77 Designer Handbags - Why Their Value Is Increasing

When actress Jane Birkin’s own Hermès Birkin bag went under the hammer, it sold for an eye-watering £119,000, almost six times the estimate.

The fact that it showed signs of use by its original owner – autographed in Tipp-Ex on the inside and with her cat’s bite marks on the handle – only made it more desirable.¹

Handbags tell a story. And, as collectors worldwide will know, they can be worth much more than their original retail value, depending on the bag, designer, and owner.

Here we look at some of the world's most expensive bags, the best ones to hold their value and why the price of these designer items is increasing.

The most sought-after handbags

Some record-smashing sales of designer handbags have taken place at auctions in London, Paris, Hong Kong and online. Bonhams, Sotheby's and Christie's have all sold some of the world's most exclusive bags.

Highlights include:
The Chanel Collection – The single-owner collection of 200 lots was a highlight for Bonham's online buyers. A red python Boy bag sold for £8,925, and a blue leather Boy bag with Swarovski crystals fetched £4,462.501

Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel bag – Lagerfeld's personal Chanel croc-embossed lambskin tote went for €94,500 at Sotheby's in Paris. It became the most expensive Chanel handbag ever to be sold at auction. An amazing sale during the three-part auction series dedicated to the late artistic director's estate.²

Hermès diamond Himalaya Birkin – The Birkin is said to be the ultimate bag among collectors. A rare 2010 Hermès, matte Himalaya Niloticus crocodile Birkin, with 18k white gold and diamond hardware, sold for £236,750 at Christie's London in December 2018.³

Designer bags that hold their value

Investing in the best designer bags like Chanel, Louis Vuitton bags, and Hermès can be a wise choice as they hold their value well in the resale market. The Birkin bag, for example, is expected to double in value in the next decade.6 So, as well as investing in a style you love, choosing a classic that will hold its value and never go out of fashion is also important.

This selection of the best designer bags includes a mix of new, trendy styles and classic, timeless pieces that are synonymous with luxury and elegance. These bags are made with high-quality materials and hardware, and have been chosen based on the reputation of the designer brand and the bag's likelihood to remain popular and in-demand.

Many of these bags are also not associated with a specific season, making them a great cost-per-wear investment. Add to that their iconic status and it's no wonder they not only hold their value, but become worthy investments.

77 handbags that hold their value:

Alexander McQueen Jewel Knuckleduster Crossbody Bag
Balenciaga Classic City Small Black Leather Top Handle Bag
Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag
Bottega Veneta Jodie Mini Knotted Intrecciato Leather Tote
Bottega Veneta Sardine
Brandon Blackwood Kendrick Trunk
Burberry Lola Shoulder Bag
Burberry Lola Sequinned Bag
Burberry Medium Vintage Check Tile Tote Bag
Burberry TB Leather Shoulder Bag
Celine C Box Bag
Celine Teen Triomphe Bag
Celine Trio Bag
Chanel 2.55 Bag
Chanel Classic Mini Flap Bag
Chanel Boy Bag
Chloe Alphabet Bag
Chloe Edith Bag
Chloe Faye Bag
Chloe Kiss Bag
Chloe Marcie Bag
Chloe Mini Leather Marcie Saddle
Chloe Penelope Bag
Chloe Sense Bag
Chloe Tess Bag
Chloe Woody Tote
Coach Pillow Tabby 26 Leather Shoulder Bag
Coperni Swipe Bag
Delvaux Pin Swing Taurillon Soft
Dior Book Tote Large
Dior Daniel Arsham Double Zip Crossbody Pouch
Dior Lady Dior Bag
Dior Saddle Bag
Dolce & Gabbana Medium Sicily Bag in dauphine calfskin
Faure Le Page Tote
Fendi Baguette Bag
Fendi Peekaboo Bag
Givenchy Antigona Tote Bag
Givenchy GV3 Small Leather Shoulder Bag
Givenchy Sequin Charm Bag
Goyard Plumet Cross Body Bag
Gucci Attache Bag
Gucci Dionysus Shoulder Bag
Gucci GG Marmont Small Leather Shoulder Bag
Gucci Jackie 1961 Small Shoulder Bag
Gucci Ophidia Small GG Tote Bag
Gucci Soho Cross Body Bag
Hermes Birkin Bag
Hermes Kelly Bag
Jacquemus Le Chiquito Noeud Leather Shoulder Bag
Loewe Large Basket Bag in palm leaf and calfskin
Luar Ana Bag
Loewe Puzzle Bag
Louis Vuitton Bag New Wave MM Chain
Louis Vuitton Bumbag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Speedy 30 Bag
Louis Vuitton Never Full MM
Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 25 Bag
Louis Vuitton Speedy Mini HL Handbag
Mach & Mach Mini Samantha Bag
Miu Miu Wander Mini Matelasse Nappa Bag
Mulberry Bayswater
Polene Numero 10 Bag
Prada Galleria Tote Bag
Prada Galleria Saffiano Bag
Prada Re-Edition 1995 Tote
Prada Re-Nylon Re-edition 2000 Mini-Bag
Prada Tessuto Re-edition 2005 Shoulder Bag
Saint Lauren Cassandra Large Bag
Saint Lauren Le 5 A 7 Hobo
Saint Lauren Loulou Toy Leather Crossbody Bag
Teflar Shopping Bag
The Row 90's Leather Bag
Valentino Garavani Roman Stud Small Quilted Leather Bag
Valentino Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag
Valentino VLock Leather Shoulder Bag
Valentino VRing Cross Body Bag

Prices have increased since the pandemic

Of course, seeing your favourite celebrity with a designer accessory on their arm makes the bag more sought-after and valuable.

Designer handbag collectors have always been willing to pay for something special – whether that be a rare, vintage piece from a reputable auction house or buying new from a store or luxury boutique.

However, as well as paying thousands, buyers could also have to wait months or years for their favourite colour, size and style to become available.

Why will you pay more?

Luxury fashion houses Louis Vuitton and Chanel were among those to have increased prices for some signature bags.4
It was reported that Chanel put up its prices for its iconic medium flap bag three times in 2021, rising to $8,800 (£7,379). It also charged 10 to 15 % more for its Boy, Gabrielle and Chanel 19 bags.

According to a Chanel spokesman, the increase was due to changes in the exchange rate, production costs, and to make sure its bags had similar pricing around the world.

Louis Vuitton's Pochette Accessoires Monogram canvas went from $630 (£528) in 2021 to $1,050 (£880) in early 2022.4

With designer bags, price tags usually go up yearly to allow for inflation, new material and labour costs. But they also increased last year to compensate for any losses during the pandemic, especially a decrease in international sales.4

The luxury bag industry is booming

Despite the higher cost for classic handbags, customers are still keen to get their hands on an investment piece.

The luxury handbag market is increasing, thanks to a rise in working women with more disposable income to splurge on Gucci, Dior or Prada.

Plus, women are heading out again post-lockdown, all wanting to showcase their finest Versace, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Fendi bags.

Projections for the global luxury handbag market exceed 35.4 billion dollars (29.6 billion pounds) by 2031.5

Celebrity superfans

Hermès superfans Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian are among those photographed with their beloved designer bags. As these fashion icons have proved, matching the entire look to the shade of your tote is the ultimate fashion goal. Being snapped toting a hard-to-find Birkin or Kelly (named after Grace Kelly) is a goal for many fashion lovers, A-listers and influencers.