Let's be honest: As much as we'd all love to fill our closets with designer labels, luxury fashion is, well, a luxury. Therefore, it's only natural to have a bit of trepidation when it comes time to decide how you want to treat yourself, especially if you've spent so much time stacking up your cash. After all, there's nothing worse than splurging on a piece only to regret purchasing it later! While there's always some risk involved in buying luxury goods—e.g., dreamy designer shoes can be impossible to walk in, and ready-to-wear collections can be impractical for real life—some fail-proof investments exist. One of those safer bets? Hermès bags. Unlike other designer goods, which depreciate over time, the value of Hermès bags has risen in recent years (making them a more regret-free buy than other purchases).
However, buying a piece from Hermès is an entirely different ball game—you can't exactly waltz into a local store looking to score a Birkin bag on the same day. Luckily, we got the inside scoop on how to buy an Hermès bag straight from Daniel Englander, a private client relations specialist at Fashionphile. Ahead, we're breaking down some of the most common questions that arise when shopping for an Hermès bag, followed by our expert's and editorial staff's tips, tricks, and trade secrets to make the process seamless. Plus, we've rounded up a curation of some of the best Hermès bags you can buy (brand-new or vintage) right now. But first, here is a little about our expert.
Our Expert
WHO: Daniel Englander, Private Client Relations Specialist, Fashionphile
For those who aren't familiar with your work, what do you do?
Daniel Englander: As the private client relations specialist for Fashionphile in the New York City market, I specialize in assisting clients with substantial luxury collections. My role involves helping these discerning individuals carefully edit their pieces and acquire new items to enhance their collections.
How did you build expertise around Hermès bags specifically?
DE: My expertise in this field stems from a combination of personal passion for luxury brands and extensive industry experience. Over time, I've cultivated a clientele who share my enthusiasm for ultra-luxury goods, which has further deepened my understanding of this exclusive market. I find great satisfaction in guiding clients through refining their collections, whether they want to curate their existing pieces or find exciting new additions.
FAQs
FAQ #1: What is Hermès known for?
WWW: Hermès has long been considered a purveyor of luxury goods, dating to its inception in Paris in 1837. The French fashion house established its global presence with its easily recognizable and well-crafted accessories, such as scarves, belts, or handbags. With the latter, Hermès's bags have become some of the most popular designer bags in the world due to relative scarcity and high price points. That rise in popularity can be partially attributed to Hermès bags' broader role in pop culture. Not only do many of the styles from the brand draw inspiration from famous icons—e.g., the Birkin bag gets its moniker from none other than Jane Birkin—but the styles themselves have become famous. After all, how could we forget how Hermès bags infiltrated infamous television series such as Sex and the City or Gilmore Girls? On top of that, they've long been the bag of choice among celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and plenty of others. Ultimately, the brand's visibility within wider culture has driven an insatiable demand for their Kelly and Birkin bags, which have sold for record-breaking prices over the years.
FAQ #2: What makes an Hermès bag unique?
DE: These bags exemplify the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship, with each piece meticulously handmade in an era where such attention to detail is increasingly rare. The colors range from classic to trendy, yet all feel like pieces that you can have for generations to come.
FAQ #3: Is an Hermès bag a good investment?
DE: Absolutely! Hermès bags are great financial and personal investments. With the proper care, these bags can be passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter—I have witnessed this many times. Financially, they hold their value and, in many cases, can be worth more than what you purchase them for initially.
FAQ #4: What makes Hermès bags different from other luxury goods?
DE: Unlike other designer handbags, Hermès accrues value over time. The minute you drive your new Birkin off the Hermès lot—or walk out the front doors of an Hermès or Fashionphile boutique with your new bag in hand—it increases in value by thousands, depending on the bag's specs. It's important to remember that some investments are better than others, as success depends on timing, the scarcity of the style, the condition, the age of the bag, and your purchase price.
FAQ #5: Where can you buy an Hermès bag?
DE: You can buy most Hermès bags straight from one of its boutiques, but navigating the process can be time-consuming and costly. However, there are other places you can purchase an Hermès bag, including Fashionphile. It's a one-of-a-kind experience when you're shopping with us because our team's expertise in Hermès is unmatched. Our highly educated and passionate staff are wholly immersed in the world of Hermès. We constantly stay updated on current collections and colors while maintaining extensive knowledge of past and future styles, textiles, hardware, and color options. This level of dedication ensures that our customers leave with not just a product but also a wealth of new information about their purchase.
FAQ #6: Can you just walk into a store and buy one of the brand's bags?
DE: No. Although you can buy a Birkin straight from the boutique, it will take a while. You can't just walk into an Hermès boutique and buy a Birkin immediately, because you have to build a relationship with a sales associate to be offered an opportunity to purchase an Hermès bag. Additionally, all the bags are handmade, so they must be ordered in advance, and you have to join the waiting list. You also can't buy the Birkin, Kelly, or most of Hermès's more iconic styles online directly from Hermès. But when you buy from vintage resellers (such as Fashionphile), there are no waiting lists, and everything is available online.
FAQ #7: How long is the waiting list typically for Hermès bags?
WWW: It's been widely reported that the typical waiting list for an Hermès bag ranges from one to three years, depending upon what style you're purchasing, the price point, and even the location. Although building a relationship with your local sales representative can help you get onto the waiting list, it won't necessarily speed up the actual production process, because all Hermès bags are handmade. The only way to speed up the process is to consider shopping secondhand, as many luxury resellers offer a wide selection of vintage Hermès bags online that can be shipped quickly for a discounted price.
FAQ #8: How much is an Hermès bag?
DE: Bag pricing depends on a myriad of factors, including whether you purchase the bag brand-new or secondhand. On Hermès's site, the readily available handbags start at around $5000. However, that doesn't include the Kelly or Birkin bags that must be purchased in-store. Typically, the standard Birkin 30 runs over $10,000, but they can go up to $100,000 (or more) depending on the type of leather or material. The problem isn't only that Hermès makes it very difficult to get your hands on a Birkin, but it also limits the number of Birkins you can buy per year. This hyper-limited supply and pent-up demand have created a robust resale market, which has led to one of the most expensive Hermès bags being resold for over $2 million. Our most valuable sales at Fashionphile have been Himalayan Birkin and Kelly bags, with the highest price reaching $225,000. It's worth noting that these rare pieces are subject to market fluctuations based on trends and availability.
FAQ #9: How much does a typical Hermès bag cost secondhand? What's their typical resale value?
DE: In general, bag pricing in the secondhand luxury market is influenced by multiple factors. At Fashionphile, size plays a crucial role, with smaller bags currently commanding higher resale values due to their scarcity and high demand. However, we've noticed a recent increase in interest for larger Birkins, aligning with the growing trend for bigger bags. Material is another significant factor. There's a marked difference in pricing between common leathers like Togo, Epsom, and Swift and exotic materials such as lizard, ostrich, and crocodile. Box leather is experiencing an upward trend, likely due to its association with "old money" aesthetics and heritage appeal. Overall, the price of an Hermès bag will always be higher than that of other brands, but there are cost benefits to buying a vintage bag over a brand-new one.
FAQ #10: Should you buy an Hermès bag brand-new or secondhand?
DE: Before you decide to buy an Hermès bag, it's essential to consider what's most important to you to factor in where you should buy it—e.g., you'll want to ask yourself what you're willing to spend, how long you're willing to wait, and what you're looking for style- and functionality-wise. Shopping secondhand can be a fantastic option for shoppers who do not have a long history of shopping with Hermès, as the brand only allows long-standing customers to join the waiting list to purchase its handbags.
FAQ #12: What are the pros and cons of buying an Hermès bag secondhand?
DE: Buying your bag from a luxury resale platform will enable you to circumvent the waiting list, choose exactly which style you want, and avoid additional costs that come with buying a Birkin bag directly from the retailer. Another significant benefit of shopping for an Hermès bag at Fashionphile is getting your pick of so many options—the sky is virtually the limit! You also have the option to find styles, colors, materials, and hardware that are no longer produced by Hermès, making them even more of a collectible in the long term.
When shopping for an Hermès bag on the resale market, always go with a company you can trust. These bags are true investments and should be treated as such, so be diligent in your research about what type of bag you're buying, where you're buying it from, and typical resale price points. You don't want to invest money into counterfeit Hermès, so it's imperative to shop at retailers that offer a receipt of authentication. At Fashionphile, we employ a rigorous authentication process and offer a 100% authenticity guarantee, allowing our customers to shop confidently. While shopping secondhand might not seem as luxurious as shopping directly through Hermès, it can be a very rewarding process—especially if you're searching for a specific style, have a strict budget, or are simply impatient.
FAQ #11: Which Hermès bag should a first-time buyer purchase?
DE: While starting an investment portfolio of Birkins may sound like fun, most people don't have the money to invest, so it's imperative to choose a bag that speaks to you (while still having the ability to acquire value over time). The Hermès styles that have retained their value the most are the Birkin and Kelly, and in most cases, the Constance. For a first-time buyer, I recommend a Kelly in size 28 or a Birkin in size 30. These "medium" sizes are classic and suitable for daily wear. Opt for versatile colors like Black, Gold, Blue Jean, Rouge H, or Nata. It's also wise to choose durable materials such as Epsom and Togo that hold up over time. Once you have your essentials, you can explore more unique sizes and materials.
FAQ #12: What's the difference between a Kelly Bag and a Birkin Bag?
DE: While the Kelly and Birkin bags do share many similarities between them, there are some key differences that I would keep in mind when shopping. Both Hermès bags have top handles, and the Birkin bag has two top handles, whereas the Hermès Kelly bag only has one top handle. Out of the two, only the Kelly comes with a shoulder strap; this enables the wearer to wear it as a top-handle bag and as a shoulder bag. The Birkin does not come with a shoulder strap, so it can only be worn in the hand, on the wrist, or in the crook of the arm. Aesthetically, the Kelly has a prim and proper appeal, whereas the Birkin exudes a more relaxed vibe.
FAQ #13: How do you care for an Hermès bag?
DE: I always stress to my clients the importance of caring for Hermès bags. With proper care, these bags can last for generations. It's crucial to store them correctly when not in use, ideally in their dustbag and box. I recommend storing Birkin and Kelly bags lying on their backs, as keeping them upright can cause structural wear over time.
FAQ #14: Can you actually resell an Hermès bag?
DE: Yes! One of the benefits of buying an Hermès bag is that it is one of the few luxury goods that doesn't depreciate in value, making it easy to resell in the future. While all the brand's bags make for safe long-term investments, if you ever decide to part ways with a particular style you've purchased in the past, plenty of platforms, including Fashionphile, make it easy to resell!
Shop Hermès Bags
Shop Brand-New Hermès Bags
If you've been eyeing a brand-new Kelly Pouch, you'll want to act quickly before this one sells out online.
We love the buckle detail on this tote bag.
Consider this your sign it's time to upgrade your commuter tote.
Chic, chic, chic.
You'll carry this bag for years to come.
Shop Vintage Hermès Birkin and Kelly Bags
You can’t deny the timeless quality of this bag.
Never misplace your wallet again.
Unique and luxurious.
The perfect pop of color.
When in doubt, go with a classic black Birkin.
Could it get any chicer than this?
Even a Birkin bag looks cooler in color.
Seriously chic.
Shop Other Noteworthy Hermès Bags
If you don't want a bag with the brand's signature toggle hardware, the Constance offering is a great alternative.
Crescent-shape bags are still trending, making this a cooler option to invest in at the moment.
Nothing is more pragmatic than a compact crossbody bag in navy.
Such a pretty shape.
Let this be the final proof you need that there are so many Hermès bags worth purchasing.