How to Find a Vintage Esprit Tote Bag

If you were in junior high or high school in the late eighties or early nineties, you know how important it was to own an Esprit tote bag. These canvas tote bags were the perfect accessory to have along side your stonewashed jeans and Swatch watches. You carried them to school, to the beach and to the mall. Having this bag meant you were part of the cool elite; you knew style. Sadly, Esprit no longer makes these bags and they can be hard to come by. But if you're dedicated to the hunt, you can find a vintage Esprit Tote Bag.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    
   Find a Vintage Esprit bag on Ebay!

   Check Ebay first and often. Every now and again, you will see these awesome bags listed. But be prepared to shell out some hefty bucks. Bidding usually starts low, but once other vintage Esprit tote bag lovers realize they are up for auction, the price steadily rises. I've seen some go for as much as $60.

2. 
    
   Good luck shopping!

   Seek out a vintage store or thrift shop in your town. The vintage stores may sometimes have them as well as the old school thrift stores. The thrift stores that offer newer merchandise don't seem to know the value of these bags and cast them off as not worth selling. But when shopping in these stores be sure to check all areas for them-sometimes they can be with luggage and book bags or sometimes with the purses. If you are friendly with the store associates, have them keep and eye out for you.

3. 
    
   Check yard sales.

   Be sure to go to random yard sales, garage sales and church thrift sales. People are more than eager to clear out the unwanted leftover belongings from their children who are now adults and have since moved out. Those children may have had vintage Esprit tote bags and left them behind at their parent's house. Now, those bags are up for sale and could end up in your hands if you are in the right place at the right time.

4. 
    
   Esprit bag!!

   Contact your friend's parents. If you are in your late twenties or early to mid thirties, the parents of your junior high or high school friends may have these vintage Esprit tote bags in their attics, closets or basements and don't even know it. If they don't want the bags, the totes could be yours!

Tips & Warnings

• © Copyright Cherie L. Steffen All Rights Reserved 2009

[ccsteffen]

on 8/20/2009 Feel free to send it down to NC!!

[psujem00]

on 8/20/2009 How about go in my attic... I am sure I have a blue one with white writing from Jr. High!