Is your handbag an investment piece?
Doing your research is one of the first steps in determining whether or not the bag you’re eyeing is a wise investment.
Specifications – Research the product until you have as detailed a breakdown of its specifications as possible, including but not limited to brand, model, size, material, measurements, specific color name, etc. The more details you have and the more you know about the bag, the more accurately you can determine its level of desirability. We have covered several popular models as a jumping-off point.
Models:
Education:
Desirability – The value of a handbag hinges on its desirability. Four factors can drive desirability:
Price – If a brand consistently increases the retail price of a trendy staple, this also affects the resale market. Many will avoid purchasing at retail and turn to the resale market for more affordable options.
Limited Edition – Limited or short-term collections championed by fashion editors and influencers before their release will likely become hits, whether just one piece from the collection or several. However, these are not guaranteed investment pieces. To learn more about collaborations, see our articles on Louis Vuitton and Gucci’s take on working with influential artists.
Trend – The best way to find top trending pieces is to scour Fashion Week articles and find the ones editors seem to like the best. When multiple sources confirm that the tastemakers love a particular piece, it’s important to note it.
Continuous Lack of Inventory – The brand often orchestrates this desirability. Usually, if a handbag or variation of a bag is trendy, they will limit the number of bags released to keep a false sense of exclusivity by continuously “selling out.” This is a prime example of brands' power in the market.
Market Value – Once you’ve narrowed down which bag you’re after and have determined its desirability, you need to understand its current market value. Here are a few ways to find the market value of handbags:
CLAIR by Rebag– This tool, dubbed the “Kelley Blue Book of Resale,” generates an instantaneous price that Rebag is willing to pay upfront for your handbag, which is a great jumping-off point. See the Clair 2022 Report for the top investment pieces.
Marketplaces – Peer-to-peer marketplaces can be deceiving if you look at currently listed items, but checking sold and unsold listings can give you a comprehensive look at what prices worked and which didn’t. Remember that these platforms have fees associated in several places (shipping, payment, and selling), so the price at which a bag was sold is not entirely accurate.
Consignment – With consignment, items are priced to move quickly. With the prices listed on consignment sites or in-store, items are subject to going on sale even after just a month. Note that the consignor has to wait until the item sells, at which point they will only receive 40%-50% of the sale price in most cases.
Shop Around – Look at what other resale sites or retailers, whether online or brick-and-mortar, are selling it for. This will help you gauge if it's worth purchasing at retail or if resale is your best option.
It is likely a waiting game right now, depending on which route you have decided to take. Like the stock and real estate markets, the value of your bag will fluctuate, so don’t be discouraged if it falls or is too hasty when it increases slightly. The time will come when you know it’s the right time to let it go.
Need help determining which luxury accessories to invest in? We removed the guesswork with Clair Picks, Rebag’s data-backed, blue-chip items that are sure bets.