Tips on Choosing the Right Luxury Handbag

There are lots of things to consider when buying a luxury branded bag that go way above the basic needs and function of any handbag. And if it’s high end luxury you’re after then it’s a big investment too.

If you don’t know where to start, here’s the lowdown on what to think about when considering buying a luxury brand bag.

For most, it’s simply a bag to do just that; carry essential, personal stuff, but for others, it’s a prize possession, a status symbol, a beacon of brand loyalty, an addition to your collection, a reward for yourself, or even an investment piece for future generations.

Choosing the right bag isn’t easy, especially when you’re spending a lot of money. If you are unsure what to choose, we are here to help.

We have listed below a few things to consider, plus we have provided some insight into what leathers, colours and styles are safe bets. Check out our Top Tips to help you make the right decision. And remember, we are experts with a solid reputation when it comes to sourcing the bag of your dreams.

Timeless V Seasonal.

If it’s your first luxury bag investment, it’s wise to choose a timeless classic piece that will see you through year on year. Brands like Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior reissue their core styles every year, this means prices continue to rise and so will the price of your bag, as the resale market follows in its footsteps. Indeed, Chanel has even named its famous single and double flap bag the ‘Timeless Classic’. A style that has not changed since the 1980s and one that evolved from the very original 2.55 bag launched in February 1955 by Coco Chanel herself. These bags never date, go with everything, look super chic and will last you a lifetime.

The Hermès Kelly bag has been in existence since the 1920s (made famous by Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco), and the Hermès Birkin was created in 1984 after Jane Birkin complained to the then CEO that there wasn’t a handbag that fitted all her things. Both these bags are now highly sought after styles, and come in many different leathers, colours and a range of sizes too.

Christian Dior’s classic Lady Dior was named after Princess Diana after she adopted the style as her ‘go to’ handbag. That too is reissued year-on-year by the Dior house and holds its value well, whilst Louis Vuitton, with its famous monogram leather, produces styles that are both beautiful, practical and absolutely timeless.

Top tips on how to make the right choice.

What is your budget?

Being clear with yourself on your budget is vitally important, whether you are buying new or second-hand.

Purpose?

What is the purpose of your bag? Do you need to carry everything from a laptop to your lunchbox? Or, are you looking to cut a dash with a piece of pure eye candy on your arm? To be honest, you can blend both of these objectives! Many larger bags ooze style and are functional and practical too, whereas others look the part but can barely fit in an average size mobile phone, let alone a cheese and pickle sandwich or a high-vis jacket!

The other core consideration here is how precious you need to be about using your bag, so giving careful consideration to the colour, leather type and finish are key deciding factors. Chanel Caviar leather is designed to be used every day as it stands up really well to scratches and scuffs, whereas lambskin leather is super soft and is prone to show marks and scratches more easily.

Light coloured leather is always at risk of colour transfer, this means dark jeans or other dark fabrics can leave a stain on the bag which can be impossible to get out, even the natural oils from your hands or residue hand cream can affect the finish of the leather. We have seen many lightly coloured bags with staining from fake tan on shoulder straps and handles.

Life stage and needs

I know from my own experience of having small children to now being an empty nester, my handbag needs have changed and grown as much as the wrinkles have developed around my eyes!

Shoppers, totes, crossbody bags, mini bags, bucket bags, backpacks and short handle bags all do different things and can still look incredibly stylish with the right outfit,  regardless of your age and life stage.

So, what is the best bag to invest in?

What Size, Style, Colour, Leather and Brand should you choose? Well, that truly is up to you, but here’s a quick list of what we think and why.

Hermès Birkin.

The Birkin is a luxury practical bag with a high price ticket, it has two handles and an open top. As with all Hermès bags, the hardware is a precious metal, so we are talking 18k and 24k Gold, Palladium, Ruthenium and some even come with diamonds. So if your budget is low, turn away now.

Choosing the right hardware for you is personal, just like the fine jewellery you choose to wear too.

Leathers vary from hardwearing Epsom to eye-wateringly expensive exotic Himalayan – see our leather glossary below for more details, however, popular leathers are Togo and Epsom which are practical, harder-wearing and still very exclusive.

Colours.

The original Birkin bag was black with yellow gold hardware (it also had a shoulder strap which you don’t get anymore). Over the years Hermès has launched hundreds of colours. Some bags come in more than one colour (making them super special).  The holy grail of course is Black or Tan (known officially as ‘gold’ in the world of Hermès). Most people prefer to start with a black or gold coloured Birkin and move on to different colours as they build their collections.

There are 4 sizes of Birkin:
Birkin 25, 30, 35 and 40 (that’s the length in cm across the base of the bag).

The B25.

Hugely sought after and very of the moment. Expect to pay more for a B25 on the after-sale market than a B35 (although at retail, the B35 is far more expensive than its baby sister!). That makes the B35 a good investment right now, as bigger bags are bound to come back in fashion (I think they are already!).

The B25 is super cute but not an everyday practical bag in my opinion. Although surprisingly spacious, it’s difficult to wear in the crook of your arm, so it has to be carried in your hands. Not a bag for anyone who must be hands free. That said, it’s probably perfect for petite ladies and if you already have a B30 or 35, then it’s a must for your collection.

The B30.

My favourite size, great for day and evening, super practical. This bag is a great investment bag and will take you anywhere.

The B35.

The original size designed for Jane Birkin herself. Classic black with gold or palladium hardware is the bag to own. It will last you forever and will be a true workhorse, throw in literally anything and everything and you’re good to go.

The B40.

Now that’s a big bag. I don’t see many, and if I do it’s usually the choice of men.

B20. Yes, a tiny Birkin. I will be honest, I’ve never seen one, but I believe they do exist (in Lilliput?).

Retourne or Sellier?

This simply means how it’s stitched. A Sellier bag is more rigid and structured in appearance, whereas a Retourne bag is stitched in a way that makes it a little softer and slouchier on the sides. It’s a personal choice.  Fun fact: Retourne means ‘to turn over’ so it has leather piping along the edges as the finish to the overall bag.

Hermès Kelly.

This style too comes in both Retourne and Sellier as well as a variety of sizes, from the Mini Kelly 20, to the Kelly 25, 28, 32, and 35.

The Mini Kelly 20 is in huge demand right now, however the 25 and 28 are much easier to use and more practical for every day use.

The main difference between the Kelly and the Birkin is that the Kelly has one top handle (not two) and it also comes with a detachable crossbody or shoulder strap (nice!).

Just like the Birkin the leathers and hardware are the same variety in terms of finish and colour, there’s a lot of them!

Both these bags are incredibly difficult to buy from the brand owner, if not almost impossible, so the resale market is where people choose to go to bag the bag of their dreams. And whereas prices may seem incredibly inflated, they truly are investment pieces.

Seasonal & Other Hermès bags.

Hermès has many other style bags in their portfolio, from crossbody styles such as the Evelyne, Jypsiere and crossbody Constance, to Men’s Hac a Dos and ladies’ tote such as the Garden Party and even the Picotin which is based on the design of a horse’s nose bag!

Hermès leather glossary:

Togo.

Togo leather is a top pick for fashion lovers and in our opinion a sure and safe bet. This soft, pebbled leather, made from calfskin, has a smooth feel and that signature vertical grain that’s nice and raised. It’s lightweight and, even though it has a slouchy look, it holds the shape of your bag really well. Plus, it’s scratch-resistant and can handle a bit of drizzle (though we still think it’s wise to carry a raincoat just in case).

Clemence.

Clemence is a true Hermès classic! It’s a bit heavier and features a gorgeous semi-matte finish with a wider, flatter grain. Made from male bull calf (unlike Togo, which comes from females), this leather is super soft to the touch and has a more laid-back vibe, making structured bags look a bit slouchier. With its luxurious look, the Clemence is a massive hit among Hermès enthusiasts!

Epsom.

Offering a very different look and feel, the Epsom has a man-made printed grain on it, creating an embossed printed pattern with a laminated finish. Epsom leather doesn’t stretch as much as Togo, which helps maintain the shape of the bag very well. This leather is usually quite popular with the Sellier stitch.

Swift.

A much softer leather, the Swift has a micro grain so it can absorb the bright coloured dyes really well. Its soft touch feel is very popular, so it can be more prone to scratching. The Swift really reflects light, and creates a different look to the other leathers, so you’re guaranteed a one-off handbag.

Jonathan.

Jonathan is similar to Swift except it’s more rigid making it suitable for structured bags. Its appearance is still smooth and soft with a fine grain. It can be confused with Swift on appearance but in our opinion it’s a safer bet. Fun fact: It’s named after Jonathan Swift the author or Gulliver’s Travels!

Chevre.

A strong, resistant leather, the Chevre is a sturdy choice. Look after it well and this bag will last the test of time. Using a dry lint-free microfibre cloth, always remove any dirt and allow the nag to dry out naturally, keeping it away from oil, perfume, acetone and direct heat or light. And you will have a loyal high-quality handbag.

Box Calf.

Hermès has used Box Calf leather the longest and although it is still used today in handbag making, this leather is mainly found in preloved bags. It is a popular choice with its smooth and shiny finish, giving it a chic look whilst retaining a nice firm shape. And for the less careful Hermès fans, this leather can sustain some blemishes as the stains tend to blend into the skin.

Barenia.

One of the most luxurious leathers. Barenia is a super high-quality leather made from smooth calfskin, Barenia is durable, more water resistant than others and can handle a slight scratch due to its oil-absorbing material. The Barenia leather wears really with time and use, keeping a lovely soft finish and structure. It will serve you well for years as this beautiful leather lives and breathes.

 Exotics.

For the most exclusive of bags, it has to be exotic leather. Crocodile, Alligator, Lizard and the Himalayan. Very difficult to get hold of and highly exclusive. Some boutiques no longer sell exotics but they remain in high demand for those with the budget to invest. They command very high aftersale prices but are a prized possession to behold!

Chanel.

The epitome of style. A Chanel will elevate your style whatever you’re wearing on any occasion.

Whereas a classic Chanel is much easier to acquire than a Hermès Birkin or Kelly bag, it’s equally as exclusive and most definitely worth the investment. Buying a preloved Chanel will be cheaper than buying new, and in our opinion, vintage Chanel is most definitely a great investment as the quality is superior to the newer styles or reissue bags made today.

Caviar leather is by far the most hardwearing of all and is pretty much scratch resistant too. Did you know the classic burgundy colour inside a Chanel was inspired by the colour of the habits worn by the Nuns where Coco Chanel lived as an orphan?

Chanel provides you with an endless selection of styles to add to your collection, with a wide range of leathers and fabrics in all colours.

Lady Dior by Christian Dior.

Loved by many A-listers and a firm favourite of ours, this stunning bag comes in mini, small, medium and large. And like Chanel, it’s designed in seasonal variations in different leathers, colours, with added charms and decorations.

Louis Vuitton.

Originally a maker of luggage, we see a lot of Louis Vuitton in our boutique and it’s never with us for long as the desire for the brand continues. Classic totes, crossbody bags and luggage sets are always a great investment.

Caring for your bags.

It goes without saying that if you care for your bag it’ll last you a lifetime and hold its value (more likely increase…). I’m one for ‘using my bags’ but I also treat them with the utmost respect and care. Investing in simple things like bag pillows and foot protectors is cheap and makes a huge difference. I recommend pillows like these from ‘It’s All About The Bag‘, they are made of natural fabrics so your bag can breathe and it’ll hold its shape too when not in use. If you can’t get one to fit your bag use soft tissue paper.

I also recommend keeping your bag in its box when it’s not in use (not practical all of the time!) but when you’re not using it for a while do take time to pop it back in its dustbag, pillow inside and let it rest, the leather with thank you and your bag will stay in great shape. You can pick up little silicone foot protectors from Etsy. I also found some great ‘wallet on a chain’ savers (WOC savers) that stop the bottom of your WOC sagging and help retain its shape (neat eh!), we have a selection of different colours available at the shop.

Until recently, Hermès supplied a rainhood with all thier bags, but they have since phased these out for environmental reasons to reduce plastics. You can still buy alternatives online though and personally I think it’s worth it, especially given the UK weather! Top Tip: Keep your rain hood in your bag not at home in your box! You’ll thank me in a down pour!

Finally, enjoy your bags ladies, keep them close to you and look after them, if you’re anything like me I feel like they are one of my children! I love them, care for them and hold them dear.

Ready to invest or still not sure what’s right for you? Don’t worry! We are more than happy to help you source the bag of your dreams!  Drop us a line today.

Love, Christine x