The Best Designer Handbags Worth the Investment
So you’ve reached the moment where you want to invest in a designer handbag. Congrats! A well-chosen luxury handbag is truly one of the best investment pieces you can buy. It will see you through a lifetime of wardrobe crises, serve as a trusty travel companion, and even become a valuable heirloom after you’re gone. So where do you start in the bag-buying process, and what kind of bag is really worth the investment? It is, of course, crucial you choose a style you love, but there are several other factors to consider before making the big purchase. For example, will the brand hold its value? What color should you choose? What silhouette will never go out of style?
Investing in what we like to call the holy trinity of luxury handbags—Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès—is a no-brainer when looking at the resale value. The fashion crowd has also put designers like Chloé, Céline, Gucci, and Loewe on the It-bag fashion map with styles that have become classics in their own right.
If you're ready to dip into the world of designer handbags, scroll below to see our curated list of power purses that are timeless, desirable, and make for some incredibly elusive arm candy.
1. Chanel
A favorite of Alexa Chung, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Rita Ora, the Chanel Flap Bag boasts a high resale value, and, let’s be honest, will never go out of style.
Shop Chanel Bags
2. Louis Vuitton
Don’t underestimate the power of this classic tote bag. The Neverfull is one of Louis Vuitton's all-time most successful bags and comes in endless material options as well as limited editions and special artist collaborations.
Shop Louis Vuitton Bags
3. Hermès
Inspired by Grace Kelly, this Hermès bag is a true classic that consistently retains or increases in resale value.
Shop Hermès Bags
4. Loewe
Made of 41 different leather pieces, nine textile pieces, and 45 pieces of cloth, along with the addition of metalwares and zips, Loewe's Puzzle bag is a genuine work of art and a style staple among the fashion set.
Shop Loewe Bags
5. Saint Laurent
Ensure a sophisticated look with Saint Laurent's classic handbags. Whether you opt for a Sac de Jour or a Monogramme Large Grain de Poudre Wallet, they're guaranteed to work with every item in your wardrobe.
Shop Saint Laurent Bags
6. Fendi
From Fendi's easy-to-open Peekaboo Leather Tote to its iconic Zucca Baguette Bag, you can't go wrong investing in Fendi's iconic handbags.
Shop Fendi Bags
7. Chloé
Versatile, sophisticated, and perfect for day-to-night, the Chloé handbags remain a power brand among the fashion set.
Shop Chloé Bags
8. Jw Anderson
JW Anderson's now-iconic silhouette and gold hardware handbags have rapidly become a must-have on the street style circuit.
Shop JW Anderson Bags
9. Christian Dior
Lady Diana catapulted the intricately detailed Dior Lady Bag to cult status, plus Carrie Bradshaw made the Dior Saddle bag a status symbol. Follow in the footsteps of icons and get your arm around the Dior handbags that will never go out of style.
Shop Dior Bags
10. Prada
Prada's shoulder bags have had a huge resurgence in popularity since it was released in the early '90s—and it's been spotted in the hands of fashion girls everywhere. The classic silhouettes have real sticking power and add a polished touch to every ensemble.
Shop Prada Bags
11. Bottega Veneta
Loved by celebrities and influencers, the slouchy Bottega Veneta bags is the pinnacle of fashion-girl cool and has been a hit at every fashion month since it was released.
Shop Bottega Veneta Bags
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Next, Every Cool Person at Fashion Week Was Carrying One of These 6 Handbags.
Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.
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