I haven’t dwelt on my favourite subject matter for a while – bags! Actually I haven’t dwelt on the subject much since I stopped blogging on weekends. With so few blogging days a week, I found it hard to squeeze in everything I wanted, yet I was loathe to break the rhythm heh…
But hey, what’s life if not full of variety and lately, I’ve found my thoughts drifting rather dangerously to that of the adorable Hermes Picotin.
Well, I say dangerously, because we all know what it means when the H-brand is mentioned right? Nope, pricey doesn’t quite begin to describe it 😀 But try ‘luxury’ as well 🙂
The Picotin comes in a few sizes, and its unstructured, rather casual design is inspired by the feed bags for horses. It’s shaped like a bucket and the smaller sizes are handheld totes. The larger versions can be slung on the shoulder.
It’s understated, quiet and yet looks casually chic and that must be the reason I’ve found myself drawn to it, time and time again.
I’ve actually checked it out in store a few times. It’s quite common to find one in most Hermes stores, and it comes in quite a few colours. The only reason I haven’t yet bitten the bullet is because I kept holding out for Etoupe (a brown-grey taupe shade) leather, a shade I’ve been eyeing for a while.
That’s Etoupe on the right and I’ve actually played around with the blue one in store a year or two back, but didn’t bite the bullet, because I wasn’t drawn to the shade. I’m not one for pastel colours in anything.
The interior is pretty roomy although it’s just one large compartment, and it’s got a raw leather hide lining on the inside, and closes with a tab, with a signature lock attached to it. My misgivings of course are with the rather open design and the size.
While I now don’t carry as much in my bags as I used to before (it really destroys your back when you do!) I don’t know if I can scale down enough. I’m contemplating the MM because the PM looks way too tiny! But I haven’t actually seen the MM in store here. It is also a fairly casual design so that again, is something I’m a bit iffy about.
Ah, but you know, with the economy being what it is right now, perhaps it’s just as well I’m just lusting over it from a safe distance 😀 It would only get hairy if I walk into the store one day and am told that there’s a Picotin PM/MM in Etoupe available. Then, the question would be whether to suck it up and sell my soul … or maybe a kidney 😀
Do you by any chance own the Picotin and can share your experience with it?
I love how cute it looks, yet I’m torn about the open design and size. I know it may not be an immediate purchase, but hey, a girl can dream right? 🙂
Paris B
<3 <3 <3 5 years now before H got crazy popular with astronomical prices. And while we’re on the subject of prices, H raises theirs every year without fail. Someone once said – if you can afford it now, get it now. Rate of salary raise < rate of H price raises.
I own it in the PM (18) and to be honest, it is the perfect size for the little bag. I played with the MM a little while ago and it';s quite overwhelming on our frame. You'd be surprised by how much I could fit into it! MM is a lot bigger and you'd end up stuffing a lot in there. Remember you will actually have to hand carry this/on the crook of your arm so it will get tiring after a while. (Hence a mini speedy makes more sense than a speedy 40)
I've downsized my purse and carry only the most essentials. There's plenty of room to spare. I even have my Moleskine and Kindle in there on most days. I hook the little padlock to the metal bit and not to the end of the strap.
I love both your colour choices because of the contrasting white stitches. I might save the Blue Jean for the Evelyn PM 🙂 One day. 🙂
Sadly, I think most brands are raising their prices each year. More so with what I call the trinity brands: Hermes, LV , Chanel. LV’s prices nowadays.. I feel don’t reflect the quality.. but that’s just me. They hike up the prices so to appeal to the more ‘high-end’ crowd/demography and I’m not so keen haha.
Astute observation. I’ve long given up on a Chanel classic flap. Maybe I’ll own the Birkin before I own the classic flap. I’d love for that to happen simply for its irony 😛 With LV, I think if one is very careful and selective with the pieces, you can still get away with a very well-made bag. Because I’ve observed the evolution from Marc Jacobs to Nicholas Ghesquire, I can’t help but compare- as unfair as it may be. NG is a fan of Epi and so am I so I’ll be watching with bated breath with what he will bring out next. I’ve not bee truly floored by any collection so far. I still long for the good old days of thick, rolled handles of Epi bags.
I feel that LV has lost its cohesion, and dare I say it, consistency in it’s aesthetic. NG is taking LV in a new direction but I don’t know if it’s a good thing. I just feel that the transition pieces from MJ to NG is sloppy because some NG didn’t take the whole brand to tradition with him but instead just took a part. Hmm.. let me put that in context. – I like to know what to expect when I enter an LV store. When I enter a store, I can see a Alma (and be wowed by it’s elegance) and when I turn my head to see a Petite Malle with like pieces of metals shooting off of it. It’s like different company owns different part of the store haha.
Compared to like SL, when I think about it or want to tell someone about it, I can instantly tell them that it’s simple straight lines and dark. Like you know what you’re getting, I guess.
p.s: sorry for the messed up punctuations and grammar. I think I need more hours of snoozing time these days.
Yes, I’ve noticed the price hikes and what more with the RM being what it is, I don’t know if/when I’d be able to get one. But where there’s a will there’s hope! 😀 I’ll try to take a look in the other Hermes store in town. The one I went to had dickheads for SAs and I’m never going back there again! Hmph.
it’s so so cute and i love it! but it also looks like a potential risk if carried in a crowded places. don’t think i can ever afford one but it’s good to have hope right? 😀
Hoping (and window shopping) is always free! 😀 It’s so cute right? Not something you can carry to many places, but still cute!
Ooh cute! I’m in lust over the Mansur Gavriel bags btw. At least they’re more affordable than Hermes!
Ah yep, the Mansur ones are definitely much more affordable. I was lusting over their drawstring one for a while, but their selling strategy puts me off, and I’ve noticed that it’s become rather mainstream. So I’m not so keen on it anymore. Their crossbody is bloody cute though
Hmm, have to say I’m not quite a fan of bucket totes. I may be the only one here but I like something that’s more structured (e.g. SL Sac du jour -> currently eyeing the MCM mill tote in grey). Not a fan of the open design as well because people could just reach in and pull stuff out easily without you knowing, which is a big no-no for me. For something of a similar design with the Picotin, I prefer the Hermes So Kelly bag. But to each their own~
I’m quite curious actually- I’ve always been a fan of YSL but ever since Slimane took reins and went on a crazy egoistic rampage in rebranding, I’ve stayed away. Am I the only one being resisting change? Interesting you brought up So Kelly. I played with it a few months ago but couldn’t wrap my head around it. I kept thinking it’s a backpack, kept wanting to sling it over both shoulders. 😐
For me, I like Slimane’s approach to ready-to-wear stuff. Not that it’s my taste. On the other hand, I think now for SL it’s about marketing than design (or elegance for that matter). SL now is retro and I praise them for successfully targeting that market but I miss YSL’s designs. His designs were relevant, modern and some, timeless. The way SL is now, I’d hesitate to shop there, especially for the couture (I don’t wear leather jackets so that’s out too lol). It’s just too ready-to-wear for me that I rather get at zara, all saints, zadig & voltaire, etc.
Hahaha yeah the So Kelly bag kinda reminds me of a backpack-rucksack that I used to bring around when I was younger. It’s the shape lol (and a mighty $ rucksack at that). But I do like its design though.
I’d be fine with SL if he didn’t drop the Y. By doing that, Slimane just killed it for me 🙁 It’s not like Christian Dior becoming just Dior. It was an iconic logo that just stopped making sense. But I digress 🙂 I took a look at the So Kelly but it reminds me too much of a sack LOL! I personally prefer the Jypsiere myself but at the current prices, no thanks 😛 I’d use the money for a house or something 😛
so late to this thread — but I have had my RED Picotin for so long that it is a design without the lock! I overcame the bucket by grouping my stuff in small leather pouches via leatherology.com (wonderful selection of sizes and styles and really fun colors which make it easier to find what you’re looking for) – so not an overwhelming hunt every time you need something.
As to other Hermes – where was I 10 years ago for Kelly DANSE and Kelly SPORT? Too expensive to buy second hand (!!) but no other options, unless Hermes is listening and decides to reissue the designs!!
Hi Nancy, a picotin without a lock! That is a long time indeed! 😀 Thank you for sharing your thoughts on how to handle the picotin. I’ll most certainly bear it in mind 🙂