Not All Hermès Bags are Birkins: A Primer

Nov 13, 2014

Two days ago, Kim Kardashian did something that tends to garner her a lot of attention, both here and elsewhere: she carried an Hermès bag that was not in its original, fresh-from-the-boutique state. Kim’s a pageview boon all over the Internet, so fashion sites were quick to pick up on the debut of her new Hermès Birkin, painted by none other than baby North. The problem, of course, was that the bag was clearly not a Birkin, but an Hermès Herbag. In the spirit of service (and of staying in our lane), we are here to provide some clarification.

Everyone from The Cut to Complex to Lucky Magazine (which has since corrected the error) called the bag a Birkin, and while it might be easy for a casual observer to conflate the iconic Birkin with the rest of Hermès’ offerings, the brand makes about a zillion different bags. It’s sort of like assuming that all dogs are shih tzus because that’s what your parents had growing up, even though you’ve seen golden retrievers in the park and, hello, clearly not shih tzus. There’s a whole diaspora of bags out there that people are missing out on, and that makes us sad.

To clear up any lingering confusion, we have created a handy-dandy visual guide to notable Hermès bags and their various degrees of not-Birkinness.

Hermès Kelly Bag
Status: Not a Birkin, but Also Famous

The Kelly is the most famous not-Birkins of all the not-Birkins, what with its structured shape, reach-around strap closure and name based on an iconic female celeb. Don’t be fooled, though. It’s still not a Birkin.

Hermès Haut Á Courroies Bag
Status: Like a Birkin That’s Ready to Try Out for the NBA

The distinctive feature of this bag is that it’s taller. A Birkin, but tall. Still not a Birkin tho.

Hermès Jypsiere Bag
Status: A Birkin for Millenials

The Jypsiere is pretty new, and its purpose is clear: use Birkin details to lure in younger customers who view the elbow-carried Birkin as too matronly and cumbersome. Also clear: not a Birkin, or a Birkin shoulder bag, or anything else but a Jypsiere.

Hermès Constance Bag
Status: The Birkin of Shoulder Bags

The Constance isn’t a Birkin (it is a Constance), but it is the brand’s most well-known and exclusive shoulder bag, and that makes it similar to the idea of a Birkin. (It’s still a Constance.)

Hermès Herbag
Status: Way More Like a Kelly Than a Birkin

If fashion writers had taken a cursory glance at Kim’s new bag and assumed it was some sort of weird, special edition Kelly, that would have been understandable–the bags have similar top-handle structure and wrap-around flap closures. The finish, though, is entirely different.

Hermès Evelyne Bag
Status: Are You Blind?

If you look at this soft, casual bag with its enormous perforated logo and think, “Silly Hermès, trying to fool me into thinking this isn’t a Birkin!” then maybe you are not cut out for this handbag life that we’re livin’ over here.

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eslam

8 years ago

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missarewa

10 years ago

lol! I love this! some people think of Hermes bag and a Birkin is all their minds can process. I like the Kelly a lot more for some reason.

kindled

10 years ago

hahaha excellent commentary

Marnie

10 years ago

I’m probably the only woman on this planet that hates the Birkin. I don’t see all the hoopla. The Kelly though? That’s my bag, I swoon whenever I jealously see someone carrying one.

Joana Richard

Reply to Marnie

10 years ago

I dont like them, and Its not worth the money… A Constance yes… Birkin/Kelly Big No No…

Why do speedy sell so much, not just because its more unexpensive, but its really more pratical and lovely too! Doesnt matter if its big or small, always rigth, and doesnt have to be in monogram!

😉

Joana Richard

Reply to Joana Richard

10 years ago

Still I think the kelly its more elegant… But its so expensive, this kardashian herbag its less expensive so, why not!!!!

Petra B.

Reply to Marnie

10 years ago

Oh honey u r not. I also dislike the Birkin, I find other bag’s shapes more desiriable.

Bagmisses

Reply to Marnie

10 years ago

I also cannot stand them….not worth the money…extremely boring!!!

PJGambler

10 years ago

Funny, if I didn’t know these were famous and exclusive bags, would not give ’em a second look. To each her own, but Birkin, Eveline Kelly, etc just don’t grab me, but did enjoy the education–thank you!!

jordana20

10 years ago

Great that you put out an article clearing this up!! It was so frustrating seeing all these fashion magazines calling the Herbag a Birkin!

elisian

10 years ago

best purseblog article yet. as a proud NOT A BIRKIN Herbag owner, i applaud thee!

FashionableLena

10 years ago

The Lindy is my favorite (and dream) bag. I love the cool and casual vibe of the shape and silhouette. I would love a purple one.

Mya Wilkes

10 years ago

haha! I KNOW RIGHT, mistaking it for a Kelly, yeah, but a Birkin, no! Anyway I just want a Kelly dammit, don’t care much for a Birkin.

Barenia

10 years ago

You know what’s missing in this guide ? a birkin …

Precious Prieto

Reply to Barenia

10 years ago

Exactly what this article is all about. Not about Birkins.

Barenia

Reply to Precious Prieto

10 years ago

ahaha yeah right !
I showed this article to a friend and she finishes reading it saying “ok then so what is a Birkin?” LOL

EGlez ?

10 years ago

The Evelyne made me laugh so much. But yes, I could easily see REGULAR non fashion-conscious people mistaking it for a “Birkin” even though it looks more like a Kelly, but for fashion magazines to be calling it a Birkin… ugh.

Khaya

10 years ago

The Constance is my favorite Hermes bag, Kelly is a close second. I’ve never been a huge fan of the Birkin anyway.

Cara M

10 years ago

Hilarious! I did think it was a
Kelly at first glance, but thank you for the education and the
entertainment!

Fashdash

10 years ago

I rather have a Kelly than a Birkin!

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Reply to Fashdash

10 years ago

if it were ever in the cards for me to own an Hermes bag. I just saw one on the (Hermes) Scarf of the Day Thread in a shade called “Iris,” a rich blue, paired with a stunning blue & orange 90cm H scarf.

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abology

Reply to Fashdash

10 years ago

Lorelei1959

10 years ago

I guess I am the only woman here today who loves her Birkins. : )

Sarah N.

10 years ago

Where is the Picotin?

ElainePG

Reply to Sarah N.

10 years ago

I know, right? That’s the Hermes bag I’d own… if it were ever in the cards for me to own an Hermes bag. I just saw one on the (Hermes) Scarf of the Day Thread in a shade called “Iris,” a rich blue, paired with a stunning blue & orange 90cm H scarf… TDF!!!

Sarah N.

Reply to ElainePG

10 years ago

Here’s my Picotin Lock, in Bleu Izmir, which I pair with a bright twilly <3 I love this bag and never see them, and it seems to get more compliments than my Birkins!

Sarah N.

Reply to Sarah N.

10 years ago

abology

Reply to Sarah N.

10 years ago

wow. nice.

FunkyCold

10 years ago

Thank you for this. People were freaking out about destroying a $20k handbag. First, not all Birkins are $20k. Second, the Herbag, while still expensive for a lot of people as far as handbags go, is relatively inexpensive in Hermès speak. People’s general ignorance about Hermès is why I love the Lindy and Toolbox bags so much.

Tawanda Clooney

10 years ago

Link to cute Hermes-style bag Christmas ornaments:https://www.etsy.com/shop/AdysGiltTrip?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Marilyn Chinn

10 years ago

So what happened to the infamous wait time for Hermes?? In my opinion, that Kim Kartrashian was able to get this very personalized H bag into her “Look-at-me” arsenal so quickly is more an indication of Hermes taking (falling?) a step down in class and prestige.

Kay

Reply to Marilyn Chinn

10 years ago

The wait time is mainly reserved for the Birkin, Constance, Medor Clutch, and Lindy (and several other bags) and although almost all the bags are sought out for, leading to the lack of product for the customer and also the addition to its “desirable” factor, there are other less popular bags more available to the general public. One of them being the Herbag (or Kelly Canvas) due to its cheaper price (about a fifth of a Kelly) and also its more casual and youthful appearance.

realitytvjunkie

10 years ago

Great article!! I personally like the Kelly much more than the Birkin! Also you should have included the Lindy! Also a great and unique looking bag

787878781

10 years ago

Very clever !

10 years ago

I loved this article!!!!

George

10 years ago

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2107769/Thats-gratitude-Jane-Birkin-disguises-bloody-heavy-Hermes-namesake-bag-stickers.html

renyoj

10 years ago

You missed the Massai, which is such a practical bag, especially compared to the Birkin.

Tracy Lau

10 years ago

I prefer the evelyne because it’s easier to use

kudl

10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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kudl

10 years ago

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kudl

10 years ago

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kudl

10 years ago

http://www.ar-kane.com/

ahmed omar

10 years ago

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ahmed omar

10 years ago

ahmed omar

10 years ago

ahmed omar

10 years ago

Actually, the Trevyon Martin case WAS nothing more than a local crime story until the ‘social media’ picked up on it and got the big money race baiters involved.
Then the liberal media got involved and tried to manufacture a false ‘news’ story to fit their agenda, which, as we have come to find out, was a massive pack of lies about how poor ol’ Trevyon was a ‘good boy’ and a victim, and Zimmerman was a racist looking for any excuse to kill someone.
The reality is that the liberal media has no desire to merely report the facts, but to force society to fall in line with their ideological views, and the ones who don’t are marginalized, or attacked as racists, bigots, mysoginists, and every other name in the book you can think of.