Why Are Designer Bags So Expensive

Have you ever wondered why designer bags come with a costly price tag?

00:37 12 October 2024

Have you ever wondered why designer bags come with a costly price tag? This thought might spin your mind, but coveted designer brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci justify their higher prices. Their exquisite materials and craftsmanship are worth every penny spent on your designer handbag. 

This article is for all those ladies who consider themselves bag addicts and want to invest in that one limited-edition masterpiece. Here are all the reasons we think have made these designer handbags notoriously expensive. 

Craftsmanship 

Designer bags differ from average bags manufactured in thousands by any factory. Designers hire experienced artisans to curate a masterpiece where every stitch on that bag will speak for itself. 

Most of these luxury handbags are handmade. Some craftsmen spend months or even years creating one limited-edition handbag. We all know Hermès Birkin has year-long waiting lists. Make sure you don't get tricked by a fake Hermès. Here's a guide on how to check the right Hermès stamp card.

Designer bags are nothing less than a work of art with fine attention to detail. Their flawless seams, smooth edges, and perfectly matched patterns speak for themselves. 

The cost of labour also increases when one bag takes months to be made. When it comes to designer bags, labor costs play a crucial role. Many designer brands also outsource their production from experienced designers in different countries contributing to the high cost of a designer handbag. 

Durability 

Designer handbags will last you decades, especially if they are stored properly. They are meticulously designed to offer durability. These handbags are made to last a lifetime and pass on from one generation to the next. 

Vintage pieces like Hermès and Chanel are like lifelong companions. These luxury bags deserve great care, so they come in proper box packaging and dust bags. The materials used in creating this one-in-a-lifetime piece enhance its longevity and durability. 

Materials

Unlike other counterfeit handbags, you can tell what an actual designer handbag feels like by touching it. The main answer to why designer handbags are expensive is the high-quality material used in their making. 

Animal skins, gold-plated hardware, and exotic leather are all used to create a premium-quality designer bag. This exquisite material not only adds to its prestige but also its price. 

Other high-quality materials used in addition to leather are locks, zippers, rivets, metal accents, and much more. The more you add to the handbag, the costlier it gets. Some people are fond of encrusting diamonds on their luxury handbags, which will raise their cost to millions of dollars. Here is a look at the different materials used in manufacturing any designer handbag. 

Exotic Animal Skins

Rare animal skins, such as python, alligator, and crocodile, are used in its making. These skins are then embroidered or diamond-studded to create a masterpiece. Bags made of exotic leather radiate an aura of sophisticated luxury. Each skin will have a different texture and skin, making it pricey. 

High-Quality Leathers

Different types of leather are used, such as full-grain and top-grain leather. The grain of a bag's leather tells a lot about its originality. The flawless patina surface that develops over time gives your bag a vintage look. 

This grain leather is then buffed out for a smooth upper layer. Even these high-quality leathers go through a number of processes to create a fine-quality, pliable handbag. 

Nappa leather, produced from sheepskin or lambskin, is another luxury leather most designer brands use to add buttery smoothness to handbags. 

Creating Eco-Materials

Hermès is the only brand that is known for its innovative leather bags. They use vegan leathers produced from mushrooms, corn, or pineapple. Producing this leather is too costly. This is one reason a Hermès bag costs you thousands of dollars, 

Signature Materials

Each luxury brand has its signature pattern that makes a unique material. Dior has a printed canvas all over their handbag, while Chanel has tweed and caviar leather. Bottega Veneta works on an Intrecciato weaving technique created in the late 1960's.

Exclusive Designs

Each designer brand works on a unique design that can not be mass-produced in a factory. Most brands purposely manufacture their designs in minimum quantities so their demand increases. 

People who passionately buy handbags wait years to get their hands on their favorite articles. Supply and demand factors heavily contribute to the skyrocketing prices of these designer bags. People wait years for a Hermès Birkin and are willing to pay the cost upfront until their desired bag is ready to ship. 

Each Luxury brand ensures that its handbags are nothing less than a piece of art. These famous designer brands have a unique style and never copy any other designer brand. 

Chanel has discontinued some of its articles since 2018, making them vintage. These vintage handbags are then sold in auctions for thousands of dollars.

 There are quota bags that can not be bought more than two times per person every year. Examples of these bags are Hermès Kelly and Chanel's Classic handbag. 

Long Term Investment

They say a Hermès Birkin is better than gold or stocks. A Hermès Birkin will sell for double or triple its price in only a few years. It might not be wrong to say that investing in a Chanel bag is better than investing in a home. The rare the handbag, the better it will resell. These luxury goods are in deep demand these days. 

3 Most Expensive Designer Bags

Now that we have convinced you why a designer handbag costs so much, let's show you our favorite luxury handbag brands. 

1. Chanel

Chanel is known for its unique quilted pattern and innovative CC logo. It has stamped people's hearts with its timeless designs. An essential Chanel bag costs a few thousand dollars, while an iconic piece like a 2.55 Flap designer bag will cost a million dollars. 

2. Hermès

In the luxury fashion market, Hermès is a byword for its beautiful craftsmanship. Hermès is known for using animal skins and exquisite silk scarves. People have to wait for years to buy their desired Hermès Birkin. The price range of a Hermès Birkin starts from a few thousand dollars and goes up to tens of thousands of dollars. 

3. Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta is an Italian brand known for its exquisite designs and iconic intrecciato weave pattern. A Bottega Veneta bag speaks for itself. Its exotic leathers make it worth its price. The price range of a Bottega Veneta handbag starts from thousands of dollars, and their exclusive designs cost more.

Conclusion

Making a stylish statement involves more than just a skincare regime. It’s a complete package that involves dressing up the right way too. The designer bags in our list are surely one of the many ways to look chic and stand out amongst the crowd.

So, which one is your favourite?