Everyone else is shopping Black Friday, but I'm considering my next investment purchase and the best designer handbags are a great place to start

It's not that I don't like Black Friday fashion deals, but there are just some items, like the very best designer handbags, that just never go on sale and I've made peace with that. The truth is for the creme de la creme of leather goods, there is no need for the brands to entice you with big discounts, as these designs don't go out of style and are staples of the fashion eco system.

They're what stylists and those in the know call 'investment purchases', and that can be for one of two reasons. Maxing out their cost per wear til you're practically in minus figures (yes I have used this fashion maths formula far too often), the best designer handbags are timeless buys that you can wear season in, season out. They're often some of the best quiet luxury handbags, they go with everything and their design is such that they just don't date. Many of these bags are staple products of their particular fashion house, with the occasional tweak and new colourway the refresh tool of choice.

The other reason you might find these bags labelled as the best designer bags to invest in, is because they either hold their value, rather than depreciating (especially when in mint condition), or in some cases even appreciate in value. This can be down to the weight the brand carries in the fashion industry, the rarity of the design, or the fact that these staple styles might always be in stock, but over a period of time, the price for new versions will go up, making your pre-loved design highly sought after.

Best designer bags to invest in, because they won't be going on sale

The best designer handbag list is rarely completely overhauled, although new additions are admitted once they've proved their staying power. This season even the biggest handbag trends for 2025 were all about nostalgia, bringing back old favourites like the Chloe Paddington and the Mulberry Roxanne, both bags back after a long hiatus, much to the joy of fashion fans.

And of course some brilliant designer bags do go in the sale, and they can still be great purchases, they might not be the most instantly recognisable, that doesn't matter. My advice? if you want them to hold a place in your winter capsule wardrobe forever, opt for neutral colourways and classic silhouettes that won't feel dated this time next year.

1. Chanel

A French clothing brand that needs no introduction, Chanel handbags are nothing short of iconic. It remains my biggest shopping regret not purchasing one when they were a little, ahem, cheaper (we're talking the 2k mark) than they are now.

While Chanel handbags have never been 'affordable designer handbags', they are one of the brands that you will find increase or hold their value the best, especially if you go for the classic silhouettes, like the 2.55, the flap or mini flap etc.

These quilted designs have been constantly recreated by high street brands, getting in on the label's legendary design, but nothing beats the real thing, and like many brands, the staple styles go up in price, even in small increments. This means the resale, or preloved market for a Chanel is massive, as people try to buy the luxury item at a slightly lower rate to the current styles. Plus, a vintage Chanel carries plenty of fashion kudos. These beauties will still set you back in excess of £3,000 but when it comes to the best designer bags, they're worth it.

2. Mulberry

Made in Somerset, this British fashion brand is one of my personal favourites, and I am fortunate enough to have a few Mulberry bags in my collection. Now, this is a brand that does do discounts, although the Mulberry sale offering is quite a tight edit, you can find classic shapes like the mini Alexa (now £795), classic Bayswater (now £895), the Bayswater tote (now £795), you will find that the neutral, timeless colours aren't generally put into the sale edit, which is largely reserved for the more trending hues of that particular season.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the brand's tan, oxblood and black iterations of the style staples, and while these haven't accrued hugely in value, with the price of the most well known styles around the £1000-£1200 mark, these forever designs do hold their own in the style stakes.

3. Saint Laurent

Another French luxury bag, known best for its tuxedos for women and sultry, androgynous style, it also makes some of the best and most recognisable designer handbags. Saint Laurent handbags are generally easy to spot because many of the brand's best sellers and most iconic designs focus around bold YSL metal hardware.

Loved by celebrities, Saint Laurent bags are pretty hard to copy because the brand tends to use overt branding, however, this Charles & Keith lookalike for the trending Saint Laurent Vanity bag will save you about £1,400.

While the brand does do some luxe overside totes, it's their crossbody bags I always think of as the perfect AM to PM purchase. With chain straps, and envelope style bodies, they can take you pretty much anywhere and for any occasion making them solid investments.

4. Louis Vuitton

A brand who's fashion currency is remaining high is Louis Vuitton. The brand is best known for its monogrammed silhouettes and it's true, the classics here are where the solid investments lie. I was recently shopping in a designer exchange store and let me tell you, the Louis Vuitton section made me reassess why I didn't invest in handbags earlier.

With the best Louis Vuitton bags celebrity approved, you will find yourself spoilt for choice with current bag choices. Originally created for travellers in the 1930s, the Louis Vuitton Speedy is one of the best Louis Vuitton bags and remains a sought-after purchase for all those after a timeless design.

5. Gucci

Italian clothing brand Gucci seems to be going from strength to strength, and when it comes to trend setting, the label is one we turn to, to set the pace at the start of the season.

Gucci handbags have seen an increased demand over the past couple of years with a rise in sales and searches, and the classic GG Marmont is one of the most sought-after styles.

Like many other fashion house, the brand has, over the last few years honed in on core bag silhouettes that mean something nostalgic to the consumer, including the Jackie 1961, the Horsebit 1955, Marmont and the Diana, to name just a few. While newer releases will still have fashion value, if you want something timeless, sticking to one of the brand's established styles in black or tan is the best investment you can make.

6. Hermès

You might be wondering why it took me so long to get to what is undoubtably the most iconic designer bag brand of all time. But they do say, save the best til last. French design house Hermès is largely regarded to have the most luxurious, sought after and expensive bags in the world.

While the label has a number of designer bags under its luxe leather belt, it is the Kelly and the Birkin that are considered the epitome of elegance. The Hermès Birkin was named for singer Jane Birkin, while the Kelly was named for Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, two very stylish women.

Even if you have the eye-watering amount of money required for either bag, Hermès does not have these out and ready to buy, and there are strict waiting lists and protocols that allow someone to purchase the bag, meaning the only way to really get your hands on one, is to save, a lot, and then head to highly rated pre-loved sights.

Naturally, there are many lookalikes for the iconic Birkin and Kelly bags, and they're relatively easy to snap up at high street retailers.

Others of note

As I said at the beginning, this list isn't everything and there are a few other styles that I would count up there as investment buys, or bags that in a decade I think we'll still be talking about and I've added a few more below.

While people often think of jewellery as the ultimate heirloom, now with a little girl myself, I often think that I should be stockpiling the best designer handbags for her as a financial investment. Seeing how much certain bag brands have increased in value has made me have some shopping regret, but as key brands increase their prices year on year, I believe that the Louis Vuitton's and Chanel's of this world could still be lucrative in years to come.

There’s plenty of money to be made on resale websites if you have a classic bag that will hold its value. When it comes to designer resale sites, Farfetch and Vestiaire Collective are our top picks. So, what sells well on the sites?

"The best investments tend to be timeless pieces that will never go out of fashion," says Sophie Hersan, co-founder of Vestiaire Collective. "Hermes is still widely considered a good investment and continues to be one of our bestselling brands. Several styles are highly coveted, and the history of the company adds to the exclusivity. There’s a mystery around the bags which makes them even more sought after."

Some classic bag designs may increase over time simply due to inflation. In the past few years, luxury brands including Louis Vuitton and Chanel have bumped up prices. Bags with restricted supply, like the Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag, or limited edition collections and colorways also go up in value simply because they are harder to get.

"Limited edition pieces are also something to consider when buying a handbag. Rarity drives up the price. A special colourway or limited edition collection for example increases demand," adds Sophie.

How to choose an investment designer bag

Fashion editor and handbag investor Antonia Kraskowski has made some wise decisions when bag shopping.

"When in comes to buying a designer handbag, I typically choose to invest my money in timeless, classic designs that won’t age or fall out of style. In fact, most of my collection has increased in value since my initial expenditure. If you want to ensure that your investment holds its value, opting for a design classic in a neutral colour such as black, chestnut or navy and picking hard wearing leather over flimsier fabrics such as cotton or canvas will help it maintain a better condition. Storing your bag properly in a dustbag when not in use and cleaning it regularly will also help it holds its value."

Why are designer bags so expensive?

With one of the best designer bags to invest in, you’re not just paying for the logo, it's about the time it’s taken to piece your new purchase together and the quality of the materials involved in the construction too.

Take Loewe’s Puzzle Bag, for example. Epitomising the level of craftsmanship that goes into making designer bags, this design takes an eye-watering 524 steps to complete. And of course, it's crafted from soft and buttery, high-quality leather - meaning the components are costly too.

And flying the flag for full supply-chain transparency, Mulberry has been a member of the Leather Working Group since 2012. This first ensures that all of its leathers are a by-product of food production and livestock are properly treated. If you’re looking to make more ethical fashion choices, you can’t put a price on that level of commitment.

In addition to this, the bags aren't as mass market as the ones from straight to market retailers and there's often more handcrafted detailing involved. This is highly skilled manufacture and that has to be factored into the retail value.

"Fashion houses regularly increase handbag prices by as much as 10 per cent each year, if you love a designer handbag, don’t sleep on it. My biggest  handbag regret?" Antonia confesses: "Hands down, it has to be not investing in a Loewe Puzzle Bag, which has more than doubled in price since its launch ten years ago."

Can you rent a designer bag?

Yes! Renting one of the best designer bags has become increasingly popular. Some of the best clothing rental companies also loan accessories and it’s a good option if you want to either test the waters with a particular bag you’re looking to invest in, or you are looking to shop more sustainably. You can rent a bag for a week or so from companies such as BagButler, and then return it when you’re done. For example a year's subscription is about £750, for which you can rent six bags over 12 months. It’s cheaper than buying and perfect if you’re looking for a some beautiful arm candy for a party, wedding, or job interview. When you rent a designer bag, you can be a bit bolder with your choices too.

“The most popular brand across our selection is Chanel. People are willing to invest in a classic black designer bag but fancy renting something more statement and colourful," says Tina Lipfriend, founder of BagButler.

When brands up their prices, rental becomes a viable way of having designer luxuries, if even for a short period of time, it can also help you assess if you really want to invest.

As well as Chanel, Dior is also one of the most popular designers when it comes to borrowing a bag. “The other piece that customers absolutely love is the Lady Dior. The black Saddlebag tends to appeal to a younger audience (fashion students) whereas the lady Dior tends to be rented by professionals," adds Lipfriend.

Do the best designer bags go on sale?

Yes and no. The most exclusive luxury designer handbags and labels, like Hermés and Louis Vuitton, never go on sale. To grab yourself discounted Louis Vuitton bags or equivalent, it's often a case of buying them secondhand from a reputable reseller (but be warned: they hold their resale value, so you won't save much).

"My most prized handbags are a Chanel 2.55, a Gucci Marmont Camera bag and a classic black Mulberry Alexa," explains Antonia. "The latter - which was a limited edition version of the classic black satchel featuring pewter metal instead of brushed brass  – is the only bag that I’ve ever bought at a discount".

However, some luxury labels do tend to have seasonal discounts on their best designer bags, it's also worth checking out the likes of Net A Porter and FarFetch for seasonal discounts or offers. Some brands have sample sales or even have designer outlets, such as the Mulberry factory shop, where you can save hundreds of pounds.

When investing in a high price item, unless you're planning on stowing it away in its original packaging, never to see the light of day, think about what you want and need from your designer handbag, because ultimately, it's about you maxing out its cost per wear and getting your monies worth.

For me, it's all about timelessness of the design, will I still love it and use it in five years? What colour will work with my coats and most importantly, can I fit what I need into it.