Vintage designer bags have become more popular than ever. With indexes about their net worth, waiting lists for specific models and editions and increasing popularity, it’s about time to put thing in order: which vintage designer bags should you invest in? Let’s take a look.
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Vintage designer bags
At the end is 2019, Clair, the Comprehensive Luxury Appraisal Index for Resale, got launched. This app – released by vintage designer bags reseller Rebag – determines which vintage designer bags are the best ones to invest in. The idea for this app originates in 2016, when a study by Baghunter found that for investors, the best possible long-term investment is a Hermes Birkin Bag. However, the fierce competition of online vintage designer fashion resellers, possibly made its value decline over the years. To gain insights into this topic, Rebag launched the app and the value of a vintage bag has become more transparent than ever. When Rebag started in 2014, the idea for the app was already there – they just needed five years to build and perfect it.
When stock markets heavily fluctuate and pandemics hit the world, it’s a good thing to do a safe bet when it comes to making an investment. Find some of the most valuable and stably valued vintage designer bags below.
1. Birkin Bag, Hermès
One of the most iconic vintage designer bags of all time is Hermès’ Birkin Bag. Originally designed in 1982, the bag was created for Jane Birkin herself, after she met creative director Jean-Louis Dumas in an airplane. When clumsily putting her straw bag into the overhead compartment, she complained about not having found the right bag. Many bags were too small, too heavy or too ugly, she said. That made Dumas think – and so he came up with the classic Birkin bag, still an icon today. Nowadays prices range from $10,00 up to $400,000, depending on material and edition. Back in 2017, a white crocodile leather Birkin handbag got sold for $377,000 at Christie’s in Hong Kong – making the most expensive handbag ever sold.
However, someone wasn’t so happy with this. In 2015, Jane Birkin wrote an open letter to Hermès requesting her name to be removed from the bag. She wanted the company to “debaptise the Birkin Croco until better practices in line with international norms can be put in place.” And – as you might expect – Hermès agreed. Nonetheless, Jane Birkin didn’t use her namesake bag a lot. According to sources, it busted her arm and she needed to have an operation for tendonitis in her shoulder. Despite this, the Birkin Bag still has a true symbol status today.
Buy a classic Hermès Birkin Bag at the following addresses:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUsTvkODx5Q/?utm_source=ig_embed
2. 2.55, Chanel
Many don’t know the feministic character of Chanel’s 2.55 bag. Back in the 1920s, Coco Chanel felt it was annoying to carry a handbag in her hands and therefore decided to design one with shoulder straps. These shoulder straps might look very chic now, but were inspired on straps found on soldiers’ bags. In 1929 the bag hit the market and became an instant succes, freeing women from carrying their old-fashioned handbags around.
When making a comeback in the fashion industry in 1959, Coco Chanel re-launched the bag successfully. Nowadays, Chanel’s retail prices are shrouded in mystery. However, a classic 2.55 Chanel bag should cost around $4,000 up to $8,000, depending on age and condition.
Buy a classic Chanel 2.55 at the following addresses:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ciPqlJD1Y/
3. Saddle bag, Dior
One of Dior’s most iconic bags – the Saddle Bag – was launched in 1999 by John Galliano and part of his Spring/Summer 2000 collection for Dior. Soon after, the bag became the talk of town and was the it-item of the moment. In 2018, the bag made its come-back, when both Kim Jones (Dior Homme) and Maria Grazia Chiuri (womenswear) re-launched the iconic model in their Fall/Winter 2018 collections.
To be honest, Dior’s Saddle Bag is kind of ugly. It’s a so-called “ugly-chic” item. That doesn’t withhold many influencers and fashion people to carry it with them. Wondering why this is a good investment? Despite that Dior’s Saddle Bag may feel like a trend-item, it’s one that keeps coming back. View it like a gift that keeps on giving – and that’s exactly what you need when investing in vintage designer handbags.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCGbc9wgQhr/
5. Baguette, Fendi
Fendi’s iconic Baguette Bag is often cited as the very first “it bag”, and mainly owes its popularity to Sex and The City. Fendi’s Baguette Bag comes in many shapes and sizes and isn’t as expensive as other vintage designer bags, such as the above mentioned Birkin. Nonetheless, the iconic Baguette marked a true bag-revolution, as it brought back smaller, short-handle bags in fashion.
Lending its bags to Sarah Jesica Parker and other SATC actrices has been a smart move from the powerful designer label. Since then, the Baguette Bag became an instant hit and never got out of fashion since the nineties.
Buy a classic Fendi Baguette at the following addresses:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btnu6JoAL4A/
6. Luggage, Céline
About a decade ago, Phoebe Philo revitalized the dusty fashion label Céline. And in 2010, she made name with her Luggage bag for the label. It became a huge success over the years, but wasn’t that popular since the beginning. Shelves were packed and the bags even have been on sale online. When they did a relaunch years later, the Olson twins embraced this timeless stunner. And the rest is history. It’s said that classic Céline bags designed by Philo are more popular than those from Slimane.
Prices highly vary, due to the many materials in which the bag is crafted. Look for a peak fine exemplar, preferably in a bigger size (sizes vary from Nano to Shoulder).
Buy a classic Céline Luggage bag at the following addresses:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9UO2tlhndi/
Also read: What is an investment piece and how should you pick yours?
