Hermès Bags – The World’s Most Coveted Bags

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All you need to know about the Coveted Hermès Bags.

Introduction:

Hermès has always possessed an unwavering commitment to style, quality and exclusivity. Investing in one of the brands beloved bags is a big commitment, and spend, so shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If you’re forever screenshotting Birkin’s, and lusting after Kelly’s– we feel you, and we’ve done all of the hard research for you. Luxe Front is here to bring you the lowdown on Hermès most coveted styles, how to care for them, and how to style.

The History of the Hermes bags:

The inception of Hermès was in 1837 when Thierry Hermès founded a harness workshop in Paris. Hermès started out on a mission to create the finest equestrian leather goods for European nobles.

The brand didn’t end up selling their iconic bag’s until 1922, and it wasn’t until 1956 when Hermès started gaining momentum and being known as one of the most lust after bag manufactures – This was when Hollywood actress, turned Monaco Princess, Grace Kelly wore one of the brands bags to hide her pregnancy bump. Soon after, women were flooding to their local store asking for the ‘Kelly’ bag.

The most coveted bags from Hermès:

The Birkin Bag:

Even if you’ve never heard of Hermès, you’ve definitely heard of the ‘Birkin’.

This bag is the most timeless and coveted item that the brand sells and is constantly referenced in mainstream media and films, particularly favoured by Sex and The City. Over the years, the Birkin has come in a variety of sizes, colours and skins. 

In a world dominated by trends and “IT” bags, the Hermés Birkin always remains true to its timeless core design. The bag is a simple rectangu

lar shape, with clean lines, and two straps. Although, once in a while Hermés switches up the design slightly.

One of the most recent renewals of the Birkin, is the Birkin Cargo. Utilitarian style has been a major trend throughout 2021, and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon.

Crafted from canvas and leather, this multi-functional bag fits right into the trend, whilst also being a bag that is versatile enough to see you through many seasons to come. 

Here are some gorgeous pre-loved Birkins that you can add to your collection:

The Kelly Bag:

The bag you can match your wallet, belt and watch with. If you don’t know, get to know - The Kelly Bag is an iconic Hermès style. Although the Birkin is Hermès signature style, the Kelly is making its way up to the top of the ranking list, due to its slender feminine shape, and strap design that make it a little easier to carry.

The Kelly is the brands most reinvented styles. It’s available in so many sizes, to suit the occasion. Currently, the original Kelly style is almost impossible to track down new. But, luckily secondhand designer sites like Farfetch are full of hidden gems. 

This Kelly bag is a tangerine dream! This suede Kelly Sellier 25 two-way-bag is currently being resold for $31,000. It originally dates back to between 1980 -1990. What makes this bag so special, is that it still has the Hermès signature padlock and keys. 

Here are more Kelly Bags that are available on the pre-loved market:

How much are the Hermes Bags?

Hermès offer some of the most exclusive styles worldwide, and with that comes a price tag to match. The prices for their bags start at $4,000.

The Birkin Bag is one of the most expensive styles worldwide. The average Birkin ranges from $40,000 to $50,000 - Although, the coveted style has previously made headlines for being sold for a lot more, we’re talking $223,000. As the style is extremely exclusive, highly sought after, and crafted from the finest materials it’s no surprise why Hermès can charge so much.

The Kelly bag has a large price architecture. As the bag comes in so many different sizes and skins the price has to reflect. The Kelly bag pricing starts at $9,500 for a briefcase directly off of the Hermès website, and climbs up to $242,000 on resale sites for their most noteworthy limited edition releases.

How to Care for Hermes Bags

When you purchase a Hermès bag,  you’re also signing a lifelong commitment to care for the materials that have been used to craft it. As nice as it would be to send your bag off to the Handbag Clinic every time it needs a touch of restoration, it’s not really accessible or realistic - so, getting to know how to protect and clean your bag is vital to ensuring its durability.

Storage: 

Storing your bag correctly makes all the difference. 

All Hermès bags are sold with a complimentary dust bag. Whenever you’re not in the use of your Hermès bag, it’s recommended that you always store it inside the dustbag. This will help protect it from scuffs, dust and damage from light sources.

Hermès Bag Restoration Service.

Whether it’s a zipper that needs replacing, mending the seams, or giving a little TLC to leather - you can drop your bag off at Hermès bag restoration service. 

When you’re spending such a large percentage of your paycheck to invest in a bag, you want to ensure it’s cared for properly. The craftsmen who made the bags, are often the ones who tend to them when they’re sent in for restoration. If a Hermès bag is near by it’s a great idea to use their services, after all they know the bags best!

Drop the bag off at your local cobbler or handbag clinic.

For a lot of us, it’s not really realistic to be able to access a Hermès store everytime we want our handbags tended to. Luckily, most cobblers are leather and bag specialists that will know exactly how to maintain the precious fabrics that the bag is cut from. 

Alternatively, brands like the handbagclinic are becoming more and more popular. These types of companies are experts in designer bag care, and are the next best option. They’re also super convenient, you can often ship your bag to them and they’ll send it back once it’s all spruced up - It’s almost like sending your bag away for a three day spa retreat.

Pros and Cons of Hermès Bags (specifically the Kelly & Birkin)

When making any big purchase, it’s important that you weigh up the pros and cons of the purchase. Although it might be hard to imagine, there can even be some cons when it comes to the purchase of a Hermès bag.

Pros: 

• Hermès bags are timelessly designed, and will always be in style.
• The bags are instantly recognisable.
• The bags are versatile, and can be worn with pretty much any outfit!
• The bag can be repaired and maintained by the craftsmen that made it.

Cons: 

• The Kelly & Birkin bags are very expensive.
• Hermès limits the amount of bags you can buy every year.
• It’s difficult to get your hands on some of the most coveted styles.

How to style Hermes Bags

Lucky for those of us buying into Hermès bags, styling them is a breeze

If you’re stuck for outfit ideas, here are some of our top styling inspiration pics from Instagram. 

Simplicity is style.

The SocalStylish shows us how to fit your Birkin into your everyday wardrobe.

A pop of Colour

Annaantione has inspired our Christmas list this year, showing us that a bright Kelly is the perfect way to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe.

To explore more of Hermès bags, and their history, check out the brand's website.