I’ve loved bags for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I lusted after one bag and one bag alone: a Louis Vuitton Speedy. On a family trip for spring break during my senior year of high school I finally got one. I remember walking through the streets of Aruba, brown shopping bag in tow, grinning from ear to ear after having just visited the Louis Vuitton boutique. I couldn’t wait to return to school after the break with a brand new bag in the crook of my arm. It was gifted to me by parents as my graduation gift, and in hindsight I should probably call them up right now and thank them again. I’m pretty sure it was the most money my mother had ever spent on a single material item—not only on me, but also on herself. She didn’t understand it, but she understood me. I wanted it so bad and as a parent she wanted to make me happy, and I can assure you, happy I was. At the time it was my holy grail bag, and though I don’t use it very often I’ll never part ways with it.
Over the last ten years my style has changed immensely and though the bags I lust for have changed too, two things remain the same: my love for bags and my adamant promise to myself that I will never own an Hermès Birkin. An Hermès Birkin is the ultimate holy grail bag for many people, but it isn’t that for me. Before you call me crazy and wonder how on earth I could possibly love bags as much as I do and not want a Birkin hear me out.
I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, just outside of the hustle and bustle on Long Island little old me blossomed into the handbag-loving adult that I am today. I grew up in a town that was pretty much made up of upper-middle class families. Many girls in my middle school carried Coach backpacks but some lucky ones had Prada or Louis Vuitton, and while I lived comfortably as a child my parents definitely told me ‘no’ plenty of times. Side note: thank you, mom and dad! I didn’t get things just because I wanted them and I watched my mom clip coupons before we went to the grocery store. We were well off enough that I never worried about money as a kid, and it wasn’t until I was much older that I even realized most of America didn’t live the way we did. Even still, I knew that there were families in our town, and in the surrounding towns of Long Island that were much more well off than we were. Parts of Long Island are super-affluent, and growing up there most definitely influenced my love for the fashion industry and my innate need to be part of it.
Trips to NYC as a kid as well as weekends at our local mall showed me that I wanted more than the sale rack at Macy’s. It was as if a world of luxury was right there within reach, but I just couldn’t quite grasp it. Even as a child I felt a sense of guilt at always wanting more. My parents gave me everything I could have ever needed as a kid. I had a roof over my head in a modest, but beautiful home, food on the table and new shoes for school every year, so why was what I had never enough? From a young age I always wanted more. The bigger the better, and when I got one thing I wanted I would move on to something else. My mother would often tell me that I was never satisfied, and in a lot of ways she was right.
As I grew up I certainly began to appreciate what I was given as a child and what I earned for myself as an adult much more. These days I’ve become much more conscious of my spending and even though I’m always in the market for something shiny and new I’m much more down to earth than I used to be and my luxury tastes certainly have a limit. For many handbag lovers an Hermès Birkin is the ultimate goal, but for me it’s something that I just can’t justify, but also I simply don’t want. I spent my earlier years wanting more and more to not only feel like I fit in, but to feel better about myself. I’ve gotten to a place where I’m happy with what I have and who I am. While I can appreciate the incredibly quality and craftsmanship of a beautiful new Birkin, owning one myself not only feels like an unnecessary status symbol, but it also feels too much like losing sight of where I came from.
Personally, I will never spend a dime at Hermes. I find the entire label so painfully try-hard. They have that same manufactured exclusivity as a velvet rope restaurant or club. If you’re gonna make me jump through hoops to spend my own money, no thank you. I’m good. No offense to anyone who loves the label or thinks the craftsmanship justifies the price tag, I just can’t with them.
Supply vs. demand creates value. Hermes are masters at maximizing value!
Jane Birkin herself has said Birkin is too heavy and impractical. It’s a bag that only makes sense if you had a driver who drives you around, and even then, it’s a pain in a butt to use. Its purpose is to signal to others how much you spent on it; to me that’s kind of tacky (and shows one’s nouveau riche-ness IMO). I appreciate the workmanship, but I wouldn’t want one either. (And I have other simpler, more practical Hermes bags.)
It’s true. The bag is heavy even when empty, and not at all easy or pleasant to carry
On the other hand, it’s much more understated than a monogram bag that screams from far away. One could argue that those bags are more obnoxious and showy than an elegant Hermes bag. I own both types of bags so I’m not picking on either, just making an observation.
Also, with Chanel bag prices inching closer to Hermes without the same quality, why wouldn’t one want to spend a tad more on Hermes with the confidence it will last forever and be serviced by Hermes whereas chanel says no after 5 years?
Yeah, just as a personal preference, I don’t own any obvious monogram bags either. It’s just my own point of view. I grew up in a country where there are more people with old money/wealth built over generations (though I wasn’t born into money). People with old money are less likely to show it off, hence, they would also be less likely to have flashy/recognizable bags. They are more careful with money = that’s how they’ve kept it. I really have nothing against Hermes bags; as you said, most of them are well-made bags worth their price. I was only pointing out Birkins are not all they’re cracked up to be, in that they are super heavy and the closure being impractical (for a normal person anyway), if you weren’t going for it as a status symbol.
Unfortunately, closures are one of those things that you don’t realize how they don’t work for you until you’ve already sunk $$$s into a bag. I don’t get the closures on Hermes bags. My Berline is not over stuffed and I can’t pull the two straps to line up with the turn lock on the front. I just pull the flap over and turn the turnlock, leaving the straps to dangle underneath. I think Hermes needs to hire me to come stuff their bags with my junk to see what kind of hardware to put on them. lol
I have a few and they’re not very heavy IMO but I have smaller ones….I used to have a Celine mini luggage tote and now that was a heavy bag! I think they’re very convenient since you don’t have to deal with any closure…
Love the Celine bags, but you are so right! They feel like you’re carrying a bowling ball! Some of the MaxMara bags are very cute, super light, and come at a very easy price tag…especially if you like to switch out bags, or if you need a workhorse bag that you don’t care if it gets wet/snowed on. My Hermes only sees sunny days lol. PS , MaxMara quality is decent although no wear near Hermes obviously.
Celine luggage bags are notorious for being heavy for its size… I have one but don’t carry it much for that reason. I believe Birkin 35 is a bit heavier than mini luggage. Sure, if you don’t actually close the sangles/lock, then it might be easy. But then you’d place the flap inside, which kind of beats the original purpose (a weekender, from which things don’t fall out). I know that’s the popular “look” nowadays; I personally feel like it looks undone. I’m type-A though 😛 To each her own.
I use a monogram NF daily and I love it for actually being practical. Sure I could have picked one in DE or DA but the tan and brown go much better tgt IMO.
H is about one of the few brands that my male friends and colleagues recognise. Ironically an LV canvas item isn’t really seen as anything exceptional.
I could buy a H B/K (at French prices) every 2 months and still live very comfortably and have savings to boot, but what’s the point? I’m still at the start of my career and I don’t want my boss to think I’m overpaid. I don’t want “friends” or distant relatives to think I have plenty of money to spare and try to take advantage of that.
The rest of my money goes towards a couple of other bags (Celine, Philip Lim, Gucci, Mulberry, and some customised croc). Where I live though, most women carry chanel, YSL, gucci etc everyday. Plenty of H too. I find them a hell lot more showy than my NF which is seen as a workhorse bag anyway.
What I find really pathetic, is when these women carry these expensive bags but wear cheap, ill-fitting clothes and shoes. THAT’s what makes someone look like they’re living beyond their means – when it looks like they spent all their money on the bag. Showy, and cheap.
Forgive bag ignorance & maybe it will come to me before you respond… what’s “NF”?
Louis Vuitton Neverfull 🙂
@Sylver thx!. Not a LV fan so I wouldn’t have solved it!
spending tons of $$ to get a CHANCE to buy a $15k+ bag that’s OFFERED to me?? such a turn off.
I was offered what i wanted without ever spending a dollar in the boutique.
That’s not entirely true. I didn’t have to spend money before I was offered my Birkin.
You got super lucky then, most stores require you have a buying history equal to the price of a B or K before offering you one. And even then, it has to be certain categories that “qualify.”
Status is all relative. To some people a Birkin isn’t expensive or even rare. To other people, the device you’re reading this on is worth more than their entire life. Does it make you a lesser person to own something more expensive than others? No. Everyone on this forum (who earns $35K+ per year) is in the top 1% richest people on the planet, but many are still hateful of those with more expensive possessions. Long story short, spend within your means and don’t be judgemental of what other people have or don’t have.
Hit the nail on the head.
To be considered in the top 1% income level in the US you would need to make at minimum $421,926. The $35k is considered fairly low income. If this article about the top 1% is true, I’d say nowhere near everyone on this the forum make that much https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/23/what-it-takes-to-be-in-the-top-1-percent-of-your-state.html
Louie said “…of richest people ON THE PLANET.” Not USA.
This is so true! Billionaire’s buying a Birken, is like you or me buying a purse from Target. Bad anology but, you get the idea! A Billionaire spends more on jet fuel per trip in their Lear Jet, than a Birken. We wouldn’t be self- conscious spending $40 to fill our gas tank with gas. But it would be crazy to charter a Lear Jet, paying for the fuel expense, if you make under $60,000 right? I think it all depends on your lifestyle, & what you can easily afford, that pleases you. If owning one would cause a negative uproar amongst the people in your world, then maybe it won’t bring you much joy to carry it around. (Unless you have a superiority complex, & want your friends to envy you). Joy ÷cost of Birken = utility value. Take stock of the world you live within, & do what works for you. If you find an outrageous deal on a pre-loved, then prepare to tell everyone about your good deal, & they will share in your happiness. Also, if owning one will promote you in your work life, then it can be considered a business expense. Lucky you!
Absolutely spot on
I agree! I like expensive things but those in my world either can’t afford it or poo poo it so it definitely makes me feel awkward at times.
Can you afford it? Yes, does it feel good having it ? yes? Okay, by all means obtain it. Try not to rub it in their faces.
Treat yourself. If you work hard especially. Go to an upscale part of town wearing it nice restaurant or something like that. You gonna get compliments, maybe new opportunities even😉
Just because you can, does not mean you should
disqus_p4VGwj9W4D already
I have many designer bags and have no wish for a Birkin. I don’t think the style is attractive at all………..don’t understand the hype. Again I’m not a big fan of Louis either. Can’t see spending that much for basically vinyl with someone’s initials all over. I do love Prada, Chloe, Botegga, Gucci, Chanel, and many others. Soft leather, unstructured for me.
Interesting-and yes stop and thank your Mother!
I don’t want a Birkin either, though I have plenty of Chanel, LV and Judith Leiber-the Birkin style just doesn’t appeal to me.
shhhh they’re gonna strip you of your tpf membership
I would feel like the most obnoxious snooty ridiculous person carrying one of those. No thanks.
Good for you! After loving and collecting Hermès for over 40 years, I have completely turned my back on the brand. Here’s why: The endless H “journeys”. The new product offerings are boring. (The new scarves are HIDEOUS). The obsession with tying twillies to “protect” the handles of your “investment”-Plueez. The flexing, and displays of floor to ceiling closets stuffed with Birkins. The huge number of boring posts about pre-spends and how to suck up to H salespeople. The handwringing and self flagellation over the failure to be ALLOWED to buy a “quota bag” -mind-numbing. The H Purse Forum (once a respite for true bag aficionados) has become a wasteland, populated by desperate Birkin seekers and heavy handed moderators. Nope, I won’t sell my H bag collection, but the brand is no longer low key or elegant. My H bags now spend most of their time on the shelf, and I am done.
I have a Birkin (only because I came across a ridiculously good deal in the pre-loved market and couldn’t resist, and after it was spa’d at Hermes it came out practically like new), and while I really love it, I’m HYPER conscious of how it appears, and I’m a little worried about how people might judge me, and how I opt to spend my money. I definitely only wear it in certain situations.
Don’t worry. It’s not as bad as you think. Some people will never see a birkin in their lifetime, in other words, some of the people in your world are actually happy to see someone they know actually owns one. In a funny way, it inspires hope.
That’s how I see it
Where I live now (close to the northwest Canadian border), no one even knows what a Birken or Kelly is! My previous California lifestyle just doesn’t compute up here, where I have chosen to retire! It’s just so sad! ?? Thank God for Purse Blog!?
Have a feeling I’ll end up in the same boat!
I purchased my Birkin in Calgary but I reside in Houston, TX. Perhaps certain parts of Canada are more fashionable?
We travel a lot, and it’s almost a schizophrenia experience in this! In some cities and countries I want to sport a few of my showy things (bags, shoes, jewelry). In many others (USA and far beyond) it would be embarrassingly pretentious, or some places even make me a target for negative attention, and if I lived there, I might as well sell it all off. Interesting to note as we move around the planet.
I really try to mix things up by pairing one designer item with no-name branded things. I mix my fine jewelry with tasteful costume pieces; designer handbag with an outfit from a thriftstore find….. I would only wear head to toe designer wear, if I was traveling to a big city, attending a big event, dinner out at a fine restaurant, etc. Luxury in moderation, is my thing. But it sure is fun to go all out, for an event!??????
Yes! Me too love to mix it up!
I passed a lady in the airport this weekweek had 4 different big loud designer logos (purse, a bigger duffel bag, t-shirt emblazoned, and a logo belt buckle). I’m guessing that’s NOT your style of all out. ?
Same! Where I’m vacationing in Florida isn’t for me! Coming from NYC born and raised and seeing people here drool over MK it’s insane to me lol.
Parts of Florida, like Palm Beach, seems pretty ritzy to me – maybe a little showy, though, for a New Yorkers refined tastes!? I could never figure out the allure of Florida. Too many creeping, crawling things!????
It’s a select few cities and people that are like that. Most of Florida is awful lol. Naples, Miami, West Palm Beach, Bocca etc. Are exceptions like you said but the trash is eerily close to those places. Sometimes less than 2 miles away from a Louis Vuitton you can find nasty places.
Well, there is quite a mix of people from different ethnicities in Florida….a real melting pot of immigrants, I think. I have only spent several weeks in Orlanda at a business conference, 2 weeks in Jacksonville staying with our dear friends for a week of sightseeing in Datona & Alexandria. Our entire extended Family took all our kids for a fantastic vacation in Disney World for 7 days (which is most definitely a fantasy world!). We raised our family in San Diego for 25 years. That’s a whole other melting pot, but it was my little slice of heaven for those years I lived there. I’d take Southern California any day over Florida! Humid Hot & bugs everywhere…. & Aligators, too! ????? No Thank-you! Give me sunny & 70° San Diego! Now, I reside in little Spokane, Washington with my retired parents & my sisters huge family. It’s a simpler way of life, here. I now have a closet full of beautiful clothes I’ll never wear up here. But I still can’t part with them, yet. ? I’m getting there!????? ?
lol So true, but it has its charm.
Life is short. Buy the Birkin.
can you please cover other luxury brands like Lanvin…we hear alot about chanel, prada, hermes.
I’d love to see more stories on contemporary brands also
Lanvin is in a tough place right now. I think they realized what a mistake it was to lose Alber. It’s gone through 2 CDs since and this latest one is leaving because his collection was a flop and it was sold to someone else. So that’s probably why you don’t hear about them much. They’re going through it right now.
The style doesn’t appeal to me. If I were to get a bag from Hermes, it would be the Evelyn or Constance.
I identify with EVERYTHING about this story, how we both were raised, parents saying we were never satisfied etc! Now I am all grown up in corporate role for a luxury brand and have little desire to purchase anything over the top or too expensive. My parents taught me the value of a dollar and I am proudly saving for retirement and building my dream house (modest but exactly what I want!) It’s refrshing to know not EVERYONE is obsessed with ultra luxury merchandise, even when we work in the industry and can afford it!
AMEN!!
I sooo can identify!!!! I have no interest in owning a Birkin, I don’t need a bag to make me feel better about myself, status is not important to me, I find that spending 10K+ on a bag is ludicrous and I don’t have the lifestyle that goes with it, who would I be fooling, right?! Oh and I just don’t like Birkins, end of story:)
I thought the Birkin was a pretentious annoying bag… until I bought one! It is now my very favorite bag! It is so simple in design and so elegant. The craftsmanship is impeccable and the leather (mine is Fjord) is spectacular. Of course, I am a tote person so the Birkin fits my lifestyle. If you don’t like to hand-carry your bag, then it’s not for you. Now, is it totally overpriced? Absolutely. Is it worth it in my opinion? Yes.
I appreciate your honesty. Buy the bags that appeal to you, not the ones that check a status box. And maybe a Birkin is that bag that you want for its style, etc. I don’t have the budget for ultra expense bags with 2 kids in college and maybe that is why I find myself attracted to some of the lesser known or emerging brands. That being said…if I won the lottery, I might buy a Birkin!!!
Minor thing but there is a typo in the last sentence, I think it should be “losing sight” and not “losing site”.
Thank you, we fixed! 🙂
I’m not aiming for a birkin either. The Kelly appeals to me a lot more. A 25 to be exact. In sellier. It’s ok not to like what everyone else does. We are all individuals and it’s fine to be different. Imagine how BORING it would be if we were all the exact same. Ugh. Personally I don’t like Classic Flaps. Anything bigger than a small doesn’t look good on me. The reissue looks better again either 225 or 224. I’d prefer the boy but after this latest price increase, I’d rather go to Europe and get a Kelly! 4500 for a small boy? And it won’t be serviced after 5 years??? Ha! Get the f**k outta here. Who are you trying to scam? Not this NYer!
TRUE! i had a Boy and hated it, sold it and didn’t look back. After years of buying the latest IT bag, I am sticking to what works for me, classics that can be worn for years.
So true. Instagram has RUINED class and elegance for me. I’ve never seen so many people not know how to act with “money” lol.
Please! Don’t start me again on Chanel’s refurbishing policy! But then again Gucci won’t repair or refurbish any of its bags considered vintage. Why must we fabulous people have to struggle so? (LOL)
I mean vintage is more understandable. But a Chanel classic flap in black caviar with silver hardware you won’t repair after 5 years even though it hasn’t changed in 3 almost 4 decades?? Ugh. Dior is definitely the way to go for me although most of their designs do not appeal to me.
Thank you for this! I feel like I am very much in this headspace of anxiety; and when I get anxious I spend stupidly. I become obsessed with the idea of owning something, only to hate it once it arrives. It’s an awful cycle. While I’m nowhere near a Birkin, I’m definitely in a headspace that needs some internal dialogue about my spending habits and never being satisfied.
May I just say I enjoyed your article immensely, this said ….. I have to tell you(and this not in the defense of Hermes or the Bag) for years,I have written down the same note on purse blog because…. it this the absolute truth……. I like an Hermes bag,this bag has a name, it’s birkin but I wear the BAG,not the BIRKIN!!!!!!!!.. I honestly favor JPGs but I find floppy easy birkins the perfect……… every day carry all,that also happens to feel amazing when I touch its butter like leather, and the notion that it’s a status symbol really depends on where you live,and I adore the fact that they are the perfect puddles of leather, that carry my stuff arround. And I should add that other bags,to me make me feel the way you feel about a birkin.since I wear the same birkin almost every day for about 5 years each,then that bag goes in for repairs and serves someone in my family or may self, but I spend so much less than many others, that buy the IT season bag every year,every season.
Best love this type of article by the way. Thanks Purse blog.
I agree with you. I have yet to take the leap to buy a Birken, but I have a walk-in handbag closet and I’ve been collecting handbags for just about 25 years. Lately I’ve been thinking, if I had decided to invest an entire year’s budget on one bag, I could have bought a Birken several times over. I think the real question might be, would I get the same satisfaction of carrying that one Birken over and over versus pulling out a LV, Prada, Balenciaga or any one of the many designer bags I own? I’m not so sure about that, the truth is, when I do pull out a bag I haven’t carried in a while, I feel like I just got a brand new bag.
ITA!! I don’t care if someone handed me $10 mil right now, I wouldn’t buy one. I’ve never carried a bag on my elbow and the weight of the thing. NO THANKS. Honestly I want to give you a slow clap for writing this.
This is refreshing to hear! If I was a billionaire, I would not buy one either. To put into perspective, some of these bags cost more than some families make in a year. It is sickening that people who have that much money spend it thoughtlessly. I also don’t like the buying process for non-celebs: Buy a bunch of scarves & small goods, get in good with the sales associates and maybe, just maybe, they will offer you the opportunity to buy a secret Birkin in the back room. Even if the color is Neon yellow with orange polka dots, you have to buy it because if your refuse, you may not get another offer to buy one. Release the Kraken!!!
Even though I don’t like bags and think people should not spend that much money on a bag, I still think that with a Birkin or any item, if you have the money to buy it and choose to do so, you should be able to buy it and not have to jump through these hoops.
I respect the opinions and feelings on your post. Having said that, i was offered two Birkins and one Kelly without ever having to purchase anything. The experience was lovely from beginning to end. I find it interesting that you state that “…it is sickening that people who have that much money spend it thoughtlessly.” There is nothing thoughtless about it, it is a decision that is made by those of us who love the brand (or any other brand) with careful consideration for our style and financial means. How others chose to spend their money is on them. Just as how you chose to spend your money, or not, is totally ok. to each his own. That is what makes this world so amazingly fascinating, that we are all different.
This article sums up my feelings on the subject perfectly. I have a “limit” that I’ve established and I’m unwilling to pass it. I’m also outpriced by Chanel and Hermès…the sacrifices I’d have to make to purchase one make me realize that I actually can’t afford one.
You’ve got a very smart head on your shoulders! We all can admire them, but also make peace with not owning one. You know how to temper desire. A lot of people don’t have that skill, & thus work their whole life to become someone who has everything, but is never happy with anything. The real secret to joy, is dwelling in the sweet spot of contentment. It’s also recognizing that you are not defined by what you have, but who you are. Hunger & thrist to better yourself….as a friend, a child, a parent, a spouse, an employee, a boss, a citizen, a human residing on planet earth.?
If it’s just not your style I completely understand that, but I don’t understand considering a 4 figure LV or mid 4 figure Chanel as justifiable but a 4 or 5 figure Hermes as crazy and unreasonable. You may feel like it’s not worth your money, but who are you to judge those who do spend their money on it, as elitist or having lost sight of where they come from. The luxury world in general is 99% crazy and unnecessary but places like the purse blog is where people who indulge, are supposed to be able to come share and relate with others who do the same, without “much” judgement.
I’m a male luxury lover with an unnecessary amount of designer shoes, but no bags. I just had to comment as I feel like this article has the capability to make a lot of Birkin buyers feel bad about themselves!
FYI – Getting any L.V. item on a SPRING BREAK trip to ARUBA is unfathomable to most. I bought my first pair of Loubs at 15 after saving two checks from my part time job I had since 14.
I don’t think that’s what the OP meant. She just said that it makes her feel like she’s lost sight of where she came from.
Given that most other articles on the Birkin are meant to make Birkin buyers or would-be buyers feel good about the themselves, one article that discusses the lack of need to own a Birkin is a sobering reminder that you don’t actually need one.
I’ve never understood the appeal of the Birkin. It seems so difficult to get into and think it just looks sloppy when left hanging open. I know Hermes quality is amazing but prefer their more practical bags like the the Evelyn and Garden Party.
Brava! Good column. It sounds as though you have, indeed, developed a well-rounded social conscience and sense of self. Good for you. Personally, I’ve found many Hermes styles (JPG, Lindy, So Kelly, Kelly and even some Evelynes) far too heavy to carry comfortably, either on the arm or shoulder, for more than a few minutes. They indisputably are beautifully constructed, and the colors and leathers are fabulous, more so than Chanel, IMO. But I agree. I’d feel very self-conscious and ostentatious carrying a Birkin.
I’m a top 1% er…..but the top 1% goes from 421,000 to infinity. The Birkin is an “infinity” bag if you have kids to put through college and a mortgage and were not a trust fund baby….definitely not a 421,000 bag. I’m kind of with the author. I don’t really like it enough to want it. But I certainly do notice them when others carry them.
we’ll just wait a few years.
Thanks so much for the article. I feel the same way and can relate to much of your article accept I grew with much much less, so for me LV, Prada, Gucci and Chanel (I hadn’t even heard of Hermes until a few years ago) weren’t even part of my dreamscape growing. Coach was the best I could hope for…dream for is probably a better statement. I aspired to Coach in high school and when my sister and I were in the 9th and 10th grades respectively my single mom purchased us matching leather “Coach like” bags. Fakes weren’t the rage then so while our bags were a good quality leather and in my opinion a dupe for coach it wasn’t a fake at all. That being said we were so happy to have them we felt like we’d hit the jackpot. I say all this to say, that not in my wildest dreams would I have ever expected to own anything beyond the likes of Coach and it still feels awkward and surreal for me to carry my LV, Gucci, Chanel and Prada pieces (I only have a small Chanel wallet sunglasses and Prada outlet shoes, sunglasses and key holder btw). I find myself often feeling a little silly spending as much as I have over the last 5 years on these items and I am now getting to a place where I’m good with what I have as well and frankly can’t even imagine buying more from even these houses. I’d like a Chanel bag but I just can’t justify it. As I look at the constant price hikes of these brands it seems even more ridiculous especially when I hear of why the prices are going-they want to compete with elites like Hermes, they want the status symbol, no increase in quality just the status symbol. No thank you. Besides since the end of 2015 I’ve been reacquainting myself with Coach and other less luxury status brands and I’ve been loving them.
Good for you editor-in charge of her own destiny! Hermes Birkins & handbags in general are breathless, simple elegance. Unfortunate it’s priced so so high making it so unattainable, if you can get one. And these days..you’ll just be keeping up with the Joneses.
I finally picked up my Birkin bag after waiting two years (It was something I saved up for and a milestone birthday gift) I ordered a 30cm, Rouge H, gold hardware in Togo leather! And it’s lovely, not too big nor heavy and at $9,800 it’s the most expensive bag I own to date….although my Dior and Chanel are close seconds. I love handbags and shoes as they elevate an outfit but I think I’m done buying handbags as ‘where do I go from here?’ Did I need the Birkin? No. But I really love it (for now)
And here I have 6 Birkins…LOL. It’s the bag I like most because it’s effortless; it’s a tote! And depending on size (even skin) looks great, day to night. And because it’s Hermès, I match it with everything from bracelets to scarves to shoes, even belts. I appreciate your opinion, I just don’t share it.
and I appreciate yours too!! To each his own as they say! 🙂
Seems like a lot of talk about something one claims to not want…not quite convinced
Well it’s generally assumed that if you are a handbag lover, you must want a Birkin, right? So i’d say it’s fairly understandable that this article would be written.
I just made the above photo my new screensaver. That’s all for now…
The Kardashian’s ruined the Birkin for me. And as much as I love the handbag, I am more of a shoulder tote girl.
I am an owner of 3 Birkins but I just don’t find them very practical for day to day use because it just gets too heavy on my arm. so I just revert to my Chanel bags which are sling over the shoulder. That way both my hands are free. So my Birkins have literally been just sitting on the shelf for the past 6 months or so!
Agree with those reasons on why not to own one…now. I used to think that I’d never own one but now I’m admitting that if the price became so insignificant to my income / net worth, I would probably consider getting one, for the other reasons you mentioned; quality and craftsmanship
But knowing and understanding the limits of your circumstances is good! (and will probably put you in a better financial position to acquire a birkin later – if you ever change your mind)
Thanks for this , I love my bags, and I have way too many.. Lose sight of what feels right.
Glad I am not alone:) LV speedy is a classic I
love. As an equestrian all my life Hermes saddle and a cape cod watch were my only
Hermes desires… sold my saddle for more than I bought for, and I still have the watch I
bought years ago when I worked downtown
San Fran.
I feel like no woman would buy a Hermes Birkin if it wasn’t for the obvious status symbol of “I am richer than you”. Just my personal opinion.
I would not be averse to a Kelly though.
I think the Birkin is beautiful. That said, I find that I like to switch my bags around and get bored easily. Because of this habit, I can’t justify the price tag. I love Hermes quality in all things they make. I have a sporty Hermes Berline that I love, and will never part with, but I don’t use all that often. I admire the Birkin as a thing of beauty, but once you have one, I don’t understand getting it in every color and only using that bag.
I found this to be a very interesting discussion as I really thought I was the only fashionista who would never carry a Birkin and would quickly sell it if I did have one. I totally don’t get the love lol.
It’s not that I don’t adore Hermes bags. I do, and consider myself very lucky to own several. My favorites are crossbody bags and one of them is a (to the best of my knowledge) “one of a kind” the large Trim crossbody which was a special order and I’m told no longer exists.
I’m not a tote person and am uncomfortable with arm carried bags but understand that some prefer that style. Hey, different strokes etc. What I don’t understand is all the hoopla over a bag that is such a pain in the butt to close that no one I know closes it and just walks around with an open bag. That’s crazy IMO unless it’s just about showing off the stamp which is even crazier. I laugh at all the women I see walking around with open bags. Who does that with any other bag?
I have never worn labels to impress others. I wear them for myself. There are times when I wear my bags “backwards” so that they’re less identifiable. I was wearing the Trim backwards one day and a SA at a major luxury store asked if my bag was. Coach. With all respect to Coach, I just smiled and walked away.
Its like if I would ever write why I would not want a Birkin – this is exactly what I would write!!
So glad that I’m not the only one who feels the same. I have never voiced the sentiments out aloud (except to my husband who teases me about the Birkin)- as peeps might say – sour grapes!
Nice article (and sentiment), but please proofread! Too many run-on sentences and missing commas make even the most interesting content confusing and hard to read.
You sound like me 2 years ago. Now I want to have a Birkin–but just because I want one doesn’t mean I’m going to go out and buy one.
Very interesting assessment of whether as a bag lover, the Birkin is a must have. I am thinking that in the next few years, i’ll decide the Hermes Birkin or Kelly needs to be added to my collection. Not there yet!
My honest dilemma is which one as I like totes & they both are in that category. Happened to be returning from Europe on a business trip & saw a woman carrying a Kelly sitting near me in Business Class. Caought my eye so would love to get insights on the difference between the two.
Would love to see if Megs or one of the editors could do a write up about it.
Once I get four blue crocodile Birkins then I will be happy in life.