Handbags

Are handbags really an investment?

 in Handbags / Shopping  tagged celine / chanel / classic style / hermes / louis vuitton / shoulder bags by

Are expensive handbags a good investment

Handbags from top left: Chanel Boy Bag (risky, new asset-may or may not mature over time) / Chanel classic flap bag (blue chip handbag investment, should mature slowly over time) / Chanel 2.55 shoulder bag (blue chip handbag investment, should mature slowly over time) / Mansur Gavriel drawstring bag (current IT bag selling over list price in the secondary market, good for day trading and short term investing)

Have you ever looked at a premium, luxury handbag and wondered if it was worth the money? Have you heard your friends, or acquaintances, talk about what a great investment a recent handbag purchase had been? You are not alone.

With the IT bag trend around the globe encompassing handbags which cost north of $1000; sometimes way more, it is no wonder that handbags can be considered an investment. Let’s look at the Hermes Birkin as an example:

An Hermes Birkin is considered the ultimate IT bag. This beautiful tote is also considered by many handbag lovers to be the “Holy Grail” handbag. This means many handbag fans goal in life is to own an Hermes Birkin. Crazy you say? Perhaps, and perhaps not. . .

The Hermes Birkin will set you back around $20,000; or more. This is not a small amount of money. If you had $20,000 sitting in your checking account begging to be spent, how would you spend it?

$20,000 can be spent on many things. Let’s review how this sum could be used in a practical sense. You could buy growth and income stocks for your future retirement. You could remodel your master bathroom. You could install new hardwood floors in your home. These are all options which would result in increased savings or home equity; true investments.

What are some other ways you could spend $20,000? You could buy an inexpensive car. Of course cars depreciate in value, so you can say “bye-bye” to that $20,000. Or you could go on a shopping spree at your favorite store, such as Neiman Marcus, and spend it on seasonal, trendy, luxury goods. Two ways to watch that money fade away into a small memory.

Then there is the fun way to invest $20,000; an Hermes Birkin. Let’s talk for a minute about why it is considered an investment. The Hermes Birkin has IT bag status ten times over. It never fades out of style and can be worn both casually and for the office; and there’s more. . .

The Hermes Birkin offers superior quality over other handbags. It is handmade and sturdy; it can take a beating, and still look fabulous. So what makes it an investment money-wise?

There are very few specific handbags which increase in value over time. The Hermes Birkin has the most re-sale value of any IT bag. Not only does the Hermes Birkin hold it’s original purchase value, it increases over time as long as it is maintained properly; much like your home.

If you purchased an Hermes Birkin ten years ago for $10,000 and kept it in good condition, it could easily fetch you $15,000 or more right now. Of course, good stocks, and a home remodel, may fetch you more of an increase than a handbag; but at least it doesn’t depreciate in value like a car.

Of course, most people do not have $20,000 to invest in an Hermes Birkin; I know I don’t! So if you want to spend your money wisely when it comes to handbag shopping, there are other investment options.

Besides Hermes, Chanel is the next best thing to an investment purchase. Chanel’s iconic 2.55 shoulder bag, and classic flap bag, increase in value over time. They do not increase as much as Hermes, but they still go up in value. That my friends, is an investment.

Other designers to lean towards if you would like to watch your handbag hold its’ value, and increase in value over time, include Louis Vuitton and Celine.

Of course, just because a designer has a reputation of creating investment handbags, does not mean every bag will increase over time. As with any stock, bond, real estate, or investment in general, there is a risk involved.

The designer or brand could have some really bad press and suddenly loses it’s appeal. The quality could go down and the general public loses faith in the brand. Or, what had once been considered a classic handbag style for forty years, could suddenly become outdated. The horror!

So how do you find a fairly safe investment handbag when shopping? Well, stick to the basics. For Hermes, look for the Birkin or Kelly. The other styles do not hold their resale value as well. For Chanel, stick with the 2.55 or classic flap shoulder bag. The seasonal styles can become “so last year” in a heartbeat. The Boy Bag is still too new to assess.

When it comes to Louis Vuitton, stick to the classic, tried and true styles such as the Alma or Speedy. If the handbags are seasonal, or just appeared on the runway, they are not an investment.When it comes to Celine, look for solid colored bags; stay away from the color blocking. That is a trend.

Remember, part of the investment is wearing the handbag and getting a ton of use out of it. Do not buy handbags just to make your cash grow. If you want your cash to grow, buy some good stocks or real estate. If you want something to use often, and to prevent you from buying or needing other bags, then this is a sound investment in your future handbag style.

So now you have your investment bag and you have decided you need to cash it in. How do you turn handbags into cash? What do you do? Stay tuned as I discuss this next week!

Resale investment handbags around the web:

Chanel 2.55 shoulder bag:

Chanel classic flap shoulder bag:

Chanel Boy Bag:

Hermes Birkin:

Mansur Gavriel:

Boxy handbags for fall 2015

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged fall 2015 / office attire / runway trends / satchels / shoulder bags / street style trends / winter 2016 by

boxy satchels for fall 2015

 

Pictured from top left: black box bag (under $300!)/ lips box bag / green box bag / burgundy boxy satchel / black boxy satchel / pink bag inside a black boxy satchel

Fall 2015 has an answer to those who are not really into the bucket bag trend; the boxy satchel trend. Box bags and boxy satchels are a hot trend for the fall 2015 season. They are the alter ego to the relaxed, slouchy, drawstring bag trend which has reigned supreme over the past few seasons. 

While a drawstring bucket bag looks fabulous with a casual ensemble on Saturday afternoon, it does not compliment a structured look during the week, when dressed for the office, the theater, or dinner. Fall 2015 has brought us the perfect answer to this handbag dilemma; the boxy satchel.

Box-like bags for fall 2015 are being shown in two distinct forms; the medium satchel, and the small boxy bag.

Medium boxy satchels, in rectangular and square forms, are ideal for the office, and daytime events. They have a wide width, allowing them to be stuffed to the brim with everything plus the kitchen sink. Boxy satchels offer two top handles, a roomy interior, oftentimes they offer multiple sections, and a neat, structured look for structured attire. Love that!

Fall 2015’s box bags are smaller in stature than their boxy satchels sisters, and beg to be carried to fundraisers, dinners, and more formal affairs. Box bags can be found in small, or mini sizes, in both casual, and formal forms. These smaller box bags tend to offer one top handle, and sometimes will feature a detachable shoulder strap. They can be found in one color, bi-color, decorated with kitschy words or pictures, or embellished with jewels, beadwork, and more! The embellished versions are like boho-chic meets uptown flair. Love it!

Boxy satchels and box bags offer a vintage vibe for fall 2015, reminiscent of the 1950’s and 1960’s. They transcend decades when paired with this season’s 1970’s styles, or an a-line miniskirt or flippy skirt.

What do you think of this emerging trend in handbags? Will you seek one out to use as your alternative this fall to your beloved bucket bag?

Box bags and boxy satchels for fall 2015:

Mansur Gavriel cross body bag review

 in Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / mansur gavriel by

mansur gavriel cross body bag cammellomansur gavriel shoulder bag buy onlinemansur gavriel cross body shoulder bag review shop onlinemansur gavriel shoulder bagmansur gavriel cross body bag shop onlinemansur gavriel cross body bag flamma

Photo 1: Mansur Gavriel cross body bag in Cammello, online here. Photos 2-6: Mansur Gavriel cross body bag in flamma, online here.

Mansur Gavriel currently holds the coveted crown as the IT handbag designer. With their beautiful bucket bag in high demand(online here), their tote impossible to find, their backpack highly sought after, and their new Lady Bag deemed the next IT bag by fashion insiders everywhere, it is no wonder that every bag they make is difficult to get your hands on; the new cross body bag is no different.

The new cross body bag by Mansur Gavriel is a classic flap closure, “saddle bag,” which is both classic and very of-the-moment. Saddle bags are having their day in the sun for fall 2015, and Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag is the ideal handbag for the trend. Love that!

Currently priced at $495-$595, Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag is moderately priced; adding to it’s desirability. Since the style is new for fall 2015 from Mansur Gavriel, this is the time to snap one up before they become unbelievable scarce when word gets out about how fabulous and perfect they are!

I purchased Mansur Gavriel’s new cross body bag in two colors and leather; the flamma coated leather, and the cammello vegetable tanned leather. The bags both feel the same when in use, and are lightweight; even after filled up.

Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag is easy to carry on a daily basis. The bag is light and fits the essentials; wallet, iPhone, lipstick, and keys. There is also an interior pocket which is great for receipts, notes, or keys. 

The cross body strap is adjustable. This allows you to adjust the bag into the type of handbag you desire. You can keep the strap short, like I do, and wear it as a shoulder bag; even short, I am able to throw it cross body just in case I need to carry something to chase one of my kids! If you adjust the strap and make it longer, it will have a small, messenger bag look. It is just a matter of preference where you want the bag to hit you, and how you plan to use it; cross body or shoulder bag.

The closure on Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag is very easy to use. They designed a covered, magnetic closure which is luxurious yet simple and sleek. The magnet is strong, allowing you to not have to think about closing the bag; it closes for you! The magnet puts the flap closure in the perfect spot, so you never have to fuss with it. Love that!

Overall, Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag is fabulous! It is simple and easy to wear on a daily basis. Mansur Gavriel has created a comfortable handbag which is on trend, yet transcends trends; a combination rarely found. How is that for perfection!

I rate Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag five out of five stars!

The vegetable tanned cross body bag by Mansur Gavriel can be found online here. The coated leather version of Mansur Gavriel’s cross body bag can be found online here. If they are out of stock, you will be able to pre-order for the next season. This is the stress-free way to shop Mansur Gavriel!