4 Reasons Why Designer Handbags are Worth the Investment

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved handbags. Over the last few years however, I’ve developed an affinity to designer handbags. I purchased my first one years ago for my 30th birthday and have been in love ever since. I have acquired a few more since that time and hope to continue growing my collection for years to come. If you’re a fashion lover, you know that most designer bags come with a hefty price tag, which may cause you to ask yourself, “are they really worth it”? In todays post, I share four reasons why I feel designer bags worth the investment.1. Durability/ QualityMost designer bags are made of good quality materials (leathers, canvas, etc.) and they’re often handmade. Bags of this quality are built to last for years. The first designer bag I purchased was the Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 30 in the Damier Ebene print. I’ve had the bag for almost 5 years now. Although it has some wear on the handles, overall it’s still in great condition. I’ve worn it in almost all types of weather conditions; rain, snow, and extreme heat during the summer and the canvas and leather have not changed in color or in any other way. I carry it top-handle a lot so some of the leather has come off in that particular area, but that’s about it.Although I haven’t had my other designer bags and SLG’s (small leather goods) as long, I am pleased with the overall quality of those items as well. In comparison to some of my other handbags that aren’t luxury, I’d have to say that the designer bags rank #1 as far as durability and quality because they hold up better over time.2. Cost Per WearThe idea of cost per wear is that the value of an item is directly related to how much you use it. Luxury handbags can be extremely pricey, but they become a smart buy when you know that the number of times you wear the item will far exceed the amount you paid for the item plus the cost to maintain it. For instance, if you buy a cheap $30 handbag from Forever 21 to use as your work tote bag and the strap breaks after only 2 wears, your cost per wear is $15 which is pretty high. Now if you invest in a $1,400 classic designer tote that will most likely last an average of 10 years with proper care, even if you wear the bag 100 days out of each year, your cost per wear is much lower ($1.4) and you’ve definitely gotten your moneys worth.Additionally, by purchasing luxury, you don’t have to waste time buying and replacing cheaper bags over and over because your one designer bag stands the test of time. It’s all in perspective, so when it comes to buying a classic designer handbag, as long as its in your budget, you can’t go wrong.3. ExperienceIf you consider starting a luxury handbag collection, I’d recommend buying at least one of your bags in-store, preferably your first one. That’s exactly what I did. I enjoy the full experience of trying on bags that I’m considering and getting the full luxury feel. Although I’ve heard horror stories about employees being rude for various reasons, I’m pleased to say that each time I’ve purchased designer items (or been with someone who has), the experience has been pleasant and I pray that it continues to be for years to come.I appreciate a thoughtful and kind sales associate everywhere I shop (luxury or not), but that is a definite expectation when it comes to luxury. I always ask if they can bring me a new item from the back that nobody has tried on, I inspect it and watch them wrap it beautifully in its dust bag and box. Oftentimes, they will offer you bottled water or other snacks and I gladly take one each time, because why not? LoLIf possible, if you’re thinking about purchasing luxury, try to purchase at least one item in the store so that you can get the full experience. My goal is to purchase at least one item in store from each fashion house that I buy from, so that I can have the experience of each designer.4. Resale ValueAccording to research, the handbag brands that have the most resale value are Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton. The majority of the fashion girls may have a Chanel classic flap, Hermes Birkin or Kelly, or a Louis Vuitton Speedy or Neverfull on their wish list or in their current handbag collection. In good condition, these handbags have the best resale value. Although I don’t own any Chanel or Hermes, I do have the Louis Vuitton Speedy and plan on adding the Neverfull next year. On the pre-loved market, these particular bags in great condition, sometimes being 3-8 years old, are selling so close to the retail value of brand new bags. So if you fall out of love with one of your classic bags and are thinking about selling, it’s likely that you can get a pretty good return on your investment.Are you a lover of luxury handbags? Are you thinking about buying your first luxury bag? Let me know your thoughts on this post in the comments below!