Over the past 15 years, prices for iconic luxury handbags have surged at a pace jewelry simply hasn’t matched. UBS Research shows that bags like the Chanel Jumbo Flap have more than tripled in price since 2010, while cult jewelry pieces, including the Cartier Love Bracelet, have increased much more gradually.
But what’s behind this divergence, and what does it mean for buyers, collectors, and sellers in the luxury resale market?
Handbags: From Fashion Accessory to Financial Asset
Luxury fashion houses have adopted increasingly aggressive pricing strategies. Chanel, for instance, has raised prices on the Classic Flap multiple times per year, with retail prices in Europe climbing from around €5,000 in 2019 to over €10,000 by 2023. Dior and Louis Vuitton have followed similar strategies for their most in-demand models.
This isn’t a trend. It’s a strategic shift: handbags are now positioned closer to luxury assets like watches or art. Their growing scarcity and emotional appeal make them ideal “wearable investments.”
Photo: blog.fashionphile.com
Jewellery: The Quiet, Steady Performer
While fine jewellery remains a cornerstone of luxury, its pricing strategy has remained more stable. The Cartier Love Bracelet and Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Bracelet, for example, have appreciated, but only at moderate rates, in line with inflation.
Photo: thegirlfrompanama.com
Jewelry holds deep emotional and symbolic value, it’s often gifted, inherited, or purchased to mark personal milestones. It’s less trend-driven than handbags, and far less impacted by seasonal “drops” or influencer cycles. In fact, this stability is part of its strength: jewelry’s resale value remains consistent over time, with minimal volatility.
Why This Matters for You![]()
Photo: businessoffashion.com
Whether you're a buyer, seller, or collector, these trends can guide smarter luxury decisions:
- If you’re buying: Consider vintage handbags with long-term desirability, think Chanel Classic Flap Bag, Lady Dior, or Louis Vuitton Keepall. Their prices are rising fastest.
- If you’re selling: Now is an exceptional time to cash in on bags bought pre-2020 especially in pristine condition.
- If you’re investing: Jewelry offers long-term stability and emotional value, while handbags currently offer higher capital appreciation.
Final Thoughts
The gap between handbags and jewelry isn’t just about numbers, it reflects two entirely different luxury mindsets: fast-rising investment vs. timeless symbolism.
At Étoile Luxury Vintage, we help you navigate both worlds. Whether you're searching for your next investment piece or letting go of one, we connect you to timeless luxury, with modern value.
Do you have any questions or are you looking for a specific designer item? We are more than happy to help you on our online platforms or welcome you in one of our stores in the center of Amsterdam or Maastricht.
Do you want to be kept informed about everything about (vintage) designer? Sign up for our newsletter and we'll be the first to update you on the latest news.
Lots of love, Margherita
Sources:
LinkedIn.com
Sothebys.com
Purseblog.com
Businessofprelovedfashion.com
Forbes.com
Mckinsey.de
English
Dansk
Nederlands
Suomi
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνικά
Italiano
Norsk bokmål
Polski
Português
Español
Svenska