A beginner's guide to buying new and second-hand designer bags as an investment

Handbags can be a lucrative investment, sometimes triple the price you paid. When buying, there are three things to consider: authenticity, condition, and pricing. To ensure you're getting a real bargain, you need to have a basic understanding of these three areas so you can determine whether you're making the right investment. Read on to learn more.

Authenticity / genuineness of the designer handbag

DO:

• Always check a seller’s reviews and buy from a reputable, trustworthy seller
• Check if the seller offers a certificate of authenticity with each bag
• It's always a good idea to be proactive and have the item authenticated by a third party (e.g., us) before purchasing. If additional photos are necessary, a reputable seller will have no problem providing them.

DON'T:

• Authenticity cannot be verified without the help of a professional authenticator. The hallmarks and details of each bag depend on the season and year of manufacture. In other words, there are details you'll miss, no matter how much research you do.

Condition of the designer handbag

DO:

As with most used bags, you should always expect some signs of wear—especially on the corners or handles of the bag, and slight scratches on the hardware. Bags that are lightly used and in excellent condition can often look as good as new. Minor scuffs or hairline cracks on the hardware, visible only to the trained eye, are entirely to be expected.
Look closely at the photos and read the bag's description; make sure you find out in detail if the bag has any damage. A well-cared-for designer bag can retain its resale value longer. Ask if the bag has any odors, such as smoke or perfume.

DON'T:

Don't expect a new product. If slight signs of wear are a concern for you, buying a used bag might not be the best option for you. But keep in mind that you can usually get the bag you want for a fraction of the retail price—so you're still getting a good deal.

Purchase price and value development of the second-hand designer handbag

Certain popular and sought-after handbags, like the College by Saint Laurent or the Antigona by Givenchy, are often very affordable on the secondhand market, costing half their retail price. Keep in mind, though, that they're not worth much if you plan to resell them one day. These handbags are great to wear, but not suitable as an investment.

On the other hand, certain handbags are often offered at high resale prices, not below retail price, or significantly higher. Brands like Chanel and Hermes are highly sought after and have long waiting lists, driving up demand and prices. These bags are a good investment and retain their value.
Exclusive limited-edition designs, rare colors from past seasons, and hard-to-find pieces typically resell close to their original retail price—or even higher, depending on their rarity. One example is the Chanel Vintage Quilted Heart Bag. Keep in mind that these limited-edition bags retain their value over the years, so if you consider their future resale value, you might even make a profit.

TIP: Subscribe to the newsletters of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton. This will give you early notifications about limited editions, for example. But be quick, as the coveted and extremely limited models usually sell out in minutes.

Keep in mind that popular or rare bags sell very quickly on the secondhand market—sometimes even within minutes of being listed. Always act quickly when you see the bag of your dreams on the market, but not before you've done your thorough research on the three points mentioned above. Now that you're armed with the right tips for shopping on the secondhand market, we hope you feel a little more confident about purchasing your dream bag.

Which models of designer handbags increase in value?

In addition to limited editions, for example in collaboration with another designer label, we have selected some models that are suitable as an investment.

Hermès Kelly Bag as an investment

Designed by Robert Dumas in 1930
The Hermès Kelly Bag is one of the most coveted handbags in the world. It has a handle and a shoulder strap. Sizes range from 15 cm to 40 cm and are available in a variety of colors and hides. When investing in a bag, keep in mind that exotic hides and certain colors like gold, black, and étope appreciate more quickly than regular bags (although some are limited in trade). Hermès doesn't sell these bags in stores like other labels: To maintain its exclusivity, there are waiting lists on which you can stay for years, hoping one day you'll finally be "allowed" to purchase a bag. Prices start at around €9,000 for the smallest model. From 1950 to 2010, the bag experienced an increase in value of over 1000%, and the trend is continuing to rise.

Hermès Birkin Bag as an investment

Designed in 1984 by Jean-Louis Dumas
The pinnacle of luxury handbags, the Hermès Birkin is a safer investment than a purse. It's deep, supple, and designed to hold a lot, making it practical and chic. While the Kelly has a shoulder strap, the Birkin doesn't, as it's meant to be carried with two handles and an open flap. Sizes range from 25 to 50 cm, with the most popular sizes being 30 and 35 cm, although 25 cm Birkins have recently gained popularity. When buying a Birkin 35 cm and larger, neutral tones are safer, while for Birkins smaller than 30 cm, bright pops of color are preferable. Getting a Birkin isn't easy. Hermès has a long waiting list and tends to deny people the chance to even get on the list! Prices start at around €10,000, but examples made with exotic leathers can command six-figure prices, making them as expensive as a single-family home. Due to the exclusivity of the waiting list, the market for pre-owned Birkins is very large, as the bag has an annual appreciation rate of approximately 13.4%.

Chanel 2.55 handbag as an investment

955 designed by Gabrielle Chanel
As one of the first shoulder bags, the Chanel 2.55 will forever remain an icon. When purchasing this bag, keep in mind that it has undergone several modifications. The original 1955 bag's strap was made entirely of metal. Today, it is made of metal and leather. The Chanel double C was added by Karl Lagerfeld in the 1980s; the original had a simple metal clasp. The flap bag is also now available in four different sizes. For the best return on a long-term investment, you can't go wrong with a classic black bag made of lambskin or caviar leather. Unlike Hermès bags, this flap bag is much easier to obtain. Prices range from €4,000 to €6,500, but considering that the bag has appreciated by approximately 70% in value in six years, you can't go wrong with investing in this timeless and practical Chanel bag.

We're happy to help you authenticate your luxury handbag. Simply use our authentication service .