The Best Designer Handbags to Invest in Now, From the Classic Chanel Flap to Buzzy Bottega Styles

Originally debuted in 1955, the Chanel Classic Flap bag (also known as the 2.55) has retained its popularity for well over half a decade. The bag is undoubtedly an investment piece, which rises in price by about 16% a year, and its very similar sister style the Double Flap is just as popular.

If you're looking to invest in the style at a more affordable price point, our advice would be to check out reputable resale sites first. You can find great pre-loved options around at places like Open For Vintage or Sellier Knightsbridge for example.

Ever since Carrie Bradshaw uttered the words, "it's not a bag, it's a baguette," the Fendi Baguette bag has been immortalised in pop culture (and in our hearts). While it's now available in a wide range of fabrics and colours, the iconic FF motif style is perfect for logo lovers. Consider it your chicest conversation starter.

While it first debuted as part of Dior’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection, the Saddle Bag has seen a major resurgence in recent years—largely thanks to its revival on the Autumn/Winter 2018 runway. Under Maria Grazia Chiuri’s creative direction, the iconic style was reimagined for a new generation in sleek leather finishes and the house’s signature monogrammed canvas.

Originally released in the 1950s under a different name, the Jackie bag was rebranded twenty years later after First Lady Jackie Kennedy was famously seen sporting the iconic design in the 1970s. Gucci’s former creative director Alessandro Michele revived the bag as part of the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collection, further cementing its status as a timeless classic.

It’s rumoured that the now-famous Birkin bag was born after actress Jane Birkin told former Hermès Executive Chairman Jean-Louis Dumas she couldn’t find a bag big enough to hold all her belongings as a mother. Since then, it has become one of the most coveted handbags in history—so coveted, in fact, that you usually need to be a loyal Hermès customer before being offered the chance to buy one. Or, of course, you can skip the wait by shopping pre-loved—an option that also helps achieve the well-loved, slightly battered look adored by fashion fans everywhere.

Now, if you thought backpacks were only for sportswear labels, think again. Part of the famed re-nylon collection—made from sustainable regenerated nylon—this is one of the most practical yet chic bags to own. For those prioritising comfort and avoiding back pain, this is your go-to solution.

As one of the newer bags on this list, Valentino’s Alltime range has recently eclipsed the previously popular Rockstud collection. The beauty of the Alltime range is that it’s far less trend-led than Rockstud, meaning you can keep these classic bags for years without ever worrying they’ll go out of style. This denim style perfectly toes the line between on-trend and timeless.

Released in 2021, the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 is a newer addition to the luxury bag scene. Despite its youth, its clean lines and sleek aesthetic give it the timeless appeal of an instant classic. We don’t see this bag ever going out of style.

Released in 2015 under Jonathan Anderson’s guidance, the Loewe Puzzle Bag has since become one of the brand’s best-selling styles. Made from intricately assembled pieces, the Puzzle Bag boasts a distinctive aesthetic that has become a Loewe signature. This year, to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Loewe has unveiled more artistic interpretations of the design.

Under Daniel Lee's reign, Bottega Veneta reinvented its signature intrecciato weave, playing with proportions to create supersized versions of the house's iconic style. And so the Padded Cassette bag was born. Seen on everyone from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Victoria Beckham and Rihanna, the bag has been extremely popular over the last few years, solidifying its entry to the handbag hall of fame.

Now, The Row’s Margaux is regularly regarded as one of the most in-demand bags around. But because of this, it’s often sold out—so we need an alternative. Enter India: just as pared-back and elegant, in a practical bowling bag shape.

While bright and bold shades come and go, the most popular designer bags are often bought in black, brown, and neutral hues. That said, if you’re building a collection, adding a pop of colour is never a bad idea. One of the best bags to do this with? Miu Miu’s Wander, available in a sweet-shop selection of shades including pink, blue, and yellow.

Dior has an impressive number of iconic bags in its repertoire—30 Montaigne, Lady Dior and the Saddle, to name but a few—but the Book Tote is arguably one of the most practical picks. For those after a style roomy enough to fit a laptop, notepad and even a water bottle, it’s one of the most iconic options around. Plus, it comes in a wide array of pretty patterns, so there’s something to suit every style.

Yes, we've seen the Chloé Paddington before—it first made waves back in 2005—but a re-edition recently took centre stage on the brand's autumn/winter 2025 runway. Blending nostalgia with a boho-punk edge, it’s one of the newest (and oldest) designer bags currently in seriously high demand.

Any Bottega Veneta bag is a wise investment, especially those crafted in the iconic intrecciato leather. But the Sardine stands out for its sleek design. Named after its distinctive gold-tone sardine-shaped handle, it’s the perfect example of art and fashion coming together in one wearable piece.

Fashion fans with an eye for quiet luxury are sure to be familiar with Alaïa's Le Teckel. Its signature rectangular, long-handled shape and refined colour palette place it firmly in the if you know, you know category—making it a cult favourite among true fashion insiders.

As one of the newest names in luxury fashion, Jacquemus is still carving out its place in the designer bag world. While the brand’s mini Chiquito bag swiftly shot to fame, The Bisou Perle offers a more practical alternative. With its compact shoulder bag shape, it’s perfect for evenings out or days when you only need the essentials.

Of course, we can’t forget the designer beach bag—the ultimate summer essential for warmer weather months. While raffia styles from Celine, Jacquemus and Miu Miu are all hugely popular, it’s this Loewe version you’re likely to spot on the sun loungers of the most exclusive beach clubs.

Longchamp’s Le Pliage bag has long been a practical fashion favourite, loved for its wipe-clean canvas, full zip closure, and the fact it comes in a rainbow of colours and sizes—think vibrant pink, red and yellow. Sitting at the more accessible end of the luxury bag spectrum, it’s a versatile hero for all occasions, whether you’re packing it with your gym kit or using it to carry everything you need for a weekend away.

Just as the name suggests, the Neverfull is designed to hold a whole lot of belongings—if Mary Poppins had a bag, it would be this one. First released in 2007, it’s another gem from the archives, though it’s never truly gone out of style. Regularly spotted on the arms of countless chic celebrities, it remains a go-to for those who favour both form and function.

Celine bags are often—and very unfairly—overlooked, but you’ll spot the chicest women holdingna Classique Triomphe bag within their collections. Whether you wear it just for evenings or make the most of its practical crossbody strap, it’s sure to be one of the easiest bags to style.

Balenciaga’s Le City Tote hardly needs an introduction—it was a staple in the crook of many a celebrity’s arm in the noughties, after all. And as our love for Y2K fashion continues to flourish, so does Le City’s comeback. Wearing it with skinny jeans and Uggs is, of course, optional.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Viola Davis, Liu Wen, and Edie Campbell have all recently been spotted carrying the Max Mara Whitney Bag. Another classic from the archives, the brand has re-released this practical favourite in six sizes and 13 shades, ensuring there’s a style to suit every occasion.