Words by Nerys d’Esclercs
Some bags simply never go out of style. From The Lady Dior bag, aptly named after Lady Diana, to the most coveted bag in history — the Hermès Birkin — the world’s most iconic bags can often have year-long waiting lists. But, with a value that only appreciates over time, shopping these styles through our selection of pre-owned pieces can deliver on all counts. Plus, shopping pre-loved styles promotes a conscious, more circular fashion cycle compared to shopping new, too.
In search of a truly timeless investment bag to shop now and love forever? We speak to Sofia Andrade, head of merchandising at pre-owned luxury platform — and FARFETCH partner — Luxclusif to help you make the perfect choice. Discover the story behind each key style, the names that made them famous, and the size and fit details of each silhouette, as well as how to care for your new treasure. Learn more and shop the highlights below.
Christian Dior Lady Dior bag
‘The Lady Dior bag was created in 1994 and named after Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. The bag was gifted to her by then-French First Lady, Bernadette Chirac. Lady Diana was often seen carrying the bag and it quickly became associated with her signature style. The Lady Dior is a structured, rectangular bag with quilted stitching and rounded top handles. It features the brand's iconic Cannage pattern, which is defined by a series of small diagonal lines, and is detailed with letter charms, spelling ‘D-I-O-R’. Many celebrities have been spotted wearing the style over the years, with Jennifer Lawrence, Marion Cotillard and Miranda Kerr being just some of the callouts.’
‘In terms of sizing, the bag comes in various dimensions, from Micro to Large. The miniature version can fit essentials such as a phone, wallet, keys and a small makeup pouch, while the larger option also offers enough space to fit a tablet or small laptop.’
SIZING
Lady Dior Micro: 12 x 10.2 x 5cm / 4.5 x 4 x 2 inches
Lady Dior Mini: 17 x 15 x 7cm / 6.5 x 6 x 3 inches
Lady Dior Small: 20 x 17 x 8cm / 8 x 6.5 x 3 inches
Lady Dior Medium: 24 x 20 x 11cm / 9.5 x 8 x 4.5 inches
Lady Dior Large: 32 x 25 x 11cm / 12.5 x 10 x 4.5 inches
Christian Dior Saddle bag
‘Christian Dior's Saddle bag was originally released in 1999 by then-creative director, John Galliano. Inspired by equestrian themes and featuring a curved shape reminiscent of a horse's saddle, the bag was an instant hit and became a staple for the brand. The Saddle bag was popularized in the early 2000s, with celebrities like Paris Hilton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Beyoncé seen carrying it. It was eventually discontinued in 2008 — but in 2018, the bag was relaunched under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri to great success.’
‘What makes the Saddle bag unique is its shape and design. It features a flap top, often with a prominent D-shaped buckle, and a curved silhouette that hugs the body when worn over the shoulder. The style also has a long, adjustable strap that allows it to be styled across the body. In terms of size, the Saddle bag is fairly compact and can fit essentials such as a phone, wallet, keys and a small makeup pouch.’
SIZING
Saddle Micro: 14 x 11 x 4.5cm / 5.5 x 4.5 x 2 inches
Saddle Mini: 21 x 18 x 5cm / 8.5 x 7 x 2 inches
Saddle Original: 25.5 x 20 x 6.5cm / 10 x 8 x 3 inches
Louis Vuitton Alma bag
‘The Alma is one of the most emblematic Louis Vuitton bags of all time and is the result of many design evolutions over the course of the 20th century. Created by Gaston Louis Vuitton — who at the time was a well-known luggage maker — the Steamer, an elegant trapezoidal-shaped bag, was created in 1901, which was then refined to a more compact silhouette, the Squire, in 1934. Finally, the Squire was revived in 1992 with the instantly recognisable LV Monogram and renamed after the Place de l’Alma in Paris.’
‘With its unique dome shape, the Louis Vuitton Alma bag quickly became a favorite of celebrities and fashion icons, including Grace Kelly. This Art Deco-inspired piece comes in all of the maison’s iconic finishes and materials, from Epi leather to the glossy Vernis, and has recently been reimagined in a red-on-black LV Monogram version by Nicolas Ghesquière. The design’s versatility pleases different style personalities, from Rihanna to Alexa Chung, and can be worn as a cross-body or top-handle bag. This particular piece covers all sizes, from Nano to Grand Modèle, the latter of which can fit a laptop plus your daily essentials.’
SIZING
Alma mini (called BB): 23.5 x 17.5 x 11.5cm / 9.8 x 7.5 x 4.7 inches
Alma small (called PM — Petit Modèle): 35 x 23 x 15cm / 13.8 x 9.1 x 5.9 inches
Alma medium (called MM — Moyen Modèle): 36 x 28 x 17cm / 14.2 x 11 x 6.7 inches
Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires bag
‘Originally appearing in 1980 as a detachable pouch for the Bucket bag, the Pochette Accessoires shape was beloved by customers so much so that it became a stand-alone silhouette. In 1992, the Pochette Accessoires purse was released in the iconic Louis Vuitton LV Monogram, and with the growth of its popularity, the brand experimented with it in Damier Ebène and Damier Azur canvas, Empreinte leather, and more. This purse is forever being reimagined in collaborative designs, from Stephen Sprouse’s signature graffiti to the playful colors of Takashi Murakami. With the revival of the Y2K trend, this silhouette has recently been spotted on the likes of Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and K-pop star Momo.’
‘Small and practical, this design fits all of your essentials like a phone, small wallet, keys and makeup. Plus, its detachable leather strap allows it to be worn as a shoulder or cross-body bag, as well as a handheld clutch. Variations like the Mini and Multi make it fit for your every need.’
SIZING
Pochette Accessoires Mini: 15.5 x 10.5 x 4cm / 6.1 x 4.1 x 1.6 inches
Pochette Accessoires Original: 23.5 x 13.5 x 4cm / 9.3 x 5.3 x 1.6 inches
Pochette Accessoires Multi: 25 x 14.5 x 4.5cm / 9.8 x 5.7 x 1.8 inches
Hermès Birkin Bag
‘Hermès pieces are widely seen as some of the most coveted luxury handbags in history — the maison’s styles are handmade from start to finish by a single artisan, trained for no less than five years, and it takes a minimum of 18 hours to create just one bag.’
‘The iconic Birkin was designed in 1984, when British actress Jane Birkin — laden with an overstuffed handbag — sat next to the Hermès group’s chairman, Jean-Louis Dumas, on a flight from Paris to London. During their conversation, she complained that she couldn't find a bag suitable for her needs as a young mother. They dreamed up the perfect design mid-air, with a dedicated space for baby bottles, sketching it out on an airplane sick bag. Its status was cemented in the late 1990s, when ‘Sex and the City’ came up with the iconic line: ‘It’s not a bag. It’s a Birkin.’ Since then, many celebrities have been spotted with the piece, including Victoria Beckham — who is rumoured to have a collection of Birkins worth over $2 million — Kate Moss, Winnie Harlow and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.’
SIZING
Birkin 25: 25 x 19 x 13cm / 9.8 x 7.5 x 5.1 inches
Birkin 30: 30 x 24 x 15cm / 11.8 x 9.4 x 5.9 inches
Birkin 35: 35 x 25 x 19cm / 13.8 x 9.8 x 7.5 inches
Birkin 40: 40 x 30 x 20cm / 15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 inches
Hermès Kelly bag
‘While Birkin bags are more coveted now, the Kelly was the original It bag. Designed in the 1930s by Hermès’ CEO Robert Dumas, the bag was formerly known as Sac à Dépêches. In 1954, the Kelly was introduced to the Princess Consort of Monaco, Grace Kelly, while filming ‘To Catch a Thief’, who popularized the style when she was photographed strategically holding it to conceal her baby bump. The famous picture went viral and the public took to referring to the bag as ‘The Kelly’ — Hermés officially renamed it in 1977 in her honor.’
‘Hermès’ Kelly bag has two main versions: Sellier — which is rigid and boxy, stitched from the outside in, and finished with a resin edge; and Retourné — which is folded inside-out, stitched, then flipped back, with round edges and has a softer silhouette. Some limited-edition and ultra-rare Kelly bags include the Picnic Kelly, the Kelly Doll and the Feather Kelly, made only for a window display in 2011.’
SIZING
Kelly 20: 20 x 14 x 9cm / 7.9 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches
Kelly 25: 25 x 19 x 10cm / 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.9 inches
Kelly 28: 28 x 21 x 11cm / 11 x 8.3 x 4.3 inches
Kelly 32: 32 x 24 x 12cm / 12.6 x 9.4 x 4.7 inches
Kelly 35: 35 x 26 x 13cm / 14 x 10.2 x 5.1 inches
How to care for your pre-owned bags
‘We recommend storing your designer pieces in their original dust bags to ensure they’re not exposed to direct sunlight (which can cause discoloration) and dust. Keep them in a cool and dark place to avoid mold which can ruin the leather. To avoid loss of structure, we recommend storing your bags in an upright position with stuffing inside — don’t use newspapers or any printed papers as the ink could bleed and transfer to the interior of your bag. You can use ready-made bag shapers or a cotton pillowcase as stuffing, and be careful not to overstuff the bag as this may ruin its shape over time.’
‘When it comes to your bag’s accessories, make sure to remove straps (or wrap the strap with a cotton cloth if they’re not removable) and store inside the bag so it doesn't scratch the exterior. If your bag has extensive stains, discolorations and damages, we advise you to let professionals handle the cleaning and repair. While you can use leather wipes or leather conditioner to remove scuff marks and minor stains, you should avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaning solutions as they might ruin the materials. By following these tips, you can help ensure your pre-owned bags stay in pristine condition.’