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?
OK, here comes the unpopular opinion. I think Birkins are ugly. The photo at the top is the perfect example-flopped open, straps undone, folds askew, sides bulging out and …lumpy. I do not understand all the appeal.
Preach sister
Same. I think they are incredibly dowdy and unappealing. I wouldn’t use it, even if I was given one.
I don’t get it either! Kelly’s look so much better IMHO but that fussy opening is just not for me. Good luck to all those who are chasing one. May your bag dreams come true!
I was born into wealth, and when I was 19 I inherited a ton of money from my grandmother.
ok so what does that have to do with this handbag?
The most honest answer ever.
If anyone has a “I worked for it” story when it comes to a birkin, I either
dont believe you
and would Need to see the slew of articles and awards and work citing your accomplishments and achievements in your industry.
Whoopie!
Hmmm…With all due respect, those TRULY fortunate enough to be born with advantages never, ever divulge like you just did. Sorry, no sale~
You sound like someone who hasn’t spent much time around trust fund kids. Plenty of them DO flaunt their wealth, there’s nothing unusual or unexpected about it.
they flaunt it because they are trying to be accepted; 1 that has things go un speak -able.
And I hope never to do so. (What a gross concept.) Anyone who would choose to behave this way is utterly lacking in class, period. Privileged people with any true breeding never, ever even associate with braggarts.
(We’re still not buying your hallucinations, btw.)
true!
exactly.
I earned my money the old fashion way; I worked. I was born and raised in poverty, but I appreciate the value of hard work.
I been working since i was 15 years old; born with goodness but still was raised on learning to work and the value of a dollar.
Good job! You did what my great-great grandfather did. And your great great grandchildren will be in the same place as I am. My family’s fortune was just luck to be honest.
Trolling. How quaint.
It’s not trolling. It’s flaunting. As a good friend of mine says.
so true; Thats a great 1.
Why do you feel the need to flaunt your wealth?
Doing it to make the have nots feel bad.
When one really has family means, one never, ever draws attention to it. Mic 🎤 drop.
Because I’m insecure and my only good qualities are my bank accounts and my two pet cats.
This doesn’t read as authentic. If you have money you don’t flaunt your wealth because it’s childish and immature. Surely, you have something else of significance in your life besides money and cats. I’m not buying your story.
Exactly I so agree.
How is it flaunting when no one actually Knows this Braeden character?
Do I have to “know this Braeden character” to believe “she” is flaunting? No. She has posted many times re: her exotic expensive bags and now she is declaring her wealth like it’s a badge of honor. If that isn’t “flaunting” please tell me what is? Of course, this “character” could be lying to create some type of drama for herself given that she’s admittedly “insecure”, but if someone posts I tend to rely on their word to be credible.
I was gonna comment and say where’s that person that gives me second hand embarrassment and low and behold.
You are hilarious! Your “second hand embarrassment” is so idiotic. But keep doing it. My friends and I love laughing at your comments.
Do you have a problem with the fact that I can afford to indulge in luxury?
I’m sure we all are who’s on this site; so, you’re not the only 1 ok.
Dear, you are on a site about purses. Dial it back..this ain’t exactly the big time.
Do you have a problem with the fact that I can buy whatever I want?
The issue is that you represent yourself as not well bred or educated in any way. You’re a fraud and the mere fact that you continue to double down on your fairy tale is even further proof.
The way you just wrote that sounds like you’ve been watching bridgerton. Rich people are tacky, they flaunt, they show it in your face, it just depends on the one you run into wasn’t taught to keep it hush hush…
Would never pay that for a bag! I don’t get all the hype over this bag. Overprice it and everyone wants one.
And really ugly; to be honest; but i guess it just makes a person feel like they have arrived after finally getting 1.
Before I purchased my first Birkin, I didn’t know the “game”, but I quickly caught on. After buying a watch, scarf, bracelet and 3 other bags, I was “offered” a gray Birkin. That wasn’t one of my “colors” and I found it ugly and declined. Soon after, I was offered a Gold Birkin and purchased it. However, if I did it all over again I would purchase a new bag, but in the second hand market. The amount of money that I had to spend on items that I didn’t want, in order to purchase my Birkin from Hermes, was insane!
I have a crazy Birkin story, well around pandemic you know how it claimed many retailers, well there was a story called bealls, (and at the time it was going out of business and was already doing its fire closing sale, ) and inside they had a store called LXR they sold pre-loved handbags, they well they had a Birkin 35 with palladium hardware in black togo. they had it listed for $18,500 (my math might be wrong). at 50% off, I told myself at that price I will never get it,! it’s insane, well I hunted down the manager, and tried to negotiate since it was already closing I figured, just get the sale, well he told me next week it’s gonna be at 60% off and an additional 10% buying 6 items or more if you wait 2 weeks and if it’s still here it will be at 70% off, well I didn’t risk it, I went back the following week, stood in line, I called out of work and said, I will get that Birkin!!, well I went back, the stores opened and I rushed to the handbag cabinet and I yelled: ” Ma’Am I need that bag! that bag is mine, hold it!”
well, I got my 6 items, mostly already hugely discounted body soaps, just to get the extra 10%, I got rung up and paid literally with all the extra discounts, $3,704.19. I saved $15,608.52 dollars.
was it really a save? we all know that Hermes Birkin doesn’t retail for that much, but having no huge money capital, and no way to go into Hermes and buy a brand new one, i think i got an amazing deal on one. I tried to resale it and Fashionphile wanted to give me $10,000 for it, but I couldn’t bring myself to let it go.
and that’s how I got my first Birking 35. (below is a picture of me holding my 1st Birkin.
awww nice story.
That’s some story! You did the right thing! I don’t normally see bags as investments but with yours it is!
Don’t buy a Birkin resale. There’s an article this week in New York Magazine all about how sophisticated rep factories have become, and how authenticators at consignments shops can be easily fooled by near-perfectly copied details. I would be crushed if I saved up thousands of dollars for a purchase like this only to unwittingly buy a fake. The SA song and dance at Hermes might be annoying, but it’s not worth the risk at this price point.
I doubt it’ll happen here in Japan.
If you have to save for months to purchase something it is not worth it – rather put the money in stocks and bonds
I would say the same thing about luxury cars, but so many people seem to drive them and they don’t get half the crap that people with Birkins do. If you get a Birkin, at least it holds its value, and if you care for it (it isn’t getting dragged across the road every day or worse dented like a car) your Birkin resale value percentage is much higher than a luxury car. Also, depending on the Birkin color/leather/size the resale value might increase from purchase price. A luxury car drops value irrespective of condition the minute you drive it off the lot.
The price difference between a good quality basic model car and a luxury car is basically the price of a Birkin. I’ll take the basic car with better gas mileage and cheaper repairs/replacement parts any day and buy a bonus Birkin any day. However, the general public seems to find this option less acceptable.
I think people give Birkins crap because women like to buy it. I’d like to see the same shaming on every Mercades/BMW/Lexus/Audi out there 😤
How about have it all; a nice handbag; a nice car and a beautiful home with equity; that turns while you’re peacefully sleeping and dreaming of your next luxury gift to yourself; how so much fun.
You’re kidding right. Most people save for months to put down money on a house. I saved to purchase a car. At least they’re saving for it instead of putting it on a credit card.
exactly, credit card for such a high cost is such a no no! Look up and will be triple for it. Think smart.
Ive wanted to buy the birkin since college 15yrs ago (gosh im old). I know i will buy it someday just didnt take it too seriously because i was naive during my younger years i wanted 1 designer bag from every major designer (that didnt happen). In 2019 i became so obsessed with hermes right after i finally bought my pink chanel flap which was also high on my wish list. Im the save the best for last kind of girl (example: i eat chicken skin last because that’s my fave and i eat noodles last too i drink the soup first haha). I was gifted 2 hermes bags (evelyne tpm and herbag) already by my mom for Christmas and my birthday. So finally last year i finally bought my birkin. Price was amazing and orange was the color ive always wanted. I wasnt particular with the size hardware and leather. My budget was on the lower end so going preloved was the only route for me and my wishlist couldnt be so specific to adjust to my budget. Im sure if chanel didnt get in the way i could have bought it earlier. So now currently doing the same thing again sacrifice (remember those 1 bag for every designer? I sold plenty of old bags) and discipline to save save save for my kelly. Hopefully will purchase it in 2024. Hope it will be a lucky year for us. Cheers!
I am not a fan of Hermes Birkin bag and would not buy one, that is just my opinion. I am a Chanel girl, always have been and always will be. If you like the bag and can afford it, good for you.
I was ignorant and lucky in getting my Birkin. I worked for a London law firm, and had just left because I was being horribly bullied. Anyway, I walked into the Hermes shop just to console myself by looking at beautiful things. I started talking to the two SA’s there while drooling over the beautiful scarves. Suddenly, I was asked if I’d like a bag. They brought out a chocolate togo Birkin 35 with gold hardwear, and a tiny Kelly in green (don’t remember the size, leather or hardware). I immediately loved the Birkin as I felt it was a practical size and colour. However, I knew my credit card limit wouldn’t cover the price. So I asked the SA’s if they wouldn’t mind waiting a few minutes while I called my bank and transferred money from my savings account into my current account. After a few minutes, I paid for the Birkin on my debit card. Suddenly I was the owner of a Birkin. The reason I said I was ‘ignorant’ is because at the time I actually didn’t appreciate how difficult it is to be offered a Hermès bag. I’d never thought of buying one because to me they were just expensive. So that’s how I got my Birkin; no saving for it, no waiting for it. Now, to recoup the price back into my savings account probably took me a couple of years.
Yes, but if you bought it in store with no purchase history, you profit more than double in resale value if you ever decided to let it go. Awesome.
Does anyone know if it’s difficult to buy a Garden Party? Is that something that I could get without a previous history with Hermes?
Its not hard and you don’t need prior history
I did, but you might want to contact your Hermes boutique since stock has been low for any/all Hermes products.
I don’t think anyway cares about your humble brag.
This is an unnecessarily mean comment!
“Humble brag”? What a ridiculous statement. I was in my Hermes boutique, a few months ago and their stock is limited in everything from bags to shoes to RTW to dinnerware. All one has to do is look around the store to see empty shelves. I’m commenting on what I personally observed.
The empty shelves are partly due to thwart theft and the imbeciles who bumrush the boutique for a quick theft
I’ve seen videos and pictures of thefts at Chanel and L.V. boutiques and I guess it could happen at Hermes. However, to thwart that my Hermes boutique hires a burly guard who keeps the door locked and won’t open it unless someone has an appointment. Then, he calls the S.A. who comes to the door and confirms the appointment. Of course, someone could attempt to breach security, but these efforts make it more difficult.
Couldn’t agree more
Depends on the country and store and even the day of the week it seems, but I’ve been able to find Garden Parties as a walk-in at multiple stores. One time I didn’t even ask for it just was looking for “something in this green, SLG shoes doesn’t matter” and the SA asked if a GP would interest me.
I do get the impression that getting a specific color is difficult which is expected because even getting a specific tableware piece is hard at Hermes due to inventory lol. But no waitlist etc stuff, just weird stocking.
You said you don’t live near an Hermes store. But, If you are willing to spend that kind of money on a handbag wouldn’t it make sense to fly to an Hermes store? It would be a small investment compared to the bag itself.
Based on your previous opinion pieces, I’m surprised (and yet not) that you like the Birkin. 🙄
I’m curious what you mean by your statement? She has previously discussed the pros and cons of Birkin’s and she admittedly owns them. I’ve found her posts to be both objective and subjective re: this subject. Is she not permitted to enjoy them even if she has the ability to address flaws?
She’s the author of color who chose to post about how she disliked Telfars during Black History Month. She also recently posted talking about how she likes the old Burberry over the new Burberry. She’s gained a rep (for me) of writing about how much she doesn’t like something. The irony of her now writing about how much she likes the most exclusive, expensive, and whitest of bags is not lost on me.
“Author of color” and “she likes…the whitest of all bags…” are exaggerated statements for something that doesn’t exist, or exists only to you. As far as the Birkin? I see many people, of all races, nationalities, carrying this bag. This is not a “White” bag. For instance, an influencer in Singapore owns, I believe, the world’s largest Hermes Birkin handbag collection. Her collection is more than Victoria Beckham’s. I see several Black women carrying them as well. Anyway, the author can address this and speak for herself, if she wants.
Sometimes it comes off as the token black girl.
“She’s the author of color!” WTF does “color” have to do about an article referencing a handbag?
Lucy, if you don’t understand, feel free shut up.
And Julia, if you want to be willfully obtuse, feel free. Alejandra is a woman of color who is an author of articles on PurseBlog. There’s no air quotes needed.
Not interested in debating either of y’all.
“Shut up” and “willfully obtuse”? You are a class act. Don’t make ludicrous comments about “color” if you don’t want to be called out for them. Be better.
It’s sheer lunacy at this point.
I like the Birkins a lot but I think unless I am a millionare i should not splurge so much money for only one item. I guess I would feel terribly guilty. What do you think guys?
Not too long. I was offered out of the blue within several months of buying things “I like” from the brand. I wasnt expecting that offer anytime soon since i was pretty content at that time with my kelly. Of course, I have to resell some preloved bags to be able to fund it. I still have the B30 and its a keeper. Not planning on getting another B though.
All the stories about the waitlist and buying stuff you don’t need, before you are “allowed” to order a Birkin or Kelly….I did not know them…just walked into the Hermes Store and said “I like to order a Birkin”. They told me it could take months or years……After 2,5 months (!!!) I got a call, that they have a Birkin for me…not exactly the color I wanted but …I said “no, I want to wait for my Birkin” …after another 2 weeks they called again and my Birkin was there. I don’t live near a large city, where the Hermes store is, so they gave me 4 weeks to come and get it. That is my story….never understood all the stories of the other women….
All my friends asked, how many years did you have to wait……3 months 🙂
Thanks for sharing, when & where did you get your Birkin?
I wish it was that way across the board and to all customers, but it’s not.
I’m wondering how to get a Birkin at the age of 16. Any thoughts on the items that I can buy at Hermès that will get me to it faster?
Home-wear and jewelry. And show your SA that you are dedicated
Alejandra I’ve enjoyed your articles for a while and wanted to comment because I swear when I read the title of this article I was like “wait! How is she reading my mind?” Off to actually read it now 😁
What colour is the bag on the photo?