Decoding luxury trends: quiet luxury in leather goods

• Key brands within the luxury fashion industry are prioritizing a selection of neutral, muted colors, as economic circumstances drive consumer behavior toward minimalism and timelessness.
• Luxury’s heritage brands are taking advantage of their trendy “it-bags” to hike up prices by more than 30%, and re-release models in numerous colorways
• Leading luxury brands are switching up pricing, for bags with and without the brand logo

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As the world continues to navigate through uncertain times, consumers are gravitating towards a new concept of luxury. One that is less flashy and more understated - quiet luxury. With luxury digital retailers' significant growth in the market and an increasing number of consumers valuing casualization and sustainability, luxury brands are adapting to the mindset shift by creating products that focus on craftsmanship, and timeless design.

In this article, we will explore the growing popularity of quiet luxury, its impact on the luxury leather goods market, and how your brand can consistently stay on top of trends with the most relevant collections, thanks to AI.

Retviews’ data has shown that numerous luxury collections are placing a strong focus on wearable and practical pieces, mirroring the economic recession and in turn the rise of more minimalistic, long-lasting styles. Alongside the phenomenon of “quiet luxury”, there is also a larger propensity for neutrals, basics, and timeless pieces.

Looking at the color panels among leading luxury brands, Retviews data shows that across a large majority of today’s hottest brands, neutral shades such as black, grey, beige, and white are closely associated with timelessness and universality. Jacquemus, however, prioritizes brighter shades, with pink and blue representing 12% and 17% of its assortment respectively. According to Business of Fashion, this return to muted tones may be linked to growing economic anxiety among aspirational shoppers, leading brands to adapt their collections accordingly.

Diving into luxury brands’ assortment strategies, Retviews’ data show that both Bottega Veneta and Prada maintain a strong focus on leather goods. Hermès also remains faithful to its heritage, with more than half of its online assortment dedicated to accessories. The brand further reinforces exclusivity by limiting the online availability of iconic models such as the Kelly, Birkin, and Constance bags. As highlighted by Business of Fashion, focusing on high-priced, high-margin bags remains a strategic advantage, as leather goods continue to represent one of luxury’s most important revenue drivers.

Retviews’ data show that high-end luxury players Hermes, Bottega Veneta and Prada’s leather goods are priced for the most part, in the > 1000€ price bracket, with a relatively low assortment share priced in the 500€ – 1000€ price range, reinforcing the brands’ focus on exclusivity and prestige. Prada has the largest share of items priced in the 1000€ – 1500€ bracket, notably its Prada Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon bag. The bag’s more accessible positioning helped it become a coveted trend piece. As Business of Fashion previously highlighted, heritage brands often maintain a wider price spread, allowing them to appeal to a larger audience.

As previously mentioned, Prada’s Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon bag became a highly coveted piece among fashion lovers. Retviews’ data indicate that its price increased from 1100€ to 1450€ between 2021 and 2023, representing a significant 32% price increase. Prada also broadens its appeal by offering the bag in a wide array of colors.

Similarly, Bottega Veneta’s Teen Jodie became one of the industry’s leading trend pieces. The iconic bag experienced a nearly 32% price increase between December 2021 and today. Its availability in numerous colorways further reinforced its status as an it-bag.

Looking at shoulder bags, Retviews’ data show that Bottega Veneta sits on the higher end of the market, with an average price more than 800€ higher than Gucci’s. Loewe, balancing classic and trend-driven pieces, maintains a lower positioning with an average price below 1800€. A key differentiator is the brand logo: Bottega Veneta omits visible logos, while Prada and Gucci prominently feature them, and Loewe combines both approaches.

Taking a closer look at Loewe, Retviews’ data show that leather goods featuring the brand’s logo or anagram are generally cheaper than logo-free alternatives. As the quiet luxury trend continues to grow, logo-less bags may become an increasingly important focus for luxury brands targeting high-income consumers. Retviews gives brands a real-time view of competitors’ assortment and pricing strategies, helping them refine their market positioning.

The era of logomania and loud luxury has quickly come to a halt, and we’re looking at a side of luxury that prioritizes the “if you know, you know” mindset, where only fashion connoisseurs would recognize a brand. Is this a push towards further exclusivity in an already limited sector? How has your brand adapted to the push towards minimalism and quiet luxury, have you been able to successfully hop on the trend? Retviews has the data you need, on the categories to put forward in your collections, allowing you to stay ahead of the pack with real-time data available anytime, anywhere. Stay tuned into our upcoming article exploring quiet luxury in the apparel segment, how are key brands standing out?