Top Luxury Handbag Brands and Bags Worth the Investment

Top Luxury Handbag Brands Worth The Investment

For some, investing in luxury handbags is an obsession, while others are happy to carry their incidentals in their pockets. Whether or not you are interested in owning one, luxury handbags are a wonder to behold.  Beautiful materials, elegant hardware, gorgeous designs, and handcrafting set luxury handbags into a class of their own.  Granted, some can be a little—well—impractical, and of course expensive, but I  enjoy looking at them and cherish the handbags I own.

I received my first luxury handbag at 21, it was a Christian Dior bag—and I owned it for thirty years.  A well-made handbag, if cared for properly can last a lifetime.  (To learn about choosing and caring for a designer back check out this post.) That’s why some women choose this type of bag over trendy inexpensive bags that won’t stand the test of time.  While some women love the high-quality craftsmanship and others own them simply as a status symbol.   

Luxury handbags have been having a moment for quite a few years now—thanks to social media influencers and celebrities — so much so that a whole industry has emerged refurbishing, reselling, and authenticating bags.  We can even rent the latest in handbags!  There is a whole niche on YouTube for lovers of all things designer handbags—from discussions on the desirability, unique designs, exclusive bags, value, and background on the various design houses.  Handbags have become status symbols in some circles, which, of course, has the fashion industry creating more expensive handbag brands.

Designers and craftspeople have been designing and making bags for centuries, in fact, many of the design houses famous today started by making high-quality leather goods as far back as the middle ages.  

“Designer” handbags as we know them began gaining popularity when design houses began naming bags after stylish celebrities—and when celebrities began carrying their favorite designer bags.  Princess Diana favored the Lady Dior handbag, Audrey Hepburn is said to have encouraged Louis Vuitton to create the Speedy-a smaller bag perfect for every day.  Hermes named one of its famous bags after Grace Kelly, and one after Jane Birkin—both women are fashion icons and both the Hermes Birkin and Kelly bag are highly coveted bags today—especially those made in vibrant colors and rare hides.  These bags are a classic style and look great when paired with high fashion outfits as well as casual looks.  The Hermes bags are among the hottest bags on the market today.

Choosing the “right” luxury handbag can seem daunting, there are so many styles to choose from.  The cost is another factor, one can fear making a mistake.  Remember, many luxury handbags hold their value reasonably well, and can be resold in the event that you decide you don’t care for the bag or simply want something else instead.  Another option is to rent the bag and give it a test run—especially if you plan to use the bag on an everyday basis—you want to make sure that it works for you. 

I am one who uses her bags, but many collect handbags and don’t use them often, while others invest in handbags with an eye for financial appreciation.  Clearly, your plans for your bag will govern what you choose as much as the specific style you choose.  

Note:  It is wise to keep the box, dust bag, receipt, and authentication papers so that if you decide to sell the bag at some point, you will be able to get top dollar for it.

Choosing a luxury bag can be daunting, especially if you are purchasing a new bag for the first time.  There are so many luxury brands to choose from—some household names include Coco Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Mario Prada.  There are many brand names that people haven’t heard of, such as Mark Cross.  So the first question is whether you want a bag with a recognizable name.  Next, think about the function of the bag and which style and size you like the best.  Finally, think about the color-do you want a bag that will go with your whole wardrobe or are you looking for a statement bag?  Answering these questions will help guide you to the perfect bag.

The Most Expensive Bag in The World

The most expensive bag in the world right now is the Mouawad Night’s Diamond evening bag. It made the Guinness world record in 2011 and is encrusted with yellow, pink, and clear diamonds set in eighteen-carat gold. It is valued at $3.8 million dollars. It is a heart-shaped beauty is a wonder to behold.

Most Popular Luxury Handbags by Type:

Totes:

A good Tote bag is essential for travel, and for work.  Look carefully at the handle attachments to ensure they can withstand the weight of books or a laptop.  

Cross Body:

Crossbody bags have been a favorite for many fashionists in recent years as they are “hands-free” worn across the body and can be worn over or under coats and jackets.  These bags are extremely practical as well as being fashionable.  The Gucci saddlebag is one of the most popular crossbody bags going right now.  The creative director of Gucci introduced one of the more innovative designs that we have seen in a while.

Summer Bags:

Summer breezes call for light-colored leathers, straw, and rattan.  The designers have come to the rescue by creating a variety of beautiful summer bags perfect for essentials, a good book a great pair of sunnies, and maybe even a beach towel. 

Top Handle Bags

Top handle bags are my favorite, we have the benefit of wearing the bag over the shoulder or by the handles. I find this very convenient.

Shoulder Bags

Shoulder bags are a favorite and most women have at least one shoulder bag. They are conventient to carry, and come in a wide range of shapes and styles. The size and shape of shoulder bags often trend–a few years ago everyone carred large hobo style bags, followed by the micro bag.

Weekender:  Louis Vuitton introduced the weekender, and soon after created the speedy, smaller everyday version which is one of the most popular Louis Vuitton bags created.

Logo Bags

Many design houses create fabrics with their logos printed on them.  Louis Vuitton was among the first to create a logo pattern and applied it to a heavy canvas coated in thick plastic. The fabric was applied to the famous Vuitton trunks and luggage and was valued for its durability. Later, Vuitton made the LV Speedy bag which is wildly popular to this day.  Gucci, Coach, and MCM have also created logo fabrics for their handbags and leather goods.  This trend is off and on in terms of popularity. 

Evening Bag

I remember seeing my first Judith Leiber evening bag when I worked in the handbags department at Bonwit Teller in the late 1970s. It was a crystal-encrusted beauty with a gorgeous silk interior.  It cradled beautifully in the hand—and sparkled as the light hit it.  We only got one or two in at a time, and everyone would stop to admire them.  Every woman should have a beautiful evening bag for special occasions.

What is the best designer handbag brand? 

Because handbags are a matter of taste, even the most luxurious designer handbag might not work for a woman—thus it is up to the woman to determine which is best for her.

Handbags are my favorite in the category of fashion accessories, they make an impact on our outfits, and they look great on absolutely everyone.