Investment designer handbags that hold their retail value over time

Have you ever thought about fashion as an alternative investment class?

You must have noticed that some handbags decrease in value after purchase, while others increase in value in the long term. The reality is that you have had it at home for a few years and then sell it at a profit. However, this pleasant reality applies only to certain types and brands of designer handbags. In some cases, the growth in the value of selected handbags even surpasses traditional markets such as gold.

I am currently dealing with the topic of investment handbags myself, because I think that today's economic situation is not completely stable, and in a situation where there is a "blackout" or something unexpected happens in the world, it is good to have investments spread out in several places. Among other things, have a so-called portable reserve. In short, something you take up little space and can be sold elsewhere.

What is an investment handbag?

I have never mastered the wild cryptocurrency market. It feels like a "money game" to me, without any certainty. As for stocks, thank God for Revolut. That's how I first saw the possibilities of buying and selling. But it's not exactly my cup of coffee.

Fortunately for all of us, the world of alternative investments also includes the definition of an investment handbag. It is a handbag that we would all like to have in our closet. Not only because it is well-made, but above all because its value increases over time. Or at least it still holds a large part of its value.

Since I would also like to buy an investment handbag (yes, I don't have one at the moment either), I'm paying close attention to this topic because I don't want to put my finances in the wrong place. My goal is to buy one so that the handbag will grow in value and stay safe. I am not a fan of wild risk-taking. But I want to be sure that if I buy one, my choice will be the best one I could have made.

I noticed a fairly big difference between an investment handbag and "regular luxury".

I'll tell you what I came up with. If you have any of your own insights, I'd be happy to hear your comments in the comments, because I'm probably not the only one who's thinking about investing in a handbag, and it's great that we can help each other within our sisterhood.

I'll tell you what I came up with. If you have any of your own insights, I'd be happy to hear your comments in the comments, because I'm probably not the only one who's thinking about investing in a handbag, and it's great that we can help each other within our sisterhood.

I noticed that regular luxury works in the way that you buy a handbag: after leaving the store, removing the packaging, and wearing it for the first time, its value immediately decreases. What I've seen on the secondary market, for example, on Vestiaire Collective or eBay, is even 30-50%. That seems like enough to me. You buy a handbag for 2500 dollars, and just by leaving the store, you sell it for 1250 dollars. That's a pretty scary idea for me personally, to lose so much money so quickly. I like my money. :D I can't afford this.

I think one reason this happens is that these brands produce a lot of goods, so there is an abundance of them everywhere.

On the contrary, investment pieces hold a high value because they benefit from the controlled scarcity and high prestige of the brand. If you manage to buy the right model, for example, from Hermès or Chanel, you have practically won. However, this does not apply to all models of these brands. This surprised me a bit. I expected that if someone buys Chanel, they can always sell it for the same value or, better yet, at a profit. But even here you need to be careful. I noticed that most investment handbags never have giant, gold inscriptions or kitschy logos. The handbags look elegant, and the best pieces often have universal colors so that they can be combined for many years to come, regardless of fashion trends. Of course, the brand also produces a few extravagant models that you will see on celebrities and famous people, but how many of those are there that we will buy as an investment? When I look at the essence of the investment handbag system, it seems to me that for selected models, demand absolutely brutally exceeds supply. That's why their price increases, and the handbag only takes up a little space in your closet. What's important to mention. I was talking about Hermès. It's great investment pieces, such as the legendary Birkin bag, are not available for purchase in stores. You have to get on the waiting list for this handbag first. The Hermès brand has its own rules and procedures for getting on the waiting list. You could say that it is a kind of "closed community for the rich". But how do you get to Hermès investment handbags? The solution for us mortals is the secondary market. However, you need to verify the goods' originality. Check the serial number of the handbag, make sure that it is complete (box, certificates, dust bag, and especially the handbag itself). It is a bit of a challenge.

I'm looking for an affordable investment for myself. Nothing flashy, just a timeless classic that will be beautiful for many years to come. Maybe my daughters will inherit it one day, I think. Let's look at Chanel. From what I've seen in the market and on the secondary market, I can say that Chanel is an ideal starting point. That's my goal! 💪

A Chanel handbag is not flashy or extravagant, and it is not subject to fashion trends. So it will be beautiful for many years, still modern and sought after. Moreover, the current creations of this fashion house show that luxury does not have to be loud. Here and there, a subtle, small logo and quality workmanship. Such a handbag is affordable and, moreover, if you choose the right type, it will survive for many years because the quality of both Hermès and Chanel is uncompromising. With proper maintenance, it will last for my daughters as well. 🥰

My mother taught me that what doesn't go out of fashion has its value for decades. Maybe she heard it from her mother, too. Who knows.

Which investment handbag model is great destination?

Any of us will quickly find out that the king of appreciation is Hermès.
The two main models that are worth investing in are:

Birkin Bag

Such a classic if you want to spend money on a handbag instead of a car. 😎 I would compare the classic Birkin Taupe a bit to government bonds. Its price increases slowly, over a long period of time, and constantly. It is not subject to trend fluctuations and holds its price regardless of the economic situation. In addition, when executed correctly, it is also easy to sell.

Kelly Bag

A slightly cheaper version of practically the highest brand you can get. Personally, I prefer the Kelly model for its appearance. It is more practical, weighs less, and gives me a very sophisticated impression. Moreover, unlike the classic Birkin, it is less ostentatious, so if you are a lover of quiet luxury, this is really a hit.

Kelly Pochette

In recent years, the Kelly bag has faced extreme demand, as has its even smaller model, the Kelly Pochette, which is also difficult to find on the secondary market.

If you buy a handbag from the fashion house Hermès on the secondary market and it is in good condition, you can sell it in a few years and, in addition to getting your investment back, you will have something extra.
In addition to the classic Birkin, you can also find a limited edition of the Birkin. It is a real hit!

Hermès Birkin 35 Fray Fray

For example, the Hermès Birkin 35 Fray Fray in the color combination Bleu France / Écru with palladium hardware, see photo. This is a "lightweight" version of the classic Birkin. It combines a sophisticated summer style and classics in the popular 35 cm size.
Body: sturdy cotton canvas Twill H / Toile in cream color.
Top flap and handles: soft Swift leather in a vibrant shade of Bleu France.
Construction: Stronger Sellier-style with external seams, which help it retain a clear geometric shape. Its main detail, and at the same time distinctive feature, is the hand-frayed edges of the canvas (hence the name Fray Fray).
Thanks to the sturdy canvas, the Hermès Birkin 35 Fray Fray weighs only 950 to 1000 grams. Compared to the classic Birkin, which is made of full leather and therefore weighs 1250 to 1400 grams (depending on the type of leather used), this is a lot less. I think that if you really want to wear the bag, the Fray Fray version is much more acceptable, although I have to admit that, for my taste, it is still a relatively large bag, and its opening is quite stiff. When I tracked the prices of investment bags over time, I noticed that the Fray Fray version behaves differently from the classic Taupe version. After its launch, there was a huge hype on the secondary market. Fray Fray prices went up by tens of percent during the first year. However, after the initial wave, the price dropped. Even so, this bag is subject to long-term appreciation, which is slowly increasing.

Birkin is definitely an interesting choice, but again, I will only mention these specific models, while Fray Fray is a little more subject to trends. So the question is whether to hold on for the long term or bet on the safety of the classic Birkin in taupe. When buying these investment handbags on the secondary market, it is important to obtain them from a verified source and to view them in person before purchase. For example, at https://www.unlimitage.com/.

Chanel Classic Medium Double Flap Bag

(Black Caviar Leather with Gold Hardware)

If I had to choose a classic that is not so flashy and I am sure of a return on investment, I would go for models from Chanel. Chanel has been following a policy of increasing prices for many years. In 1983, you could buy a Chanel Classic Medium Double Flap Bag for 1,000 USD. Today, you can buy the same handbag for over 11,000 USD. Are you tearing your hair out like me now? Yes, it is an appreciation of over 1,000%! 😍 And that's just for the fact that it is lying in your closet! If I had to choose between a Hermès from the secondary market and 2 new Chanel Classic Medium Double Flap Bags, I'd take 2 from Chanel. 😁 It has a friendly price for more people, and secondary market sales are faster; more people can buy a Chanel handbag than a Birkin. In addition, it appreciates the fastest of all, every year. But which model to choose? With Chanel, it's easy. Only the Chanel Classic Flap Bag will command such high appreciation. It's an essential piece if you want to save money and don't plan on flying to a party with it to expose it to potential damage. Its price will be higher by tens of percent in just a few years. All other models seem to me more about consumption than investment to me for now.

Chanel Classic Medium Double Flap Bag in Black...

What do I think makes this particular piece such a holy grail for women?
It's the bag's material and design.

Chanel Classic Medium Double Flap Bag in Black Caviar Leather with Gold Hardware (GHW)
This particular model is made of grained calfskin (hence the name "caviar," because it looks like it). This leather is actually very resistant to scratches and wear, so it will still look like new after a few years. Thanks to this property, your bag will retain its value. As for the black design, it's simply an unbeatable and elegant classic. Well, the gold accessories (Gold Hardware - GHW) underline the style and timelessness. It's simply perfect (and therefore harder to find) 😄.

One more Player: Louis Vuitton

Then there's another player. Its handbags are eye-catching and often the first choice for girls who want a luxury handbag. Yes, I'm talking about the fashion house Louis Vuitton.
Many women still perceive handbags from this house as "their first one". If you buy a classic with a famous monogram, you will always turn it over. If you buy it on the secondary market, you won't lose a penny, and you'll be able to sell it for the same price in a few years. Louis Vuitton handbags with a monogram or selected limited editions are more affordable and are the first step into the world of investment handbags.
If I were to think about my first handbag from the house of Louis Vuitton, I would reach for:

Louis Vuitton The Neverfull and Pochette Félicie

Yes, there is also the Speedy, but I prefer the Neverfull in terms of style or Pochette Félicie, because it is compact and doesn't get in the way when you're running around the city, so I would reach for this variant regardless of the fact that it is 2026 and the Pochette Félicie debuted on the market 11 years ago. It has undergone various changes over that time, but it is still a great choice if you want to start somewhere. You can sell all of these handbags quickly, because thousands of girls dream of them when they don't have one yet. Once you buy them from the secondary market, you won't lose a penny. I was no different when I was younger. 😄 I also really wanted one of these handbags for many years. In the end, I have a lovely Pochette Félicie and other handbags I have, I bought from other fashion houses, but I am very satisfied because I exchanged noisy logos and flashy motifs for silence and elegance. 😊 People who are fashion-savvy will recognize this, and it's good for others that they don't know when I have a "lady's handbag" by my side. I don't need to shout into the airwaves. And if I need to quickly turn over my capital, I will send my beloved Pochette Félicie into the world to bring joy to another woman who may only be dreaming of it for now.

Do you already have a type in mind, and are you thinking about how to choose it to make it as valuable to you as possible?

My recommendation:

Choose neutral colors, because they can be combined at any time, regardless of fashion trends. The black Chanel Lambskin will be TOP even in 20 years. This model is part of practically every Chanel collection. The same Hermès Togo. With these pieces, you are simply playing it safe. Personally, I am going for the Chanel Lambskin 😉.
Do you also have your journey planned? I will be happy if you share. After all, we have to set some milestones on the way to this handbag, right?
If you are buying a handbag purely for appreciation and you don't plan to wear it, the condition of the accessories is absolutely crucial. So buy the handbag and keep it as it is. That is, the complete box, dustbag, receipts, and certificate. It doesn't matter that the Chanel receipt will be lower than the selling price, but it's still an important part.
If you plan to wear the handbag, take care of it. I have all my handbags with padding to prevent them from deforming. They are all stored in a dustbag to protect them from light and direct sunlight. If you wear your handbag often, it's fine because the exposure to light varies. However, if you let the sun shine through the window on it for half a year just because you have it on a shelf, the sun may damage the handbag, and you will have to deal with repairs. A friend ruined her expensive handbag exactly like this, and she was really upset about it. 😟 I also try to watch the humidity. Luxury handbags are made of leather, which works in both extreme dryness and extreme humidity. Although it is well-made, you can damage your handbag quite quickly by storing it in high humidity, as the leather can curl and the handbag will no longer hold its shape.

So what goal are you aiming for? I have the Chanel Classic Flap Lambskin. What about you?