Welcome to our list of The Ultimate Hermès Collecting Guide!
Hermès bags are some of the best designer bags ever! Famous for the incredible craftsmanship and timeless designs Hermès bags can be hard to buy, there is a process you have to go trough and it can get a little confusing. Basically the brand offers several classic bags that are available for purchase to the general public, but there are a few, referred to as quota bags, that can only be bought by clients with a purchase history and with a relationship with a sales associate. These bags are of course the Birkin and the Kelly, there is a quota of how many can be purchased by a single client a year, and they are also offered in amazing limited-edition versions that are even harder to get your hands on.
To play the Hermès game and have the chance of being offered quota a bag, you need to have a purchase history with a sales associate, whether it be for shoes, bags or home decor, it doesn’t matter, as long as you spend money at the store. Remember that this isn’t an exact science, it usually works this way, but I have heard from people that got a Birkin bag from simply walking in a store and asking for it. But the good news is that there are many beautiful and iconic bags of the brand that you can buy without a sales record. Here I’ll show you 10 of the most classic Hermès bags, some of them are quota bags but most of them are not.
So, without further ado here is The Ultimate Hermès Collecting Guide:
10. Hermès Picotin
Hermès references its origins with the Picotin, whose name is the French word for the measure of feed given to a horse. This Hermès handbag is a popular style thanks to its minimalist, functional design, inspired by horse feed bags. The wide, round shape of the bucket bag allows you to fit all your necessities with ease, and the lock closure provides a sophisticated accent. This Hermès bag comes in soft, grained leather that gives the bag a timeless look or in canvas with leather accents, providing a sportier feel. The Picotin leather comes in a variety of colors with either palladium or gold hardware.
The Picotin is perfect for someone who needs a casual, simple bag for an on-the-go lifestyle. Prices start at around $2,575.
9. Hermès Evelyne
Like many other Hermès handbags, the Evelyne is inspired by Hermès’ equestrian roots. The bag has perforations that form a “H” on one side, which hint at the bag’s original function: to transport horse grooming equipment. These perforations allow air to circulate the bag, drying wet combs, brushes, and picks. The ventilated side of the Evelyne was meant to be worn against the equestrian’s body; however, now that the bag is considered a luxury good, the perforations are worn facing outwards. This Hermès bag is highly functional and sporty. You can choose from four sizes- petite, medium, large and extra-large, and two leather options- Maurice and Clemence.
Starting at $1,850 this is an amazing option for your first Hermès bag!
8. Hermès Bolide
The Bolide’s sleek design was intended for top drivers and world travelers. The Bolide’s trapezoidal shape fits easily into sports cars or luggage. The zip closure was discovered by Hermès CEO Emile-Maurice Hermès during travels to America. Upon touring Henry Ford’s factory, Hermès was struck by the zipper device he saw on the cloth top of a car. Suitably inspired, Hermès returned to France with a zipper patent and dubbed the bag born out of this discovery le sac pour l’auto, which is now the Bolide and a more minimalistic version called the 1923. This purse’s design meets at the intersection of classic beauty and function. The removable shoulder strap and rounded shape emphasize the Hermès bag’s practicality.
The Bolide comes in two styles: the Mou and the Rigide. The Mou is made using soft leather, allowing it to slouch with use while the Rigide is studier and maintains its form over time. This is a classic bag that was designed almost 100 years ago, so it is bound to be a lifelong companion.
The Hermès Mini Bolide is priced just above $5,500.
7. Hermès Herbag
The Herbag is one of Hermès’ most accessible bags thanks to its canvas construction. The top flap is made from thick, durable leather and features the clou de selle closure while the bag’s body is made entirely of canvas. The top can be detached from the body, allowing for the wearer to mix and match Herbags. This Hermès purse, which also came in a backpack version, has been compared to the Kelly because of its elegant, classic style, however, the Herbag is a mere fraction of the Kelly’s price.
The Herbag was discontinued in the mid-2000s and was reintroduced in 2009 as the Herbag Zip. The Zip has a few added elements intended to update the Herbag. The newer version features an external pocket, a zip pocket, and an interior removable pouch. Both the Herbag and the Herbag Zip have a top handle and a strap.
The price of a Hermès Herbag starts at $2,800, which is very affordable for Hermès standards.
6. Hermès Garden Party
The Garden Party is an expertly crafted tote bag. This Hermès purse comes in leather or canvas with leather accents for a beachy, casual feel. The bag can be secured with a snap closure located at the top of the tote. Clou de selle snap closures on either side of the bag can be used to change the shape of the tote and provide extra space. The Garden Party comes in a variety of colors and four sizes: 30, 36, 39, and 49 Voyage. This is one of the most practical Hermès handbags, given how easy it is to use and the amount of interior room it provides. The Garden Party’s lower price point and durability makes it one of the more accessible Hermès bags, ideal for those looking to make their first Hermès purchase.
The price of the Garden Party tote starts from $3,600.
5. Hermès Lindy
Named after the Lindy Hop, a famous American dancer from the 1920s, this bag was designed for comfort and movement. The perpendicular handles allow it to sit naturally on the wearer while the optional shoulder strap makes it more versatile. The handle positioning causes the center of the bag to droop. This purse has two exterior pockets positioned on either end and two zip closures sit on top. The Lindy is secured by a clou de selle touret lock closure. The Lindy’s folded, relaxed style is suitable for someone who is on-the-go, whose fast-paced life requires a bag that can keep up.
Prices of the Lindy start at around $8,150.
4. Hermès Constance
Part of the Hermès trinity, the Constance is the most famous Hermès bag apart from the Birkin and the Kelly. Said to have left the factory on the same day that Hermès designer Catherine Chaillet’s fifth child was born, the Constance bag entered the market in 1959, and was named after the designer’s newborn daughter. Although designed more than 50 years ago, the Constance’s elegant shape and functional design make it a favorite among collectors. Jackie Kennedy’s go-to, this youthful yet sophisticated Hermès bag can be worn casually during the day or for an evening out. Like the Birkin and Kelly, the Constance comes in many material and hardware combinations.
Prices of the Constance start at $7,950, but the limited-edition ones can easily cost more than a Birkin.
3. Hermès Kelly
The oldest and most classic Hermès handbag is the Kelly bag. Frequently described as the Birkin’s older sister, and originally named Sac-à-Dépêches, this Hermès Kelly purse was a favorite of actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly, who used it to hide her pregnancy from paparazzi. The Princess of Monaco is credited with popularizing this particular Hermès bag, so much so that it was officially renamed for her in 1977. It comes in multiple sizes, leathers and hardware variations, there is a Kelly bag for every style!
Prices of the Kelly bag start at $9,800.
2. Hermès Birkin
The Birkin bag is perhaps the most famous bag in the world, and for sure one of the most classic. The Birkin was designed in 1983 when Hermès creative director Jean-Louis Dumas set next to the actress Jane Birkin on a flight. She was wearing a straw tote and explained that most leather bags were too structured for her taste. So Dumas designed the bag on that flight on the back of a napkin. Today the Birkin is an icon and is the kind of bag that will last you your whole life.
The price of a Birkin when buying directly from an Hermès store varies depending on size, leather, hardware and color, starting at $10,075.
1. Hermès Himalaya Birkin
One of the most expensive bags in the world, the Himalaya Birkin is an icon! The Himalaya Birkin is crafted from Nile crocodile hide. The designation ‘Himalaya’ does not apply to the origin of the bag, but rather to the delicate gradation of the color. The smoky grey fades into a pearly white, resembling the majestic, snow-capped Himalayas. The process of dyeing a crocodile hide is time-consuming and exponentially more difficult as the shades lighten. To create the immaculate white of the snow and the gradation to rocky grey requires great skill and a fine eye. Marrying precious materials and craftsmanship with the Hermès equestrian heritage, the Himalaya Birkin is the ultimate expression of the artistry and tradition of Hermès.
The introduction of the original series of Himalaya Birkins started a collecting phenomenon. Handbag collectors around the world recognized the rarity and exquisite craftsmanship behind the Himalaya. Which led to this bag being one of the most sought-after bags in the vintage market. The Himalaya is, for many Hermès lovers, the crown jewel of handbags: for not only does this bag feature unrivaled design, but it’s also a symbol of status – as the brand only offers Himalaya handbags to its VIP clients.
Himalaya Birkin bags are sold in auctions for more than $100,000, but if you buy from an Hermès store, the price starts at $63,725.
