As gold and silver prices have steadily risen over the past five years, many high net worth individuals have made strategic investments outside of financial markets. They invest in works of art, rare coins and also luxury fashion. A new study by online platform FashioNica, which specializes in selling authentic, high-quality vintage designer handbags and accessories, has revealed that some of the fashion items that have increased in value the most over the past five years are actually luxury handbags.
The study examined pricing data from brand price overviews, auction results and resale market platforms to calculate both dollar and percentage increases. An analysis of luxury items such as handbags, sneakers, jewelry and watches was used to determine which pieces increased in value the most between 2020 and 2025.
Luxury handbags as an investment: models with the highest increase in value from 2020 to 2025
In a study of 20 luxury fashion items that tracked retail and resale prices over a five-year period, it was found that collector demand and brands’ pricing strategies had a major impact on the items’ value. It found that seven of the ten best-selling luxury items were handbags, with the Chanel Classic Flap Bag taking the top spot.
With a price increase of 93 percent between 2020 and 2025, the Chanel Classic Flap Bag was the fashion item with the fastest increase in value, pushing the Hermès Birkin Bag out of first place. With the price increasing from $5,850 to $11,300, the Medium/225 size in particular is becoming harder to find at retail, driving demand into the resale market where prices continue to rise.
On average, prices for Hermès Birkin bags rose 14 percent each year, outperforming the S&P 500, but the study found that other luxury handbags performed even better.
In second place is the trunk from the collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Supreme, which recorded the largest price increase of all the items examined. The Malle Courrier 90 Trunk, which retailed for $85,000 in 2020, rose to $149,500 in 2025, increasing its value by $64,500. This 76 percent price increase is likely due to the historic nature of the 2017 collaboration and limited availability.
The Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Speedy 30 is in third place with a price increase of 75 percent. This handbag was originally released in 2003 and cost around $2,000 in 2020. Today it’s on the resale market for $3,500. The model is no longer manufactured, but the multicore print remains highly sought after as nostalgia for the early 2000s drives demand.
In fourth place is the Hermès Birkin 35 bag made of Porosus crocodile leather. This handbag is an ultra-limited edition and has seen a 73 percent increase in value from $37,000 in 2020 to $64,000 in 2025. In addition to their rare availability, the black exotic leather also contributes to the high price, as these versions remain among the most expensive in the Hermès line.
The Chanel Graffiti backpack from 2014 takes fifth place with a price increase of 67 percent. Introduced as a novelty on the runway, this backpack went from a retail price of $9,000 in 2020 to $15,000 in 2025. The limited edition of this graffiti-themed model has caused collectors to pay significantly more than the original retail price.
In sixth place is Van Cleef & Arpels’ Vintage Alhambra 10-Motif Necklace in 18-karat yellow gold, with a price increase of 46 percent, from $7,000 to $10,200. The 1968 design continues to be produced and continues to see price increases.
In seventh place is the Hermès Kelly 35 in black Togo leather, whose price has increased by 42 percent from $10,500 in 2020 to $14,900 in 2025. The 1956 bag’s durable Togo leather and black colorway, which is most sought after on the resale market, have driven price growth.
In eighth place is Chanel’s Old Medium Boy Bag, whose price has increased by 40 percent from $5,000 to $7,000. Launched in 2011, the bag offers an edgier alternative to classic models with its structured design and chunky chain.
In ninth place is the Hermès Birkin 25 in Togo leather, whose price has increased by 35 percent from $9,400 in 2020 to $12,700 in 2025. The compact size appeals to those who carry the bag daily, with smaller Birkins performing better than larger ones.
Finally, in tenth place is the Fendi Baguette (1997 “Carrie Bradshaw” model), which has increased in price by 34 percent from $2,690 in 2020 to $3,600 in 2025, likely reflecting renewed interest in ’90s fashion.
“The global pre-owned luxury goods market is expected to reach $51 billion by 2026, with handbags accounting for nearly 40 percent of all transactions,” said Nica Yusay, CEO of FashioNica, in a statement. “People are now buying Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton bags just as they would buy stocks or bonds. The sneaker market, meanwhile, has cooled significantly. Shoes that sold for 10 or 20 times retail in 2020 are now trading at prices much closer to their original prices due to increased supply.”
This article previously appeared on Fashionunited.uk and was created using digital tools translated.
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