Luxury YouTubers Are Selling Their Bags. Here’s Why
If you’re someone who watches luxury YouTube you may have noticed that recently some of the most beloved luxury handbag YouTubers—the original icons who built entire channels around unboxings, reviews, and curated collections—are saying goodbye to their bags. From Chanel classics to rare Hermès treasures, these influencers are parting ways with pieces they once declared holy grails. But why now? What’s behind this sudden shift away from the very items that helped grow their platforms? In this post, I’m diving into the top three reasons why so many luxury fashion influencers are selling off their designer bags—and what it says about the evolving world of luxury YouTube.
1. Unboxings are no longer as popular
Anyone else remembers the time when luxury unboxing videos could rack up hundreds of thousands of views in a matter of days? Well, those days are long gone. I guess, it’s no longer as thrilling as it once was to watch someone peel back the ribbon of a Hermès box or reveal the newest Chanel seasonal color! Quite frankly, in current economy, when living costs are through the roof, not as many people really want to see others unbox frivolous items—hence the drop in views.
In 2025 specifically, viewers are more interested in lifestyle content, personal finance, travel vlogs, and authenticity over aspiration. And those influencers that have noticed this shift are already changing their content accordingly—which often means decluttering and letting go of items (in our case, bags) that no longer serve their business.
Read also: Top 3 Luxury Fashion Myths, Debunked
2. Safety concerns
Luxury handbags have always carried an air of exclusivity, but in today’s world, that kind of visibility can come with real risks. I think many of us remember when Tamara Kalinic—a popular luxury influencer, had her apartment in Paris robbed of over 300,000 euros worth of luxury. And truly, with the rise of social media, influencers have become more vulnerable to theft, home invasions, and even targeted attacks.
Hence, why many of them are choosing to get rid of their entire collections altogether. Lydia Elise Milen, for example, in a recent YouTube video stated that’s she’s selling her bags in order to protect her and her families safety. Basically, carrying a $10,000 handbag in London used to be a flex. Now, it’s more likely to make someone feel uneasy, not empowered.
3. Luxury handbags are no longer a symbol of a particular social status
And now to perhaps the most significant shift of all: luxury handbags no longer hold the same weight as a marker of success or status. In an age where credit options, rental services, and influencer discount codes have made designer items more accessible than ever, carrying a Chanel Flap Bag or the Hermès Birkin doesn’t automatically signal wealth or exclusivity.
In fact, if there’s anything that a luxury bag signals in current economy, it is that you are either in tons of debt or are simply trying too hard to impress someone. Not to even mention that when everyone from high schoolers to casual shoppers can walk around with the “It” bag of the season, the exclusivity aspect of luxury fades, and with it, so does the emotional payoff that used to come with owning one. Hence, why a lot of influencers are choosing to let go of their collections.
So, is luxury Youtube over?
While it might feel like we’re witnessing the end of an era, I personally think this whole shift toward decluttering is just a phase. Let’s be real—influencers tend to follow the trends, and right now, downsizing and “selling it all” is what’s resonating with audiences. But if the tide turns and viewers start craving luxury unboxings again (and let’s face it, they always make a comeback!), you can bet those fancy orange boxes will reappear on camera ASAP.
I hope this was a fun, little read!
xoxo’s, Masha S.
Disclaimer: The points shared in this article are based on my personal observations and opinions. Everyone’s relationship with luxury is different, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.
