As much as I personally lust after the Hermes Birkin – yes I’m one of those who do – I do not currently own one, nor is there one in my forseeable future, due to its prohibitive cost. Thank you for nothing, diving RM. However, my good friend and bag buddy LeGeeque recently got one, and shared some good reasons with me why it may not be the bag of every bag afficionado’s dreams, as it were. So I got her to write it down and share it with you. It pays to be well-informed. Who knows when an opportunity will arise, eh? ~ PB
The mere mention of the prized and elusive Hermes Birkin bag conjures up a plethora of responses. If you’re a bag aficionado, there’s a likelihood that the Birkin is your Holy Grail. If you aren’t, you will still likely raise your brows, because most people will have heard of its exclusivity. The Birkin might be the Holy Grail for some, but it might not be yours, necessarily so. So, I’m here to debunk some myths of the Birkin and tell you what you should consider, if you are saving your pennies (or realistically, dollars) for this prized bag.
To put things into a little context, I recently got my greasy little hands on an Hermes Birkin. It’s what some Birkin aficionados would term as the poor (wo)man’s Birkin. It’s the beginner/entry level bag. Size – 35. Leather – Togo (thankfully, which I’ll get into in a bit). Gold hardware.
After carrying it consistently for about a month, I think I’m ready to write this piece.
Design
Other than the JPG Birkin (or shoulder Birkin), the regular Birkin bag is purely a handheld tote. If you lead a busy lifestyle and you’re constantly on the move, you need to remember that this is the ONLY way to carry your bag. Either by hand or in the crook of your arm. It will not fit over your shoulder. Not even if you’re a skinny minx.
You might be juggling your mobile phone, or trying to swipe your commuter card to enter the train station, and (God forbid!) if it rains, you’re wrestling with an umbrella; all the while trying to desperately hold on to your bag. It might not be the most practical design for some.
The Birkin is an utmost secure bag if secured properly. By this I mean with the flap tucked over, straps held in place over the turnlock, and a padlock over the turnlock. Not many people do this. I’m lucky I live in a relatively safe country. I tuck the flaps into the bag (as opposed to over) and I merely hook the straps in place leaving the bag more or less opened. I cannot imagine doing this should I travel or live in a country with high crime rates.
By securing the Birkin to deter pickpockets, it adds a level of frustration to access your phone or your purse should you need to do that very quickly as you will need to unlock and unstrap the bag to get inside.
Weight
I’m grateful my bag is in Togo leather (to be honest, Epsom leather is the lightest and for a size 35, it really should come ONLY in that leather, exotics aside, of course). It’s comparatively lighter in Togo as opposed to Clemence. When you own a 35, there’s this temptation to stuff EVERY DAMN THING INTO THE BAG. And it gets heavy. REALLY heavy.
You start questioning,”Do I really need a separate mirror when I have a powder compact?”, “Do I need a 2 lipbalms?” “OMG, that Guerlain Rouge G – why the hell am I carting 3 around?!”
The weight of an empty Birkin 35 in Togo is about 1kg. That does not seem much on face value. But after a day of carting this around, this could be your arm work out for the day!
Price
I’ve saved the most obvious reason you may not want a Birkin to the last, because we all know the Birkin is expensive. Period. There’s no way around it.
But it’s not just a matter of plonking down a lot of cash for a piece of leather (that’s a very crude and offensive way of looking at a piece that’s handmade, but essentially, it is just that). It’s also the fact that I (personally) have been going into a super protective mode when it comes to this bag. There’s a part of me that’s not truly enjoying this to its fullest because I’m so terrified of ruining it. It’s silly and it’s counterproductive, since it’s my piece to commemorate my most recent performance review.
While it may seem like I’m trying to dissuade any one from picking up a Birkin, on the contrary, I’m laying out my experiences from using this bag. As much as I love this bag and have found ways to fit it into my lifestyle, I recognise that not everyone can.
Mothers who are managing prams, shopping bags, and a screaming toddler clinging on to their legs might find the Birkin a hassle, more than a joy. Women who commute, jumping from trains to other modes of transport while juggling multiple things in their hands, might be annoyed by the lack of a hands-free option.
For interests-sake, here’s what I fit in my Birkin 35.
Please don’t get me wrong. The workmanship of the Birkin (or any Hermes piece) is absolutely exquisite and breathtaking. I’ve been known to parade the bag around at home dressed in my rattiest 12-year old flannel PJs and holey home slippers. I adore it. But just because I adore it and many women (and men) around the world do, it doesn’t mean you have to. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in turning down a Birkin for a piece that may work better for you.
Price, weight and design aside, this is a workhorse bag through and through. I did mention I’m overprotective but I’m also overprotective of ALL of my bags. I’ve used the Birkin consistently for work for a month or so. In fact, for the one month after I obtained it, I used it non-stop. Work. Weekends, for play and non-play.
For a size 35, it’s most definitely a workhorse. I’m glad I went with the 35 rather than a 30 because it suits my lifestyle a lot better. I have the option of stuffing it full if I wanted to (as I do on workdays. I stop short of putting my lunch in there but my apples for the day go in there) or I have the option of putting in only small pieces to hold the essentials for a quick run to the shops. Don’t get me wrong. This is an extremely sturdy and well-made bag. It’s meant to be used and used lovingly.
Have you seen Jane Birkin’s Birkin? It’s so well-used and it will hold up. That’s what they’re designed to do. I merely go an extra mile to be overprotective because I’m me 🙂
And, if you’re fortunate enough that a Birkin fits in your lifestyle, well, welcome to the crazy slippery slope of orange boxes tied up with brown bows in massive orange paper bags!
PS-Purely for scientific reasons, I took a train into the city with the Birkin for work. I even tucked my slate tablet (work station) into the Birkin to see how it fares. Pretty decent, I must say. Not the worst experience I’ve had but not the best either. I would have much preferred a crossbody bag leaving my hands free to manage my coffee, myki card and checking for the next train on my mobile phone.
~ LeGeeque
PB Says: Thanks for sharing your honest experience and the pictures of your beautiful bag with us, LeGeeque! Also, thanks to J for the pictures and that adorable gif! I confess that despite knowing its shortfalls, this is still one of my Bag of Dreams. But at least I’ll know what to expect if I strike the lottery, and an opportunity arises for me to get my own grubby paws on one! 🙂
A Toshiba laptop, you kidding me? Man… it’s tough, eh? Truly gorgeous photos. Lust.
It’s one of those ultrabooks. It’s tough but it’s not THAT tough. I’d resist carrying a traditional thick clunky Dell laptop 🙂 It is a gorgeous bag, no doubt. It can also be very practical on certain occasions.
Thank god I’m not a bag lady. My one vice already takes up too much time & money. 😛
1 kg when it’s empty – that IS heavy! Do you change hands every other day to even out the work out between both hands? Hehe.
Smartarse! 😛 I’m lucky that I drive around more than I take the public transport. And when I do take the public transport for work, sometimes I’m allowed the luxury for cabs so both hands get quite a good work out.
For a proper arm workout, please look into kettlebells 😛
hahahaha! We all have our vices, eh? I can but dream at this point though and I think I should find some cheaper arm workouts 😉
I tend to associate the brand with the ‘first lady’ of M’sia (hint: her first name starts with R and ends with H).. So yeah, this killed it for me. haha
To be honest, it was the Kardashians who killed it for me! They have every imaginable permutation of the Birkin. If I’d allowed my dislike for D-listers kill my love for bags, I’d end up using grocery bags! 😀 But, the beauty of Hermes is that there are so many other bags that are practical, well-made and extremely under the radar. There’s one out there for you 🙂
ROFLOL! I know right?! 😛 Kardashians did it for me though
Nice review, LeGeeque – possible one of the only ones to get into the practicalities of owning The Bag (so-called, for some… not quite so, for some). Usually these reviews are all written by tai-tai’s or the wannabes.
PB – you’d look really good wearing one 😉
Thank you! I think that’s why I chose to write this piece. Thought there’s a niche that needed filling. Most bag lovers dream of obtaining this bag without really knowing what they are getting themselves into nor why they want the bag. It’ll be an investment piece but at the same time, you wouldn’t invest in a share without knowing the company. Why would you invest in a bag without really knowing about it? Just for the record, I ain’t no tai-tai. I did wonder if I’d ever be one but I’d probably stab myself with a blunt rusted object out of sheer boredom. So, this is not targetted to the tai-tais but more for the regular everyday girl next door who happens to think she’d like to own a Birkin one day 🙂
Yea, I agree PB would totally rock this bag. I’m just waiting for her to visit and I’m making her do all the modelling shots!
Glad you enjoyed this, Mei 🙂 And no, don’t make me want what my bank account won’t allow me to have, as much as my lust wants it! 😛
I have to disagree with the reasons listed though. I’m not saying that these reasons are invalid but just that they are really not significant enough for Birkin’s target audience. I don’t think Birkin worths as much as what Hermes charges people for, I believe the prohibitive price tag has more to do with the status label comes with Birkin rather than its actual cost. Hence, my following disagreement:
Yes the handle design can be a deal breaker for some, BUT definitely not for the reason of “swiping the commuter card into train station”, I would assume those who can afford a Birkin, can certainly afford a car and not have to suffer public transport like the rest of us, or at least use taxi wherever they go.
As for the tuck-in safety issue, I don’t think it’s a real concern either. Simply because if you know the place is not safe or the crime rate is high, you might not wanna carry such a high profile bag in the first place, it basically screams “I GOT MONEY!”
The weight issue is just the same as the handle issue. You are not suppose to have to carry it all day long. It’s more meant for carrying from your car to the office, to the restaurant, all sorts of short trips but not all day. So if it’s heavy, it shouldn’t affect much.
And my shopping/style philosophy is that one should never get overly protective with a bag because it’s expensive. Protective? Yes, one should always cherish stuff. But overly protective? No, you are the master of your stuff not the other way around. If it hurts unreasonably much when the bag gets a little stain or scratch, it’s probably out of one’s spending league.
I hope you don’t get offended or anything, I’m not trying to start a fight or be rude or anything. I’m just stating my disagreement.
You’re sounding quite judgmental about the author.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Emma 🙂 In many ways, I see your points which are perfectly valid, due to what this bag has become in recent years – a status symbol. However, it started out and still is, for many, a workhorse bag. Perhaps less visibly, than a symbol of luxury, but I’ve seen it used in daily wear by people who aren’t in the public eye all the time. Also, it isn’t as high profile as that, because while those of us in the know will turn to look, when one passes by, there will be another 10 who won’t, because they may not notice it. Turned with the lock facing inward, it’s actually quite unobtrusive as a bag (because there are so many other brands with similar designs these days)
Granted, I’d tend to agree as well, that owners of the Birkin will likely have drivers or a car and perhaps a life of luxury that doesn’t require them to do much except flit from place to place. However, that said, I have noticed in recent times, that this has been quite visible among younger, working women, who want it because they have worked hard, and saved up for it as a milestone piece. Not necessarily commuters of public transport, but I can’t discount that in some countries, taking the public transport occasionally may actually be more convenient to get to certain places and may not have the stigma attached to it the way it is in others. So, protection of this (and any luxury bag for that matter) is always a concern for those who do care for their belongings. After all, as some people also know, the Birkin resale market is HUGE and any scratch will diminish its value should the day come that any owner tires of it, and chooses to sell it on 🙂 So, I think both you and LeGeeque have valid reasons and points. We all have our poison, as I like to say. But it might not have been the best way to comment on a person’s financial standing without knowing a little more about them 🙂 Otherwise, no offence taken, I’m sure.
That’s the beauty of a forum as this where we can agree to disagree like adults. However, commenting on one’s financial position based on how possessions are treated is uncalled for and can be perceived as crass in certain cultures.
I’m all for expensive bags but I just feel that, if you need to baby it, then don’t get it. Yes, cherish it but don’t overdo it, it that makes sense and this I feel applies to all items. Don’t get me wrong, I understand how people feel. For instance, I have a balenciaga bag and when I first got it, I felt that I needed to keep it safe from the world like not even putting it down on some surfaces or I’d have to wipe the surface down with a baby wipe before putting it down.
And thus I felt that I couldn’t really umm.. enjoy the bag? If that makes sense.. like the constant worry of having it scratched (not that it will cause balenciaga lamb skin is tough as f -but you get my point) or to wipe the bag down everytime after I get back home just annoyed the hell out of me that I actually sucummed to that. So now the most I do with any bag is just to be umm.. gentle but not too “baby” it? (my phrasing sucks.. sorry whoever who reads this.)
Well that’s my thoughts and story. Do take it with a grain of salt.. or sugar because people can be very salty these days hahahaha
I get you Robert. Over-babying bags is one thing. I don’t either and I can tell you that LeGeeque isn’t as obsessive as all that. I think, when we own something nice, or expensive, or something that we prize (and in my books, my bags are my prized collection and markers of milestones!) we try to care for it as well as we can. I’m one of those who will give my bag its own seat haha! You know, in some restaurants, they will pull up a chair for your bag, or a small table. In HK, I was offered a bag cover (cool or what?!) and in some Japanese restaurants, they provide you with a little basket that you can put your bag in so it doesn’t touch the floor. Grease and dirt can spoil it, and so I think some element of protection is warranted. Overprotection however, can get obsessive. I’d like to think neither of us are there 😀
Neither sugar nor salt. Nothing but the finest champagne! 🙂
Most of us baby our possessions to a certain degree. Hence phone covers/cases, laptop sleeves and yes even Hermes raincoats provided with some of their not so iconic bags. Is that overprotective? I suppose it’s a very personal thing.
What can be perceived as overly protective might not be for others. It is ultimately a personal belonging and the owner should feel comfortable doing what he/she wishes to.
Ps you’re absolutely right. The balenciaga can be tough as *beep*. Another toughie is the alma Epi. My vintage speedy still looks like it’s fresh from the store.
hahahaha thanks for the reply guys!
@Paris, Ahh noo, I hope I hadn’t gave the impression that I was pointing at somebody. If I did, I apologise because that was not intended. It was kind of a general population rant hahahaha. And wow, those are pretty cool! Bag covers! Whew.. I admire their thought process that went into it.
@LeGeeque, Yeah I guess it is purely subjective. And everyone baby(s) their stuff hahahaha even I do, but the fact that I do baby some of my stuff too much just sometimes annoys myself (omg I sound so weird D:) – not that I judge other people who does it cause I always say “you do you” hahahahahaha (p.s. I haven’t gotten the taste for champagne yet… but I’m always up for sparkling apple juice ha).
Wow! Enjoy your amazing new bag. It’s stunning. I’d love one too, but can’t see it happening any time soon. Which doesn’t really bother me. Having read your description, it’s a bag for a life I’d like rather than the one I have.
Thank you! It has (and will continue to, I hope) serve me well. I’m glad my post helped!
I love the Birkin and I will always love one. I’ve been coveting one for the past 15 years ever since I laid eyes on photos of one in magazines when I was 20. I lusted after one so much that I bought a sort of replica of the bag from Debenhams just before I left the UK. From far, it really looks like the real thing until you look closer. One day, I’d love to own one. No exotic skins; it’s not my thing but a classic 30 or 35 cm one in orange would very much make that 15yo dream come true.
On a side note, taking care of something you’ve paid good money for is just common sense. I’d do the same for my much cheaper Coach or no-brand bags. It would strike my heart with a blow if my bag was accidentally scratched in public. Unless absolutely, ABSOLUTELY necessary, my bags don’t go on the floor (it’s a very common practice here in Australia. I’ve seen many Hermes, LV, Chanel, etc bags on the floor. Often on toilet floors. Once even on the grass). This applies to even my 20-dollar bags. 😛
I can’t wait for your orange Birkin. In fact, I’ve already envisioned it. 30 for you so you won’t be tempted to lug the kitchen sink! Gold hardware. And and and you can go for clemence because it’s a lot squishier and softer. It’s slightly heavier than togo but for a 30, it’ll be featherlight. PLEASE LET ME COME WITH YOU WHEN YOU PICK IT UP OMGOMGOMG 🙂
Yea I’m a little protective with my belongings in general. Even my laptop bag doesn’t touch the ground 😛
I think I want a 30 also. 35 is just too big 😛
I was actually genuinely shocked at the words “on the toilet floors”. what. Huh. How? What. What. What.
But… I don’t understand.. How.. I would never even put anything, even 2 dollar tote bags, on the toilet floor.. I do not understand how people can do that without cringing. Everytime my shoe steps onto a wet floor (dry is a totally different issue) I have a mini cringe inside.
Because.. you know.. guys.. don’t sit while peeing and when I enter stalls.. it’s like they’re playing a game of darts or archery and missing 70% of the time.
//heavybreathing
(p.s.: can someone tell me how to insert a profile picture to this grey space beside my name.. I’ve been staring at it for awhile and it’s bothering me lol)
Hahaha here, this post may help 😉
Thanks XD
Thank you! XD
Yep toilet floor. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. LV bags on the floor, WALLETS on the floor. They place it on the floor right in front of them as they do their business. I’ve seen this happen at fancy hotels. Perhaps they think that the hotel loo floors are clean? 😛
Toilet floor?!?! What the hell is wrong with these people?! I don’t put ANY bags on the floor. Except at home. Maybe.
I am now totally convinced that I do not need a Birkin until I have a car and a servant! Reason 1 has been the main reason keeping me off this bag. Reason 2 is something I had not known. 1kg for a public transport person is just no-no.
I can’t take it for shopping trips either because I do not have a servant to help me carry extra weights.
A car is definitely preferable pre-Birkin. Weight aside, I don’t think anyone really wants to crush in a stuffy, crowded train, with their precious bag 😀 I don’t even want to do that with my regular bags! 😀
Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed reading it and I think many ladies feel the same way, including myself.
What are the dimensions of your laptop?