Japan, the first thing I check is the side tabs.
If those aren’t strong, I won’t bring the bag in, no matter how beautiful it looks.
Because vintage should last.
Erin · It Must Be Loved
Part 2: Interior Red Flags
LOVED Club gets first access, always.
Next LOVED Club Bag Drop: April 8th
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