best investment handbags

From micro-bags to one-size-fits-all totes, we bring you the designer handbags that will stand the test of time.

Jennifer Lawrence wears The Row's Margaux.

The cost of living crisis has meant that the majority of us are becoming more sparing with our purchases — especially the non-essential ones. And when it does, eventually, come to those non-essential purchases, it’s more important than ever that we’re conscious about the value and quality of what we’re buying, and to think about additions to your wardrobe as investments, rather than stand-alone items.

“It can be easy to be lured in by trends,” says Mahalia Chang, head of digital content and growth for Vogue Australia, “but the smartest and most classic bet for an investment handbag is to opt for something timeless, which will not only retain its value but offer you wearability once that trend is over. Looking for high-quality and long-lasting materials like leather will ensure longevity which is key.”

“When looking for a piece to invest in, think, Where will I wear this? What will I wear this with? How can I dress this up and down? The answers to those questions will often help you justify its price and its place in your wardrobe.”

Here, we break down the best luxury handbags to invest in for 2024, from your party micro-bags to your one-size-fits-all totes.

The micro-bags

Prada's Re-Nylon bucket bag. Image credit: courtesy of Prada

Prada ‘Re-Nylon’ bag

Prada’s Re-Nylon range is for the buyer with a taste for environmentally conscious luxury. The regnereated nylon that forms the foundation for each Re-Nylon piece is crafted from recycled plastic, such as landfill, fishing nets and fibre waste, everything is stitched together with Econyl® yarn, a sustainable alternative to virgin nylon. Pieces such as this miniature bucket bag are perfect for nights out that only call for the essentials.

Rabanne's 1969 Nano bag. Image credit: courtesy of Rabanne

Rabanne ‘1969 Nano’ bag

There’s plenty of history behind Rabanne’s iconic 1969 Nano bag, which is made entirely by hand, and was inspired by the chain mail aprons worn by butchers. Founder Paco Rabanne also looked to avant-garde artist Marcel Duchamp for his design, which featured chain straps that nodded to the mechanism of a toilet flush. How funny, then, that the bag has now come to symbolise 1960s luxury — more specifically, the glossy optimism of the space age. Channel your inner Barbarella or Audrey Hepburn in Two For The Road with a micro-bag that will hold its value for decades to come.

Florist NY's Baby bag. Image credit: courtesy of Florist NY

Florist NY ‘Baby’ bag

Cult label Florist NY was founded by Melbourne-born designer George Banks in 2019, and acquired much of its following on Instagram. Handmade in Banks’ Brooklyn Studio, Florist NY specialises in bohemian, utilitarian leather bags, embroidered and tufted with the brand’s logo, New York City insignia, and most recently, piercings and drop-beads. We recommend starting with their signature Baby bag, a miniature version of their famous tote.

The shoulder bags

Gucci Jackie bag. Image credit: courtesy of Gucci

Gucci ‘Jackie’ bag

Re-named for Jackie Kennedy Onassis — it was originally called the Constance before the former First Lady’s loyalty to the silhouette sparked a title change — Gucci’s crescent Jackie bag has been a fixture of international style since the 1960s. The latest version of the shape comes from new creative director Sabato De Sarno in the colour that has dominated his first few seasons at the helm: the so-called “Rosso Ancora”, a rich beetroot red.

Chanel's Classic 11.2 Handbag. Image credit: courtesy of Chanel

Chanel ‘Classic 11.2’ bag

More commonly known as the “Classic Flap”, Chanel’s 11.2 is a go-to for a reason. Talk to fashion insiders and laymen alike: almost everyone speaks of the 11.2 as a milestone, rather than a bag. If you’re looking for a medium-sized day bag that you can take to your 9-to-5 and your 5-to-9 — and can retain its resale value all the while — the Chanel flap bag is a great place to start, and is available in a spectrum of finishes and coloured leathers.

Fendi's Baguette bag. Image credit: courtesy of Fendi

Fendi ‘Baguette’ bag

When Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw got mugged on the third season of Sex and the City, she begged her thief not to steal her Fendi Baguette — and the rest is history. Since then, the long, breadstick-shaped bag has been spotted on the arms of It-girls rising and incumbent, from Paris Hilton and Gigi Hadid to Zendaya and Kim Kardashian. Get yours in a classic black leather, or channel Miss Bradshaw herself with all-over purple sequins.

The totes

The Row's Margaux bag. Image credit: courtesy of The Row

The Row ‘Margaux’ bag

It’s the bag that Vogue proclaimed was a “future heirloom in the making”, and has been consistently sold out in stores and online for months. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s The Row, beloved for its minimal, logo-less approach to design, is behind many of the year’s buzziest designs, from leather ballerina slippers to, more controversially, jelly sandals. The Margaux tote however, sported by celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lawrence, has been their most coveted item. If you can get your hands on it, we recommend you do.

Bottega Veneta's Andiamo bag. Image credit: courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta ‘Andiamo’ bag

Actor Jacob Elordi is one of the many fans of Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo, crafted using the house’s signature leather intrecciato weave. Roomy enough to fit a book, a laptop, and your clunkier personal items, the best thing about the Andiamo is that, like all well-constructed leather bags, it’ll look better with use and age.

Proenza Schouler's Morris tote. Image credit: courtesy of Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler ‘Morris’ tote

This bag from Proenza Schouler is on the smaller side for a tote, but that means you can more easily transition it from the day to the night. Because it’s crafted from a coated canvas, you’ll be able to take it out in the rain worry-free. Most of all, it’ll add a flash of New York cool to your outfit. We’ll never say no to that.

The homegrown heroes

Haulier International's Utility tote. Image credit: courtesy of Haulier International

Haulier International ‘Utility’ tote

Jeremy Hershan’s Haulier International is dedicated to the golden era of travel. ’70s satin varsity jackets, sailor’s smocks, and clean-cut denim sing, and though the silhouettes are traditionally masculine, Hershan’s designs are unisex — dressing with a touch of retro is for everyone, after all. Their durable and spacious Utility tote comes in three sizes and a variety of colourways; it’s also available in both leather and canvas. If you’re on the hunt for a piece of Australian luxury, we’d make their Paddington flagship our first point of call.

Yu Mei's Teresa tote. Image credit: courtesy of Yu Mei

Yu Mei ‘Teresa’ tote

Jessie Wong founded her New Zealand-based leather goods label Yu Mei in 2015 with the modern woman in mind. That’s why her designs, which range from shoulder bags and clutches to oversized hold-alls, boast a balance of style and function. Wong’s flair for minimalism with character comes to the fore in her Teresa tote, which is available in coloured nappa leathers and suede.

Rylan's 14.2 satchel. Image credit: courtesy of Rylan

Rylan ‘14.2’ satchel

Brooke Testoni’s Rylan satchel comes in the brand’s distinctive cylindrical shape, and is finished with a gold statement buckle. Made from Italian calf leather, it’s a design that’s ideal for more formal events, or to elevate the everyday.