Second hand chic?

Can second hand clothes or accessories be deemed as chic? Is there such as thing as garage-sale glamour? It's all in the vocabulary, really, as vintage and antiquity have a more aspirational connotation than a recycled hand-me-down. We all know that the newest goods are often too readily acquired or quickly copied. Seeking out what is "original" and nearly impossible to find, elite tastemakers are turning to eBay and vintage stores for what are now considered iconic goods.

When it comes to fashion, yard sales probably do not imply second hand luxury. Trailing the vintage stores around Portobello, however and you soon could have yourself an expensive brand with a past life. A previously worn Chanel Jacket is more pre-owned posh than 'just a used jacket.' The obsession with hand me down splendor and the shift in attitude towards pre-ownership seems to have affected even less specialized consumer goods. Furniture, jewellery and cars are very desirable to the connoisseur.

And when it comes to second hand bags - think Balenciaga, Hermes and Louis Vuitton, there are enough websites on the internet catering to the second hand luxury market. From eBay to Portero.com to bagstoriches.com, there is a plethora of evolving bags, satchels and purses on sale screaming authenticity and even luxury. But beware, second hand doesn't come without a price tag. You can easily pay £600 for a used Chanel bag on eBay. But it's still cheaper than buying it shiny and new straight from the shop.