We're all told to make smart financial investments, but we never thought that buying a handbag would be one of them. 

Brands like Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Mulberry often increase in value as the years go on, but one style of bag in particular stands out above the rest.

The Hermes Birkin bag, named after the iconic Jane Birkin, has increased in value over 500 per cent in the last 35 years, beating out gold as a better investment. 

 

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"An investor who purchased a Hermes Birkin handbag would enjoy a profitable return regardless of when they decided to cash in as the value has only risen since 1980," according to data collected by Bag Hunter.

"While economic factors affect the value of the S&P 500 and gold, the exclusivity of Hermes Birkin bags has seen them maintain and increase their value, even during times of recession."

"This makes Hermes Birkin handbags by far the least risky investment of the three."

 

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Since 1981, the value of a Birkin has increased by 14.2 per cent each year, on average. 

Waiting lists for the bags can be up to six years long, and the exclusivity of the bags propels their value, as the demand for them is much higher than the supply. 

The average Birkin can cost anything from €7,000 to €15,000, with prices climbing as you consider all the various different options for leather types, sizes and hardware. 

 

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2015 saw a record-breaking year for the bag, when a record sale for a single handbag sold at auction was broken by a hot pink crocodile-skin Hermes Birkin, which sold for an exorbitant €210,268.

While a Birkin may be slightly out of our price range, a girl can dare to dream, right? 

Feature image: Instagram / The Birkin Fairy / The_Caroo