Which pre-owned designer bag is the best investment?

With so many options available, navigating the pre-owned designer bag market can feel overwhelming. A good place to start is to identify which bag retains the most value, so you can feel confident that if you decide to resell, you’ll make your money back and then some. While our ever-changing pre-owned curation reflects the fast-paced nature of the vintage resale market, trends do emerge with specific handbags selling out time and again. 

To help you make the best investment, Luxclusif, our pre-owned supplier, has pinpointed the top nine handbags with the best value retention. 

Value retention has been calculated by Luxclusif by comparing the current secondary market resale price of the item against its original boutique retail price (bought new). 

- A retention rate of 100% means the bag holds its exact retail value. 

- A percentage over 100% means the item appreciates and sells for a premium on the pre-owned market due to high demand, strategic brand scarcity, or archival status.

The Hermès Birkin (Togo & Epsom)

Current boutique retail (bought as new): ~$13,500+ (depending on size/market)

Potential resale value: up to $25,000+ (for pristine specs and rare colors)

Estimated resale value: ~$14,000 – $18,000 (average for standard sizes in good condition)

Percentage value retention: 138% – 183% (average)

According to Inês Morais, channel lead at Luxclusif, ‘The Birkin bag pre-owned market is the ultimate safe haven.’ Buying this bag pre-owned allows customers to bypass excessive boutique waitlists. Even though highly coveted sizes command a premium over retail, its strategic scarcity means the bag continually outperforms the stock market in annual ROI. Luxclusif offers immediate access to these unicorn items on FARFETCH, from accessible entry points to ultra-rare collector assets.

The Hermès Kelly (Sellier & Mini II)

Current boutique retail (bought as new): ~$11,000 – $12,500+

Percentage value retention: 15% – 20% YoY growth

Estimated resale value: ~$14,000 – $18,000 (average for standard sizes in good condition)

If you’re a fan of structured design with timeless appeal, you’re in luck. Inês says, ‘the Kelly Sellier and the elusive Mini II are seeing incredible YoY growth on the secondary market.’ Inês highlights this as, ‘a phenomenal investment that grants immediate access to Hermès' most guarded silhouettes without playing the boutique allocation game.’

The Chanel Classic Flap (Vintage/Pre-2015)

Current boutique retail (bought as new): ~$10,200 – $11,000+

Estimated resale value: ~$4,500 – $6,500 (for standard vintage models)

Percentage value retention: ~100%+ (on original vintage retail value)

With boutique prices recently crossing the $11,000 mark, Inês explains, ‘investing in pre-owned Chanel bags is the ultimate luxury hack.’ She suggests buying a vintage model provides a far superior price entry point. Inês continues, ‘as Chanel continues to hike its retail prices every year, the baseline value for these vintage pieces is naturally pulled up with the market.’ Iconic craftsmanship (like the discontinued 24k gold-plated hardware) at a fraction of the modern cost, with built-in value protection? It sounds like an obvious choice.

The Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote

Current boutique retail (bought as new): ~$2,030

Estimated resale value: ~$1,200 - $1,600 (depending on condition)

Percentage value retention: Highly liquid / Strong value retention

According to Inês, the Neverfull tote is known as the ‘king of liquidity’ among pre-owned designer bags. The classic canvas Louis Vuitton Neverfull is highly functional, accessible, and as Inês explains, ‘if a client wants to sell it on, it moves almost instantly on the secondary market.’ Buying it pre-owned often saves hundreds on retail for excellent condition models.

The Goyard Saint Louis Tote

Current boutique retail (bought as new): ~$1,620 (PM) / ~$1,890 (GM)

Percentage value retention: ~110% –115%

Estimated resale value: ~$1,800 – $2,200 (standard resale market average)

Goyard famously refuses to sell online. The pre-owned market is the only way to buy a pre-owned Goyard bag digitally. Inês says, ‘Clients pay a slight premium for the immediate convenience and global availability, ensuring the bag famously retains or exceeds its original retail value.’

Dior Lady Dior (Limited Editions / Art Series)

Current boutique retail (bought as new): ~$6,500+ (for limited editions)

Estimated resale value: ~$3,000 – $4,500 (for unique/art editions)

Percentage value retention: 80% – 120% (depending on rarity of the edition)

‘Standard Lady Dior bags can lose a bit of value, but the Limited Editions are massive collector's items,’ Inês explains. Buying these rare pre-owned Christian Dior bags offers one of the best long-term ROIs for serious collectors looking for wearable art.