You know, luxury bags can be quite mysterious sometimes. Their popularity seems to be a matter of fate!
Some bags become instant hits as soon as they’re released. They’re discovered quickly due to various factors like attractive design, practicality, or good pricing.
However, other bags might remain in obscurity for years after their launch, making barely a ripple in the fashion world.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, they experience a sudden resurgence. These bags transform overnight into the hottest items, becoming the leading ladies of the bag world!
In this article, we’ll explore which bags have followed this “rags-to-riches” storyline. Despite a challenging start, they’ve successfully turned the tables, experiencing a rebirth of sorts!
Those who had the foresight to purchase these bags early on must be thrilled now.
If you’ve owned any of these bags, don’t forget to share your experience in the comments section. We’d love to hear about your journey with these successful comeback stories!
Hermès
Let’s start with Hermès! Surprisingly, quite a few Hermès bags have made successful comebacks.
The “Big Three” (Birkin, Kelly, and Constance) have such a strong aura, consistently ranking at the top of the bag world, that they’ve often overshadowed other Hermès designs.
This has made it challenging for other Hermès bags to “climb the ranks” after their release.
One prime example is the Picotin, affectionately known as the “basket bag”.
There was a time when the Picotin was readily available for walk-in purchases at Hermès stores.
For many, it was often considered a fallback option when other Hermès bags were out of reach.
At that time, there were many luxury brand bags in the $1500+ price range. With the same budget, one could even buy popular or classic styles from other luxury brands!
So, the Picotin’s competitiveness wasn’t particularly outstanding, either within the brand or in the wider bag market.
But look at the Picotin now – its popularity is incomparable to before!
Although its price has increased to over $3000, in an environment where all luxury brands are raising prices, it has paradoxically become excellent value for money. It’s now a highly sought-after item!
These days, getting your hands on one requires quite some effort! Especially for popular colors, you usually need to build a purchase history to secure one.
Another example is the Lindy, which has also experienced a “rebirth and comeback”!
For a long time after its release, it remained in a lukewarm state. People were buying it, but often as a last resort when they couldn’t get other bags…
Then in 2019, the Mini Lindy arrived, suddenly turning the tide for this bag style!
The round, plump little bag looked youthful and cute without losing its classic appeal.
It instantly shattered the mature image that the Lindy had in people’s minds!
In a flash, the Mini Lindy became the most coveted Hermès bag for many wealthy young women, transforming into the “number one” in the hearts of socialites, right after the BCK (Birkin, Constance, Kelly) trio.
As the Mini Lindy grew in popularity, people suddenly seemed to appreciate the merits of the original Lindy. Consequently, the larger Lindy 26 and 30 also became incredibly popular.
These bags are now seen as casual, versatile, and practical, no longer a second-choice option!
Whether in-store or through online platforms, it seems that nowadays, securing a Lindy requires careful planning and strategy.
An even more dramatic example is the Shoulder Birkin, which truly achieved a “resurrection” in its comeback!
This discontinued bag suddenly became popular again due to fashionistas’ love for vintage styles, turning into a hot collector’s item!
As a result, the price of the Shoulder Birkin in the second-hand market skyrocketed.
In vintage stores, a bag in decent condition easily fetches $10,000!
More shockingly, Christie’s even auctioned a regular leather version for over 30,000 euros this year, an unbelievable price!
Hermès, of course, wouldn’t miss out on such a popular bag.
Sure enough, the Shoulder Birkin made its comeback in the 2024 Fall/Winter show!
Crucially, this time they introduced a mini size, which immediately became the center of attention when it appeared!
The miniaturized Mini Shoulder Birkin retained its elegance while adding a touch of delicacy and youthfulness.
Although the handle is shorter, no longer allowing shoulder carry, it still exudes elegance and presence when worn!
It’s likely that once it goes on sale, there will be another fierce competition among wealthy buyers!
Miu Miu
Miu Miu is another excellent example of a successful comeback!
For a long time, when people thought of Miu Miu, their first association was either cute princess style or Prada’s “diffusion line”.
Although the brand remained active in the fashion world, regularly releasing new collections each season, it seemed to be running alongside others without making significant waves.
But! Especially in the last two years, Miu Miu as a whole brand suddenly achieved a major turnaround, becoming incredibly strong!
Various items, from small hair clips to bags and shoes, have caught the eye of fashion enthusiasts, with everyone scrambling to wear them!
This trend isn’t limited to domestic markets; many popular styles frequently sell out overseas as well.
Simultaneously, Miu Miu popularized a set of “Miu-style” fashion rules!
Various trendy, rebellious yet girlish looks have become the template for people to emulate.
This has significantly contributed to the formation of the current intellectual fashion trend.
As the brand’s overall popularity soared, the demand for their bags also increased dramatically!
The somewhat gender-neutral bag designs are all cool, exuding a young and carefree attitude!
Some feature details like patchwork, distressed effects, or canvas-leather combinations, making them creative yet sophisticated – truly more tempting the longer you look at them.
The briefcase deserves special mention here!
With its square shape, vintage feel, and a touch of cuteness, it’s unprecedented for a briefcase to become so popular.
Carrying it with a slightly dressed-up look can create a strong, fashionable intellectual vibe, instantly marking the wearer as someone with good taste who understands fashion!
It’s worth noting that the briefcase recently received its official name – Beau!
Considering that Miu Miu typically doesn’t name 8.5 out of 10 bags they release…
This move clearly demonstrates how popular the briefcase has become, catching the brand’s attention.
Chanel
The comeback story of the Chanel 31 is quite interesting!
This bag was actually revived in 2018 and gained some popularity at the time.
However! For a Chanel bag with its own name, its performance was rather disappointing. It wasn’t just unpopular; one could say it was even a bit “embarrassing”.
Ironically, it was only after it was discontinued that people gradually began to appreciate its beauty.
Many even started seeking out this bag in vintage stores!
This turn of events made the return of the 31 in the 23A show a much-anticipated event!
Moreover, Chanel went all out this time, introducing a mini version of the 31!
The condensed small body, paired with the signature leather-woven chain, perfectly continues the bag’s iconic silhouette while appearing more delicate and luxurious when worn!
Many people were instantly won over after seeing the runway images, rushing to contact sales associates for pre-orders.
Seeing the 31’s growing popularity, clever Chanel naturally couldn’t miss this opportunity!
In the following period, they released a series of other sizes, all of which were well-received.
The Nano 31, in particular, saw a surge in popularity since its release in 24C!
Its petite horizontal design retains the 31’s elegant, vintage charm while adding a touch of trendiness.
Crucially, with a price point under $3500, it offers good value for a Chanel bag, which explains why it’s consistently hard to purchase in boutiques!
The combination of high demand, scarcity, and the Chanel aura has elevated the 31’s status to unprecedented heights!
Looking at the bag rankings of the past two months, the 31 has surpassed the 22, rising to the top three and becoming a major representative of Chanel’s popular bags in the current phase!
Loro Piana
Next up is the still-popular Loro Piana Extra Pocket!
With its simple pocket design and no obvious logo, it exudes elegance without being ostentatious.
Combined with the brand’s old money filter, it has become a staple for the new generation of wealthy young women.
However, many people might not know that the Extra Pocket was actually launched back in 2020!
Initially, it didn’t create much buzz, attracting mainly those who were already Loro Piana enthusiasts.
But in the past two years, with the rise of old money and quiet luxury trends, more people have focused on the understated luxury of Loro Piana.
The Extra Pocket also rose to fame almost simultaneously, emerging like a dark horse!
Since April 2023, it has consistently appeared in nearly every bag ranking.
DIOR
The Lady D-Joy also perfectly fits today’s theme!
At this point, many might be confused: Wasn’t this bag popular right from its debut?
Well, it actually had a less successful predecessor – the Runway, which first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2016 show.
Especially the black cannage version, which at first glance looks just like the D-Joy.
Perhaps the only difference was that the Runway came with a shorter, wider shoulder strap, only allowing underarm carry.
Besides this, many other Runway designs appeared in that show.
This demonstrates how much DIOR valued it at the time, though unfortunately, it didn’t take off then…
Who would have thought that in 2022, the Lady D-Joy would appear with an almost identical look and become an instant hit!
One of the few differences is that the original thick strap was replaced with a chain short strap and a leather long strap.
This not only increased its versatility but also perfectly aligned with the trendy underarm bag and East-West shape of the time.
Crucially, the Lady D-Joy has enjoyed excellent fashion resources!
Over the past two years, numerous celebrities have been spotted with it at events, significantly boosting its influence.
Now, this bag has become a very important member of the DIOR bag family, continuing to capture the hearts of fashionable affluent women.
Loewe
The last bag to mention is the Loewe Flamenco!
Many might be surprised to learn that this bag was born in the 1970s.
When Jonathan Anderson joined Loewe, he redesigned and relaunched this bag, changing the side tassels into large knots, later refining them into the small knots we see today.
Although the Flamenco has a long history and had brief moments of popularity, Loewe never stopped innovating in bag design.
Especially after 2015, from the Puzzle to the Hammock, then the Gate, Elephant bag, and straw bags, all enjoyed high popularity!
So the Flamenco never quite reached the top ranks within the brand, maintaining a steady but modest popularity, remaining a relatively “niche” choice.
However, in the past year or two, the Flamenco finally got its chance to shine!
Thanks to “sales queen” Yang Mi showcasing various colors and sizes, people got a more direct view of this bag’s versatility.
The mini version, in particular, with its excellent leather quality and adorable look, offers great value for money at just over 17,000 yuan, even earning the nickname “little lucky bag”!
The Flamenco suddenly broke through, with its popularity visibly soaring.
It feels like after years of waiting, it has finally achieved its rightful success!
Alright! That’s all for our introduction to these successfully revived bags today.
Among the bags mentioned today, which ones have you owned before?
Are there any bags you think have the potential for a successful comeback, or that you hope will make a glorious return? Tell me all about it in the comments section below!
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