Now, designer bags are just not accessories, but luxury and style with a touch of smart investments. Such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, make bags that are beautiful and retain value to be fashionable investments.
Wonder why designer handbags are so expensive, or why they’re known as “investment pieces”? Find out here, including their history and how to find the best one to match your budget and your personality.
A Brief History of Designer Handbags
It goes all the way to a period of thousands of years and remains popular, especially from the late 19th century into the early 20th. Such luxury brands mainly created the bags and trunks that they would use for their high-end clients for their journeys; later, though the bag sizes were considerably reduced in size, such items would be not just convenient but fashionable as well.
Designer handbags have also surfaced from the 1950s to the 1960s as a symbol of class and luxury. Sometimes handbagged by supermodels such as Audrey Hepburn, they now symbolize an incredibly gargantuan industry. Everyone nowadays collects and wears designer handbags. People believe they are great items since they are also means of investment and fashionable means as well.
Why designer handbags are so expensive
You might wonder why designer handbags are so expensive. Of course, it’s due to its quality, craftsmanship, and brand reputation. Here are a few key reasons for that:
- Premium Materials: Designer brands use the very best materials, like super-soft leather, expensive exotic skins (such as crocodile or python), and even gold for their hardware.
- High craftsmanship: Most designer bags are made by very skilled craftsmen. All the stitches, folds, and seams are very carefully done. Some may take days or even weeks to finish.
- Unique Designs: Luxury brands spend huge amounts of money to design unique and innovative designs for their collections, making the collections a few and thus highly sought after.
- Brand Legacy: Part of what you pay for a designer bag is also paying for the history and reputation of the brand. Brands like Chanel and Hermès have gained several decades of trust, and such has become very desirable.
Popular designer brands and their iconic bags
Every designer brand has a different style. Let’s explore some popular brands and the bags that made them more famous.
Chanel
Its Chanel Classic Flap with quilted leather and two CC logos instantly makes its recognition. Though it has been designed since the time of Coco Chanel in the 1950s, time does not apply to its timelessness.
Louis Vuitton
The Louis Vuitton bags are monogrammed in design. It comes as a Speedy or a Neverfull bag with bold designs and bright colors, which have become some of its best-selling products.
Gucci
The designs from the house of Gucci reflect the bold patterns combined with bright colors for designing their bags. Examples come in the form of an Marmont and the Dionysus, with one feature being the prominent G logo.
Hermès
It has the Birkin and Kelly bags, which are two of the most exclusive bags in this world. Luxury status very often accompanies it because it has been hand-pressed, which sometimes takes a pretty good 48 hours to make time.
How to Identify a Fake Designer Handbag
Well, this popularity of designer handbags leads the marketplace with more knockoffs and replicas than authentic ones. Here are a few guidelines on how you can find out if your bag is authentic or fake:
- Check the Logo: Designer bags are designed with the utmost care about logos. You should see no distortion in letters or fonts.
- Check the stitching: authentic designer bags have proper stitching. If you notice loose threads or uneven stitches, it is likely to be a replica.
- Examine the Hardware: Genuine designer bags have substantial weight, and their hardware is made of pure high-quality metal, and counterfeits use weak light materials that easily break down quickly.
- Request Serial Numbers: Most designer handbags always have a unique number and code. Chanel and Louis Vuitton print some serial numbers to further endorse authenticity.
Why invest in designer handbags?
To some, designer handbags are more than just the latest trends in fashion; they’re an investment. What makes a bag a savvy investment?
Here’s why designer bags retain value:
- Resale Value: Hermès and Chanel handbags have the potential to retain value and even grow in worth. For instance, a Birkin, if taken care of properly, sells for more than its original price.
- Timeless: These handbags are here for the long haul because fast fashion is not up their alley. They designed it to last, but timelessness makes them an invaluable piece in any kind of wardrobe.
- Limited supplies: Brands like Hermès just make a few per type, so the exclusivity increases the demand for the whole bag.
Select the Right Designer Handbag for You
A designer handbag is a huge buy, so you should make sure that it fits your style and needs. Here’s some guidance on picking the perfect bag:
- When a person buys a designer handbag: it will be the right decision made by him, so he has to be sure of the style and needs he’s going to get. Tips for Choosing the Right Designer Handbag for You
- Consider the versatility: choose one that can be put together with other outfits as well. Beige, navy, and black will work with everything in these three colors. Flexibility is a very good reason to pick up this type of bag.
- Size: Convenience also deals with size. There are various sizes for the bag. Think about what would be convenient for you, and then choose the same. For example, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull is large, so if something smaller is needed, you should opt for a mini bag or a clutch.
- Set a Budget: Designer bags come in an extremely wide price range. Setting a budget will keep you focused on options that fall within your range.
Buy What You Love: Ultimately, pick a bag you like. You’ll have more fun with it if it matches your style.
How to Style a Designer Handbag
Styling a designer handbag is all about balance. To carry it with confidence, here’s your best shot:
- Keeping It Simple: Designer handbags make statements. Mix up these statement pieces with simply simple outfits. As said before, a brightly colored Gucci bag matches better with a neutral-color wardrobe.
- Coordinate with Your Outfit: Match the color of your bag to one other item in your outfit, like your shoes or accessories. That creates a polished, coordinated look.
- Dress It Up or Down: Designer handbags are just as good for wearing casual outfits as formal ones. A classic bag can elevate your jeans and a t-shirt while still looking chic with a cocktail dress.
Upcoming trends in designer handbags
Trends of Designer Handbags
The latest designer handbags are up-to-date every year. Presently, mini, sustainable, and bold trends are very popular. So, fashion lovers update themselves by wearing the latest products in the market. The following are the trends:
- Mini Bags: Small bags are back in vogue, but this time with the most vital items you can carry while complementing them with a style statement.
- Sustainable Materials: The more and more brands realize the significance of sustainability, the better designs are found on good-quality material that is made sustainably.
- Bold Patterns: Hot trends are bright colors and unusual patterns since they empower people to project their uniqueness.
FAQs
What makes designer handbags so special?
The handbag is considered designer because it communicates high-end quality materials and their skills in making such luxury and prestige items in the fashion market.
How do I determine whether it’s a designer handbag or not?
Check the logo, stitching, and hardware quality. It should be well-stitched and contain a serial number.
Are designer handbags a good investment?
Of course, many designer handbags retain or even gain value, especially limited editions from Hermès.
What to look for in a designer handbag?
Think in terms of flexibility, size, and cost. Decide what you want within the confines of your lifestyle and personal sense.
How do I care for my designer handbag?
Clean the purse frequently. Store it properly, avoiding the harshest weather. When not in use, place it in its dust bag for protection.
Conclusion
Designer handbags are the perfect mix of fashion and functionality, boasting a high resale value and timeless appeal as an investment. Whichever way you are looking to have them for you or best on your list, there’s more than just one way to go about it.
Now that you know more about designer handbags, their history, craftsmanship, and style, you can go ahead and appreciate them, and pick the one that has spoken to you for a long time!
