Five designer handbags destined for Santa’s sack this Christmas

There are many reasons to buy designer second hand items and one is that it allows you to jump the queue. French fashion brand Hermès, for example, limits the number of new Birkin bags it makes available, meaning customers may have to wait up to six months to get their hands on one.

Here are five examples of designer handbags being offered at auction via thesaleroom.com. For more on what to know before bidding read our guide on handbag buying at auction. 

1. Yves Saint Laurent clutch

This handbag (above) is popular with buyers because of its versatility. The tassel wallet chain handbag can be worn as a bag or as a clutch or wallet when you remove the chain. It retails at just over £1000 and sells at auction for between £400-600. This example is in very good condition and is offered at Fellows’ sale on December 2, with its dust bag and box.

View this Saint Laurent Kate tassel chain wallet handbag on thesaleroom.com.

2. Chanel red leather bag

A red leather embossed bag by Chanel estimated at £300-500 at Duke’s.

This red leather embossed bag by Chanel comes with silvertone hardware, an authenticity card, dustbag and original box. It is listed with serial number 18640901 and is estimated at £300-500 at Duke’s on December 5.

View this red leather Chanel handbag on thesaleroom.com.

3. Dior saddle bag

A multi-coloured Dior saddle bag estimated at £200-300 at Tate Ward.

Designed with a multi-coloured printed satin exterior and silver-tone monogram hardware, the saddle bag style item is numbered O1RU 1003 and is estimated at £200-300. It comes with its dust bag and will be offered at Tate Ward on December 10. View this Dior saddle bag on thesaleroom.com.

4. Lucky charm Chanel bag

A limited edition Lucky Charms 2.55 Reissue handbag by Chanel estimated at £1000-1500 at Fellows.

This a limited edition Lucky Charms 2.55 Reissue handbag by Chanel is offered at Fellows’ December 2 sale with an estimate of £1000-1500. Designed with a quilted black crinkled calfskin exterior with applied charm embellishments, there are two charms missing from the front of the bag. It was made in 2006-08 and this example has the serial number 11145611.

View this lucky charm Chanel bag on thesaleroom.com.

5. Hermès Birkin

A fuschia porosus crocodile leather 'Diamond' Birkin handbag by Hermès estimated at £80,000-85,000 at William & George.

If you really want to splash some cash, auction house William & George may have the item for you. This fuschia porosus crocodile leather 'Diamond' Birkin handbag by Hermès is estimated at £80,000-85,000. Hermès Birkin handbags are among its most desirable and are named after actress and singer Jane Birkin.

This version comes with a dust bag, diamond lock, keys, authenticity details and papers and is offered in William & George’s timed online auction ending on December 5.

View this Hermès Birkin handbag on thesaleroom.com.

New to auctions? Read about how to buy at auction here and find out how auction charges work.

For more on handbags visit our handbags guide.