It is the ultimate luxury showdown, with the handpicked in high fashion on display. Incorporating the finest from amidst the resplendence and the ornamental beauty of the ever-so-expansive fashion landscape. Two names that have quite inevitably dominated these stylish, vogue, and overwhelming suits, embodying the ultimate dressing sense, are the French fashion houses, symbolizing a timeless aura and finesse: Hermès and Chanel.
With a unique sense of splendor, magnificence, and luxuriousness, and a panache of their own, the comparison between the two trailblazing brands becomes quite challenging. The reason why we are here is to settle the debate that has long been the talk of the town.
The article compares the two brands based on quality, pricing, and resale value. The guide offers you detailed insights to help you determine which brand is the best investment for your collection.
The Hermès Heritage
Founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, the brand entered the high-end fashion landscape. Beginning as a leather harness workshop, the entity took its first steps toward greatness. Decades later, Thierry’s son, Charles-Émile, relocated the flagship store to 24 Rue du Faubourg, where the company’s headquarters remain to this day.
Hermès soon broadened its footprint, exercising its expertise in saddlery. It was not until 1920 that the brand introduced its most famous handbags and illustrious accessories, a strategy that catapulted brand recognition, enabled it to reach unimaginable heights, and achieve global fame. The brand’s consistent efforts to improve have proven successful, yielding results that are a masterclass in performance and quality delivery on a worldwide level.
Hermès, with its unwavering commitment to artisanal excellence, introduced design innovativeness adorned with elegance and sophistication, earning it higher prestige. The 1930s proved a milestone year for the brand, which brought to the fore iconic handbags and accessories. Later renamed as the Kelly Bag, the state-of-the-art collection was famously graced by the renowned actor Grace Kelly.
In 1984, a chance encounter on an airplane between CEO Jean-Louis Dumas and actress Jane Birkin led to the birth of the highly sought-after collaboration, marked by the introduction of the legendary Birkin bag. Crossing a mammoth 300-store mark globally, Hermès is widely recognized as the pinnacle of luxury craftsmanship.
The Chanel Legacy
In 1910, a 27-year-old Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel opened her first shop in Paris, specializing in hats. Just five years later, she opened her first couture house in the stylish resort town of Biarritz. Over the following decade, Chanel rapidly expanded into perfumes, cosmetics, and, most famously, fashion.
In 1926, Chanel designed what American Vogue would later call the "Ford dress,” an elegant, black dress also renowned for its aesthetic prominence. Approximately three decades later, in 1955, the house introduced the Chanel 2.55 flap bag, which remains a trendsetting presence, adored by royalty, celebrities, and fashion aficionados worldwide.
Hermès vs. Chanel: A Comprehensive Style Comparison
With both trailblazing fashion houses rooted in history, draped in elegance, sophistication, and the ornamental beauty of luxuriousness, Hermès and Chanel feature discreetly signature styles, possessing an individuality of their own.
Hermès Style Statement
The brand is revered for its timeless style and fashionable silhouettes. Its statement-making pieces craft top-handle bags that embody a unique styling sense, are highly adaptable, flamboyant, and versatile, making them a stylish choice. Known for their aesthetic preferences and highly compatible offerings, the brand embodies understated elegance and refined sophistication, synonymous with quiet luxury. Their designs are classic and crafted to last a lifetime.
Chanel’s Effortless Style
Chanel, on the contrary, celebrates a dominating presence with its signature diamond quilting, featuring the trendy, iconic chain-link shoulder straps. While the classic Chanel has a much-coveted and renowned presence, it also caters to a younger, trend-conscious demographic. Featuring playful designs that boast seasonal, vibrant colors, Chanel targets excellence in terms of performance and quality.
Hermès vs. Chanel: Reaffirming Quality
When it comes to leather goods, both Hermès and Chanel deliver their absolute best, redefining artisanal brilliance in pursuit of design innovativeness, finesse, and sophistication. However, when talking about their individuality, there still exist minor differences to consider. Chanel bags, being less structured, often feature smooth leathers, making them more prone to scratches and wear. Thorough care and proper maintenance are therefore essential.
Hermès bags are recognized for their structural integrity, durability, and maintained silhouette. By applying more resilient leather, they offer a robust overall structure. Regardless of the choices you make, safeguarding your investment is the key to success. We therefore recommend storing luxury bags in an aesthetically pleasing dust bag or box when not in use, and keeping them maintained in pristine condition.
Hermès vs. Chanel: Breaking the Price Down
Let's talk numbers. Both Hermès and Chanel bags command prices in the thousands, but their pricing strategies and resale values differ significantly.
Soaring Chanel's retail prices
Chanel’s retail prices have soared sky-high, particularly for the flap bags, which have increased by almost 200% over the past decade. The most reasonable Chanel bags cost around $1,700. Hermès prices are comparatively higher from the outset.
A new Birkin is typically priced at a starting value of over $9,000, and that is the case when you can even get one. The brand, with a prominent presence and known for its exclusivity, has garnered a rare, prestigiously overwhelming, and in-demand accessory. Obtaining one specifically from the boutique itself is a significant challenge.
The Resale Market
Both Hermès and Chanel bags hold exceptional value and have remained robust in the resale market. These certainly make top-notch investment pieces, yielding unparalleled returns and acting as a hedge against inflation.
The Prestigious Hermès Birkin Bag
The latest data and insights reveal that, as of 2025, the Birkin 25 remains the highly sought-after option. Truly versatile and adaptable, with excellent compatibility that suits the silhouette and your overall personality, black has maintained its prestige and global recognition, especially in neutrals, including black, gold-brown, and Taupe, which remain a prevalent choice.
While black still suits the most discerning fashion choices, the market showcases an unbeatable demand for pastels and most extraordinarily released colorways. Meanwhile, larger sizes (Birkin 30 & 35) are experiencing a resurgence, featuring exotic materials and dominating the ultra-premium segment.
Rare, exclusive, and the most scintillating Fray Fray Birkins and Shadow Birkins can still fetch up to three times their retail value on the resale market. Can sell for up to three times their original retail price. According to the latest studies and research as of 2025, the Birkin 25 and 30 continue to dominate the resale market. The larger Birkin 35 experienced a noticeable decline in demand compared to the previous year's performance.
The Iconic Hermès Kelly Bag
The Kelly offers a profoundly and luxuriously accessorized overall silhouette, becoming the most sought-after style statement. Black continues to unravel the trendiest aesthetics and unveil the marvel of a lifetime. Black’s popularity is followed by green and pink.
Known for its sophisticated and elegant design, this piece features unrivaled craftsmanship, highlighted by the signature top handle and distinctive structural shape. The bag perfectly epitomizes a unique style statement, becoming exceptionally vibrant in various sizes and featuring the Mini Kelly, which is currently a trend among fashion influencers.
The Trendsetting Chanel Flap Bag
With Chanel’s retail prices continuing to rise in 2025, many buyers are turning to the pre-owned market. The Large Classic Flap remains one of the most coveted styles, often selling for over $13,000 in excellent condition—significantly above its current retail price of around $11,500.
The single flap bag has been a clear winner in resale, outselling other styles by at least two to one. Similar to Hermès, black is the most popular color, accounting for over 40% of Chanel resale purchases, followed by beige and blue.
FAQs
1. Which brand is a better long-term investment: Hermès or Chanel?
Both Hermès and Chanel command remarkable resale returns. Especially the Birkin and Kelly—consistently outperforming due to their elegance, mastery of design sophistication, and esteemed craftsmanship. With limited exclusivity and rarity, Chanel remains a dependable source of investment, as the Classic Flaps often appreciate over time. Hermès typically leads in long-term value retention.
2. Why are Hermès bags so difficult to purchase directly from boutiques?
Hermès maintains a strategic marketing approach to rarity and exclusivity, limiting its production to preserve its exclusivity. It is pretty challenging to purchase directly from boutiques, as each piece is handcrafted with great care and sophistication; thus, boutique allocations become extremely scarce. Securing a Birkin or Kelly often requires a strong purchase history or a deep-rooted association with the sales representative.
3. Which styles hold the highest resale value in 2025?
For Hermès, the Birkin 25 and Kelly (especially the Mini Kelly) continue to dominate the resale market, with rare editions like the Fray Fray and Shadow Birkin fetching up to three times their retail value. In the Chanel sphere, the Large Classic Flap and single-flap versions remain top performers, often selling above boutique retail prices.
Find Your Next Investment Piece
The luxury resale market caters to a diverse range of consumers, from bargain hunters to collectors seeking rare, limited-edition, and exclusive styles. For most, it's the only way to acquire hard-to-find bags, such as the Birkin, or to purchase a classic Chanel flap at a more accessible price point.
Whether you're attracted to the timeless versatility of Hermès or the trailblazing quilting of Chanel, investing in a luxury handbag could be a game-changing decision. At LXY Philly, we specialize in curating a standout collection of unworn and pre-owned luxury handbags, watches, and jewelry. Our passion for craftsmanship ensures that you receive an authentic, enduring piece of value.
In for the perfect handbag? Let our experts be your guiding light.
Inquire now to explore our current collection or schedule a call with one of our experts to discuss your next investment opportunity.
