The $50 Challenge

1. Yves Saint Laurent silk scarf ($50, Ends 14 July 2012), 2. Coach large leather messenger bag ($49, Ends 2 June 2012), 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs spyglass necklace ($35, Ends 1 July 2012), 4. Yves Saint Laurent leather belt ($38, Ends 11 July 2012).


Four of my favourites from the shoestring-chic brief. First up, a perfect Yves Saint Laurent silk scarf in navy with a red geometric print and hand-rolled edges measuring 45 x 45cm. Then, the vintage black leather messenger bag by Coach which made it onto this list because it has been re-released by Coach as of late with a slew of other vintage Coach favourites in the 'Coach Classics' collection. It is now called the 'Court Bag' and although this guy is really in need of conditioning, it is the original and a fraction of the price of the re-make. Next up, the Marc by Marc Jacobs spyglass necklace (not so vintage) which was released as one of the label's 'Special Items', a collection of funky urban costume jewellery and knick-knacks that come at a fraction of the usual cost (bless him). The length is variable, up to 60cm. Finally, the Yves Saint Laurent white leather belt, perfect for acid wash or white ankle jeans, size 38 (roughly an Australian 10, but I keep a leather punch at hand for anyone smaller).

Bally - quilted lambskin

Item: Bally quilted lambskin bag

Purchase Price: $260

From my own collection. I have adored all of the vintage Bally bags I have had in this quilted leather, but now this baby is going to a new home. It measures about 32cm across and is in great condition. Black leather lining and dustbag. Contact for a viewing if you're in Perth.

Comparative Value: > $600

Yves Saint Laurent Clutch

Item: Yves Saint Laurent cream clutch

Purchase Price (including postage): $340

Sale Ends: 20 June 2012

Very fond of the chevron quilted leather on this little guy. Looks as though there is some discolouration where the black hardware meets the cream leather but the lining looks great and it still has its original dustbag and box. This is quite a large clutch measuring 28cm across. Individual seller with good record, but additional authentication required as always.

Comparative Value: > $500

Fendi Envelope Bag - SOLD

Item: Fendi black envelope bag

Purchase Price: $130

SOLD 

The box-ness of this bag may be slightly off-putting, but androgyny is among my favourite things and so I think it quite fantastic. It is a 24 x 18cm rectangle about 3cm deep, and looks to be in great condition though the outer leather is in need of a clean.  The cream leather lining is flawless, if a little impractical. 

The bag is from an individual seller in Europe. The quality of the stitching and the hardware on this bag looks great, additional authentication would be obtained as per VBW policy.

Little Red Chanel

Item: Chanel envelope clutch / wallet

Purchase Price (including postage): $480

Sale Ends: 25 June 2012

This is not the cheapest I've ever seen one of these but it is the best condition. I adore the flat quilted Chanel clutches of the 80s with their demure little double 'c's (huge logos are a bit distasteful, no?). It has two full size open compartments inside and would probably work better as a clutch than a wallet.

The inside is flawless and the intact serial number puts it between 1986 and 1988.

More Hermes Goodness

Item: Hermes Herbag PM in black and toile

Purchase Price: $680

This Herbag is one I am selling from my own collection. For those not familiar with Herbags - it has a drum-dyed leather top and handle which is interchangeable with two treated canvas sacs (one in black and one in Hermes toile). The hardware is palladium and includes a clochette, keys and lock. You can see it disassembled in the third photo.

The PM size is 30cm across at the bottom and about 26 high. It has been well used since I bought it and is priced accordingly. The black canvas sac has wear on all four bottom corners and the leather is indented where the clasp comes through at the front, there is also general scratching on the brushed palladium finishes. It is complete with all its parts including a glove holder, but no dustbag. It came from its original owner in Japan and was authenticated (of course) when it arrived. The date code is 'G' in a square, so it was born in 2003.

Email me for more photos. Anyone interested (in Perth) is welcome to come and have a look, and the new owner will get a (much needed) lesson in disassembling and reassembling.

Comparative Value: $1,500

H ring

Item: Hermes ring in black and silver

Purchase Price (including postage): $162

Sale Ends: 08 July 2012

In the same vein as the CDC cuff, but less bondage. US ring size 6.5 (smallish). Leather is in need of conditioning, and there is some damage to the edge on the reverse side. The seller is a major Tokyo consignment store with an extensive refund policy.

Ostrich Leather Bally

Item: Vintage Bally ostrich purse

Purchase Price (including postage): $790

Sale Ends: 16 Jun, 2012

Wannnnt. Measures about 30cm across at the widest point. Looks to have minor scuffing on one corner and on the screws on the clasp. Lined in Orange leather.

Sourced from a relatively small seller in Shinagawa, 100% positive feedback. Additional authentication required as always.

Louis Vuitton Red Riviera

Item: Louis Vuitton Riviera bag in red epi leather

Purchase Price (including postage): $390

Sale Ends: 07 July 2012

Everything I see in LV's Castillion Red I want to eat. The recent renaissance of epi leather at Louis Vuitton is testament to the timelessness of bags like this. It measures about 36cm across.

Condition: Looks pretty good, though there are some small marks on the leather which may not come out (epi leather is notoriously hard to treat). Still has its dustbag, but has lost its luggage tag. No visible signs of fading on gold hardware, some scratching consistent with age.

Authentication: More photos would need to be requested from the seller to submit this bag for authentication. The stitching looks good, but no serial number is provided.

Comparative Price: $1,150

Ferragamo chain strap purse

Item: Salvatore Ferragamo black leather clutch purse

Purchase Price (including postage): $240

Sale Ends: 15 July 2012

Awesome Ferragamo. STEAL.

Measures 28 x 20cm. Leather needs conditioning, gold hardware looks slightly scratched but not faded. As with everything on this watchlist, it comes from a reputable seller and looks to be authentic on the photos provided, but additional authentication will be obtained if you want to purchase.

Comparative Price: $475

The ultimate in carry-on: Hermes Herbag GM

Item: Hermes Herbag GM 

Purchase Price (including postage): $494

Sale Ends: 08 July 2012

This is a STEAL. As the biggest Herbag, the GM the perfect size to fit everything in for carry-on or an overnighter (click here for size reference). The date stamp is a B in a square - made in 1998. A full list of Hermes date codes can be found here.

Condition: It still has all of the hardware parts including the keys, lock, glove holder, clochette and long strap, which is pretty unusual for a Herbag this age. Unfortunately it has lost its dustbag and the second canvas bottom-half it would've come with, but it is still one complete bag and the price more than compensates. The bottom corners are not scuffed (something to look out for with vintage Herbags) but the canvas does have some minor discolouration/spots that may come out. The Palladium-plated hardware looks to be pretty good. The main issue with the condition is the leather - many Herbags this colour (and age) show the same mottled patina. I don't think it matters too much with such a rough-and-ready bag, but this could be restored if desired. Full instructions for restoration can be scoured out of this Hermes restoration thread, or I can restore it for you.

Authentication: I have dealt with these bags quite a bit, and this one looks good to me. Authentication is more of an art, especially with Herbags because they have no stitching. The seller is a well-known Japanese consignment store, and has no negative feedback relating to authentication. As always with the Buyer's Service, professional authentication will be carried out on purchase.

Comparative Value: $1,500