The Luxury List is a monthly column on all things luxury, exploring cult items from heritage brands, tapping the foremost experts in the fashion space, and doing deep dives into the investment pieces that are worth it.
Curious to find out which designer bags will be big in 2023, I reached out to luxury experts to get their insights on what specific designs and silhouettes to look out for, and the findings were interesting. While there were some overall trends that were named “hot” for the year ahead—including all-you-can-fit bags, crescent-shaped silhouettes, Y2K comebacks, and travel-specific pieces—the main takeaway is that there is a growing shift in the market to timeless investment styles.
“We will continue to see a rise in luxury handbags—both through classic styles and more exclusive items,” Fashionphile President and COO, Sarah Davis explains, “During murky financial times, people gravitate towards items that are tried and trusted. People also are interested in looking for a deal, but are more thoughtful than ever on how they spend their money.” Celebrity personal shopper Gab Waller echoed this observation, telling Who What Wear that “clients that previously purchased more casually are now looking for a smart return on their investment.”
This lines up with what we have been seeing in designerfashion with the rise of “quiet luxury” bags and heritage pieces that are sleek, discreet, and can transcend the seasons. So, which styles made their shortlist of key pieces to invest in right now? Ahead, the 6 top designer investment bags to buy in 2023.
While there are many new Bottega Veneta bags making an impact on the fashion scene right now, from the metal top-handle Sardine hobo to the just-launched Pipe tote, Sarah Davis thinks the Jodie bag is a smart buy. “[We are] still waiting for the Jodie to slow down,” she explains, “but people have fallen in love and we think it’ll keep going.”
Gabrielle Waller’s roster of celebrity clients are eyeing pieces from The Row, and the brand’s perpetually sold-out ’90s bag is topping that list. “The Row continues to be a staple for top quality, luxury investment bags and is a personal favorite,” Waller explains. “Right now the ’90s and Bindle bags are styles that we see sold out immediately once restocked.”
If you’re interested in expanding your Chanel bag collection, Davis recommends the brand’s slouchy shopper. “Chanel is so known for structured shapes,” Davis tells Who What Wear, “but people are really gravitating towards the more casual, easy form of the Chanel 22!”
One of the smartest vintage buys you can make right now is the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, which is seeing reduced prices on the second-hand market, but those prices are projected to increase with demand. “This is another Y2K favorite that was in steady decline for a good 15 years,” Davis says “but that is seeing renewed interest!” Now is the time to snap these up before the prices rise.
The Saint Laurent Icare bag was spotted on celebrities including Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber upon its debut, making it one of the splashiest bag launches in recent memory. Though it is several years old, it is still hard to track on. “This style was literally impossible to get your hands on when it came out,” Davis tells Who What Wear, “and it’s still fairly limited, even in resale!”
Chanel’s classic flap bag also made the list of best bags to invest in this year, which should come as no surprise since it is a timeless design that has stood the test of time. “Chanel Classic Flap bags continue to fly off the shelves, particularly in black and neutral colorways. We know these styles carry over from season to season and only increase in price,” Waller explains. “This past season saw the release of a light and dark denim iteration that we have already seen sold through, we expect this style to be on most wanted lists for years to come.”
