Chapter 3: Miu Miu Bags

Enter into the void of girlish delight: selections from my Miu Miu bag collection, plus how to shop secondhand Miu Miu bags.

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I’ve been collecting for years and I own over 30 (!!!) Miu Miu bags. But I’ve never bought a single one for anything close to the original retail price. The appeal of Miu Miu bags, especially in the era in which Miuccia Prada was working without Raf Simons (he allegedly doesn’t touch Miu Miu, though the impending minimalism that has usurped the Miu Miu universe since he joined Prada may suggest otherwise) pertains to a very particular kind of girlish whimsy with a touch of oddball wit. In the heyday of Miu Miu bags (2008-2019 for me, RIP) one could easily expect mismatched textures, colliding colors, and all kinds of mesmerizing, nostalgic prints. An old Miu Miu bag is simply iconic because it’s also instantly recognizable; those who know, know.

To me, old Miu Miu bags are both the epitome of nostalgia and deeply imbued with intellect. They offer the subtle but impactful touch of a woman designer who was so clearly and so distinctly designing for women during a very specific time. What’s both good and bad for all of us, is the fact that many of the older Miu Miu bags have not held their value throughout time. Which means Miu Miu is one of the few Italian luxury brands that you can still snag secondhand by spending very little, compared to many other high-end brands.

And so, behold, in my opinion, some of the best old Miu Miu bags of all time (inspired by my personal collection with photos). Plus, some tips on how to get the best prices. Most of the bags I’m sharing links to are under $500, with room to make lower offers.

If you’re shopping online (recommended) you can use any of these categories as search terms to find the most interesting and best priced old Miu Miu bags:

Silk printed

Some of the wackiest and most inventive Miu Miu collections of all time feature my favorite symbols; cats, sparrows, numbers. And they look even better on silk. You can usually find these bags and clutches for under $300, like this little ‘60s style flower bag or this rare golden sparrow bag with a flower clasp, which I’ve been staring at for weeks.