When looking for your next designer bag, there are two things to keep in mind.
Of course, the first and most important step is to choose a luxury handbag that you adore, with a style that speaks to you and best complements your ensembles.
The second, and possibly as crucial, step is to ensure that your next handbag is worthwhile and preserves, if not improves, its value.
The pandemic of 2020 demonstrated that life is unpredictably unexpected. Many people found that selling a couple of their designer bags helped them pay their bills during difficult times. Luxury handbags are essential accessories, but we believe that as lovely as they are in your hand or on your shoulder, they should also be available on rainy days.
However, Hermes, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton make the best handbag styles to invest in. Each of these designers has a unique feature that contributes to their high resale handbag values. Let’s take a look at which Hermes, Chanel, and LV models are the best investments, and why.
The Best Hermes Bags to Buy
The ‘X’ element for Hermes is exclusivity and scarcity, as well as opulent styles and top-notch leather craftsmanship. The designer maintains a tight grip on the quantity of handbags it creates, which boosts demand and, ultimately, resale value.
While most other designers have one or two “flagship” bags that appreciate the most, Hermes has a wide range of handbag types that hold their value very well, with some considerably increasing in value over time. This is true of Evelyn bags from the most basic to the most opulent, such as Birkins.
The renowned Birkin, possibly the most sought-after bag in the fashion world, is, of course, the best Hermes investment bag. Unless you’re an A-lister or have spent a lot of money at a Hermes boutique and developed a connection with one, you won’t be able to buy it new from Hermes. Even then, you’d be lucky to get a call from Hermes telling you that a Birkin will be “issued” to you.
As a result, the resale market for these bags has grown, with resale values outperforming returns on the S&P500 and gold in certain years! Because black leather with gold hardware is the most liquid color/hardware combination, it is the gold standard of investment Birkins.
However, Hermes Birkin or Kelly manufactured from exotic crocodile or alligator leather are the greatest choice if you’re seeking for the best future return. Exotic leathers are being phased out of several designers’ purses, making these stunning creations even more unusual.
Except for another black Birkin made of Porosus Crocodile leather, the simple luxury of the black leather Birkin with gold hardware is unrivalled! While a’regular’ leather Birkin can be had for roughly $20,000, crocodile Birkins can cost upwards of $50,000!
Almost every other Hermes handbag shares the Birkin’s legendary status and investment potential. While other Hermes bags, such as the Evelyn, the Garden Party Tote, and the Constance, may not appreciate as swiftly as Birkins or Kellies, they do hold their worth extremely well.
You may even wear the purse on a daily basis and expect it to retain 60-80% of its original value provided it is well-maintained and unblemished. Designer handbags, particularly Hermes, are crafted of high-quality materials that last a long time, which contributes to their high resale value.
The Best Louis Vuitton Bags to Buy
Why are Louis Vuitton handbags so expensive? The unrivalled LV branding capability and the quality monogram canvas material, which the designer has mastered over a century, account for the majority of Louis Vuitton’s financial worth.
When you see the distinctive LV logo monogram on purses, wallets, duffel bags, or suitcases, you immediately think luxury. Louis Vuitton has also released a more modern Damier print monogram canvas, which is a little more bespoke than the LV mark but still conveys a sense of understated richness that many people appreciate.
LV’s characteristic canvas, on the other hand, is unlike any other, with a hard, leathery texture that is exceptionally durable and ages wonderfully with a vintage patina.
Without fear of harm or loss of value, you may confidently carry your LV handbag every day. In fact, Louis Vuitton holds its worth so well because pre-owned Louis Vuitton handbags are frequently still in excellent shape.
In fact, the monogram canvas is so good that we observe the brass hardware corrode and the vachetta leather trim acquire patina before the canvas shows signs of wear on many antique instances.
Depending on the age of the bag, the colour of the Vachetta leather accent varies. The Speedy bag features the darkest handles in the image above, while the Keepall has the lightest. These bags aren’t quite as pricey as Hermes; expect to pay $1,000-$2,000 for a pre-owned version, depending on size and condition.
The Speedy, the Neverfull tote, the Alma, and the Keepall duffle are the best Louis Vuitton handbags to invest in. These models tend to retain up to 80% of their original value on the purse resale market due to their popularity. They’re high-liquidity investments that sell quickly.
Investing in a vintage Louis Vuitton handbag is the ideal way to get the most bang for your buck, as they are less expensive while still providing Louis Vuitton’s unrivalled durability and craftsmanship.
When purchasing a pre-owned Louis Vuitton bag, however, be sure you are purchasing from a reliable reseller who will guarantee the bag’s authenticity. LV is one of the most counterfeited bags due to its popularity.
Check how to authenticate a Gucci Bag here
The Best Chanel Bags to Buy
Chanel is a classic and a pioneer in the designer handbag business, with the iconic 2.55 flap bag perhaps starting it all.
While Chanel is known for its classic handbag designs, it is also known for paving the way for contemporary fashion by presenting seasonal runway shows including new handbag designs. The value of these more sophisticated handbags as an investment hinges on whether the transient, seasonal buzz turns into a long-term trend.
Classic handbag models, on the other hand, are the ideal investment options because they have always been fashionable and will continue to be so. The Classic 2.55 Flap, the 2.55 Reissue, the Wallet-on-Chain, the Boy Bag, and the Shopping Totes are all examples.
Check out our full Chanel Bag authentication and Investment Guide to discover more about each bag’s attributes and crucial investment points.
These classic Chanel purses have a high resale value. If you can get your hands on a Chanel 2.55 flap bag in black caviar leather with gold hardware, you can be sure it will appreciate with time.
The same can be said for the other two styles; however, because Chanel handbags are less durable than Louis Vuitton bags, their resale value is more dependent on their condition.
If you buy a Chanel bag with the intention of preserving its worth, you should not carry it on a daily basis; instead, you should enjoy its beauty and luxury on special occasions, but be cautious. To discover more about how to protect your investment, see our handbag care guide.
What is the greatest approach to make a Chanel investment? Purchase a previously owned item! Finding the perfect one, real and in good shape, may take some time. But after you’ve done so, you’ll be able to enjoy the finest of Chanel while knowing you spent wisely.
Because they have actual gold integrated into their hardware and feel heavier and more solid in the hand, vintage Chanel handbags are highly rare and collectible. As with any other pre-owned designer handbag, make sure to buy from a trustworthy reseller who can guarantee authenticity.
The fact that designer handbags are useable assets is what makes them such great investments. You can buy a designer handbag, use and love it for years, and yet sell it for a profit if you do it right.
If you want your next designer handbag to last as long as possible, here are some key takeaways:
- Purchase a Hermes, Chanel, or Louis Vuitton purse. These are the most well-known brands.
- Choose styles that are more classic or timeless. The demand for these purses is already high, and it’s just going to get higher!
- Choose hues that are in high demand. Handbags that are fluorescent, flashy, or neon are not for everyone. Black, white, taupe, brown, and traditional hardware like gold/silver/palladium are all good choices.
- Don’t be hesitant to flaunt your investment, but do so with caution. Although LV monogram canvas can tolerate daily wear and tear, Chanel leather and most Hermes leathers are water, dirt, and scratch-sensitive.
- Don’t be hesitant to invest on vintage: you’ll often get more bang for your buck, plus you’ll have that unique vintage “you-can’t-get-this-in-stores” charm.
- If you’re looking for pre-owned designer handbags, make sure you go to a trustworthy reseller with clear policies and a money-back authenticity guarantee.
