Get Your Bag: The Handbags with the Highest Resale Values

Missy Elliot’s Pass The Dutch plays as Regina George and the rest of Mean Girls’ plastics walk down their highschool hallway, hair bouncing and handbags swinging. While a handful of coveted designer It bags make cameos throughout the film, a few standout as forever icons: Regina’s Louis Vuitton Murakami Pochette, Cady Heron’s Louis Vuitton rainbow monogram Pochette, Gretchen Wieners’ baby blue Prada Easy bag, and Karen Smith’s pink nylon Prada messenger bag. Each of these bags have appreciated in value since their late 1990s-early 2000s debuts. Some of the Louis Vuitton pochette bags have tripled—even quadrupled!—in value since the movie’s 2004 release. In that sense, if there is one blockbuster cast that got the biggest bang for their buck in designer handbags, it’s the leading cast of Mean Girls.

The Handbags With the Highest Resale Value, According to Experts:From The Row: The Margaux, $5,090From Gucci: Gucci Jackie 1961 Bag, $3,350From Bottega Veneta: The Andiamo Bag, $5,100From Loewe: Basket Bag, $790From Toteme: The T-Lock Top-Handle Bag, $1,390From Prada: Crossbody Bag, $1,750From Saint Laurent: Loulou Medium Shoulder Bag, $3,200From Louis Vuitton: Pochette Accessoires Bag, $1,520When it comes to unforgettable investment handbag moments, there are a few more savvy characters who come to mind. Of course, there’s Carrie Bradshaw, whose purple sequin Fendi Baguette first appears in season 3 episode 17 (when Bradshaw got mugged) and reappears in And Just Like That (implying that she held onto that bag for decades, despite its mysterious return after being robbed). There’s Margot Tenenbaum of The Royal Tenenbaums, who donned a camel Birkin bag. There’s Holly Golightly’s black Chanel 2.55 bag, which she debuted back in 1961 (just imagine the value increase on that one). The list goes on. So, what exactly makes a designer bag an era-defining, appreciating treasure?

Take Louis Vuitton’s Pochette, for example. After releasing in 1992 and becoming an “It” bag of the ’90s and early aughts, the fashion house couldn’t keep this style in stock. In 2001, the Pochette Accessoires bag retailed for $165. This style saw a 379% average increase in retail price over the next two decades, going for $790 in 2021. During that time period, the bag was worn by the likes of Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and even Miss Carrie Bradshaw. The house collaborated with artists like Takashi Murakami, Stephen Spouse, and Yayoi Kusama to create limited-edition iterations that celebrated the style over the years. As icons of the ’90s made a resurgence in 2020, the bag was again adopted by It girls, including Bella Hadid and Rihanna. In sum, the Pochette defined an era, held celebrity status, and was reinvented numerously throughout its lifetime.

In a retail world that is more circular than ever before, choosing a bag that will increase in value (both in dollars and in your heart) is wise. But of course, there’s a science to said pursuit. “There are several characteristics to take note of when determining a bag’s resale value,” shares Kelly McSweeney, The RealReal’s senior merchandising manager. “Does the bag have visible elements that are classic or iconic to the brand? Think monogramming or identifiable logo hardware. Additionally, does it have any other apparent brand signifiers that are renowned to that brand’s DNA?” And, of course, there’s one last characteristic that is well-reflected in Regina George and Cady Heron’s It bag: “If the bag is limited in production or can be considered a collectible, that typically increases resale value.”

There’s also the fact that the secondhand designer bag market is bigger and buzzer than ever before. “Vintage is experiencing a huge resurgence, and we’re seeing strong demand for styles across Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada,” says a spokesperson from Vestiaire Collective. Elizabeth Layne, the chief marketing officer at Rebag, echoes this. “Styles with high investment value are trending in the secondary market. Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are top-performing brands in terms of average resale value, with pieces like the Hermès Constance, Hermès Picotin, Chanel Deauville Tote, and Louis Neverfull retaining an average 127%, 120%, 114%, and 136% value in 2023, respectively.”

According to experts at leading resale companies The Real Real, Vestiaire Collective, Fashionphile, and Rebag, the below bags are the ones that retain the highest resale values now. From age-old classics like the Pochette to modern heirlooms like The Row’s Margaux, shop the top trending designer bags below.

The Row MargauxThe Row’s Margaux bag is a signature style from the luxury brand. The Olsen twins once explained to British Vogue, “The whole exercise was to see whether, if something was made beautifully, in great fabric, with good fit, it would sell without a logo or a name on it.” Of course, the experiment was a success, and the bag has been redesigned several times since its inception. “This seems to be the bag on everyone’s minds these days,” says McSweeney. “They sell as quickly as they come in. The resale value for this bag has risen over 30% since last year and on average the Margaux bags sell for over 80% of the suggested retail price.”

Toteme T-Lock BagAccording to The Real Real, this newcomer to the world of high-value second handbags sells for an average of 87% above suggested retail price. “This style is quickly becoming the new quiet luxury favorite on the block,” McSweeney says. If you’re looking for a sleek, modern option that will appreciate in value, this convertible top-handle is a perfect option.

Toteme

T-Lock leather shoulder bag

Toteme

T-Lock top-handle bag

Bottega Veneta Adiamo BagA timeless handbag crafted with Bottega Veneta’s timeless leather weave and a gold knot, this bag is an ideal everyday piece sure to last year after year. According to The Real Real, this particular bag will sell for, on average, a price 75% above the original retail price.

Bottega Veneta

Andiamo medium leather tote

Bottega Veneta

medium Andiamo top-handle bag

Louis Vuitton NeverfullThis particular bag has been trending in the fashion world for years now. A proper executive tote, it’s one of the French fashion house’s most identifiable accessories. On average, it will resell for its full resale value, so if this is the bag you choose, there’s nothing to lose—literally.

Louis Vuitton

Neverfull MM bag

Louis Vuitton

Neverfull MM bag

Bottega Veneta Hobo BagAnother Bottega Veneta stunner, this bag is also trending in the resale department. According to Kimberly Bickle, site merchandising manager at Fashionphile, this one is gaining popularity and selling fast, but on average, it’s selling at “44% off the estimated retail price, and the rich chocolate brown color is on trend.”

Bottega Veneta

Hop large leather tote

Bottega Veneta

large Hop bag

Hermès Kelly Cut ClutchAnother favorite in secondhand markets, this petite Hermès clutch is also one to watch. “Suede is the material of the moment,” says Bickle. Easily dressed up or down and a forever icon, it makes sense that this little number would retain its value year after year.

Hermès

Veau Doblis Kelly Cut clutch

Gucci Horsebit ClutchIt’s no secret that ’90s styles are on the rise, and this particular Gucci clutch is especially hot right now. “I’ve been seeing a lot of hype around Tom Ford-era Gucci bags, with the rise in demand of vintage styles,” Bickle says. “The Gucci Horsebit Clutch was recently reintroduced, so we’ve seen the original and new styles come through in a lot of fun colors and textiles.”

Gucci

Horsebit chain small shoulder bag

Gucci

Horsebit chain small shoulder bag

Loewe Raffia ToteWhile a raffia tote may seem like a seasonal purchase, it’s one that continues to maintain relevance every spring and summer season, thus maintaining its value. “In preparation for spring and summer, of course, raffia bags are top of mind,” Bickle says. “My immediate go-to for raffia is naturally Loewe.”

Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza

small woven raffia tote

Loewe

small square basket bag

Louis Vuitton SpeedyAccording to vintage reseller Vestiaire Collective, Louis Vuitton’s Speedy bag is one that continuously increases in value once it hits the secondhand market. Whether you choose the monogram iteration or the checkered pattern, the Speedy is sure to maintain relevance in the secondhand department.

Louis Vuitton

Speedy Bandoulière 25 bag

Louis Vuitton

Speedy Bandoulière 20 bag

Prada Nylon CrossbodyVestiaire Collective also noted Prada’s ReNylon bags as trending pieces, “mostly because they are such classic styles and are available at such good pieces.” Another go-to ’90s style, Prada’s nylon numbers, particularly of the crossbody variety, will always be chic.

Fendi BaguetteWhat’s more iconic than Fendi’s signature Baguette? According to Elizabeth Layne, the Chief marketing officer at Rebag, almost nothing. “The Fendi Baguette, originally introduced in 1997, is the second most valuable Fendi style of 2023, with a 113% average value retention,” she says. In other words, this is the Carrie Bradshaw style you’ll definitely want to add to your wardrobe.

Celine Ava Bag“The Celine Ava emerged as top performers last year, maintaining 94% average value retention in 2023,” Layne says. An ideal mini shoulder bag silhouette with Celine markings, this is one of the more unique designer styles to snag now.

Celine

medium Ava strap hobo bag

Saint Laurent LoulouAnother French design house holding space in the secondhand market is Saint Laurent, particularly for its LolLou bag. “The Saint Laurent Loulou, marked by a distinct envelope silhouette and chevron quilted leather, is another standout style, and one that plays into the oversize bag trend,” Elizabeth Layne notes. Take your pick from a variety of versatile color and metal combos, including black and silver hardware or white and gold hardware.

Saint Laurent

Loulou medium quilted leather shoulder bag

Saint Laurent

Loulou medium YSL shoulder bag

Gucci Jackie 1961 BagHere’s a bag that made a true fashion comeback, and now, there’s no going back. “At newly-appointed creative director Sabato De Sarno’s first presentation for Gucci, the Italian house garnered attention for its innovative take on cult-classic handbags like the Jackie 1961,” Layne says. “It is currently one of the brand’s most popular, especially the Mini and Small iterations.”

Gucci

Jackie 1961 small shoulder bag

Gucci

Jackie medium shoulder bag

Louis Vuitton PochetteLast, but certainly not least, is the ultimate ’90s nostalgia bag: the Louis Vuitton Pochette. “The Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires, which debuted in 1992, is the French label’s number two style with a 102% average value retention,” Layne remarks. In other words, this bag is trending upwards, and you’re sure to get a big bang for your buck out of this mini icon.

Louis Vuitton

Pochette Accessoires bag

Louis Vuitton

Multi Pochette Accessoires bag