5 iconic designer bags that are timeless

Bags. One of my most fatal weaknesses. Every season, there are countless new bags that hit the market and I always have this raging desire to own them all. There's just something so alluring about this accessory that makes my heart skip a beat!

Unfortunately, my pockets aren't as deep as I would like them to be. And even if I was blessed with a fat paycheck, it's not the wisest decision to purchase seasonal designer bags incessantly. As much as we try to justify that bags are an investment, they usually depreciate in value as soon as it leaves the store.

After all, they are made to serve a utilitarian function in our everyday lives and may not necessarily gain in monetary worth for potential resale in the future. So while the occasional trendy piece is a justified indulgence, what you really want to invest in are the classics that you can use for a long time to come.

With so many different styles, we've found that there are only a handful of truly timeless handbags that will never go out of style and that you can wear any season, any year. Here are the five classic handbags that promise to never go out of style.

1. Chanel 2.55

Photo: Chanel

The queen of all designer handbags. Since its introduction in 1955, (it has already been a whooping 61 years!) it is still extremely sought after, despite its ever-increasing price tag.

Many new bag designs have came and gone, but this bag has become such an icon, so much so that it's arguably the most recognisable luxury bag in the world.

2. Balenciaga motorcycle bag

Photo: Balenciaga

This bag took the fashion world by storm when it was first released, and the rest is history. The longevity of what meant to be an It-bag is astounding since its debut in 2001. Did you know that the brand's parent company wasn't sold on it at first? It was only when the brand's models took a shine to the bag that brand was finally convinced of its worth.

This was the definitive bag that ignited my love for designer handbags! The design sensibility (statement studs, spacious interior, easy-to-carry nature and amazingly supple leather that only looks better with wear and tear) was probably the main reason why it took off, and why it has become a fashion mainstay.

3. Lady Dior

Photo: Dior

Bag carried by royalty, need I say more? Bernadette Chirac, who was then First Lady for France, presented the Lady Dior bag to Princess Diana on the occasion of her visit to Paris in 1995. At that time, it was a brand-new design from the fashion house and wasn't named Lady Dior yet.

She loved it and carried it around repeatedly during press trips, so the house decided to christen it Lady Dior in her honour.

4. Louis Vuitton Noe

Photo: Louis Vuitton

If you think that 61 years is long, think again. The Louis Vuitton Noe bag was first created in the 1932, making it an octogenarian if it were human! In strict chronological terms, the Noe is the second oldest Louis Vuitton bag. The cool reason behind its inception? The owner of a champagne house, who requested for the brand to develop a sturdy, stylish bag in which he could transport five bottles of bubbly, four upright, and one in the middle upside down. The name Noe is French for the biblical Noah, who was famous for his ability to consume wine.

Today the drawstring bag is a popular everyday bag, carried by women all over the globe. My mother had one, and it still looks just as good today as it did fresh out of the dust-bag.

5. Hermes Birkin

Photo: Showbit

The Birkin bag came to be when the CEO of Hermes chanced upon singer Jane Birkin on a flight in 1984. She made a comment on how she couldn't find a leather weekend bag that she really liked. Inspired by that, he went on to create the very first Birkin in black. Since then, it has gone on to becoming a highly coveted bag, reputed to have a waiting list of up to six years.

The meticulous craftsmanship is probably the greatest selling point of the bag. They are all handmade in France by expert artisans using top quality leather. Each bag is hand-sewn, buffed, painted, and polished. Fun fact: It takes 49 hours to complete a regular Birkin bag, which explains the scarcity.

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