If you would’ve asked me only a few years ago if I’d ever be willing to spend thousands of dollars on a bunch of designer handbags, I would’ve told you, “Yeah, totally, if I had the money!”
But if you had asked me if I’d ever be willing to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on one bag, I probably would’ve thought you were crazy for even asking.
In my mind, even considering making that kind of purchase was something reserved for celebrities, 1 percenters, or those that didn’t have their financial priorities straight. Unless I woke up the next day and found out I’d secretly been a princess all along, the thought of having a bag that costs as much as a small car was too ridiculous to even entertain.
Now here I am in 2022 with egg on my face because I finally started saving for my first Birkin.
The whole Hermès journey seems both exciting and a bit daunting, but I guess that’s kind of the appeal.
A Journey to the Birkin
I can admit that I haven’t always had the best attitude towards Hermès. Of course, I liked the brand, but the cold indifference I felt the first time I went to the flagship store didn’t make me want to pursue it.
My feelings began to change sometime around January after I was gifted my very first Hermès scarf.
It’s just so colorful, well-made, and elegant-looking. What’s not to love?
More importantly, being gifted that scarf somehow felt like a turning point in my luxury fashion collecting. It meant more to me than some other items and made me put the whole “dream bag” thing into perspective.
The Birkin is supposed to be hard to get. To those of us who aren’t a part of the high-society favored few, it’s a symbol of our hard work and perseverance. Obtaining one should mark a milestone worthy of celebration. So I’m willing to work for it.
Following advice from those on PurseForum and Angela’s post, “How I Saved & Purchased My Holy Grail Bag, The Hermès Birkin,” I’ve come up with a plan to finally get my hands on the mother of all IT bags.
Decisions, Decisions…
At my current savings rate, I’ll be able to buy a modest one in 2024; However, I’ll still need to take into account which buying options are available to me.
Getting a brand new one from a store has to remain a fantasy because I don’t live anywhere near an Hermès store. Going through the whole rigmarole of building a relationship with an SA isn’t possible for me, so I’ll either have to buy preloved from a reputable site, hit up a high-end vintage store in Paris, or test my luck at an auction house.
Currently, I’m willing to be flexible on either the color or size but not both. I’d go for a 30cm in a less popular color, but a 35cm must be within my accepted range of colors. The hardware color is inconsequential, but who knows how I’ll feel in two years.
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
That’s what I hope for, at least.
As someone who has become accustomed to buying a new bag every year, waiting for both the funds and the opportunity to buy the bag feels almost torturous (first-world problems, am I right?)
But the time will pass anyway, so I might as well enjoy myself along the way, even if it means I’ll have to kiss Sephora shopping trips goodbye.
Help me out! Tell me: How long did it take you to save for your first Birkin? Did you get it first or second hand? Was it the exact color and size you wanted? Does it represent anything particularly special to you?
