The Ultimate Guide to Hermès Birkin: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying
History of the Birkin
The Hermès Birkin is considered the ultimate status symbol in the world of handbags. It is highly sought-after by fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike. This iconic bag was created in 1984 through a collaboration between Jane Birkin and the CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas. The idea for the bag came about when Birkin expressed her frustration with not having a big and functional bag to accommodate her jet-set lifestyle during a flight from Paris to London. And thus, the Birkin 40 was born.
Birkin Sizes
The Birkin comes in four different sizes, with the Birkin 25 being the perfect size for day-to-day use as it can fit all your daily necessities.
Birkin 30 - offers space for necessities as well as a makeup bag or a tablet.
Birkin 35 - fits your essentials and a small laptop.
Birkin 40 - used as a travel bag thanks to its spacious interior.
Birkin Materials
The Birkin bag is a timeless classic with various materials, including leathers, exotic skins, and limited edition releases. The original calf box leather used by Hermès has a highly smooth finish, making it susceptible to scratches and watermarks over time. Togo leather, a recent addition, is a supple, matte material that becomes shinier and softer. It is also scratch-resistant, durable, and perfect for everyday use. Clemence leather, made from cowhide, is more delicate and heavier than Togo but less durable and often loses shape over time.
On the other hand, Epsom leather is very rigid and will hold the Birkin's shape for years to come. It is embossed leather, which means it has no natural grain and is entirely scratch and water-resistant, making it easy to clean. Epsom leather is an excellent choice for a practical and stylish bag.
Hardware Choices
It's interesting to learn about the different components of such a luxurious handbag. Hermès Birkins are typically crafted with two types of hardware: 18-karat gold plated or palladium. The Birkin hardware includes the front-facing lock closure, a lock and set of keys, the zipper, and metal feet called clou that allow the Birkin always to sit upright.
Classic Colours
If you're new to Hermès, sticking with a classic colour is probably a good idea. There are six timeless shades: black, red, navy, dark green, brown, and beige/cream. Hermès has made three of these colours a permanent fixture in their bag collection, while others are often featured in seasonal releases.
Permanent
Noir - Every woman needs a Little Black Bag in her wardrobe, the colour of the original birkin created for Jane Birkin.
Gold - is one of Hermès’ most in-demand colours, first popularised by Grace Kelly in the 1950s.
Etoupe - A grey-brown taupe,is the versatile neutral of Hermès’ permanent library.
Signature Exotics
Birkin handbags also come in exotic materials such as ostrich, lizard, crocodile, and alligator skins, available in glossy or matte finishes. These bags are more exclusive and unique than leather Birkins and fetch a higher price point.
Himalya - The most expensive Hermès Birkin, the Himalaya Birkin, is constructed out of Niloticus crocodile skin dyed in a white and grey gradient. The coloring is intended to evoke the white snow of the Himalaya Mountains.
Rose Bubblegum - a legendary candy pink, is the second most expensive exotic colour after Himalaya.
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