Many things in the world are collected because, over time, they increase in value. Items such as wine, artwork, jewelry, and real estate are sometimes good investments, but what about Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags? Do these well known bags appreciate in value? The short answer is yes. Read on to learn more:
Becoming More Expensive
As the years have gone by, Hermes bags – especially their signature Kelly and Birkin handbags – have become more expensive and have increased in value. That means if you are looking for a good investment this collector’s item may be worth more even just after a few years. Whether you are looking to purchase a bag to add to your collection or are interested in selling a Hermes bag, you’ll always get top dollar. Just be sure to look at how the bag has been handled. Is it in mint condition? Or is the leather worn and cracked? As with other collectibles, the better the condition, the higher the price.
Limited Edition Bags
Both Birkin and Kelly handbags are very popular around the world and Hermes has made many in limited editions. This means that certain patterns or material variations are rare or aren’t even manufactured anymore. When these limited editions are discovered for sale, the price is often quite high due to the intense level of competition to buy them.
Hermes bags are a sign of wealth and quality and are ubiquitous with the prestige of the Hermes brand. These bags are made with the finest leather and other materials as the cost of the leather and the prestige of the brand increases, so does the value of the handbags. Recently, the price of calf leather in particular has been rising significantly. This is an essential product used in making Hermes bags, therefore, as that cost rises so does the price of new bags which means the value will likely continue to increase in the coming years.
Kelly Bags Introduced In the 1950s
Named for the actress Grace Kelly, (the future Princess of Monaco) the Kelly bag began to gain popularity in the 1950s. At first, they were worth somewhere around $900 US. However, a standard Kelly bag today sells for nearly $10,000 with some limited edition bags soaring to $90,000. Therefore, if someone purchased an exclusive Kelly bag at $900 in 1958, the resale price has increased by 1000% over its original price today. This increase is because of the Kelly bag’s exclusiveness, the materials used to create them, and their rarity.
Birkin Bags First Named in 1981
Although they haven’t been around quite as long, the Hermes Birkin bag has also gained price and popularity throughout the history of their production. Named in 1981 after the English actress Jane Birkin, a standard Birkin bag could then be purchased for about $2,000 US. Today, that same handbag is worth $10,000 to $12,000. If the bag was made with exotic skins, it can go for as high as six figures.
Perfect for The Collector
As most can tell, Hermes bags are not just lovely and exquisite to view, they are also an ideal item that will gain in value over the years. Made with expert craftsmanship and quality materials, either the Kelly bag or the Birkin bag is a must-have for any collector of fine fashion.
If you have a Hermes or other designer handbag that you are interested in selling please contact us. We offer free consultations and will purchase your bag outright. Showplace Estate Buyers will give you a great price for the valuables you no longer need.
FAQs
Becoming More Expensive
Do Birkin bags depreciate in value? ›
The Birkin and the Mini Kelly bags are made to last – they are hand crafted with high quality materials that are extremely difficult to source. This gives them a long life span, making them the perfect collectable item to only appreciate in value over time, providing you keep it in good condition, of course.
Are Hermès bags good investments? ›
“The resale value of particularly the Birkin and Kelly bags over the past 10 years has outpaced gold,” James Firestein, founder of luxury resale and authentication platform OpenLuxury, told Fortune.
Where is the best place to sell my Birkin? ›
Sotheby's is the premier global destination for Hermes Kelly Bags, Birkins and other Hermes bags and accessories. We make it simple to sell your Hermes bag since we offer free estimates and market your items to our global buyers in 85 countries.
How much can you resell a Birkin bag? ›
Even a Himalayan Birkin without diamonds sells for $100,000-250,000+. At the other end are older leather Birkin 40 or Birkin 35 in excellent condition with some signs of wear that sell for $10,000-15,000. The cost of a leather Birkin 25 in pristine or store fresh condition generally ranges from $25,000-$35,000.
What designer bag doesn't lose value? ›
Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are top-performing brands in terms of average resale value, with pieces like the Hermès Constance, Hermès Picotin, Chanel Deauville Tote, and Louis Neverfull retaining an average 127%, 120%, 114%, and 136% value in 2023, respectively.”
Do Hermès Kelly bags appreciate in value? ›
Becoming More Expensive
As the years have gone by, Hermes bags – especially their signature Kelly and Birkin handbags – have become more expensive and have increased in value. That means if you are looking for a good investment this collector's item may be worth more even just after a few years.
Which Hermès bag has the highest resale value? ›
Hermès Birkin Bag
In recent years, many Hermès Birkin bags have increased in value by 127% - 138% on the resale market. The Birkin 25 cm is the most sought-after size.
Which Hermès bags hold their value? ›
The bag of bags, the Hermès Birkin was first crafted in 1984, after Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermès, had a chance encounter on a flight from London to Paris with the beguiling Jane Birkin. This iconic bag holds an impressive 108% of its value.
What is the most demanded Hermès bag? ›
However, one of the most consistently sought-after and iconic Hermès bags is the "Birkin" bag. Named after actress and singer Jane Birkin, this handcrafted leather bag is known for its luxurious materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and timeless design.
"The retail prices for the most popular models are around $10,145 for a Birkin 25, $11,200 for a Birkin 30, and $12,450 for a Bikin 35," says Rose.
Can you walk in a store and buy Birkin bag? ›
You just can't walk into an Hermès boutique and buy a Birkin immediately. It must be ordered, and there is a waiting list. You also can't buy the Birkin, Kelly, or most of Hermès's more iconic styles online.
What size Birkin is most popular? ›
The Birkin 25 was first released in 2004 following a growing trend for smaller bags as the smart phone replaced multiple items that were traditionally carried in a Birkin. While it took some time for this new Baby Birkin size to gain in popularity, the Birkin 25 is now the most sought after size.
Can a regular person buy a Birkin? ›
To buy a Birkin directly from Hermès, customers must have a purchase history with the brand. Hermès only allows boutiques to purchase a select number of Birkins on a bi-annual basis and the style of Birkin bag delivered to boutiques is rarely known ahead of time.
How many Birkin bags do they make a year? ›
There are over eighty models of Hermès bags, and the highest demand is for the Birkin. So, how many Birkin bags are made in a year? The true number is a closely guarded secret, with estimates ranging from 12,000 to 70,000 bags.
How much do Birkins appreciate in value? ›
Take, for example, a Credit Suisse and Deloitte joint study published in October 2020. The report's authors found that the value of Hermès' Birkin bags increased by 38% on average that year, way eclipsing the returns given by the Dow and the S&P 500. The latter rose about 16.3% in 2020, per the report.
How long does a Birkin bag last? ›
With proper love and care, your relationship with it is one that can last a lifetime - or more.
What is the return on a Birkin bag? ›
The average Chanel or Hermès bag increases in price by around 12 per cent per year, she added, making investing in them more lucrative than other assets. Deloitte and Credit Suisse reported that the Hermès Birkin saw returns of 38% on average in 2020, the highest of all luxury bag collectibles.
