From Hollywood to the FROW, the iconic Birkin bag has become a global symbol of status and wealth. Its easy-to-recognise shape and hardware can be customised in countless materials, and it's handcrafted in a six-phase process over the course of 20 hours. Even with its jaw-dropping price tag, the Hermès Birkin remains one of the most difficult bags to get your hands on because of overwhelming demand. In 2020, luxury resale site Vestiaire Collective revealed that the Birkin was one of the most in-demand bags and saw a 185% increase in sales that year. Two years on, it's risen in value by more than 4%—proving once again that luxury goods can be great investments. But what exactly has given this iconic "it" piece such enduring popularity? And how have Birkin bag prices fluctuated over the last four decades? To understand how the Birkin bag became such a hot-ticket item, and to get a gauge on Birkin bag prices in 2024, read on.
A red version of the Hermès Birkin on the streets of fashion week.
The History of the Birkin Bag:
Jane Birkin with a basket bag instead of her namesake creation.
In 1983, so the story goes, Jean-Louis Dumas—chief executive of Hermès at the time—was seated next to Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. When the actress's top-handle basket bag tipped over, pouring all of its contents on the floor, Dumas felt inspired to design the icon a bag that was equally as stylish as her signature style but would actually stay closed—so inspired, in fact, that he drew the initial design on an aeroplane sick bag (chic) right then and there. And soon after, the Birkin bag was born.
Jane Birkin with a very full Birkin bag.
What Influences Birkin Bag Prices?
So just what is it about the Birkin bag that has garnered it such a cult A-list following, thus making them so pricey? Exclusivity, of course. Its difficult-to-get nature and recognisability make it the perfect flashy piece for those who love the spotlight.
A Vestiaire Collective spokesperson says, "several factors influence the price of a Birkin. Firstly, the materials used, including premium leathers and exotic skins, significantly impact the cost. Additionally, the meticulous craftsmanship and time-intensive production process contribute to its high price. Furthermore, the Birkin's limited availability and the brand's strategic scarcity maintain its exclusivity, driving up demand and price on both the primary and secondary markets."
A cerise pink Birkin on the streets of NYC.
The luxury resale market has seen a massive boom in the past few years, with companies like Vestiaire Collective and Xupes asserting that the Hermès Birkin bag retains around 130% of its retail value at resale. The reasoning behind this? Scarcity. It's widely known you can't just stroll into any Hermès shop and expect one of the pristine shop assistants to lift the red ropes and present you with a selection of Birkin bags to choose from. As luxury expert and Vestiaire co-founder Fanny Moizant succinctly puts it, "Anything that is hard to get is highly coveted, and there's a mystery around the bags, which makes them even more sought-after."
Is a Birkin Bag Actually Worth Investing In?
As we've established, Birkin bag prices are constantly changing. But is a Birkin really worth the cost? Indeed, it seems that a Birkin's worth just keeps going up. Baghunter shared that between June 2016 and 2017, the value of Birkins on the resale market rose by 16%. Since then, Baghunter has conducted a new report, which found a growing gap between demand and supply of Birkin handbags, leading to a "mini Hermès drought” in the resale market. "With all indicators showing Hermès has not increased production of the Birkin bag, the value of the Birkin is set to spike soon,” said Evelyn Fox, co-founder of Baghunter.
Furthermore, Vestiaire Collective claim that Birkin bags have appreciated at an average annual rate of 14.2% over the past 35 years, outperforming the S&P 500 and gold. We're no expert on investments, but we'd say the Birkin sounds like a pretty sure bet. This begs the question: Stock market or bag connoisseur? We'll take the bags, thanks.
How Much Will a Birkin Bag Cost?
On 12 June 2019, Christie's London hosted a handbag auction featuring some of the world's most exotic finds, including an Hermès Birkin bag that sold for an unbelievable £162,500. This was the second-most-expensive handbag ever sold at auction—the record was broken in 2018 when the Matte Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 35 with 18-karat white gold and diamond hardware went for a colossal £236,750. One has to wonder—when would a person wear a six-figure handbag? Certainly not when their personal security team takes annual leave.
When we spoke to a Vestiaire Collective spokesperson, they affirmed that resale prices can exceed these figures, with particularly rare or sought-after models fetching over £300,000. Factors such as the bag's condition, age, and provenance affect its resale value, making each Birkin Bag a unique investment. Luckily, most resale platforms have also Birkin bags that start at a significantly lower price point than 6 figures. On sites such as Vestiaire Collective, prices usually start at around £5000.
Influencer Aimee Song carries an Hermès Birkin bag in camel.
Celebrities Wearing the Birkin Bag:
Khloé Kardashian with a crocodile version of the Hermès Birkin.
Celebrities are no strangers to the Birkin bag—surely you've seen the Kardashian squad toting their Birkins on any highly papped gym run or airport outing. Kris Jenner is said to have a whole room dedicated to her Birkins, complete with a neon sign that reads "Need money for Birkins," a sentiment we can (kind of) relate to. Kim Kardashian West even let her daughter North customise one of hers in what has to be the most expensive arts-and-crafts session of all time.
Kim Kardashian West with a smaller Birkin bag in black.
Ashley Olsen is another celebrity who is often seen dashing around with a Birkin in the crook of her arm, as is Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio. However, it seems that no one is as big a fan of the iconic arm candy as Victoria Beckham. It's guesstimated that she owns upwards of 120 Birkin bags. Though, you're more likely to see her sporting one of her own designs nowadays.
Ashley Olsen with a larger Birkin bag in tan.
Jennifer Lopez with a Birkin bag in black.
Looking to invest? There are plenty of options to buy a Birkin bag via resale platforms. Scroll on to see what Birkins are available to shop at the moment.
Shop Birkin Bags:
Classic black iterations are hard to come by.
This shade of blue is so pretty.
This shade is surprisingly versatile.
You'll love this forever.
A classic.
I love this soft grey style in the grained leather.
This post was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.