It’s that time of the year again; in New York, the weather is getting chillier, the trees are bare, and it’s dark by late afternoon. We got through Thanksgiving-at-home and now it’s time to gear up for the December holidays.
I love ALL the winter holidays. No matter what you celebrate, there’s love and lights and joy and giving. I tend to approach the giving part with equal parts warm-heartedness and fear. I enjoy the idea of the *perfect* present, but most of the time that doesn’t really exist for the people on my list. There are, as I like to say, “lots of great options” that will be warmly received and truly enjoyed. The best part of those options is, I already wrote that article last year, and you can read my very lengthy (ah, well-researched) review of fabulous Hermès gifts at every price point right here.
It’s fairly comprehensive, with, ahem, lots of great options for everyone on your list (and now they have three of the folding desk available.
Perhaps, however, you have a very specific recipient in mind….or you want to go above and beyond and find something really unique from Hermès (and you have neither the time or the finances to order something from their Horizons bespoke service). Well, then I have some more entertaining options for you from around the internet.
Having been in business for such a long time, Hermès has produced quite a variety of interesting pieces, from sporting equipment, to objets d’art, to furnishings. There’s something a little exhilarating about the range of options you have from such a high end source, and I’ve been both excited and amused to find these really interesting pieces which are currently available.
A few quick observations from some of the usual websites:
The RealReal seems to have a great selection of vintage bags and porcelain (do you need a set of 19 (!?) soup spots in the Ikat pattern? TRR has it!)
Fashionphile has a great selection of jewelry, bag charms and oran sandals (especially gold Orans. In many sizes).
1st Dibs has an “Ephemera” Section for Hermès (including such outdated items as an inkwell, a cigarette holder, and a revolver holster).
Bags
Hermès Sac A Malice Bag ($2,100)
I love the humorous Sac À Malice bags (Hermès made a number of different designs). This one is particularly straightforward, depicting a beach scene done in leather marquetry with a seagull clasp and a detachable strap. The inside has a few pockets and this layout makes it a more practical evening bag, too.
Hermès Passe Guide Bag ($6,200)
Possibly my favorite discontinued Hermès bag. The Passe Guide is so elegant and useful, with a classic, equestrian-inspired shape and multiple functional pockets. This is one of those bags which, in my option, looks even better with signs of use, and compared to other Hermès options the price is fairly reasonable.
Hermès Sac Tambour Bag ($2,800)
Ok, I have never, ever seen this bag before, and it’s definitely part bag, part art, part sign-of-the-times.
Hermès Toupet Bucket Bag ($13,000)
Honestly….this could be awesome…or this could be awful. It reminds me of the French concept of Jolie Laide (beautiful-ugly), although I think whomever carries this will bring the beautiful part to the scene. I cannot help but mentally pronounce the name of this bag as “toupee” because this is exactly what it looks like to me. With that said, it is definitely unique! And (in my opinion) only the second-most, ah, “Jolie Laide” bag Hermès has ever produced (the first deserves an article all to itself).
Hermès Leather Holster ($2,395)
This items looks new, although I can’t imagine when it was produced. I see it as a viable candidate for alternative hands-free bag option – and a more streamlined look than the recent Chanel version – and really anyone can rock it with the right amount of insouciance and flair…as long as it fits you. Fashionphile even has a choice of two colors.
Sporting Goods
Hermès Savana Dance Surfboard ($14,500)
Hermès isn’t known for sporting goods, although they do produce them every season. Fashionphile has enough surfboards to kit out a family of surfers in a variety of colors, but these would also be really unique (and usable) decor pieces.
Hermès Patterned Skateboard ($5,830)
If you’re not into surfing, there’s also the skateboard.
Home
Hermès Pippa Writing Desk ($18,965)
A truly elegant and streamlined piece. Yes, I picture it set up in a tent in an exotic locale, but it would also be neat in just about any small space; with a collapsible frame and fold-out writing surface, this is one of those go-anywhere and hard-to-find items that could really make a room and really inspire any writer.
Hermès Hanging Wall Mirror ($10,195)
This is one of those special pieces that can make or complete a room, and I see it working with a good range of decor styles, both masculine and feminine.
Hermès Box (originally a cigarette and matchbox) ($1,424)
Hermès Humidor ($3,295)
A way to store your cigars in beautiful Hermès style.
Hermès Wallpaper ($350)
Hermès makes a lot of home goods such as wallpaper and linens, but I haven’t seen excess available for sale previously and this is a universally flattering color and style, so maybe one of my readers out there will find it useful.
Bracelets for Anyone (as long as they fit!)
Hermès Collier de Chien Year of India Bracelet ($2,595)
I remember when this was available in the boutique it was incredibly popular and hard-to-get. I love when Hermès produces very special versions of their iconic pieces.
Hermès Manchette Horn Bracelet ($399)
A completely different and unique piece, which both blends with typical Hermès style and would suit a variety of looks and, again, anybody could rock this.
Hermès Wood Medor Bracelet ($770)
Another fun and limited variation on the Medor/Collier de Chien style.
Office
Hermès Paul Dupré-Lafon Notepad Cover ($1,676)
Hermès 9-Piece Wood Desk Set ($7,419)
This set includes (all pieces are signed): a desk blotter, pencil holder, clip, agenda holder, tissue box, letter/paper tray, note Pad tray with original note pad, a Post-it holder and a notepad holder. This set definitely has it all!
A Final Special Treat
Hermès Robe du Soir Exceptional Beaded Scarf
I love the exceptional scarves and Robe du Soir is one of my favorite designs as it’s both elegant and folds well. Someone please buy this before I do!
Just an FYI…since I began writing the article, three pieces I selected to include were sold. So if you are interested in any of these items, I would not delay. Have a wonderful, healthy and safe holiday!
Some people have way too much money.
The Hermès Manchette Horn Bracelet ($399) is “made in Vietnam”? Does Hermes source out products to other countries? I thought everything Hermes was made in France?
Their watches and some belt buckles are made in Switzerland. Their lacquerware is made in Vietnam. I noticed that their Petit H Occasional Table is made in the USA. I’m sure there’s a handful of other products made outside of France.
Fun fact: Even though the Petit H Occasional table is made in the USA, and presumably doesn’t have any import taxes, it’s still considerably more expensive to buy in the USA than France/Euro-countries.
Their Silver belt buckles are made in Niger, certain scarves in Italy (jacquard), and the list goes on. They usually try to seek out specialists for each product category across the world.
Yes! Thank you for pointing that out. In some cases Hermès has taken over a business and incorporated the line to produce in-house (John Lobb shoes, St Louis crystal) and other times they will hire specialized artisans for an item or series of related items (like the silver buckles). ?
I find these Hermes posts to be quite boring – nothing to do with purses and just uninteresting – why bother doing them if they are not even sponsored
I appreciate that an article like this isn’t particularly interesting to you and I take all feedback. I wrote this because I genuinely enjoy all aspects of the brand. I just didn’t want to do another typical gift guide for the holidays and I thought maybe some oddities (including bags we don’t see anymore) would be interesting. Is there anything in particular you would like to read here?
Why disparage this post? I like them, but if there are posts that I don’t like I just scroll on past. For instance, I don’t like spinach, and I’m going to pass it up whenever it’s served. You could do the same. Why bother reading them if you don’t like them? ????
+1. I find the descriptions of different luxury items at Hermes quite interesting (whether or not an individual item is to my taste is part of the fun of discovering the brand). Even if an article wasn’t to my taste, we are all different. There are a ton of other threads relating to handbags only, but handbag aficionados often also love fine jewelry design, home ware, scarves. . . Re sponsorship, I’d rather read an article that is not sponsored bc it’s a more objective viewpoint of the item in question, and I enjoy the author’s taste and how she articulates it. JMO of course! Happy holidays.
Thank you ??
Sounds like a salty person that can’t afford hermes ????? Like Hermès is a brand that needs to sponsor posts for people to buy their stuff. ?
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I love discontinued or non popular Hermès bags. I own a Jypsière that I adore (and gets a lot of use when I travel because it’s virtually impossible to open one handed, which means less pickpocketing risk), and I would love to get a Marwari or Massai. I also love my red So Kelly.