Hermès vs Louis Vuitton: Which Luxury Brand Is More Expensive?
We are getting straight to the point. Hermes is a more expensive luxury brand than Louis Vuitton.
Both brands are dominant in the luxury world in their own right. But, how so?
Here’s your complete breakdown of Hermès vs Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton vs Hermes: brand and heritage
Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854, starting as a luxury travel trunk maker. To keep pace with the changing times, the brand slowly transitioned from making portable luggage to eventually handbags and smaller leather goods for on-the-go people.
In comparison, Hermes started in 1837 as an equestrian saddlery and leather goods workshop for mainly European nobility. They evolved from saddlery to producing iconic leather goods and silk scarves with an equestrian influence.
Hermes has positioned itself in the higher exclusivity tier for their limited production, while Louis Vuitton is seen as an entry-level brand.
Which is more expensive: Hermès or Louis Vuitton?
Short Answer: Hermès is significantly more expensive.
No doubt about it. Hermes is more expensive than Louis Vuitton
Hermès pricing
Hermes' most famous bags are the Birkin and Kelly bags. Each price is around $8,500 – $12,000.
The prices can even increase in the resale market because of how scarce these bags are and the high demand.
Louis Vuitton pricing
On the other hand, Louis Vuitton’s famous bags like their Neverfull and Speedy are priced between $1,200 – $3,000 for retails. And it’s much more affordable when it’s a preloved Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton does produce high-end items, but its entry price point is significantly lower than Hermès.
See more: Louis Vuitton Bags Price Comparison (Full Guide)
Why is Hermès so expensive?
Several factors drive Hermès’ premium pricing:
- Limited supply & purchase history: Hermes control its distribution very tightly to the point where their bags are not available without any spending history.
- Investment value: Hermes handbags are one of the best luxury bags that hold their value. They are seen as physical stocks.
- Luxury Leather: Their most famous leathers are Togo and Clemence leather.
- Handcrafted handbags: a single craftsman makes their famous handbags, which takes 15-20 hours.
Louis Vuitton pricing strategy
Louis Vuitton has positioned themselves to be an entry and everyday luxury.
As such, they can produce their items at a large scale, resulting in:
- Global availability
- Recognizable luxury monogram
- Frequent LV collaborations with artists
In general, Louis Vuitton offers accessibility in luxury, while Hermès offers exclusivity.
Shop for Preloved Louis Vuitton
Quality comparison
Hermes is seen as the gold standard for leather craftsmanship. The stitching and construction methods are unmatched in the luxury industry.
At the same time, Louis Vuitton offers excellent quality in their coated canvas and structured leather goods. They are most famous for their vachetta leather, which will patina over time.
With proper care, both Hermes and Louis Vuitton handbags will last for decades. Particularly, Louis Vuitton’s coated canvas, compared to leather, is highly scratch- and water-resistant, which is great for everyday use.
Resale value: Hermes vs Louis Vuitton
Hermes has a strong appreciation value, especially for their Birkin and Kelly bags. Their prices increased for rare colors and exotic skins for resale. Most of the time, they will sell more than the retail price, especially if they are in mint condition.
Louis Vuitton also has a strong resale value, particularly for its classic Monogram pieces and collectible collaborations such as the Takashi Murakami collection. In the Japanese luxury resale market, Louis Vuitton bags are popular and perform quite well.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hermès more expensive than Louis Vuitton?
Yes. The Hermes brand is more expensive than Louis Vuitton.
Is Hermès worth the investment?
For many handbag collectors, Hermes is worth the investment because of their strong resale value.
In closing
Depending on your preference and the lifestyle you have, both Louis Vuitton and Hermes offer amazing handbags.
For just investment purposes, Hermes is the way to go. But their price tag and exclusivity make it extremely difficult to get one.
On the other hand, Louis Vuitton is a more accessible luxury brand for anyone to be a part of.
At WeeklyLuxDrop, we curate preloved pieces with authentication and competitive resale pricing. If you are looking for a particular luxury piece, you can request it with us!