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Buying a luxury designer handbag is an exciting moment in any fashion enthusiast’s life. It’s also, undisputedly, a major investment. And with expensive purchases come very important decisions. If you’re planning to splurge on a high-end designer, choose a brand you love, as well as a piece that retains its value if you ever want to resell. You might expect luxury powerhouses like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès to be among the fashion houses designing collectibles right now, but there are many other labels — new and old — that have introduced iconic bag shapes. We sourced data from go-to luxury resale sites Rebag, The RealReal, and Vestiaire Collective to curate a list of bags seeing significant searches this season, so you know which ones are worth it.
According to Rebag’s annual Clair report, the Hermès Kelly mini is becoming increasingly popular. And due to decreased supply, the Birkin 25 and 30 are seeing a spike in demand.
For those who gravitate toward classic bags, the Chanel 19, an update to the house’s famous 2.55, has an average retention value of more than 100 percent. And if you’re searching for something with more room, Louis Vuitton’s Neverfull tote is a solid option: sales on the bag have more than doubled already this year, reports Kelly McSweeney, The RealReal’s women’s merchandising manager.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a trend-driven style, Prada’s Re-Nylon Re-Edition mini hobo is an homage to the shoulder bags of the early aughts and has been seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner, Justine Skye, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid. It’s also responsibly made from recycled plastic sourced from the ocean and landfills, and it has a 112 percent average retention value, according to Rebag.
Rebag also reports that the Fendi Baguette, particularly in its signature brown Zucca canvas finish, has been making waves since its reintroduction in 2019. Carrie Bradshaw carried the purple sequin version during an episode of HBO’s “And Just Like That,” only adding to its popularity.
As for bags gaining buzz, McSweeney reports there are rising returns with Miu Miu’s matelassé leather purses and Saint Laurent’s handbags with YSL logo hardware, such as Le 5 à 7. Another growing favorite? The Loewe Puzzle bag. To find the right stylish splurge for you, keep scrolling and read through the top investment bag brands for 2022. You’ll find the most popular styles from each in order of resale value. Whether you buy one preowned or brand new is entirely up to you, and both categories are available to shop ahead.
