- Trendy bags like the Dior Saddle may come and go, but the value of the timeless Chanel Flap Bag and LV Neverfull continue to increase year on year, while Hermès and Telfar are driven by scarcity
- An Hermès’ Himalaya Birkin sold for almost half a million, the Kelly 25 Retourne Matte Gator has gone up by 16 per cent, and you can expect nearly double what you paid for Telfar’s vegan leather bag
Even if stored in perfect condition, it’s difficult to determine how much an item will be worth in the years that follow.
As customer choices are influenced by shifting trends, the market for luxury fashion collectibles is even more unstable. In recent times, however, legacy brands have started to raise their pricing, which may have decreased sales but in turn have increased scarcity and consequently the amount people are willing to spend on luxury goods.
According to Thomas Kralow, founder of online learning platform for traders and investors University Grade Trading Education, the stock market has grown by 10 per cent in the last 10 years, and gold has soared by 21 per cent. But a Chanel bag? By 100 per cent.
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But it’s not as simple as running to a luxury store and cashing out on bags expecting to earn a small fortune from reselling them. Not all bags will retain their value. Luckily for you though, we have curated a list of five bags that have proven their value over time as a great investment.
1. Chanel Flap Bag
16 per cent value increase since 2022
One of the most important pieces of advice for those interested in investing in luxury items? Stick to the classics. Trendy bags like the Dior Saddle Bag may come and go, and chances are they won’t be in demand any more when you’re looking to sell them.
On the other hand, a timeless staple like the Chanel Flap Bag will never fail you. It simply never goes out of style. According to Sotheby’s, the bag is 10 times more expensive now than it was in the 1990s. In fact, the value of a Chanel Flap Bag has increased by 50 per cent between 2020 to 2022, per Fashionista, and then went up another 16 per cent since last year, states Sotheby’s.
2. Hermès Birkin
41 per cent value increase since 2021
While keeping the classics in mind, it’s also important to note that scarcity and exclusivity drive customer appeal too. A good example of this is the Hermès Birkin. A fan favourite among luxury good collectors, the Birkin generally does well in auctions depending on the condition of the bag.