Timeless Investment Handbags That Will Never Go Out Of Style

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There are a few handbags that are worth investing in that will never go out of style; some even gain value over time. These handbags don’t come cheap but are something you can wear over and over again and keep as anchor pieces in your closet for your whole life (with proper care, of course).

Chanel Boy Bag

The Chanel Boy Bag is a more recent player to Chanel. Introduced in 2011 and designed by Karl Lagerfeld, it became a quick fan favorite to the handbag community. You can find this bag in a variety of colors and materials. We love that you have the option to wear this as a shoulder bag or crossbody bag. The sturdy chunky chain is secured on the top of the bag and allows for the consumer to easily adjust and wear how they would like. The bag has retained its value well in the resale market, and over the past years, Chanel has risen their prices consistently. Chanel’s strategic marketing approach makes them unique. They only sell their fashion, high-end jewelry, and bags in-store. We linked some bags we found pre-loved.

Lady Dior

We can thank Lady Diana, Princess Of Wales for this bag. It first appeared in 1995 and was then sported on the arm of the Princess. The French fashion house jumped on this opportunity, officially naming the bag the Lady Dior. 25 years later and the handbag is still an iconic staple of the luxury fashion house. The bag also sports a charm that pays homage to Christian Dior himself who is known to have kept what he called his “Lucky Charms” with him. Some versions of the bag also sport a Cannage motif, which Dior is known for. This dates back to Napoleon III chairs that Christian Dior used for seating at his fashion shows. 

Hermes Birkin

If you are reading this article I think we can agree that this bag needs no introduction. The Hermes Birkin is one that every fashion lover knows — it’s basically a status symbol, because you have to be invited to buy it after you build up a relationship with an SA and Hermes. With a starting price of $8,500 and going for up to $400,000, this bag is definitely an investment. The bags go up in price every year and some people collect them just for that reason. 

The bag itself has an interesting story behind it. It was created in 1984 on a plane and inspired by actress Jane Birkin. Jean-Louis Dumas and Jane Birkin were on a flight together and by chance got seated next to each other after Jane’s seat was upgraded. She was moving her bag when it toppled over and her belongings spilled out. She vented in frustration about needing a practical bag with pockets that were bigger than the Kelly but smaller than her suitcase. The rest is history — we can thank Jane Birkin for the design of this iconic classic. 

Chanel 2.55

This is the original Chanel Flap Bag, created by Coco herself in February of 1955 (hence the name). This bag caused a stir because it was the first women’s bag to basically not be a clutch. True to Chanel’s brand, the shoulder strap gave women a sense of freedom in the form of practicality. The bag was created with a modern woman in mind with pockets and a convertible strap. The chain strap was inspired by the weights in her women’s suit jackets, while the diamond stitching was inspired by men’s suiting jackets that were worn to horse races.

Hermes Kelly

We talked about the Birkin, so naturally we have to talk about the Kelly. This was yet another bag named for a Princess — Grace Kelly, Princess Consort of Monaco. Before she was a Princess, she was an actress who always had a strong fashion sense. One of her most beloved brands was Hermes. One of her favorite items to carry was the 1930’s bag Sac à dépêches, which was later renamed what we know today as the Kelly bag because of — you guessed it — a famous photo of the princess and the bag. She was recently married and pregnant and used the bag to cover her belly from paparazzi. The photo spread and the public gave it the nickname; later, Hermes jumped on the opportunity, producing more bags for celebrities and the wealthy. 

Fendi Baguette

Designed in 1977 by Silvia Venturini Fendi, this bag went against the minimalist trend of its time. It was also considered small and inconvenient, but that didn’t stop it from becoming an ‘It bag’. You might recognize it from Sex and the City — I mean, it’s one of Carrie’s signature bags! When this bag first hit the market it had a waiting list for it. This bag has a cult following, and in recent years has been reinvented by Fendi while maintaining the same shape and logo pattern.

Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag

Having just come out in 2019, the Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag is a new player to the game. The woven leather handbag pays homage to the fashion house’s iconic Intrecciato weave design, just on a larger scale. This specific weave can almost be seen as a logo for Bottega Veneta because the designer, Daniel Lee (who recently left the company), wanted to move away from the logo mania trend in the industry. The Cassette bag comes in a variety of colors and sizes and even though a new style, it has become a staple in every fashionista’s collection. While you can’t find this brand on any social media, it still has a cult following. 

Dior Saddle Bag

We can thank the innovative visionary and designer John Galliano for this Dior staple. Designed in 1999 and walking the runway in 2000, this cowboy saddle inspired bag is a style icon. As we know, trends recycle — and let’s face it, 2000’s nostalgia has been on the horizon for the past few years. The time has come for this bag to be remade by Dior and is under every influencer and celebrity’s arm again; this time, it’s here to stay.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull

This is another bag that needs no introduction. We all know about the Louis Vuitton Neverfull, and it’s where most begin their handbag collection. This bag was introduced in 2007 and is thought to have been created to compete with the Goyard’s St. Louis Tote. The monogrammed bag was first created in their signature canvas and later introduced with their signature epi leather. The bag was also created to be reversible, allowing users to sport the monogram exterior or flip it for the striped and colorful interior. Since the bag has been introduced and rose in popularity, it has been created in a variety of prints, limited-edition bags, colors and sizes and has one of the highest resale values. We linked some of the different variations they have available. 

Telfar’s Shopping Bag

Another new player to the game is Telfar’s Shopping Bag, debuting in 2014. The Liberian-American designer and founder Telfar Clemens wanted to create a brand based around inclusivity and freedom from the gender binary. Telfar says the brand is “Not for you — For everyone,” which we absolutely love. The bag was inspired by Bloomingdale’s brown shopping bags. Telfar wanted to spin the iconic bag with his own twist but with functionality of an everyday bag. The Shopping Bag is made from vegan leather and often sells out within minutes of dropping online and in-stores. The bags are sold at an affordable price and have a high resale value.

Chanel Classic Flap And Double Flap Bag (11.12)

This bag is Karl Lagerfeld’s redesign of the classic 2.55 we looked at earlier. Although they aren’t exactly the same, they have a lot of similarities. To find out more about the exact differences between Coco’s and Karl’s, read this article. 

Gucci Jackie

When this bag first debuted it was named ‘The Constance’ and, like before, was renamed after being spotted on Jackie Kennedy in 1964. Mrs. Kennedy was always seen as a style icon, so it’s no wonder this bag became an instant hint — she loved the bag so much, she owned 6 of them. It’s often thought of as the first luxury ‘hobo’ bag (a term which seriously needs to be retired). In 2009 the bag was reintroduced and named ‘The New Jackie,’ and later again renamed ‘The Bouvier’  which was Mrs. Kennedy’s maiden name. Recently it’s come back and has been reinvented as ‘Jackie 1961’. 

There are so many beautiful bags to choose from! If you could have 1 (or 5), which would you pick? Let us know below!

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