Prada Evening Bags and Minaudières

Prada makes some of the world’s most luxurious handbags. The iconic Italian fashion house’s vintage purses, crossbody bags, shoulder bags and other bags are part of a storied history that reaches back to 1913, when it was founded by Mario Prada.

In 1919, Prada was named Official Supplier to the Italian Royal Household. During the years that followed, the company expanded internationally and, to this day, continues to innovate in the luxury fashion space.

Prada is famous for its Saffiano leather, which is heat-treated for high durability and quality. Elegant and modern, Prada bags are made of leather or nylon. From clutches to tote bags, Prada’s designs tend to be sleek and timeless. The Re-edition Nylon Mini has been a favorite among celebrities, but the Galleria, which is known for its clean lines and sturdy construction, the Cahier and the Nylon tote are also popular designs. Nylon revolutionized the brand’s business, with the first Prada nylon backpack released to universal acclaim in 1984.

Because of the craftsmanship involved in creating Prada bags, they carry a luxury price tag whether they’re vintage, pre-owned or brand-new. And as coveted objects that make bold statements to the outside world, vintage designer handbags generally have appreciated in value more in recent years than houses or cars have. A vintage Prada bag may be a great investment — if it’s the real deal. When you’re trying to tell if a Prada bag is real, perhaps the most obvious tell is a price that’s too good to be true. But not all fake Prada bags are sold at low prices, and it’s not always easy to discern real from counterfeit without a close inspection.

Some inauthentic Prada bags are more obvious than others, rife with telltale signs like poor-quality stitching, tarnished hardware and even misspellings of Prada. A fake may be so evident that you don’t even have to pop it open to know it’s not genuine.

A genuine Prada bag has the inverted triangle logo. The plaque containing the logo on a real bag is the same color as the bag itself, so watch out for even tiny differences in hue. The plaque should be perfectly straight and securely attached — if it’s crooked, it’s a fake. (Read more about how to spot a fake Prada bag here.)

Find a wide variety of vintage Prada handbags, top handle bags, travel bags and other items on 1stDibs.