From makeup to emergency kits, a great handbag is a daily essential for anyone who values both function and style, and a luxury purse gives it a glamorous edge.
Considered wearable art pieces, the top luxury handbag brands get their high price for various reasons, such as brand name and exclusivity. Ultimately, you’re buying an investment piece that will become a statement piece in your wardrobe. My first luxury bag was a splurge I saved for over a year, and worth every penny!
Unsure which designer handbag brands exude the essence of opulence? We’ll guide you through some of the top recognizable designer names that will stand the test of time.
Iconic Bags Worth Knowing by Brand
Hermès Birkin, Hermès Himalaya Birkin · Chanel 2.55 · Louis Vuitton Speedy, Louis Vuitton Neverfull · Gucci Bamboo, Gucci Soho Disco, Gucci Dionysus, Gucci Jackie · Christian Dior Lady Dior · Bottega Veneta Pouch · Alexander McQueen skull clutch
Most Expensive Bag Brands of the World
Whether you collect designer purses or just love to window shop, this ranked list of the most prestigious luxury handbag brands will give you serious envy. I’ve listed them roughly by iconic status and cultural cachet, starting with beloved high-end names and working up to the absolute legends of the luxury handbag world.
13. Michael Kors
Launching his first women’s collection in 1981, the American designer quickly gained celebrity traction, with fans like Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum. While Michael Kors is often seen as more accessible than some of the heritage names on this list, the brand’s exotic leather pieces, like the Miranda Crocodile Medium Tote (retailing around $7000), prove it can compete in the true luxury space. It’s a brand that offers entry points at multiple price levels, which is part of its appeal.
One of the most coveted bags from the top-tier Michael Kors Collection line is the Gracie tote. It launched in the 2015 collection and is handcrafted in Italy from French calf leather bonded with fine Italian suede. Kendall Jenner has been seen carrying one a few times.
Fake check: Moderate risk. The brand’s wide distribution makes it a common target, so stick to Michael Kors stores and authorised department stores.
12. Alexander McQueen
Considered the rebel of the fashion world, the cutting-edge style of Alexander McQueen’s designs is undeniably bewitching.
Founded by the British designer Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992, the house is known for its creative pieces in vibrant colours. One of its most popular handbags is the Skull Four-Ring clutch, whose knuckleduster handle adds a bit of danger to your usual designer bag picks. I love how unapologetically edgy McQueen bags are compared to the safer classics on this list.
Prices depend on the finish. Harrods lists the leather Skull Four-Ring clutch at $3,290, while crystal-embellished versions have been listed at around $4,390.
Fake check: Moderate risk. The skull hardware is widely imitated, so buy from McQueen, a major department store, or a resale platform that offers an authenticity guarantee.
11. Goyard
One year older than Louis Vuitton, Goyard was founded in Paris in 1853, when François Goyard took over the earlier trunk maker Maison Martin. Its boutique at 233 rue Saint-Honoré once counted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor among its customers. I’ve visited the rue Saint-Honoré boutique during my time living in France and the customer service is second to none.
Goyard is the ultimate insider brand. It doesn’t advertise, has no paid endorsers and rarely speaks to the press. It also doesn’t sell anything online, so buying a new bag means visiting a boutique in person.
Its signature Goyardine canvas features a pattern of stacked dots forming interlocking Ys, a nod to the Goyard family’s history as log-drivers. The canvas is no longer painted by hand, but personalisation still is. For an extra fee, an artisan will hand-paint your initials or stripes onto your bag.
The house’s best-known bag is the Saint Louis, a lightweight open-top tote named after King Louis IX and originally designed as a beach bag. US prices rose in May 2025, taking the Saint Louis PM from $1,710 to $1,890 and the GM from $1,890 to $2,080.
That makes Goyard one of the smartest buys on this list. Rebag’s 2025 Clair Report found Goyard bags retained 132% of their value on average, second only to Hermès. Pre-owned Saint Louis totes typically sell for $2,000 to $3,000, which is more than the boutique price.
Fake check: Very high risk. Goyard’s fake rate is around 18.9%, among the highest Entrupy tracks. Goyard has no official online store, so treat “brand new” listings from unfamiliar websites with suspicion. If you’re buying pre-owned, choose a platform with a written authenticity guarantee.
10. Karl Lagerfeld
Liberating fashion from its strict confines, the late Karl Lagerfeld was an icon and a trailblazer in fashion history. He designed for famous labels such as Chanel and Fendi, and established his own brand in 1984. I love the quirkiness of his designs, they’re great conversation starters!
For a more affordable luxury option, look at the K/Seven. Named after Lagerfeld’s lucky number seven, the K/Seven grain leather shoulder bag retails for $429 on karl.com.
Fake check: Lower risk. At this price point, fakes are less common than for the big heritage houses. Heavy discounting through outlets also means a low price alone isn’t a red flag.
9. Prada
Looking at The Devil Wears Prada, it’s easy to see why this brand is associated with the epitome of high-end fashion.
Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, the house began as a leather goods shop, and leather handbags remain its most popular export. Its signature Galleria bag is named after the store Mario Prada opened that year in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Today his granddaughter, Miuccia Prada, leads the label creatively. She remains co-creative director alongside Raf Simons, having handed the CEO role to former LVMH executive Andrea Guerra in 2023. Prada is known as one of the most expensive clothing brands, and you’ll see this reflected in their handbag prices.
At the very top of the range, Prada’s crocodile and ostrich Galleria bags are made to order, with prices available on request. For a standard leather style, a 2026 price guide puts a medium Galleria at roughly $4,100 to $5,400 or more.
Fake check: High risk. Entrupy’s 2026 State of the Fake report ranks Prada third for counterfeit volume, behind Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Canvas and nylon pieces are among the most frequently faked, so take extra care with Re-Nylon bags.
8. Marc Jacobs
This American designer is a modern-day powerhouse in the world of fashion. Marc Jacobs, creative director of Louis Vuitton for 16 years, launched his own label in 1986.
They distinguish themselves from other contemporary or luxury brands through a unique blend of playful streetwear aesthetics, aggressive industrial hardware, and high-utility functionality. While heritage brands like Coach lean into traditional, understated elegance with subtle monograms, Marc Jacobs positions itself as a bold, pop-culture-driven alternative that rejects elitist design tropes.
His most famous creation was the Carolyn Crocodile Handbag. Made of quilted purple crocodile skin, it was priced at $30,000 when it launched in the late 2000s. It is no longer in production. A pre-owned example with an estimated retail price of $30,000 sold on The RealReal for $4,000, which is a useful reminder that exotic leather rarely holds its value outside Hermès.
Fake check: Moderate risk, particularly for The Tote Bag, which is widely copied. Buy from marcjacobs.com or authorised stockists.
7. Christian Dior
Known for clean lines and a sense of sophistication in every piece, this top-tier label is sure to feature in any designer bag collector’s closet.
The Lady Dior is forever linked to Princess Diana. It began life in 1994 under the nickname Chouchou, and in September 1995 France’s First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, gave a black one to Diana at the opening of a Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais. Diana carried it so often that Dior renamed it the Lady Dior in her honour in 1996.
On dior.com, the medium Lady Dior in black Cannage lambskin is listed at $6,700. Prices across the five sizes run from around $3,900 for the Micro to $10,000 for special materials.
Fake check: High risk. Dior ranks among the top five most faked brands, even though it makes up under 5% of Entrupy’s total submissions.
6. Bottega Veneta
Established in 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro in Vicenza, the name translates to “Venetian shop”.
The weaving technique of its intricately crafted accessories, called intrecciato, is what makes Bottega Veneta handbags so superior.
I’m a huge fan of this Italian label, as the quality is fantastic and their bags just look better and better over time.
Despite their lack of visible logos, Bottega Veneta bags are easily identifiable, making them a prime example of stealth wealth. They are also known for their mini bags, such as the Pouch.
The Italian brand is owned by the Kering group, which also owns Gucci, Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen.
Fake check: Moderate risk. Intrecciato weaving is increasingly copied, so check the evenness of the weave and buy from Bottega Veneta or reputable resellers.
5. Saint Laurent
A master craftsman and a pivotal figure in redefining femininity in fashion, Yves Saint Laurent established his label in 1961. The brand is known for gender-fluid pieces such as Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women, and a rock-and-roll edge that carries through to its handbags.
The YSL Kate, the Lou Camera Bag, and the Sac de Jour are some of the brand’s most iconic styles, combining Parisian sophistication with a rebellious streak. These bags are instantly recognizable by the interlocking YSL logo hardware, and they hold their value well on the resale market.
Fake check: High risk. Entrupy’s previous report named Saint Laurent among the five brands with the highest risk of fakes, and the most faked brand in Italy.
4. Gucci
Hailing from Florence, where the scent of sublime leather goods wafts through every market, Gucci was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci. It began as a luxury luggage company and is one of the oldest working Italian fashion houses.
The brand creates a wide variety of stylish products, but its leather handbags remain a signature export, known for their buttery-soft leather and bold hardware. Famous styles include the Bamboo, the Soho Disco, the Dionysus and the Jackie, which was beloved by Jackie Kennedy.
Fake check: High risk. Gucci came second on Entrupy’s list, with $17,841,197 worth of fake Gucci bags submitted in 2025. Learn how to tell if a Gucci bag is real before buying pre-owned.
3. Hermès
Iconic French brand Hermès was established in 1837 in Paris by Thierry Hermès. The Birkin is its best-known masterpiece.
It was inspired by the actress Jane Birkin and her desire for a bigger carryall. Forget the idea of a six-year waitlist, though: Hermès boutiques don’t run a formal waitlist, and new Birkins are only sold in physical boutiques. Bags are offered to clients based on their purchase history and their relationship with a sales associate (see our shopping guide below).
The auction record for a Birkin bag was smashed in 2025. Jane Birkin’s original Birkin sold at Sotheby’s Paris for €8.6 million ($10.1 million), making it the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction. The previous record, set in 2021, was $513,040 for a diamond-set Himalaya crocodile Kelly 28.
Top tip: If you ever find yourself in Paris, be sure to take a French fashion history walking tour. This experience includes an in-depth guide to some of the most established luxury brands in the world.
Fake check: High risk at the top end, as superfakes target the most valuable bags. A seller offering an authenticity card is a warning sign, because Hermès does not issue authenticity cards with its bags.
2. Chanel
If one word could describe this famous French fashion house, it would be classic. Globally revered as one of the leading fashion houses, Chanel encapsulates glamour in every stitch.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel established the house in Paris in 1910 and revolutionised the way the modern world perceives elegance. She designed her first bag in 1929, and in February 1955 she debuted the shoulder-carried 2.55, which made it acceptable for women of high social status to carry a bag on the shoulder.
Look closely and the original 2.55 has no CC logo. Until Karl Lagerfeld created the Classic Flap in the 1980s with its interlocking CC lock, Chanel flap bags used the logo-free Mademoiselle Lock. From crossbody bags to clutches, genuine Chanel handbags never go out of style.
I’m particularly fond of the Chanel 11.12 bag, which works equally well by day or by night thanks to its stylish chain strap.
Fake check: High risk. Chanel ranks fourth for counterfeit volume in Entrupy’s latest report. Bags made since 2021 carry an embedded NFC microchip instead of the old serial sticker and card. Here’s how to authenticate a Chanel bag.
1. Louis Vuitton
Our number one luxury handbag brand boasts unmatched heritage, functional canvas durability, and strong resale value retention. Louis Vuitton founded his house in Paris in 1854 as a trunk maker, and luggage remained its speciality for decades. Today the brand is best known for its leather and canvas handbags.
The Speedy is one of the most famous. It launched in 1930 as the Express, a smaller version of the Keepall designed for everyday use, and its canvas could be flattened to fit into a suitcase. In 1965, Audrey Hepburn asked the house for an even smaller version, and the Speedy 25 was born.
The Neverfull is an extremely popular tote that comes in several sizes.
If you’re visiting Shanghai, Seoul or Bangkok, don’t miss the free immersive exploration of Louis Vuitton’s 170+ year heritage, tracing its evolution from a trunk-maker to a global cultural house. I really enjoyed the Bangkok experience on our recent visit, but be aware that it is temporarily closed for a redesign and tickets must be pre-booked online.
Fake check: Very high risk. Louis Vuitton is the most counterfeited brand by volume, and since March 2021 it has replaced printed date codes with embedded chips. Unsure if your signature bag is authentic? Here are our top tips to spot an LV fake.
The Comeback Bags of 2025 and 2026
Heritage houses have been raiding their archives, and several revived styles are worth knowing. Chloé reissued the Paddington in its Fall/Winter 2025 collection, and Fendi brought back the Spy bag, discontinued in the late 2000s, for its Autumn/Winter 2025 to 2026 centennial collection.
Balenciaga re-released its Noughties City bag in April 2024. Its search interest then jumped 986% on Rebag, while top styles from Louis Vuitton’s revived Murakami collaboration resold at over 130% of retail. Even Hermès reissued its Shoulder Birkin in 2025, in a slimmer 29cm size.
Ones to Watch: Under-the-Radar Luxury Handbag Brands
Want something less ubiquitous than a monogram tote? These labels have built cult followings on craftsmanship rather than logos.
Gabriela Hearst
The New York designer launched her sustainability-focused label in 2015 and made headlines with the Nina bag in 2016. Named after Nina Simone, the Nina was first released in just 20 pieces, given to friends and women Hearst admired. Production is still deliberately limited.
Staud
Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto founded Staud in Los Angeles in 2015, and its accessories include the beaded Tommy baguette and the crescent-shaped Moon bag. It’s the most playful and accessible label here: the Tommy beaded bag sells for $350 at FWRD.
DeMellier
This London label, founded by Mireia Llusia-Lindh, is a royal favourite. The Princess of Wales carried its Small Hudson bag, priced at £415, on a hospital visit in January. Most styles sit comfortably under £600.
Métier
Founded in London by Melissa Morris in 2017, Métier makes its bags with Italian artisans using leathers from Italy and France. It sits at the top of this list on price, with totes regularly running into thousands. If you want Hermès-level discretion without a logo in sight, this is the one.
The Row
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s label has become a resale heavyweight. Rebag’s 2025 Clair Report placed The Row in its “unicorn” category for the first time, with 97% value retention.
Where to Buy Luxury Handbags in 2026
So you’ve picked a brand, now where do you actually buy the bag? For Hermès and Chanel, your best bet is building a relationship with a boutique sales associate, Hermès in particular rarely sells Birkins to first-time customers anymore.
If you’re not interested in playing the boutique game, the authenticated resale market (The RealReal, Fashionphile, Vestiaire Collective) is booming, and you can often find styles that are sold out or waitlisted in stores.
Another option: luxury bag rental services like Vivrelle let you rotate through different designer bags for a monthly fee, which is a smart way to test a style before committing to a five-figure purchase. And if you’re buying pre-owned, learn the authentication basics for your brand, counterfeit luxury bags are everywhere, and even reputable resale sites occasionally let fakes slip through.
Buy from platforms that offer a written authenticity guarantee and a refund if an item fails a later check. Be wary of any Hermès listing that comes with an authenticity card. Don’t treat a working chip or matching serial as proof on its own.
Conversely, if you’re selling a designer bag on a resale site, make sure to check reviews from the seller’s point of view thoroughly. A well known reseller lost one of the items that I sold with them, and although they did refund me, it was a stressful and time-consuming experience. I had seen glowing reviews but later realized they were all from the buyer side, whereas sellers were not at all impressed with their services.
The New Authentication Tech
Serial stickers and date codes are disappearing. Louis Vuitton and Chanel now embed microchips in their bags. Other brands are testing digital product passports: each item gets a record on a private blockchain, such as the Aura system, that can be transferred to a new owner at resale.
Chips are not foolproof, though. At a Milan workshop, a Catawiki expert showed that next-generation superfakes can clone NFC chips, some of which return a “verified” result when scanned by a phone. That is why resellers now layer checks. For example, Entrupy pairs an AI system with a microscope device.
Which Luxury Bags Hold Their Value Best?
If you’re thinking about a luxury handbag as an investment, not all brands hold their value equally. Hermès is still in a league of its own. Rebag’s 2025 Clair Report found Hermès bags retained an average of 138% of their retail price, with Goyard close behind. Birkin resale values have risen 92% since 2015, against a 43% rise in Hermès retail prices.
Chanel is a close second, with classic styles like the 2.55 holding steady or increasing in value if you keep them in good condition. Louis Vuitton bags, particularly limited editions and monogram pieces, also resell well, though not quite at Hermès or Chanel levels.
On the other hand, brands like Michael Kors and even some Gucci styles can depreciate significantly once you walk out of the store. If resale value matters to you, stick to the heritage names with waiting lists and price increases, those are the ones that act like assets, not just accessories.
Most Well-known Upscale Handbag Brands
From unique designs to top-tier construction, luxury purses are much more than a mere new bag. Luxury handbag brands combine fashion and art to elevate any outfit and give a classy look.
While your jeans might get tighter and shoes might get worn out, a luxury handbag from one of these household names will always fit just right. Go on, wear your art on your sleeve.
Luxury Handbag FAQs
Which luxury handbag brand holds its value best?
Hermès holds its value better than any other luxury handbag brand. Their Birkin and Kelly bags don’t just retain value—they often appreciate over time, making them genuine investment pieces.
The brand’s strict production limits and waitlist culture create sustained demand that keeps resale values high. I’ve seen friends sell their Birkins for more than they paid, which is pretty much unheard of with any other fashion purchase.
What is the most expensive handbag brand?
Hermès is the most expensive handbag brand, with their rare Himalaya Birkin selling for over $400,000 at auction. The brand’s meticulous handcrafting process (each bag takes 18+ hours to complete) and use of exotic materials like crocodile and ostrich leather justify the premium pricing.
Even their “entry-level” bags start well into the thousands.
Which designer handbags are worth the investment?
Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are the top three brands for resale value. Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags lead the pack, followed by Chanel’s Classic Flap bags (especially in medium and jumbo sizes), and Louis Vuitton’s Speedy and Neverfull styles.
These pieces consistently perform well on the secondary market, often retaining 70-90% of their retail value if kept in good condition.
What is the most iconic luxury handbag?
The Hermès Birkin and the Chanel 2.55 are widely considered the most iconic luxury handbags. The Birkin has become synonymous with ultimate luxury and exclusivity since the 1980s, while the Chanel 2.55, created in 1955, revolutionized handbag design with its quilted leather and chain strap that freed women’s hands
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- The Top Watches That Hold Value
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