21 classic designer bags from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and more that are worth the investment

Ask any designer bag collector and they’ll tell you that the best purses to get are the ones you can use and cherish for a long time, if not forever. After all, if you’re splurging upwards of a thousand dollars on a bag, you’ll want something that never goes out of style.

Trendy bags come and go, bringing you joy for a few seasons before you consider letting them go. But classic bags are timeless and when looked after well, may even be a treasured heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. The value of some bags, such as Chanel’s Classic Flap and Hermes’ Kelly, even increase over time.

If you’re building a collection of bags that will be mainstays in your closet, here are a few tips – opt for a timeless design, keep a lookout for durability and functionality, and choose a bag that’s versatile enough to complement a variety of outfits and occasions. You might even want to opt for neutral or classic colours that can be easily coordinated.

For inspiration, here are our picks of 21 classic bags to invest in.

CHANEL 2.55

Chanel’s iconic 2.55 handbag was created in February 1955 by the house’s founder Gabrielle Chanel. At the time, it revolutionised the way women, who were used to carrying clutches, wore their handbags. The addition of straps allowed them to tote around their bags hands-free.

Made of soft calfskin, the bag fastens via its signature logo-free turn-lock. There is also a secret hidden pocket hidden inside the front flap, reportedly designed for the discreet storage of love letters. The modern version of the 2.55 remains largely unchanged and although it has been 69 years since the bag made its debut, it still draws significant demand.

CHANEL CLASSIC FLAP

Chanel’s Classic Flap is a bag that won’t go wrong. It's a reimagined version of the 2.55 by Gabrielle Chanel’s successor, Karl Lagerfeld and has since become an icon of the house. Two new features were introduced – the leather woven chain and the Double C turn-lock closure. The value of the Classic Flap has been increasing year after year, and investing in a neutral colour like black or taupe will ensure you have a bag that works with anything in your wardrobe. 

HERMES CONSTANCE

Created in the 1950s, the Hermes Constance is one of the house’s most popular and well-loved designs. Its most striking feature is the signature H-shaped clasp. The bag’s boxy silhouette transcends fashion trends and also adds to its versatility for formal and casual occasions. An adjustable leather strap allows the bag to be worn shorter or longer.

HERMES KELLY

Besides the elusive Birkin, the Hermes Kelly, first created in 1930, is another icon of the house. The bag is defined by its trapezoid shape and top handle. Its named after Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, who used the bag to hide her baby bump in the 1950s. There are two Kelly styles – sellier and retourne. Sellier has a more rigid and boxy structure, while retourne has a rounded, softer effect.

“It’s not a bag, it’s a Baguette,” Carrie Bradshaw famously declared in an episode of Sex and the City. When Fendi introduced the Baguette in 1997, it immediately garnered “It” bag status. It was conceived by Silvia Venturini Fendi, the granddaughter of brand founders Adele and Edoardo Fendi, who was inspired by how French women would carry a loaf of bread under their arms. It's characterised by its baton-like silhouette, short shoulder strap and simple flap closure with double F logo. Today, there are many iterations of the bag, including in canvas, classic leather, shearling and sequins.

FENDI PEEKABOO

Launched in 2009, the Peekaboo is one of Fendi’s contemporary releases but has deservedly become an emblem of the brand. It gets its name from its unique design, which features a distinctive top handle and a double-sided structure that drapes down when open to reveal a contrasting interior. The Peekaboo is also well-loved for its understated nature, instantly recognisable as a Fendi icon without screaming Fendi.

LADY DIOR

The Lady Dior is one of the brand’s enduring designs. The bag catapulted to fame after Princess Diana carried it in the 1990s and is well-loved for its elegant shape, complete with soft rounded handles. The Lady Dior also features the house’s signature Cannage motif. Newer versions of the bag come with shoulder straps and you can even personalise the bag to your liking with an array of charms.

DIOR SADDLE

As its name suggests, the shape of the Dior Saddle draws inspiration from a horse’s saddle, with a flap closure and shoulder strap. Originally designed by John Galliano, it was an instant hit in the noughties and till today, the Saddle is considered a treasured find on the vintage market. Under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior reworked the bag in 2018. The modern versions are bigger in size and can also be worn as a crossbody, courtesy of detachable straps.

CELINE TRIOMPHE

The Celine Triomphe is a modern classic, first introduced by Hedi Slimane in 2019. Its defining features are the gold-finished double-C clasp, originally designed by Celine founder, Celine Vipiana in the ‘70s, and its simple, boxy shape. With a flap closure and adjustable leather strap, this is a bag that can be carried anywhere – from a casual meetup with friends, to a work dinner with clients and colleagues.

LOEWE PUZZLE

Jonathan Anderson’s first handbag design for Loewe is truly special. As its name suggests, the Puzzle features a unique composition, stitching together irregularly shaped leather to form a cuboid-shaped bag. Its roomy interior adds to its functionality. Even without any overtly obvious logos, the Puzzle is still recognisable as a Loewe bag, making it the perfect accessory for a “quiet luxury” wardrobe. 

GUCCI JACKIE

The Gucci Jackie is named after former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who carried the bag so faithfully in the 1960s that it was named after her. It sports a crescent-shaped, hobo silhouette with a piston-shaped closure. The modern-day version of the bag comes in three sizes – mini, small and medium – in GG Supreme monogram canvas as well as in leather in a variety of colours.

GOYARD ST LOUIS

Every bag collector needs a spacious everyday tote bag that fits all the essentials. The Goyard St Louis is a great investment, made of the maison’s signature fabric that’s resistant to stains and water damage. It comes in three sizes, PM, GM and XXL, along with a detachable pouch. You can even personalise your tote with Goyard’s marquage services. 

Another essential in a bag collection – a sturdy backpack that boasts style and functionality. Consider the Prada Re-Nylon Backpack, which is just as coveted now as it was in the ‘90s. You’ll also be doing your part for the Earth – the bag is made from a synthetic nylon textile called Econyl that’s woven from recycled, purified plastic material collected from the ocean.

GIVENCHY ANTIGONA

The Givenchy Antigona has earned its place as one of the house’s icons, featuring a bowling bag silhouette with an easily identifiable downwards pointing triangular flap sporting the Givenchy logo. Despite its shape, the Antigona offers a great deal of capacity. It can be carried by its top handles, or across the body with an adjustable strap.

SAINT LAURENT LE 5 A 7

This hobo bag by Saint Laurent worn on the shoulder was launched only in 2021. But with a timeless rectangular shape, we reckon it will not go out of style anytime soon. The bag is undeniably chic, featuring an identifiable gold buckle and clasp in the iconic YSL insignia.

LOUIS VUITTON SPEEDY

A Louis Vuitton monogram bag is a must in every collection. The Speedy – made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s – is one of the house’s most popular designs. Over the decades, there have been several iterations of the Speedy. The latest version was dreamt up by Pharell Williams, crafted in soft calfskin and available in an array of bright, cheery colours.

LOUIS VUITTON CAPUCINES

A modern classic, the Louis Vuitton Capucines is a collector’s piece. It’s named after Rue des Capucines in Paris, where Louis Vuitton opened his first shop in 1854. Its architectural, trapezoid silhouette has made it a favourite amongst celebrities. The bag also features distinctive side rings, detachable straps, and reversible flaps that show either the monogram flower or the minimalist LV initials.

DELVAUX BRILLIANT

For fans of the current stealth wealth trend, Delvaux has been making “quiet luxury” bags since 1829. The Brilliant is one of the maison’s most recognisable designs, featuring a distinctive horseshoe buckle, front flap and top handle. Constructed from 64 separate pieces of leather and hardware, this masterpiece takes over 15 hours to make by hand.

VALENTINO ROCKSTUD

If you want a classic bag with a little bit of edge, the Valentino Rockstud is a stylish addition to your wardrobe. The distinctive stud design draws inspiration from the metallic details of the Roman Palazzo. Channeling an aristo-punk attitude, this is a bag that can spice up any casual outfits, such as a pair of jeans or a simple T-shirt.

BALENCIAGA HOURGLASS

It’s not an easy feat for a bag to be both trendy yet timeless, but the Balenciaga Hourglass has achieved just that. The Hourglass is known for its distinctive sculptural, curved silhouette, featuring a detachable shoulder strap, magnetic closure and a long flap with an aged gold B Balenciaga logo. It’s made in a number of leather and colour options, from the classic to the eye-catching.

GIORGIO ARMANI LA PRIMA