It’s a new year! Congratulations, dear reader, you’ve survived 2022!
Of course, it may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things. And 2023 is, after all, merely yet another rotation around the sun. Nonetheless (and as cliché as it sounds), the beginning of a year is also an opportunity to take stock of the old and recalibrate for the new.
Whether it be in our careers, relationships, or our lives as a whole, a new year is a fitting time to reinvent oneself. And since our chief concern here are our wardrobes, for us purse-lovers, this reinvention is achieved by way of – you guessed it – a new handbag!
If you do happen to be on the lookout for a splurge, I have just the thing for you to indulge in. So, without further ado, let me introduce (or rather, re-introduce) you all to the Hermès Herbag!
The Origins of the Herbag
There was once a point, way back in the 70s, when you could purchase an Hermès Kelly for under $3,000, that too in-store! No waitlists, no mind games, no taking out a loan for a handbag – doesn’t it all sound like an absolute dream?
Well, while you probably won’t find a Kelly under those conditions anymore, there’s a close cousin – a little sister, if you will – that’s still pretty affordable, at least by the standards of today’s luxury purses. And that’s the Herbag.
Unlike the Kelly, the Herbag was introduced several decades later, and Hermès’ secrecy makes it all the more difficult to confirm its inception date. Also known as the Kelly Country, the purse shares the same trapezoidal silhouette, flap closure, and top handle as its elder sibling, making it a fitting choice for Hermès beginners. And its distinctiveness comes in the form of an interchangeable canvas body (more on this later), a Clou de Selle locking mechanism, and a lower price tag.
But its original run didn’t gain as much recognition as the brand’s premier offerings did. And by the early-2000s, the Herbag was discontinued. In 2009, however, Hermès launched an updated version, the Herbag Zip, that has since earned a steady following from everyday handbag users and the celeb set.
At first glance, the Zip isn’t much different than the original. But, as they say, the devil is in the details! The updated design features a zipped back pocket (hence, the name), a removable interior pouch, and two more durable versions of the textile body that are waterproof – Officier and Berline Canvas.
And the reintroduced Herbag continues to remain an Hermès staple, even ruling the runways in the brand’s Resort and Spring 2019 collections!
What Makes the Herbag Unique
As if the lower price point and higher availability weren’t enough, the Herbag comes with a special feature that cements its place among the hearts of its fans – it’s two bags in one!
Few of us have the luxury (or the willingness) to buy the same purse in different colors. And yet, we do sometimes wish to spruce up the appearance of our everyday handbags without engaging in some complicated maneuver with twillies or charms.
And the Herbag allows for just that! Available in both contrast-colored and tonal-textile options, the bag’s canvas body can be unscrewed from the leather top flap and either reversed or replaced with one in a different colorway ( available for separate purchase).
Speaking of colors, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the massive array of choices Hermès provides. On top of that, some limited-edition Herbags also feature embroidered toile, H-monogram, or checkered patterns! Really, the options for your Herbag, with its ability to be mixed and matched any way you like, are endless.
But if you thought colors were the only choice you’d have to make when buying a Herbag, think again! It comes in five different sizes: 31 cm, 39 cm, 50 cm (known as the Herbag Cabine), 52 cm (called the Herbag Weekender), and a Herbag à Dos Backpack version as well! Plus, the design is offered in both Retourne and Sellier styles, with palladium- or gold-plated hardware options too!
I know, decisions, decisions…
A Year-Round Staple
Given its dominance over the collective luxury industry, Hermès’ pieces are rarely regarded as anything but classics. But does timelessness always equate to functionality? That’s a long-standing debate between the brand’s buyers, who admire the aesthetics of Holy Grails like the B/K/C, but find them too heavy and precious to be used as everyday purses.
The Herbag, on the other hand, circumvents both the drawbacks of these conservative classics. Thanks to its lightweight but hard-wearing canvas and tough Vache Hunter trims, the style has been described as free-spirited — the perfect purse that transcends all seasons and braves all weather!
Its functionality doesn’t stop at the materials only. Its ultra-practical back pocket is big enough to hold your phone, wallet, and key, ensuring that you wouldn’t have to fumble with the sangles. Plus, the provision of a top handle and a crossbody strap (though not adjustable) allows multi-way carry.
But of course, subject to its colorways, its usability may be affected. Lighter leathers and canvases may be more prone to stains or marks, while older canvas versions have been less durable.
Overall, the Herbag has become a fan-favorite among Hermès buyers owing to its unisex appeal, relative availability (they even occasionally appear on the Hermès website!), and entry-level price point (the Herbag 31 starts from $2,675). And its canvas body also creates a more casual feel, unlike its more uptight cousin, the Kelly.
Now, is the Herbag considered an investment in the way Hermès Birkins and Kellys are often considered to be?
Well, not quite. Its average value retention is much lower than the B/K/Cs, with pristine vintage styles going for as low as $700, while used Herbag Zips are usually available around the $2,000 mark. Some exceed retail prices, but only if they are in excellent condition and in desirable colorways, like all-black or covetable Pégase Pop embroidery.
However, the Herbag’s true sense of investment is in its supreme usability. Its year-round appeal and ability to switch “bodies” make it a valuable asset to any working individual’s wardrobe. Plus, it’s Hermès – who could ever go wrong with that, right?
