The Coveted New Crop of Investment Handbags Rivaling Birkins

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On the list of designer handbags that are superstars at retaining their value, the Hermès Birkin reigns supreme. However, that's not to say that there aren't other brands and styles people are clamoring for. The RealReal recently released its annual Luxury Consignment Report, which compiled data from thousands and thousands of purchases on its site to identify trending items and brands, revealing the most in-demand buys right now.

The report included several different categories, from fine jewelry to ready-to-wear, but I zeroed in on the sections labeled "Rising Resale Stars" and "Smart Investment Bags." These specific purse styles were highlighted because they are currently retaining their value exceptionally well. In other words, these bags can be sold on the resale market for almost as much as the original price (no rapid depreciation here!). Impressive, right? We understand that there's no such thing as a sure thing, but when it comes to value, these styles are about as close as you can get. Scroll down to see the new crop of designer handbags that are a smart investment. 

Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie

A popular bag among the fashion set right now, Bottega Veneta's Mini Jodie Bag comes in the brand's signature intrecciato leather in a variety of neutral and saturated colors. The RealReal reports that it sells 1.5 times faster than the average bag on the platform, so should you choose to resell it later, you won't have any trouble finding buyers. 

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Gucci Jackie 

The Jackie (coined after Jacqueline Kennedy) has been a legacy silhouette of the Italian house, but its reintroduction last year has spawned a new buying frenzy. The price for the bag, including both vintage and new versions, has grown 35% on The RealReal since last year, so it's definitely one with value.

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Prada Re-Edition 

Another reinterpreted throwback, The Prada Nylon Re-Edition bag is a wise investment right now, as The RealReal reports that it, on average, sells for 110% of its original retail price on the resale market. Buy it now, and you could make a little chunk of change reselling it later.

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Hermes Kelly

To almost no one's surprise, Hermès has an entry on the list (albeit not the style you were probably expecting). Although the Birkin has much of the spotlight right now, you may want to give its slightly more affordable sister a chance. According to the report, the Kelly resells for 92% of its original retail price—a thoughtful investment if you ask us.

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Next up, The 7 Best Summer Basics for Every Budget

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.