It's become a common topic of discussion in the fashion space that during periods of economic uncertainty, consumers tend to pivot their purchases toward wiser investments. That is, after all, a major contributing factor of quiet luxury's success over the last year. And the designer handbag space is far from immune. According to luxury resale site Rebag's Clair Report for 2023, storied houses like Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton continue to be of top priority in times like this, with their best-selling handbags continuing to hold onto resale value despite the market's fickleness of late. "Pieces like the Hermès Constance, Chanel Deauville Tote, and Louis Neverfull [are] retaining their average [resale value by] 127%, 114%, and 136% in 2023, respectively," says Elizabeth Layne, the Rebag's Chief Marketing Officer.
But that's not the case for every brand, nor every bag. And just as fast as people will invest in safe bets when the market is unpredictable, they'll sell off those carriers in their closet that are no longer serving them sartorially (or financially). Layne knows this all too well. And thankfully, she was more than willing to share her knowledge of those specific handbag styles that people are more often getting rid of in 2024 than buying with Who What Wear. Keep scrolling to see which three designer bags she says are being resold to Rebag in bulk this year and the three that are being invested in instead. Who knows? The findings might just surprise you.
According to Layne, two handbag styles that Rebag's seen collectors sell more of in recent times are Bottega Veneta's Pouch and Balenciaga's Hourglass bags. The Pouch, Layne says, seems to be less popularized under Mattheu Blazy's tenure at the Italian label given that it was designed initially by Bottega's former creative director Daniel Lee. Instead, many fans of the brand are investing in Blazy's creations, including the Andiamo and the Sardine. Increased arrivals for Balenciaga's Hourglass "could be attributed to the brand’s 2022 advertising scandal," Layne says. The final style that Layne's seen increased stock in at Rebag is Telfar's Shopping Tote, which she attributes to "over saturation in the primary market and slowly decreasing demand."
On the contrary, Layne says that bags by the likes of Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Prada are all in high demand this year at Rebag, with reasoning stemming from new creative direction (at Gucci) to the use of sustainable materials (Prada), among other factors. "Within each brand, certain styles are especially sought after due to low availability in the primary market," Layne adds.
"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, which is currently one of the brand’s most popular, especially the mini and small iterations."
"Prada’s Re-Edition hobo is also in-demand as it not only rides the wave of Y2K nostalgia but also is also crafted in sustainable nylon fabric."
"The Saint Laurent Loulou, marked by a distinct envelope silhouette and chevron quilted leather, is another stand out style, and one that plays into the oversize bag trend," says Layne.
No matter the size, color, or material you choose to buy of Bottega Veneta's Andiamo, aka the brand's top bag of the year thus far, it's guaranteed to garner compliments. Plus, this style is shockingly practical, with three ways to wear it and plenty of storage space.
If elegance is your goal, Saint Laurent's Manhattan bag will do the trick every time.
Myself and one other WWW editor use this bag for our work totes, and I swear that every time I enter the office, someone asks where I got it.
The color of the year is quickly spreading into the bag sector.
This size is great for both a quick overnight or someone who just loves to carry their life around with them everywhere.
Kylie Jenner used this bag during Paris Fashion Week last season and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.
Everyone's already talking about this just-dropped Alaïa shoulder bag.
The suede version of Toteme's viral T-Lock bag is truly delectable.
Prada never fails to craft a work-of-art grade handbag.
The lady-like bag trend is growing fast, and this Jil Sander purse is just the style to enter into the fad with.
Sofia Richie Grainge's studded version of this bag may have already sold out, but the green, leather style is more than a good enough alt.
We talk about this Ferragamo bag by Maximilian Davis at least once a day in the Who What Wear office. And no, I'm not exaggerating.
I feel like this timeless beauty is pretty self explanatory.
Another reason why Bottega Veneta bags are so valuable right now is the brand's Certificate of Craft program, which basically provides unlimited complimentary refreshes and repairs for all of its handbags.
I've been sending this new line of patent-leather Saint Laurent bags to everyone I know, slyly trying to hint that I want—no, I need—one at some point this year.
I'm not one for tons of color, but this shade of green gets me every time.
Margaux bags are as hard to find in stock Pat McGrath's glassy-skin makeup.
The new tiny version of Tory Burch's Eleanor satchel is too cute for words and seconds away from going viral. Trust me.
