No matter how long I cover the accessories industry, it never fails to mystify me what it’s possible to buy with a couple mouse clicks after a few too many glasses of wine. Every season, we survey the most expensive new women’s bags on offer in order to look for trends at the top tier of the market, and that’s just what we’ve done today.
This year, we found more uses of multiple exotic leathers on single designs than ever before, which makes sense–when every brand makes its most popular bag in an ultra-luxe crocodile version, what’s the next way that a designer seeks to distinguish his creations? There also seems to be something of a price ceiling for what third-party retailers are willing to carry; since we’ve been keeping track, those retailers have generally shied away from going over $40,000, and some of the market staples have held steady prices for years. (The Givenchy Antigona, for example, has been $35,900 in crocodile since at least 2014.)
There were also some notable contenders we had to leave out; Louis Vuitton will allow you to view full details for many of its exotics online, but you have to call or go to a boutique to actually purchase them, so they fell outside our bounds. We also avoided the resale market, where prices for sought-after bags (and Birkins especially) can soar–that tells us less about current trends in the market and more about how crazy people go for Hermès.
With that in mind, take a look at the ten we found below.
Most Expensive Fur Bag
Delvaux Astrakhan Fur Brillant GM Satchel
$21,400 via Barneys
Not only was this bag the most expensive one we found for immediate purchase, but it earned the title by nearly ten grand.
Most Expensive Non-Exotic Leather Bag
Delvaux Brilliant GM Sellier Bag
$10,050 via Barneys
Very few bag brands rise to the five-figure price point in plain leather other than Hermès, and usually, those Hermès bags are the sort that have to be purchased in-store instead of among the limited stock on the brand’s website. The large size of his Delvaux piece, along with its intricate weave, were enough to land it among that extremely rare company.
Most Expensive Clutch
Dolce & Gabbana Heart Silver-Plated Clutch
$14,500 via Net-a-Porter
I don’t think this bag is new for spring, but it beats out its competition so heartily that we couldn’t leave it out. After all, what’s exotic leather when precious metals are involved?
Most Expensive Calf Hair Bag
Fendi Calf Hair Peekaboo Bag
$7,250 via Net-a-Porter
Fendi’s Peekaboos are almost always the brand’s most expensive handbags, and this one’s size and intricate patchwork construction make it a standout in a material category that can vary widely.
Most Expensive Python Bag
Givenchy Antigona in Python, Lizard, Crocodile and Ostrich
$9,100 via Neiman Marcus
Python bags vary widely in price; it’s the luxe trim that puts this one at the top of the list.
Most Expensive Overall Bag
Hermès Pliplat Crocodile Clutch
$49,400 via Hermès
It will likely come as a shock to no one that the most expensive bag we found for sale (by a wide margin) is from Hermès. The brand has made very tentative steps in offering select exotics online, and this bicolor clutch is easily the most expensive.
Most Expensive Alligator Bag
Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Small Alligator Tote
$33,500 via Saks
Not only is this bag notable because it uses alligator instead of the more widespread crocodile, but the first time I’ve seen one of Saint Laurent’s top-tier exotics available for purchase online in the US.
Most Expensive Ostrich Bag
The Row Classic 5 Ostrich and Mink Tote
$13,000 via Neiman Marcus
Ostrich isn’t used all that widely at the moment, but the mix of exotic and fur makes this one the most expensive of the handful we spotted.
Most Expensive, Non-Hermès
The Row Hunting Crocodile Shoulder Bag
$39,000 via farfetch.com
Since Hermès tends to throw off the curve when it comes to price, it felt only reasonable to see what was lurking below it. This season, it’s two crocodile bags from the row, including this shoulder bag option. How casual.
Most Expensive, Non-Hermès
The Row Top Handle 10 Crocodile Bag
$39,000 via farfetch.com
For a more formal look, there’s also a top handle. Or a midsize car.
I like the Saint Laurent. With The Row ostrich bag, those hair tassels are just weird. They look like those hair dye samples that beauticians use to find your color.
heh heh! So true!
The Saint Laurent is the only one I find tempting. The rest are just meh.
Loro Piana’s Bellevue bag in crocodile comes very, very close to The Row prices (or maybe tops them, depending on the day’s exchange rate) and IMO, it’s a much prettier bag than either of the two croco choices from The Row.
https://www.loropiana.com/en/eshop/ladies-bags-bellevue-bellevue-bag-crocodile/p-FAD6522
Whoa. Are these bags polished with god’s tears?
ROFL. Right?!
You’ve forgotten the Valentino meant green my rockstud crocodile top handle bag, via net’ a porter!
The only bag I’d wear is the Givenchy. Those Delvaux bags are so expensive yet look like something you’d find in Kohls, insane.
It’s not just the prices that are impractical: FUR handles?! (On the Row Ostrich) . Just imagine sweaty palms and how matted and grotty the $13000 handles would get.
A girl can only dream. I would snag all of these at 99% off.
The Antigona is actually gorgeous! I love the mix of exotic leathers, it works very well.
I’ve always found that bags which were ‘meh’ were immediately transformed when crocodile or alligator was used. I liked the SDJ well enough until I saw it in its exotic iteration and the Prada Inside Bag looks much better with the stiffer alligator skin. Delvaux makes beautiful bags but I’m pleasantly surprised by The Row bags. It seems they’re really well made (I guess it’s just my slight prejudice against celeb built brands, idk).
I’m digging that Fendi ponyhair Peekaboo bag a lot. I love the vibrant colors.
Love the navy one.
Meh. None of these really stand out to me, except maybe the Dolce & Gabbana clutch. But WHY is it only silver-plated brass? For that price, it should be sterling. It’s not like silver is that expensive, and for a price like that, the least you can do it make it actually real silver all the way through.
Like the ones made by Thai silversmiths? Some of the higher end ones are amazingly intricate in sterling silver.
Yes, exactly! Like this: http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=51468 And that’s not even one of the really nice ones.
I absolutely love the Hermes clutch but for the life of me can’t figure out (e.g. workmanship) how it costs more than an exotic kelly or birkin.
I love the Saint Laurent one !
“Or a midsize car.” Lol. Love it , Amanda!
Phew, thankfully I don’t find any of those desirable. My money is safe…. for now.
Most of these bags are beautiful, especially the Sac de Jour for me, but when I think of the Alligators and Crocodiles skinned to make this, all my vanity flies out the window. You may not agree but all Animals feel, and it must have been a freaking painful death for them
I can understant why they are so expensive, although I have a huge problem with exotics on principal. But if you are to spend 40K$ on a bag, it better be the least better looking than those Delvaux bags or that tottaly uninteresting Hermes clutch!
Wow!!
Amazing designs, I really liked them.
You gonna check this one Banjara
Thanks