Men invest in cars, women invest in handbags! Just, make sure it’s a Chanel one

As the age-old saying goes, you know you’re a lady when you own a Chanel handbag. Well, that might not quite be the saying, but it is a fact that as investment buys go, a Chanel bag is one of the smartest of them. Just as men invest in Rolex watches or cars, for us women, investment buys are (thankfully) a lot cheaper, but by no means less chic. Back to the Chanel bag. A luxury staple that has withstood the test of time, data also shows that it’s also one of the smartest handbags to invest in, with its vintage styles always garnering a premium on resale sites.

According to survey data from the leading online shopping guide BragMyBag, from 2015 to 2019, many Chanel handbags have seen an increase in prices, with particularly iconic styles seeing a huge 82% increase from their original retail price. So if you’re looking to invest in a new luxury bag, to put it simply, you’d be silly not to make it a Chanel one. To help guide you, we’ve listed the brand’s most iconic styles below that are worth investing in right now. It might just be the smartest thing you do.

Chanel 2.55 handbag

You won’t ever lose out if you’re treating yourself to a quilted 2.55 by Chanel. On BragMyBag, the fashion houses’ quilted staple sells for the retail price or more, with its prices seeing a 35% increase in the last 5 years.

Chanel Flap Bag

The Chanel Flap Bag, designed by Karl Lagerfeld in 1983, is the smaller younger sister to the 2.55. It’s synonymous with enduring elegance, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be cool and contemporary too. The small silhouette has seen a resurgence in the last few years as miniature bags became the look du jour.

Chanel Coco Handle Bag

As ladylike as they come, with its boxy silhouette and top handles, the Coco Handle Bag is beloved by many A-listers and is definitely one of the brand’s top investment styles. With data to back this up, its retail prices are steadily increasing each year, seeing a 48% increase in the last five years alone.

Chanel Classic Boy

One of the brand’s most Instagram-famous bags, the Chanel Boy Bag is a fashion week regular. Despite being fairly new, only introduced in 2011, it's now a mainstay, joining the ranks of the brand’s classic flap styles. Due to its quick notoriety, it has already seen a 35% increase in price in only just a few years and is a style that is guaranteed to retain its retail value.

Chanel Deauville Bag

Practical and chic, the Chanel Deauville bag is the ultimate carry-it-all tote. Made with sunny vacations in mind, it’s named after Coco Chanel's favourite "Deauville Beach". What can be seen as a constant performer, it can recoup over 82% of its original retail price.