Welcome to our list of The Ultimate Investment Bags!
We talk a lot about investment bags in this blog. Buying a bag that you love and that know will hold its value is always good idea. But with so many information out there I thought I would make a list about the ultimate investment bags.
Of course you take a lot into consideration before buying a bag; will it fit your lifestyle? How about cost per wear? And also will I be able to sell this bag for a fair price if I ever want to? But for this video the only thing I took into consideration is resale value. Here I’ll show you the 9 bags with the highest retention value in the market, in other words, the bags that best hold their value. All the numbers I’ll show you in this video were taken from Rebag’s Clair report, and they refer to last year’s sales in the US.
Always remember that this numbers don’t guarantee anything, the condition of your bag will always be the most important factor when valuing a bag.
So, without further ado here are The 10 Ultimate Investment Bags:
9. Bottega Veneta Jodie – 90%
The Jodie is the most classic style of Bottega Veneta, it was originally designed in the 90’s and Daniel Lee brought it back in different sizes and materials. The mini Jodie was perhaps the most popular bag of 2021, and the maxi size has also been trending. The Jodie bag is the perfect combination of Bottega Veneta’s history with Daniel Lee’s iconic style. From its sumptuous leather to the minimal yet elevated shape, it’s not difficult to get why the bag has a growing legion of fans. It is made from nappa leather in the house’s notable intrecciato weave and comes in a looped-handle silhouette that looks very modern.
In 2021 the Jodie held 90% of its retail price in the resale market!
8. Chanel Deauville – 95%
Refined yet casual, there is no better bag to honor Coco Chanel’s first fashion boutique and favorite seaside destination than the Deauville tote, first introduced for the Spring-Summer 2012 collection. Received to incredible demand, the Deauville quickly expanded color, hardware, and material options to suit any season or occasion. Adorned with two intertwined chains, leather straps, the iconic interlocking CC logo, and “31 Rue Cambon” (the address of Coco Chanel’s apartment and first boutique), this tote is an ode to the luxury brand’s rich history. The spacious tote is equipped with large zipped pockets and a key clasp, ensuring that no personal belongings be misplaced. Designed as the ideal beach bag – able to hold all the oceanside necessities one may need – the Deauville is functional in all variations.
The Deauville has an average retention value of 95%!
7. Chanel Classic Flap – 95%
The Chanel handbag that would ultimately become synonymous with the brand was not created until 1983. The Chanel Classic Double Flap was first introduced when Karl Lagerfeld became creative director and decided to reinterpret Chanel’s iconic 2.55 Flap Bag. From his artistic vision came two new features – a leather woven chain and Double C turn-lock closure. Lagerfeld’s Classic Double Flap was a breakout success. In spring 2021, the Chanel Classic Flap was renamed to the 11.12, in honor of the original Medium Classic Flap’s style code – A01112. The universal wearability and simplicity of the Chanel Classic Double Flap solidifies this handbag as an iconic statement piece. Almost thirty years later, and out of all the Chanel handbags on the market, the Classic Double Flap remains one of the most sought-after pieces ever crafted.
And of course the resale value of this classic style does not disappoint, according to Rebag, it retains in average 95% of its original value.
6. Chanel Coco Handle – 97%
Also known as the ‘Flap Bag with Handle’ Chanel released this bag in 2015. The style received mixed reviews at the time. Critics said it was too similar to other Chanel styles. However, the Chanel Coco Handle has stood the test of time and is a fond favorite among many Chanel enthusiasts. The Chanel Top Handle features Chanel’s classic codes we all know and love, like the diamond quilting, the flap, the interlocking CC logo, and the chain strap, but with the addition of its distinctive feature: the top handle. This style has been growing in popularity with each year that passes.
This is a beautiful Chanel bag that is a little less serious that the classic styles, and it holds 97% of its original price.
5. Chanel 19 – 109%
Named after 2019, the year it debuted, the Chanel 19 handbag quickly rose to legendary status. Unveiled in March 2019 for the Fall/Winter 2019 collection, the Chanel 19 would be solidified in history as the last major handbag designed by Karl Lagerfeld, before he passed away in February 2019. In a collaborative effort, Largerfeld and Virginie Viard – Chanel’s current creative director – reimagined and paid tribute to the iconic Chanel 2.55 bag. Recognized for its contemporary feel, the Chanel 19 is much slouchier than its predecessors, and the strap is composed of three chunky chains in silver, aged gold and ruthenium. Additionally, the gold chain handle and exaggerated diamond quilting enhance the Chanel 19’s casual, chic style and sought-after signature design.
According to Rebag in 2021 the Chanel 19 had an average retention value of 109%, meaning that one of these bags on the resale market was more expensive than a new one.
4. Louis Vuitton Neverfull – 118%
Introduced in 2007 and thought to be created to compete with Goyard’s St. Louis Tote, the Neverfull was designed to be completely reversible with its contrasting interior. While it’s not widely publicized, the GM size of the Neverfull is able to hold up to 200 pounds of weight despite the appearance of its delicate handles. This bag is an amazing companion to take to the beach, to the airport or even to work. In 2013, Louis Vuitton updated their signature tote to include a detachable accessories pouch, and they began introducing additional interior lining colors with an updated print, and a full leather version. When Louis Vuitton launched the OnTheGo tote it appeared that the Neverfull would be left behind, but so far, the Neverfull has truly proven to be a mainstay of the house.
According to Rebag, the Neverfull is by far one of the most sought-after models in the luxury resale market. With 118% retention value this is an amazing investment bag!
3. Louis Vuitton Pochette – 143%
The Louis Vuitton Pochette was originally designed to be an accessory to the Louis Vuitton Bucket bag, but when it launched, it became so popular that it transformed into a handbag of its own. This bag’s heyday was the 2000’s, I’m sure you remember many celebrities trotting around with this bag on their arms. This bag is small but effective, it fits your keys, cellphone and cards. In recent years this bag has been growing once more in popularity due to y2k trends and in the vintage market this bag’s price is going up constantly. It is not easy finding one of these bags on a Louis Vuitton store, so the resale market has been the primary source of the Pochette, that is why its prices are so high.
The Louis Vuitton Pochette has a retention value of 143%!
2. Hermès Birkin – 210%
The most famous and sought-after bag in the world has an average retention value of 210%! The value floats depending on the scarcity of the market, if there aren’t too many Birkins to be sold their value will increase significantly. The story of the invention of the Birkin bag — the result of the chance meeting in 1983 between actress Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then creative director of Hermès — has become legendary among Hermès lovers. The two were seated next to each other on an international flight. When Dumas asked why she travelled with a simple straw tote, Birkin explained that most leather bags were too structured for her taste. She wanted something more boho and the two came up with the design of the bag on that flight, on the back of a napkin. And so, the Birkin was created.
The value of Birkin bags in the secondary market vary a lot, some sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars and others sell of around $15,000, but in all my researches I have never seen a Birkin being sold for less than its original price!
1. Hermès Kelly
Just as the Birkin, Kelly prices in the resale market vary a lot, but when it comes to the most sought-after models like the mini Kelly, it’s retention value can be around 300%. In 1935 Hermes launched one of their most recognizable original goods, the Sac a depeches bag, which would later go on to become known as the Kelly bag. In 1956 the American actress and princess of Monaco Grace Kelly used a Hermes Sac a Depeches to cover her pregnant belly. As soon as the photo of that is published on the cover of Life Magazine, woman from all over the world start running to Hermes asking for the Kelly Bag. After that, Hermes renames the Sac a Depaches as the Kelly.
Just as the Birkin bag, the Kelly can easily cost double its original price!
