Last week, an informal study revealed that purchasing an Hermès Birkin is a wiser investment choice than buying gold or taking a gamble in the stock market. Harper’s Bazaar reports that the “stock market had a return of a nominal average of 11.66 percent, with a real return average of 8.65 percent; gold had an average annual return of 1.9 percent, with a real return average of -1.5 percent.
“Birkin bags, on the other hand, increased in value by 14.2 percent over the same time period. Gold and stocks can be volatile, increasing and decreasing in value all the time, but the Birkin bag only became more and more valuable over the time period,” the study concludes.
Your return on investment aside, even if you could afford a 25 cm Birkin, which is the most basic, classic style with a current retail price for $9,400, it could prove to be difficult to get your hands on one because of its legendary waiting list.
So what are your other alternatives? According to Bloomberg, you could consider Louis Vuitton’s $5,600 Capucines or Céline’s $6,200 lizard box bag.
Still have your doubts about taking that retail plunge? Let our favorite and most stylish celebrities and social media personalities ease you into the right mindset. They may not be carrying Birkins or Capucines (with the exception of Kim Chiu!), but their arm candy of choice will sure serve as gateway drugs to rarer, more expensive treats.
Bea Soriano-Dee
A photo posted by Bea Soriano Dee (@itsbeasoriano) on Dec 30, 2015 at 4:32pm PST
We can always count on young mom Bea Soriano to master the perfect model-off-duty look as she steps out in a burgundy coat, ripped jeans, white kicks, and a black Mansur Gavriel backpack. Available in a range of colors, the backpack, which has become one of the coveted bags in fashion lately (they’re sold out, on every color), makes for a light and roomy travel companion. If you can still somehow get your hands on one, consider yourself #blessed.
Laureen Uy
We’ve all heard it: white and denim go together like PB and J. However, rules are meant to be refreshed once in awhile. Laureen Uy redefined the casual look by pairing her denim with an open-back top, towering Miu Miu platforms in vintage wallpaper prints, and a Dolce & Gabbana Dauphine Sicily Shoulder Bag in Blue Majolica (also sold out!). Pro tip: The culprit is usually over-accessorizing, so pick just one stand-out piece at a time for an aesthetically balanced ensemble.
Kim Chiu
Kim Chiu, who is known for her penchant for premier designer handbags, from Prada to Givenchy and Hermès, has been seen toting around her Birkin to dance classes at the G-Force Dance Center. Known for its superior craftsmanship, this iconic bag has the right amount of elegance and sportiness, which makes it flexible enough to be a quintessential carry from gym trips to long-hail flights—a holy grail for all #GirlBosses!
Mikaela Martinez-Lagdameo
Any preggy woman who looks this cool gets our seal of approval. Mika did it her way with an effortless black and gold look paired with a Gucci Marmont shoulder bag (still available online!). A true fashion girl knows that standing out from the crowd doesn’t necessitate an over-the-top outfit—the right equation could lie in the careful selection and curation of accessories. And sometimes, it even involves gold croc miniatures creeping up on your feet—just check her Guiseppe Zanotti sandals!
Lovi Poe
On a “lazy” day about town, Lovi went for a clean and pristine slate in a white Bardot top with frilly sleeves and jeans, while sticking to a basic, neutral color palette with her accessories. Her modern Céline Trapeze tote (you can take a risk buying one on E-Bay), an industry favorite, fits into her look seamlessly. Wisely chosen totes are like magic potions for an instant outfit upgrade—even a slouchy, ripped tee and an ankle-grazing denim skirt will look noteworthy when a Céline bag is involved—and that, friends, is what we call “magic.”
Cheska Kramer
Going around Hong Kong in a layered ensemble, Cheska Kramer was spotted in a gray jumpsuit, oversized printed scarf, and white sneakers, punctuated by a mint green Givenchy Antigona (a black version is still available on Net-a-Porter). The top handle comes with a long, crossbody strap and edgy hardware, while its geometric shape and sturdy structure can carry all your essentials in place.
Sarah Lahbati
Still a mainstay in the handbag department for 2016, bucket bags are charming, practical, and undeniably chic. It is likely that you’ll see some iteration of this bag in any retail store. If structured and ladylike versions (à la Mansur Gavriel) are not your cup of tea, opt for a slouchy leather one with metal embellishments like Sarah’s Saint Laurent Rider Washed Leather Bucket Bag (sadly sold-out), which she paired with one of the trendiest accessories out of 2014—the adorable Fendi Fur Monster keychains! With high-impact vertical zip pockets and buckles, mastering the rocker look doesn’t seem to be that difficult after all.