This holiday season, we’ve found the gifts that feel great to get and even better to give. Shop Well-Received, our collection of editor-approved holiday gift guides,hereand shop this gift guide on Pinteresthere.
Gone are the days when secondhand meant second-best. Climate-conscious shoppers are embracing circular fashion, luxury resale has become a favorite among trendsetters, and secondhand clothes and accessories have transformed into both acceptable and highly desirable gifts. This holiday season, more and more people are maximizing their gift budgets with pre-loved treasures.
Thanks to thrift stores and resale platforms like Depop, The RealReal, and eBay, you can score designer handbags and shoes, quality winter accessories, and cult pieces from beloved brands — all for a fraction of the retail price. Gifting someone a secondhand item may take a little extra effort — like knowing their style preferences and clothing or shoe size — but it’s a meaningful way to show you care about both them and the environment. “There’s a real romance in gifting something that has lived a previous life,” vintage seller Erin Murphy tells Refinery29. “With secondhand gifts, you’re gifting the story of the piece with someone who means something to you.”
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Accessories: A Pre-Loved Bag
“A vintage bag is the perfect secondhand gift: It’s a wardrobe staple that keeps its quality,” Vivien Tang, owner of Vivien’s Vintage, tells Refinery29. For the trend-savvy recipient, look for trending styles like Y2K-inspired East-West bags or ‘60s frame handbags. Bonus points if it’s from its original era.
Coach Vintage Hampton Bag, $, available at Poshmark
Accessories: Statement Jewelry
Good things come in small packages. Whether it’s a rare cocktail ring, quirky brooch, or tennis bracelet, pre-loved jewelry adds a personal and thoughtful touch. A quick polish and it’s ready to dazzle under the tree.
Vintage Women's Gold Watch Ring, $, available at Depop
Accessories: A Cozy Scarf
An oversized scarf is a winter essential that’s far more fun to give (and receive) than to buy for yourself. Seek out chunky knits, bright colors, or bold prints (if that’s their thing), and prioritize quality fabrics like wool and cashmere. Popular secondhand options include brands like Acne Studios, Burberry, and Loewe.
Acne Studios Fringe Wool Scarf, $, available at eBay
Accessories: A Vintage Watch
A timeless timepiece makes a thoughtful gift for the style-conscious. Whether it’s a sleek ’80s classic, an angular mid-century design, or a retro digital watch, research the brand and check seller reviews to ensure authenticity.
Hermès Carrick Watch, $, available at The Real Real
Classic Vintage Finds: A Retro Graphic Tee
A vintage graphic tee can be the ultimate personality gift. Look for rare concert tees, cult movie graphics, or slogans related to an inside joke. And if it’s not their style, it can always double as a cozy pajama top.
Disney Short Sleeve T-Shirt, $, available at ThredUP
Classic Vintage Finds:
Limited-Edition Sneakers
The secondhand market is a goldmine for sneakerheads. Many pre-loved sneakers are barely worn or like-new, so search for limited-edition releases or designer collaborations to find a one-of-a-kind pair.
Adidas x Wales Bonner Patent Leather Trainers, $, available at Vestiaire Collective
Classic Vintage Finds: A Chunky Sweater
Introduce them to a new winter staple with a pre-loved oversized cable-knit, a colorful cardigan, or even a festive holiday number. You’ll find plenty of well-constructed, charming pieces from decades past in the secondhand market.
Secondhand outerwear offers endless possibilities, from slouchy, oversized jackets to timeless tailored coats. Have a style in mind, whether it’s a vintage trench or a suede blazer, to narrow down the search.
A classic pair of Prada loafers is a surefire way to impress. From brushed leather to platform soles and sleek colorways, these timeless shoes are ideal for anyone with luxury taste.
With searches for Miu Miu sunglasses surging this season (eBay reports a 30% increase), these bold, playful frames are a standout gift. Look for statement-making cat-eye shapes, rhinestone embellishments, or oversized silhouettes to add a touch of glamour.
Miu Miu Tinted Wraparound Sunglasses (F/W 2002), $, available at eBay
Cult Luxury Items: A Bottega Veneta Bag
Bottega Veneta’s iconic Intrecciato woven leather makes its bags instantly recognizable yet understated. These quietly luxurious pieces are perfect for the fashion insider who loves an “if you know, you know” vibe.
Bottega Veneta Mini Pouch, $, available at The Real Real
Cult Luxury Items: Chanel Heels
Nothing says timeless elegance like a pair of Chanel heels. Seek out classic styles such as quilted pumps, cap-toe slingbacks, or vintage Mary Janes for a gift that will never go out of style.
Chanel Patent Leather Mary Jane Shoes, $, available at Poshmark
One-of-a-Kind Finds: A Reworked Top
For a truly one-of-a-kind gift, consider a hand-made or upcycled item — a reworked top with modern silhouettes like cinched waists or cropped lengths is spot-on for the modernist in your life. “With reworks, each garment is hand-sourced with love and re-engineered into its new design,” says Charley Keighley, who sells ruched button-downs and reworked bubble skirts.
Many secondhand sellers make their own jewelry out of repurposed materials, often made from vintage coins, recycled metals, or antique charms — a gift as personal as it gets. Bonus: You’re supporting independent creators while giving a gift that’s truly unique.
Colleen Toland Vintage Beaded Bracelet, $, available at Etsy
One-of-a-Kind Finds: Handmade Knitwear
Cozy scarves or hats crafted from vintage wool or upcycled blankets make thoughtful, one-of-a-kind presents. Perfect for supporting small businesses and independent creators while gifting your loved one a truly one-of-a-kind gem.
Tatterworks Recycled Long Wool Scarf, $, available at Etsy
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At this point you can assume every trend from the 2000s will have its day in the sun — but even amid this ongoing revival, the east-west bag showed its potential for much longer staying power this year. Pun intended.
Last year, Hermès smartly capitalized on this shift by rereleasing its trendsetting east-west Birkin for spring/summer 2024. A slew of horizontal styles followed, from Alaïa’s Le Teckel to Khaite’s Simona to Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo riff on the silhouette.
As a result, luxury resale destinations have seen a significant uptick in interest for pre-loved originals. On eBay, UK searches for the silhouette have increased by 150% this year. In its annual resale report, released earlier this month, Fashionphile reports that searches for Chanel east-west bags increased by 333%, while sales of Louis Vuitton east-west bags went up by 142% this past year.
“The bag appeals to consumers looking for a piece that transitions easily between casual and formal settings,” Landyn Tedrick, Fashionphile’s site merchandising specialist, tells Refinery29. “This versatility, along with its sleek and minimalist aesthetic, has made it a favorite among our younger consumers.” (Tedrick identifies Fendi’s Baguette as “the east-west bag’s biggest competitor within the luxury resale market” as “both bags offer sleek, compact designs perfect for transitioning between day and night, and both have experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to the revival of early 2000s fashion and celebrity endorsements.”)
The east-west silhouette is a happy medium between two dueling styles: the micro mini and the more-is-more shoulder bag (think: Jacquemus’ micro Le Chiquito and Balenciaga’s maximalist Cagole). Over on #handbagtiktok, savvy creators like @re.tyche and @celesta have praised its versatility.
The trend isn’t going anywhere in the new year. For spring/summer 2025, Jil Sander brought out embellished versions, while Louis Vuitton offered a strappy, vintage-inspired iteration. The endorsement of It Girls like Charli XCX, Kendall Jenner and Ayo Edebiri doesn’t hurt, either.
If you’re shopping for your first east-west, we’d point you to The Row’s Abby and Savette’s Symmetry Pochette, which serve quiet luxury realness with their minimalist detailing. Magda Butrym’s Brigitte Trapeze packs a subtle statement with its floral embellishments, while the bamboo top handle on Jil Sander’s Goji is a structural dream. @Celesta’s favorite east-west bags are her Dior Lady D-Joy and two Freja New York styles: the Caroline and the Chrystie.
From the silhouette’s easy styling to its various price points, the east-west bag makes a major case for becoming your next wardrobe staple — if it isn’t already.
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