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Are Hermès Bags worth it?
Hermes are known globally and their bags are often seen adorned on the arms of the biggest celebrities, but are Hermes bags a good investment? Hermès is renowned for designing some of the most highly desired handbags in the world. Not only are these bags considered the pinnacle of luxury, but they are also now known to be one of the best luxury investments available on the market. The bags created by Hermès such as the Birkin and Kelly are some of the most luxurious and special handbags ever made.
What’s so special about a Hermès bag? The luxury French fashion house is famed for its exceptional quality and high level of craftsmanship. Every Hermès bag is painstakingly handcrafted by one artisan in the Hermès ateliers in France. The construction process of a single Birkin bag can take up to 40 hours. Due to the time-consuming construction of these bags, they are in very limited supply, yet remain in high demand. When it comes to Hermès, demand simply exceeds its supply.
So are Hermès bags actually worth it? If you are lucky enough to be in the position to purchase a Hermès handbag it is most definitely worth it! Although they come with a hefty price tag, they truly are a piece of art. Have you ever wondered how much Hermès bags are? See our in-depth guide to the Full List Of Hermes Bags 2023 and Prices (coming soon) for an insight into the current bag collection available at the fashion house.
Each and every Hermès bag is one of the best examples of luxury craftsmanship; a true status symbol. Specifically, the Hermès Birkin and Kelly are a proven luxury investment and therefore remain a forever bag. It has even been suggested that a Hermès Birkin bag is potentially a better investment than gold! Therefore it is no surprise that these bags remain highly desired in the luxury market.
We discuss the true value of Hermès bags, and if they are a worthwhile investment.
Do Hermès bags go up in value?
The iconic Birkin and Kelly are some of the most special bags designed and crafted at Hermès. Not only are all bags at Hermès painstakingly handcrafted, but they are all constructed using the finest quality materials, by highly skilled artisans in France. As Hermès bags are so special, do they go up in value?
Hermès bags, particularly the most sought-after quota bags, the Birkin, Kelly, and Constance, are known for increasing in value after almost instantly after purchase. Due to the perfect combination of quality, craftsmanship, limited supply, and demand, Hermès bags can be found for well over double the retail value on the resale market.
Why do Hermès bags increase in value?
Clients of the luxury brand are expected to demonstrate their loyalty and create a relationship with a dedicated sales associate, and in time have an established purchase history.
When it comes down to the quota bags such as the Birkin and Kelly; Hermès limits purchases of these to two models per year, per customer. Despite these limitations, even the most loyal clients of the brand can find it difficult to obtain their wish list bags. Any client can express their preferences when it comes to bag size, leather, and colour. However, with Hermès there is no guarantee you will be offered your desired combination due to limited availability.
As quota bag purchases in the boutique are so rare and limited at Hermès, many collectors of the brand will choose to shop on the pre-loved market in order to secure their dream bag. However, as the demand for Hermès bags exceeds supply, you will find that handbags on the pre-loved market are priced significantly higher than retail. Therefore although it may be easier to secure your dream bag on the secondary market, it is one of the most expensive options when it comes to Hermès. However, this could still be the easier option, as it is so incredibly hard to purchase a bag directly from the boutique!
Do Hermès bags hold their value?
In the past few years, it has been reported by numerous media outlets that the Hermès Birkin bag is a better investment than stocks and gold. They are notorious for selling well above their initial retail value on the pre-loved and secondary market.
Which Hermès bags hold their value best? When it comes to investment pieces, the best bags from Hermès are the Birkin, Kelly, and Constance. Currently, some of the most highly sought-after bags on the resale market are the Hermès Kelly Mini II and the Birkin 25. Although bag trends come and go, the classic designs from Hermès remain timeless and therefore are a worthwhile investment.
So how much is a Hermès Birkin? In the Hermès boutique, a basic Togo leather Birkin bag is priced at approximately €7400. How much is a Birkin bag on the resale market? On the resale market, you can often find them selling for well over €15,000 – that is an increase of 114%. In the past 3 years, it has been reported that the resale value of the Hermès Birkin 25 in Togo leather has risen by a staggering 80%. It is no secret that these bags will forever remain a fantastic investment.
Why do Hermès bags increase in value? It all comes down to exclusivity! Hermès has a very unique way of selling their handbags. Due to purchase limits and clientele selection, it is incredibly hard to purchase a quota bag in the boutiques. Therefore if you are one of the lucky and selected few customers to be able to purchase a Birkin or Kelly directly from the boutique, the price of your bag increases immediately upon purchase! It’s a win, win situation!
So now you know what a fantastic investment Hermès bags are, you may be wondering what makes them so expensive. We discuss Why Are Hermès Bags So Expensive in further detail here.
Which Hermès bag is the best investment?
If you are hoping to make financial investments via luxury goods, look no further than Hermès! Although fashion trends change continuously, the timeless and iconic bags available from the luxury fashion house will forever remain in huge demand.
Any luxury bag collector will be aware of the extortionate pricing of Hermès handbags on the secondary market. Which Hermès bag is best to invest in? Although all Hermès Bags are known to hold their value, it is the quota bags in particular that sell for the highest amounts on the pre-loved market.
These quota bags are the much sought-after Birkin and Kelly (and in some locations Constance). How do I purchase a Hermès quota bag? Only selected clientele will be lucky enough to have the luxury of purchasing one of these high-in-demand handbags. Therefore if you are hoping to get your hands on one of these investment bags, you must establish a solid relationship with an Hermès sales associate in your local boutique. Only then will you have the opportunity to purchase one of these quota handbags, however, it is always worth the wait!
So which Hermès bag is the best investment? The best investment bag at Hermès is without a doubt the Birkin.
Which variation of the Hermès Birkin bag is the best investment? Specifically the Birkin 25 in Gold Togo calfskin with gold-plated hardware. This is currently the most highly sought-after combination of the iconic Birkin bag and has been known to sell for offers in excess of £25,000 on the resale market. Consequently, the Hermès Birkin is known to retain approximately 130% of its original retail value on the resale market.
Currently, the trend for mini bags is saturating the world of luxury fashion. As a result of this, Hermès has seen a huge interest in their small and mini-sized bags. The most highly sought-after handbags currently are the Birkin 25 and the Kelly Mini II. You will find both of these bag styles available on the pre-loved market for incredibly high price points. Additionally, it is not uncommon to find the Hermès Mini Kelly II bags for sale priced well over £25,000 for the classic leather variations. More specialised and exotic leather styles can be found for even more eye-watering prices, in the region of £50,000 to £75,000.
It is no surprise that Hermès bags are so in demand! Although a Hermès purchase can be both time-consuming and expensive, they remain a fantastic luxury investment.
Although Hermès handbags are known for being sold at a premium on the pre-loved market, it is always worth exploring your options. If you are open to an older style or vintage piece you can make some great savings on the pre-loved market. We would recommend that you only shop for Hermès at reputable sites such as:
We strongly recommend that when you purchase any pre-loved designer piece, you should always get it authenticated by a reputable authentication service for peace of mind and protection. You can find authentication services here.
Ever wondered how much Hermes sales associates earn? Find out their salaries here!
