Designer Handbags That Hold Their Value

A handbag can be as much an investment as it is a treat to ourselves, and usually a purchase that we plan far in advance. We need to be sure that we are selecting the perfect item to add to our collection.

After all, you want to make sure that you are buying a piece that you can wear and admire for many years to come. With this in mind, it only makes sense to focus on designer handbags that hold their value. Especially as you may even wish to be able to sell or trade one of your handbags in the future.

A handful of iconic designer brands such as Chanel, Hermès, & Louis Vuitton are known create designer handbags that hold their value. But it’s certainly not a 3 horse race as there a number of other high end brands to consider.

Choosing a desirable bag style is equally important as your designer brand choice. A used Gucci Dionysus bag for example has been shown to hold its value better than a used Chanel Classic Jumbo bag. (source)

16 Designer Handbags That Hold Their Value

A considerable amount of time researching both in-store and online for new and used designer handbag pricing went into this article. I have uncovered the following 16 designer handbags that hold their value. Each have just the right combination of brand, style and desirability to give superior value holding potential.

1. Chanel Classic Flap Bag

Probably the most iconic handbag ever created. The Chanel Classic flap bag is a timeless piece made with sumptuous quilted leather. The strap designed comprises of a metal chain with soft leather interwoven throughout.

Being the most sought after bag from the Parisian design house of Chanel, its allure is so great that it is regularly sold out and those wishing to own one usually have to join a waiting list and exercise extreme patience.

Chanel is a pioneer in the world of fashion and their brand is instantly recognized all across the globe. Their bags are produced in a limited number, using the highest quality materials available, and the demand for them is always extremely high.

For this reason, a well cared for Chanel Classic flap bag will definitely hold its value over time. This is definitely a bag to consider as an investment if you are able to get your hands on one.

2. Chanel Boy Bag

You can think of the Chanel Boy Bag as a modern classic that the design house introduced to further evolve their signature design. This piece maintains the same trademark quilted leather used in their classic bags, while making it more streamlined and a bit edgier.

The use of gunmetal hardware gives this handbag a touch of ruggedness and the chain strap is thicker with the trademark interwoven leather now omitted altogether.

The Chanel Boy Bag is easy to carry and perfect for daily use. It is also sleek enough to be worn with a variety of outfits and remains in high demand since it was first introduced to the market.

This handbag will retain its value over time thanks to its Chanel branding, a timeless look, and its high-quality construction. This is the perfect piece to have in your collection.

3. Hermès Birkin Bag

Top leather goods designer Hermès is renowned for its remarkably well-crafted pieces, as well as the level of exclusivity associated with their brand. The Hermès Birkin Bag exemplifies this with its extremely limited production and its ultra-high price tag.

With the Birkin Bag, Hermès showcases its mastery of designing leather goods and has also managed to create a stunningly beautiful, iconic handbag in the process.

The Birkin bag is regularly worn by celebrities and other members of elite circles, giving it the type of appeal that makes it desirable to own. If you are lucky enough to obtain one of these luxurious bags, you should care for it and cherish it because these are not easily attainable.

As far as investment goes, the Hermès Birkin Bag has been shown to not only hold its value over time but these leather treasures may actually appreciate in value. For these reasons, acquiring a Birkin is one of the best fashion moves you can make.

If you are looking to purchase a used Hermès Birkin, Madison Avenue Couture has an incredible choice of preloved Hermès Birkin bags and is an excellent resource to check prices on too.

4. Hermès Kelly Bag

Just like its slightly more sought-after relative, the Hermès Kelly Bag is a masterpiece in leather craftsmanship and an icon in the world of luxury handbags. The designs are, in fact, very similar in the way that they present neutrally tanned hides with expert stitching and signature Hermès golden hardware.

One of the things that makes any Hermès bag recognizable is the little gold lock that can be used to secure the straps and keep the bag closed.

I love that with the Kelly and Birkin Bags, there are limited editions created using more exotic hides, like crocodile and ostrich. When visiting Harrods recently, the assistant explained that they currently had no Kelly bags to even sell! Now that is what you call exclusive!

The Kelly Bag is also a much more practical bag for regular use thanks to its smaller size and lighter weight. Because of the captivating allure of the Hermès brand, and the constant exposure it receives in the press, the Kelly Bag is another great handbag that will hold its value for many years to come.

If you are looking to purchase a used Hermès Kelly, Madison Avenue Couture has an incredible choice of preloved Hermès Kelly bags and is an excellent resource to check prices on too.

5. Louis Vuitton Never Full MM

The Louis Vuitton Never Full MM is actually the most popular bag sold by the designer. Louis Vuitton is most famous for its signature monogram design on canvas, and they also produce this handbag in their original Damier pattern.

The Never Full MM is a large tote bag that has handles that are long enough for you to carry on your shoulder or on your arm.

As the name suggests, this sizeable handbag has plenty of space for all of your essentials, plus everything from a tablet to bottles and diapers. Thanks to its practical design and heightened popularity, the Louis Vuitton Never Full MM is a designer handbag that should easily hold its value for many years.

Additionally, the canvas used in its production is extremely durable and the soft leather used for the straps develops a desirable patina with time.

6. Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Speedy 30 Bag

Yet another classic and timeless staple from Louis Vuitton, the Monogram Canvas Speedy 30 Bag is one of the simpler, yet efficient designs from this famous fashion house. One of the trademark qualities of this popular handbag is that a single piece of monogram canvas is used to compose the majority of its outer shell.

As a result, one side of the bag will have the monogram displayed upside-down, which is actually a great way to identify counterfeits.

An interesting fact about Louis Vuitton is that it is the most counterfeited luxury brand in the world. I imagine this is thanks mostly to both its extreme popularity and long history.

Almost any well-preserved handbag from this designer will hold its value and, like the Never Full MM, the soft leather handles will develop a lovely patina with age.

7. Dior Lady Dior Bag

Not to be outdone, the French fashion house of Dior of course has a few designs that I could not have missed out. The first being their Lady Dior Bag, which is a mini bag that is loaded with beautiful elements and quality craftsmanship. This cute little bag is made from lambskin, which is known for being luxuriously soft and supple.

Additionally, the Lady Dior Bag is as functional as it is attractive, with the ability to be used as a small handbag for evening dinners and events. It also has the added bonus of a detachable shoulder strap for cross-body use in the daytime.

All of these factors, plus the Cannage motif top-stitching, are the reasons why this is one designer handbag that shall retain its value over time.

8. Dior Saddle Bag

Next on the list of designer handbags that will hold their value is the most iconic piece from the designer juggernaut know as Christian Dior. The Dior Saddle Bag is certainly one of the most timeless statement pieces that any handbag collector can own. The saddle-like shape and trademark Dior monogram have been making a splash in the fashion world ever since their introduction.

Although the Dior Saddle Bag has had many renditions over the years, the classic design with the Dior logo printed all over it has become one of the most sought-after luxury items in history. This handbag will hold its value and can easily be traded or resold thanks to plenty of demand from fashion lovers all over the world.

9. Gucci Soho

The Gucci Soho handbag is actually one of the most understated designs on this list. It is definitely a piece that sharply contrasts the typical styles offered by this famous Italian fashion house.

The solid-colored luxury leather bag is embellished only by a quilted GG logo stitched onto its side and its signature leather tassel which is attached to the zipper.

Although this handbag was originally meant to be a seasonal offering from Gucci, it really resonated with those who had a desire for a handbag that they could use on a more everyday basis.

Because most designs from Gucci tend to be more attention-grabbing, the Soho Bag offers a refreshing alternative for the days when you wish to be more ‘under-the-radar’. That is why this in particular is one designer bag that will hold its value.

10. Gucci Dionysus

Coming in on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, and in true Gucci style, the Dionysus handbag is a designer piece that is made to be worn when you wish to make a statement of both style and status.

This classic bag from Gucci is completely covered in their famous GG monogram canvas and is definitely made to be worn at important evening events.

The inside of the Gucci Dionysus bag is lined with high-quality leather and the heavy metal buckle is crafted in the shape of their signature horseshoe design. The gold chain is also quite substantial and only adds to the striking nature of this truly iconic bag.

Investing in one of these dynamic pieces from Gucci totally makes sense as it is a timeless handbag that will forever hold its value.

11. Prada Galleria

Prada is known globally for their clean yet edgy designs. The same holds true for their extensive line of leather goods, and the Prada Galleria handbag is no exception. Made of supple, smooth leather, this bag is a classic piece that says a lot with its trademark minimalist design.

Although the Prada Galleria may be much more understated than the offerings of most other Italian design houses, it maintains a level of elegance and sophistication that is classic and timeless.

The telltale triangular label with its golden accents are all the fanfare that this fashion staple needs. The Prada Galleria will likely never go out of style, and that is why it is a designer handbag that will hold its value over time.

12. Fendi Peekaboo Bag

Fendi is a designer fashion label that has fallen out of, and then back into favor for fashion fans over the course of history. The Italian icon had a recent surge in interest with its Monster collection and was catapulted back to the forefront of runways and fashion magazines everywhere.

One of the designs that has remained in trend through all of the turmoil is the Fendi Peekaboo Bag. With this classy bag in its portfolio, Fendi has held the hearts of fans thanks mostly to its uniquely classic design.

A seemingly simple leather bag on the outside, this sneaky handbag opens up to reveal a wall of the trademark Fendi monogram, giving onlookers a “peek” at the renowned name behind this masterpiece. This bag is a must-have for fashion investors who wish to own something that will have future value.

13. Fendi Baguette Bag

It may strike you as odd that a famous Italian fashion label would name one of their most popular handbags after a type of French bread. But, make no mistake that the name of the Fendi Baguette Bag is more of a play on words than an homage to bakery goods.

This smaller-than-average handbag, which can also be carried as a clutch, packs a punch of Fendi flair with its famous FF monogram plastered all over the outside.

The Fendi Baguette Bag is another classic piece from the notable Italian fashion house that will hold its value among fans of their long history of setting trends.

14. Givenchy Antigona Bag

Givenchy is yet another French fashion brand that needs no introduction. However, it does not hurt to have the likes of Kim Kardashian singing their praises and boosting their social status among a new generation of admirers.

Also known for their take on understated luxury, their flagship Givenchy Antigona Bag is still profoundly treasured in the eyes of their loyal followers.

The Antigona bag has a sleek design in Givenchy’s signature black leather and their celebrated trapezoidal shape. As long as celebrities and other socialites continue to promote the brand, the Givenchy Antigona will continue to hold its value long after you have made your purchase.

15. Celine C Box Bag

Understated elegance is the name of the game when it comes to the Celine C Box Bag. Made from leather hides tanned in neutral colors, these handbags are refined and sophisticated.

Unlike the more imposing design of the more famous Phantom line, the C Box exudes a quiet confidence that is perfect for the more established luxury handbag owner.

Aside from its softly rounded corners, the only embellishment to be found on these leather flap bags is a shiny golden clasp with an unusual rectangular shape. You can count on this designer handbag holding its value over time, especially among seasoned fashionistas.

16. Chloé Faye Bag

Last on our list, but certainly not least, is the Chloe Faye Bag. The brand, which is famous for its admiration of all things equestrian, definitely expresses its love of horse-riding culture with this handbag.

The leather used in the crafting of the Faye Bag is reminiscent of a horseback saddle and it is adorned with hardware and a strap that resemble the reigns used when riding. This bag will likely hold its value for many years thanks to its rugged and classy design in addition to its rustic look and feel.

Conclusion

The world of designer handbags is vast and full of exquisite designs. However, when it comes to choosing handbags that hold their value, it is much better to lean more towards classic styles than passing trends.

By acquiring a timeless piece, you will ensure your ability to wear and enjoy it for many years to come without needing to worry about the trends of the moment. You can also feel more secure in knowing that your handbag will hold its value over the years.

Ultimately, your decision to purchase a luxury handbag should depend mostly on your personal style and how the bag made you feel. However, consideration to the bags value holding potential is certainly worthwhile.

Before you go, I have put together a review of the most elegant designer handbags in a collection that I think you will enjoy.