Both Louis Vuitton and Chanel have become bywords for luxury bag investment — and both have raised their prices so aggressively in recent years that the phrase 'keeping up with inflation' barely covers it. But if you're thinking about bags as assets rather than purely accessories, there are meaningful differences between the two brands worth understanding before you spend.
Price Increases: Chanel Has Been More Aggressive
Chanel raised prices for its Classic Flap bag by roughly 70% between 2020 and 2023. A medium Classic Flap that retailed for around $5,800 in 2019 now retails for over $10,000. Louis Vuitton has also raised prices, but more gradually — the Neverfull MM has gone from around $1,250 to roughly $2,000 over the same period.
These retail increases matter for secondary market values. A bag that costs more new is worth more used — but only if demand keeps pace with price.
Secondary Market Performance
Chanel Classic Flaps in excellent or better condition consistently resell at or above retail when the market is strong. This is unusual — most luxury goods lose value the moment they leave the store. The caveat: only the Classic Flap and, to a lesser extent, the Boy Bag reliably perform this way. Seasonal or trend-driven Chanel styles behave like normal fashion purchases.
Louis Vuitton's monogram canvas pieces — the Neverfull, Speedy, Alma — resell at roughly 60–80% of current retail in excellent condition. Not investment-grade, but impressive durability compared to most fashion purchases. The Empreinte leather line and limited Collaboration pieces (Supreme, artists) command premiums.
Hermès, for reference, is in a different category entirely — entry-level Birkins consistently sell at 120%+ of retail. But access is controlled tightly by the brand.
Which Should You Buy?
If value preservation is the priority: Chanel Classic Flap in black caviar leather with gold hardware (the most liquid, highest-demand combination). Buy it new if you can — the authenticity documentation adds value at resale.
If you want everyday usability alongside value: Louis Vuitton Neverfull or Speedy. The monogram canvas is extraordinarily durable, nearly indestructible in normal use, and the bags are immediately recognisable. They won't appreciate, but they won't fall apart either.
If you're buying primarily as a collection piece rather than for resale: either brand works, but buy what genuinely excites you. The best investment is a bag you'll use and love — one that becomes part of your personal style rather than a line item on a spreadsheet.
Whatever you choose, log it on Bagstash. Your collection tells a story that's worth sharing.