First, prices continue to increase every year, meaning the price of the brand’s handbag offerings does not remain static.
Additionally, the material used to make the bags greatly influences the price. Louis Vuitton bags are crafted with high-quality canvas, leather, and exotic skins. All three greatly differ in price.
With all this in mind, we’ll endeavor to explain why these bags cost so much, how much they are along with buying and selling Louis Vuitton bags for the best price possible.
Why Is Louis Vuitton So Expensive?
History Of Louis Vuitton
The brand’s roots stem from creating beautiful luggage in Paris starting in 1854. Upon his father's passing, Louis Vuitton’s son would expand the business to include handbags and leather offerings. Many of these include the bags we know and love today like the Speedy, Noe, and Alma.
Since then, the luxury brand has expanded globally and brings in over $10 billion a year. Louis Vuitton also expanded to offer womenswear, menswear, shoes, jewelry, perfume, and more.
With creative directors of both past and present like Marc Jacobs and Nicolas Ghesquière at the helm, the brand continues to innovate and expand its offerings.
It is through the brand’s centuries-old history and present-day continued prestige that its pricing is top-tier.
Craftsmanship
Louis Vuitton prides itself on expert craftsmanship with bags assembled in France, Spain, and the United States. The brand specializes in creating the handbags we know and love today with high-quality raw materials such as canvas, leather, and exotic skins. This emphasis on detail also factors into the cost of Louis Vuitton bags.
Cultural Relevance
Considered the most famous monogram logo, Louis Vuitton is beloved by celebrities throughout the decades. For instance, Coco Chanel was exclusively designed the Alma bag and Audrey Hepburn was well-known for carrying the Speedy.
Today, celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Watson, Jessica Chastain, Rihanna, and more have been known to have a Louis Vuitton bag on their arm. The brand’s ability to stay popular since its inception contributes to its high-end prices.
Performance
With such an emphasis on craftsmanship, it should come as no surprise that Louis Vuitton bags are built to stand the test of time.
Especially with their canvas-coated bags, the material is difficult to ruin and easy to clean, resulting in a bag that can withstand everyday usage. This quality of performance factors into its price tags.
Louis Vuitton: Return On Investment
To create exclusivity, Louis Vuitton has discontinued dozens of bag styles and continues to increase the prices of their current handbag lineup every year.
This results in a high ROI (return on investment) for customers as some bags bought a decade ago could be sold for the same or even more than the original retail price. This also creates an urgency to purchase their bags prior to price increases.
Considering all of the above, Louis Vuitton’s handbags are luxurious with a luxuriously high price tag. Below we’ll break down what various bags exactly cost.
How Much Is A Louis Vuitton Bag?
Louis Vuitton bags range from $400 to $36,000.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the answer to how much an LV bag costs depends on a few factors:
- Materials: In early 2022, most Louis Vuitton bags made from top-quality canvas and leather cost between $1,200 and $6,000. Exotic skins like crocodile and lizard handbags can range from $12,000 to $36,000. Clearly, material greatly factors into the cost.
- Yearly Price Increases: Secondly, prices continue to increase every year. Consider the infamous Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag which used to retail well under $1,000 back in the 2000s but as of 2022 ranges from $1,500 for the smallest size into $2,400 for their more limited season prints.
- Pre-Owned Louis Vuitton: The reality is that if you shop the pre-owned market for Louis Vuitton, you can find bags for as little as $400. A better choice for both your wallet and the planet!
Now we’ve established the general price ranges of a Louis Vuitton bag, let’s look specifically at some of the brand’s most popular and newest bag styles for their price ranges.
Based On 2022 Retail Prices:
- Speedy: $1,160 to $2,630
- Neverfull: $1,460 to $2,490
- City Steamer: $3,500 to $4,950
- OnTheGo: $2,630 to $5,300
- Capucines: $4,800 to $8,850
As Louis Vuitton prices increase, there are more affordable ways to obtain a bag of your own. Below we’ll delve into buying and selling LV bags.
Where To Buy Louis Vuitton Bags For The Best Price?
While the bags listed above can still be bought in boutiques, better prices can be available on the pre-owned market. Several classic styles the Pallas Clutch, Berkeley, Trouville, Retiro, Pallas Shopper, Mazarine, and more are no longer sold in stores and can only be found second-hand.
Look no further than myGemma for expertly authenticated, pre-owned Louis Vuitton and other luxury bags at up to 80% off retail.
Where To Sell LV Bags For The Best Price?
While price increases do not make Louis Vuitton any more affordable, they do ensure that they retain their value. Explore what your vintage and current season Louis Vuitton bags are worth with myGemma.
We are your professional and modern way to sell your luxury goods through honest and transparent price quotes. Sell your designer bags in as little as 24 hours with our free service: no fees or commissions deducted from your final offer.
Sell in-person (in New York and the UK) or online with free, fully insured shipping. Get a price quote for your luxury watches, jewelry, handbags, and more are worth today. Just out the online form to get started.
