The investment in luxury pieces has grown exponentially in recent years, with an increasing number of people engaging in smart investments to secure profits or safeguard their future with a reliable asset. Among the prime luxury investments, Hermès handbags stand out, particularly the Birkin, Kelly, and Constance bags, reaching unprecedented sums in the second-hand market.

However, the value of these exclusive pieces can vary greatly depending on various factors, which can either make them very expensive or allow them to retain their value for a few years. Whether you're a Hermès reseller, a collector, or just starting out in the handbag business from home, we want to share with you six considerations you must make before investing in a Hermès handbag to optimize your investment and maximize your profits. Keep reading and find out!

1. The bag’s condition
2. The year of creation
3. The bag’s size
4. The bag’s material
5. The bag’s color
6. Limited-edition Hermès bags

The bag’s condition

When buying a Hermès handbag from the second-hand market, one crucial factor is the condition of the bag. Ideally, you should look for a bag in the best possible condition. A pristine bag can command a higher price, especially if it has been on the market for several years.

If you’re planning to buy a handbag from a Hermès reseller and it has an impeccable condition, it is definitely a fantastic choice, because it guarantees that you can still keep it in good shape and sell it in the future when it appreciates. However, this doesn’t mean that if a bag has some minor wear and tear it is completely worthless, it will still hold its value and also appreciate, but not as much as one that looks as perfect as new.

Needless to say, if you come across a Hermès handbag with severe deterioration, and the reseller is asking for more than it’s worth, it’s best to avoid such a deal and find a better option. Rest assured, there are numerous pre-loved Hermès handbags in excellent condition available in the market.

The year of creation

The luxury resale market has many preferences and niches in which to fit your investments, and if you’re one of those Hermès resellers that is also a collector and is interested in vintage Hermès bags, you’re sure to find a ton of them online. But there are two things that you must pay attention to when it comes to buying a vintage luxury bag: the year of creation and its comparison to the condition of the handbag.

If you find your ideal vintage Hermès bag for sale but its condition is less than desirable, it’s advisable not to invest in it. Its condition might not be improvable and it could resell for less than expected. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that a pre-loved Hermès bag, especially a vintage one, is in very good condition before purchasing it. 

While it may seem challenging to find, it’s actually not as difficult as you might think. Many collectors meticulously maintain their vintage Hermès bags to maximize profits when they sell or auction them. With some luck, you can find your ideal vintage luxury piece in pristine condition.

The bag’s size

In the luxury resale market, it’s well-known that the value of handbags can vary based on size. Some are more desirable than others due to their practicality for dressing up or their exclusive look, often with a preference for small Hermès handbags made from exotic materials.

Preferences for sizes vary significantly among different Hermès handbag models. For instance, Birkin bags are most coveted in sizes 25 and 30. Kelly bags, on the other hand, are particularly sought-after in sizes 20 (Mini Kelly) and 25. As for the Constance bag, despite the availability of a Micro size, the Mini size measuring 18cm is often preferred and is considered the standard size for this model.

Get more information about the most coveted Hermès handbag sizes.

The bag’s material

The materials that compose the Hermès luxury handbags are always of fantastic quality and great beauty, but there are certain skins that are more desirable than others, especially when combined with specific colors, sizes and hardware. Hermès calfskin bags are the most commonly produced, and even if it doesn’t seem like it, investing in a Hermès calfskin handbag is always a smart choice, because it is a classic material and a safe option, especially when you chose a bag in a neutral and classic color.

Aside from the timeless and impeccable calfskin, the Hermès handbags in Crocodile Niloticus, Crocodile Porosus, Alligator Mississippiensis and Lizard skins are the most sought-after in the luxury resale market, thanks to their exotic appearance and unmatched texture. They are often preferred in dark colors or bold and bright hues. 

So when investing in a Hermès handbag, make sure to either choose a classic calfskin option in a neutral tone and standard size, or a bold option in exotic skin and bright colors, preferably if it is a small sized handbag.

Get to know the most valuable Hermès handbag skins.

The bag’s color

The color of a Hermès handbag is what sets it apart, especially for clients that know exactly what they are looking for and won’t stop until finding it. As a Hermès reseller you’re sure to know all the winning combinations, and the best color option to invest depends on how long you want to keep the bag before selling it.

This is because if you want to sell a bag straight away, or if you have a client that needs a very specific color, you might want to invest in hot trendy colors that are new to the market. For this, you can buy brand-new or never-worn Hermès bags. In this case, it is better to look for the new Hermès colors, and the ones that have been booming in the last two to five years. This way, you can always have options to sell faster and potentially achieve a higher profit.

If you’re planning on selling at your own pace, or when the opportunity arises, it is always a smart choice to invest in classic and timeless Hermès colors, such as Noir, Gold, Etain, Etoupe, Craie, Nata, etc. These colors are certain to keep their value for a long time, and they are always on demand, as they prove to be the most versatile options.

Learn about the most sought-after Hermès colors.

Limited-edition Hermès bags

As with any exclusive fashion accessory, the Hermès handbags are very coveted on their own, but when faced with a limited-edition of the Birkin, Kelly or Constance handbags, you’re definitely in front of a great investment opportunity. These pieces, as their name implies, are crafted in such little quantities that there are only a few of them in the world, and if you’re one of the lucky ones to get them, you can obtain a very high profit when selling them years from now.

Although it is not as common to find them everywhere, these limited-edition pieces should always be considered as an immediate investment, whether you’re going to keep them stored for a few more years, or if you’re planning to sell them right away.

Don’t lose the opportunity and discover the most sought-after Hermès handbag limited-editions.

Now that you know what the 6 considerations are before investing in a Hermès handbag, you will certainly make smart choices and grow as a Hermès reseller, earning higher profits and a solid clientele.

If you still want to improve your business and find new opportunities to share your stock with potential clients and other Hermès resellers, we welcome you to the biggest community of Hermès resellers worldwide. Discover more about Resellers Connector.

Join our community for free and start improving your handbag business today!