Are designer bags real investment? Here’s how the return comes back

Luxury bags In recent years, they have surpassed other collecting and are increasingly viewed as a potential investment category in the eyes of consumers and analysts, at least according to some recent reports.
For the first time, a value proposal for designer handbags from the best brands, such as Hermes, Chanel, Goyard and Louis Vuitton, growing throughout the board, one report of luxury resale resale Renew Found last year.
“These trends signal the exciting opportunities for investing in heritage and extensive brands,” the Rebag report said.
Bags are among the least unstable of any collector assets and offer a good risk compared to the award, they have also proven to be worthy of protection against inflationAccording to a separate study 2022 Credit suisse.
However, although some design bags, especially classic and sought after styles, can potentially retain or even increase value over time, they are not a traditional investment in the way they are shares or real estate, says an expert.
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Over the last two decades, luxury bags have been translated from additional accessories to what is now “the only category of collecting focused on women,” the 2020 report said Research of the artistic market.
For women, however, the evolution thus more expensive shopping has appeared at a price, said Jasmine Tucker, Vice President of the National Center for Women’s Law.
“In order to show up that you are in your place, you have to look in a certain way, and that dressed could cost more for women, and they do it with a lower salary,” Tucker said.
HERMES BIRKIN BAKE ON THE WINDOW at Kadewa Department store in Berlin, Germany on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
As for investing, only a few luxury bags get, instead of losing their value over time.
Historically, just Hermes Birkin And a small group of other best designer bags has values of worth close to 90% or more, Rebag determined.
Birkin bag, in particular, increased from year to year, with an average annual jump worth 14.2% between 1980 and 2015, according to the second study by Bage. Bags are currently being sold for $ 9,000 and more but can resell 30,000 dollars or moreDepending on size, color and condition.
Meanwhile, since stocks go up -dollars, S & P 500 The index has an average annual refund from About 10%.
Bag can be “smart purchase” and not “investment”
Framing a designer bag as an “investment” makes women harmful, according to Carolyn McClanahanCertified financial planner and founder of a life planning partner in Jacksonville, Florida.
“That throws me out when I see the purchases positioned as investment, it hits me in the wrong way,” McClanahan said.
“I’m completely for people who buy beautiful things, but I wouldn’t call it an investment,” said McClanahan, who is also a member CNBC Advisor Council.
“If you have a bag you know you will keep forever, it might be considered a smart purchase,” she said. “But you still have to be sure to spend less than you make and save.”
At some point of their life, most women are likely to be alone and solely in charge of their financesMcClanahan said, which makes it even more inexperienced for women to plan and invest in the future.