In the world of designer handbags, few bags are as widely recognized as the undeniably iconic Hermès Birkin. The Kelly, which dates back years further than its more relaxed little sister, is also an incredibly identifiable bag to those both in and out of the know.
Having been a fashion lover for as long as I’ve been able to walk (my mother often tells the story of how at 2 years old, I insisted my hair bows match my shirt), the Birkin Bag was something I always just knew about. I cannot recall the exact moment in time that I learned what a Birkin was, but I can tell you that I did not know the vast ins and outs of Hermès’ offerings until I started working at PurseBlog. It was then that I discovered the Picotin, and even though I’ve known of its existence for some time now, it’s a bag that I find still continues to fly somewhat under the radar.
The Origins of the Picotin
Though not nearly as popular as the Birkin or Kelly, the Picotin holds just as much history as the Birkin and the Kelly, dating back to the brand’s early days. Launched in 2002, the bag is an ode to Hermès’ equestrian roots, modeled after the feed bags used to hold oats fed to horses. Additionally, its name refers to the unit of measure that’s used to portion out the amount of food given to a horse daily.
The Pictoin: A Sleek Daily-Hauler
The Picotin’s bucket-like shape offers ample space and a roomy interior, no matter the size you choose. Its shape is slouchy and easy to wear, offering a casual yet elegant bag that’s perfect for everyday wear. The most common sizes produced are 18cm, 22cm, and 26cm, though a micro version does exist as well. The Picotin offers a relaxed feel with its unlined, natural edges and minimalist feel. Aside from its lock feature, the Picotin is virtually logo-free, the perfect quiet luxury carry, if you will. The Picotin offers functionality in the lightweight package of a bucket bag, and even though it’s meant to be worn in the crook of the arm or toted by hand, you can add a longer strap for shoulder or crossbody wear.
Often described as an Hermès starter bag thanks to its more affordable price (the Picotin 18 starts at $3,025) and availability, I wonder where all the Picotin’s are in the world, as it’s not a bag I spot IRL very often, despite the many variations offered. Its ease of wear warrants a second look, and as someone who had often felt Hermès to be ever out of reach, especially given the constant price increases, the Picotin has me constantly coming back. I especially have eyes for the Picotin Cargo, which feels relaxed, a bit sporty, and very me.
Are you a fan of the Picotin? Do you think it gets the love it deserves?
This bag doesn’t hold much and I see that wide opening as an invitation to thieves.
Picotin is really growing on me. Hermes does so many beautiful colors!
Atrocious
So what do you think about the Hermès Birkin and Kelly?
Love them both but agree with the person above that the Picotin is atrocious 🤣🤣
I think the statement “ the bag is an ode to Hermès’ equestrian roots” applies to the vast majority of the brand’s leather goods.
It does – but I think each item pays homage in a different way to a different equestrian item as well!
I just had two babies in two years. I could not for the life of me figure out why they would name a bag after the drug they use to induce you, pitocin. It turns out it is not named after oxyctocin ha.
It is not PITOCIN. It is piCotin.
Not in French. It is pi-co-TIN and the “I” is a nasal vowel; you don’t pronounce the N. By the way, I love my large black Picotin (26) and it is very under the radar. The drawstring bag inside is a useful idea as well.
I like the design and good thing I can attach a shoulder strap to it.
I also put all my stuff in a drawstring bag and then put it in the Picotin, just for the ease of mind.
Could anyone please chime in if this is a walk-in type of item? Thank you. I haven’t been to a store for so long, really wanted to get this when I am in SF this summer. I like both this and Kelly but I don’t like the waiting scheme… And I know Picotin would get a ton of use. It is in the Goldilocks Zone for functionality and aesthetics, for me.
I was able to walk-in and buy in NYC this winter
Good to know! Thank you!
I had to make a bag appointment with my SA to get my Picotin.
Thank you for your help! I was at Rodeo Drive last month and was deterred by the line outside Hermès. Hopefully better next time I am around a Hermès store.
Historically, I was able to walk into Hermes and buy bags, including Picotin’s, but the last couple of years the demand is greater than the supply. My S.A. said that the supply chain was disrupted, due to Covid, and stores are still trying to catch up.
Thank you so much!
Pretty much all Hermes bags look like boring leather bags that would be sold at one of those Italian leather stores in NYC that has a going-out-of-business sign for 20 years in a row.
I don’t get the appeal of really anything. The Kelly 25 is beautiful and I do like the Constance and Birkin and some of the scarves and bracelets are nice, but the rest? Meh, if I wanted to look like I owned a horse, I would go elsewhere. And to get abused by an SA while constantly being worried about my pre-spend status just so I could be offered the opportunity to spend more money? No f**king thanks!
At this point they could sell leather d**k shaped keychains and people would buy them because they’re desperate to get a bag…it’s actually sad.
TLDR: ^^^ “I’m jealous for people who carry Hermès bags” 🤡
Tell me you can’t afford Herme without telling me you can’t.
Not everyone who thinks that the price point is a bit high it just complaining because they cannot afford one. I spent what, to me, was a considerable amount of money on Hermes loafers and still did not get to even SEE a bag, which they told me the did not have, and offered another customer an opportunity to go in the back room to look at bags, even though I told them that I had traveled half way across the country specifically to purchase shoes in store and was hoping to see a bag…soo… quite disappointing for me. It is not about the cost, but it is. Affordability is not exactly the issue. Marketing is genius. Make a product scarce, and you can overcharge for it, ensure adequate demand, and control the price on the secondary market, as well. After all, why would anyone willing and able to pay $20,000 for a second hand bag buy a second hand bag when a new one is several thousand dollars less? Because you can’t get a new one, regardless of how much money you have. Massarotti does this, also. If you want to participate in this market, fine. But many people with a little more common sense than money opt out unless the goal is to get one in order to sell it and make a little extra cash. It’s a nice vessel to carry your belongings in. There are TONS of just as nice vessels available to carry your belongings in. I am sure the folks at Hermes appreciate the fan loyalty to the brand, but they charge a very high premium for it.
Please allow me to do a paean to this bag. In 2017, I was visiting New York and saw a picture of Katie Holmes with the Picotin. I immediately went into a Hermes store with that picture and got one (my first luxury bag).
This bag is a work horse, it holds so much and has never let me down. I used to think luxury bags had to be treated tenderly, and my philosophy is that a bag fits into my lifestyle, not the other way round. I don’t have time to be babying it. So I bought cheap bags I could easily replace when I wore them out.
This purchase showed me that quality bags don’t wilt under the pressure of a real life. It withstands my yearly travel to different countries (all in economy where I shove it under the seat), fits everything I need to take me from day to night on work projects, and makes me look like I’m a small bag person. Spoiler alert, I’m not. I carry a lot with me. It doesn’t have a shoulder strap, so allows me to keep it close when I’m in touristy cities known for theft.
I love it dearly. I was in London this month and took it to get one of those twilly scarfs wrapped around it like the second picture in this post. I actually took that photo in and they replicated it for me.
It gave me the belief to buy the other personal workhorse bag that I love when I need to use a shoulder strap – the LV capucines.
I’m new to the world of luxury bags! Can you tell me more about the fabulous scarf that is wrapped/attached to the bag? It’s stunning! Thank you!
There’s also a TGM Picotin, 32 or 33 cm. A great bag.
I want the TGN picotin. Great bag for overnighters or weekend trips. Do you happen to know the price and the availability of this size?
I do want one, but geez, the price point!
At first I LOVED the aesthetics of this bag so much, I bought a pico 22. But I ended up selling it because functionally it wasn’t very practical. It became so slouchy it was collapsing on itself whenever placed on a surface, but in a very un-aesthetic way. I was also too anxious about its wide and unsafe opening.
All in all, one of the worst luxury bags I’ve ever purchased.
Straight Halloween vibes ! Perfect bag for trick or treating – I just truly don’t understand the hype here.