We hear the same complaint from you guys a lot: “Ugh, this bag is just trying to be a Birkin.” Sometimes it feels like a fair assessment and other times it feels like the evidence is a little thin, but either way, you guys have picked up on something important–brands really are turning out a lot of (at least vaguely) Birkinesque bags lately.
At any given time, several popular bags are likely exerting a strong influence on what every other brand is making; that’s why we have so many bucket bags (Mansur Gavriel) and chain-strap flap bags (Chanel) at our fingertips right now. In most of those cases, though, brands are simply cashing in on seasonal popularity–they’re not making the bags major parts of their design futures. Part of the Birkin’s recent influence is probably a result of the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour‘s popularity–itself a heavily Birkin-inspired design–but the slow, steady increase of bags like it in high-profile roles at big brands means something bigger is afoot.
The Birkin occupies a unique spot in the handbag market and has for decades, which is the kind of longevity a brand would kill for. Not only that, but interest in the bag has only gone up, and even though Hermès has increased its production, there aren’t nearly enough to satisfy demand. On top of that, there are tons of shoppers who love the bag’s looks but wouldn’t dream of paying $10,000 or more to have their own; together, those two factors mean that a lot of consumers are potentially up for grabs. The SDJ may have simply proved to other brands what a good long-term idea a quasi-Birkin can be.
When these bags first started popping up, they annoyed me greatly, but since then, my feelings have softened a bit. If the market wants bags that look like Birkins, then I can’t be too mad at designers for giving up on trying to convince shoppers they want something else. This is, after all, an industry of gratification.
With that in mind, I looked around to find the bags that fit the bill the best, including two upcoming styles from the Fall 2016 runways. In order to quality, a bag had to be an east-west tote with either a top flap closure, a prominent front lock and clochette, collapsing gussets or a belted closure. In almost all the cases below, the bag has more than one of those attributes; many of them have several.
Burberry Banner Satchel
$1,595 via Saks
Christian Dior Diorever Tote
Price Upon Request via Dior
Givenchy Runway Tote
Shop Givenchy via Nordstrom
Hill & Friends Happy Satchel
$1,300 via Net-a-Porter
Jimmy Choo Riley Python Tote
$3,695 via Nordstrom
Louis Vuitton City Steamer Bag
$3,850 via Louis Vuitton
Mallet & Co. Zeus Tote
$1,625 via Net-a-Porter
MCM Milla Tote
$1,100 via Neiman Marcus
Michael Kors Casey Satchel
$1,195 via Saks
Mulberry Bayswater Bag
$1,590 via mytheresa.com
Prada Runway Tote
Shop Prada via Bergdorf Goodman
Ralph Lauren Ricky Bag
$3,500 via Neiman Marcus
Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Tote
$2,890 via Net-a-Porter
Valentino My Rockstud Mini Tote
$3,595 via Neiman Marcus
VBH Boulevard 32 Tote
$4,300 via Neiman Marcus
Versace Palazzo Empire Bag
$3,094 via farfetch.com
Hill & Friends has got to be the worst possible name for a handbag company trying to sell high end bags.
And it’s not very attractive either.
I agree. It sounds like something for teenagers.
I keep reading “Barney”. Have they actually sold any bags?
Agree!
If you think about it there is only so many bag designs that are useful, beautiful, holds your essentials. If you keep that in mind it is quite impossible for bags to not resemble each other. If you are making a satchel/tote like bag, well, how many ways can you make it?? You can set yourself apart with craftsmanship and materials…. If you think about the materials and craftsmanship of the Sac du Jour for example, quite lovely so why pay more and go through the hassle of Hermes??
I totally agree. What is a tote? Two handles with main compartment. The City Steamer bears no resemblance to a Birkin – unless you categorize every tote as a Birkin copy.
On what planet does the Jimmy Choo look like a Birkin??
This is generally my feeling when people complain about tenuous similarities between designs–there are only so many shapes that customers actually want! Trying to convince shoppers that they want something else is generally a losing game.
The louis vuitton one looks like a birkin because both bag designs are from the 30’s and the main shillouote back then was that. I also think that some people need to calm down on the birkin comparisons. Some of those barely make it as a birkin shape. But then there are brands like MK that pretty much only copy everything everyone else does
None of these bags are very ‘Birkin-ish’, imo. I have a Mulberry Bayswater and have never considered it a Birkin wannabe.
I agree with you 100 %, Mulberry has done that bag for centuries, and it doesn’t look like a firkin at all.
I don’t necessarily think any of them are “wannabes,” but they’ve all borrowed elements of the Birkin design. I’ve heard people howling about the similarities between the Bayswater and the Birkin for years, although aesthetically they’re very different bags.
Some of these are just east/west totes, and not what I’d call Birkin-inspired.
Some of these seem like a stretch to me.
None of these bags look like Birkins at all…I feel like the people that say “Ugh it’s a copy of a birkin” are just birkin owners who have their head up their asses and look down on others that do not have a birkin.
Couldn’t have said it better, thank you. “Omg this bag has two handles and is made of leather it’s trying to be a Birkin”
heh heh, Truth.
Anyone have any opinions on what bag will have “Birkin like” status next? I’m thinking the Delvaux brillant. It’s expensive, has a reputation for excellent craftsmanship and isn’t ubiquitous.
Delvaux is truly the only rival to Hermes in quality and craftsmanship. They do not aspire to be Hermes or create their version of a Birkin and, they don’t have to…
delvaux will never. at the moment moynat is the closest competitor imo
i was going to write the same thing…you beat me to it!
i was going to write the same thing…you beat me to it!
i was wondering if hermes really came up with this type of shape and style first. of course the popularity of the birkin has other brands chiming in, but was there a birkin before the birkin? :3 anybody knows????
At the very least, the Birkin and Ricky have a story to tell.
The Birkin itself is hardly revolutionary in the design of handbags and the bag is still relatively young (1980’s) and an East-West twist on the Haut a Courroies (which was used to carry boots and saddles of cavalry soldiers). The Ralph Lauren Ricky takes its inspiration from a vintage English Cooper saddle carrier. There are even overlapping elements with Steamer luggage pieces from the golden age of cruise travel (the hardware and locking mechanism give this away).
These days, I see brands trying to copy the success of the Sac De Jour and not the Birkin. They have nothing in common apart from being top handle bags. Oddly enough, while Vuitton is the only house I know of (apart from Goyard) who still makes Steamer luggage, their bag takes more inspiration from the SDJ than the Birkin. SDJ doesn’t even have a top flap (which more than half these bags are missing).
So the real question is: Which bag is copying the SDJ?
Exactly! Especially seeking some of the SDJ’s details copied like the accordion sides on the Prada runway tote.
That’s what I was thinking – Thank U!
Are there no similar bags under $1000?
This is a huuuuuuge stretch. Hermes didn’t invent totes with flaps.
Hill + Friends sounds like a rehab facility.
I am almost always irked by that comment. I mean just because a bag has two handles and is carried in hand, it does not make it a Birkin-wanna-be. From a construction stand point there are only so many ways a bagcan be configured and still perform the function intended as a “bag”. Bag configuration options are not endless: Most are either bucket style, one top handle, two top handle, cross body, backpack, or briefcase). With all the designers out there, is it only natural that there will be similarities amongst all the designs. Are some more similar than others? Sure! Do a few wish to replicate the Birkin ? More than likely. But not every bag that has two handles is a Birkin-wanna-be…its a tote! Not every one handle is a Kelly-wanna-be either. Don’t get me wrong, I love my H bags…long time lover and customer, but I also love my SDJ and other bag brands. For ex: I adore the new Diorever. Just because it is not embellished with do-dads and other things, remains somewhat minilaistic and has two handles for top carrying function it doesnt make it a copy of a B.
The most important design identity feature of Birkin is the the flap and the side straps (which it shares with the Kelly). These are the archetypal shapes that Hermes preempted and stuck to them and this is the premium they earned for their perserverance. Similar case is Rosenthal’s White Maria Belle Epoque porcelain design. There was a trend for octagonal china when Maria was designed but Rosenthal was the only one that did not dumped it from their portfolio. So now they are the only one “official/real” octagonal set.
The design which is strictly Hermes and was copied AFTER Hermes designed it and became ubiquitous only afterwards is Bolide (once called Bugatti). Now many brands carry this design – and its key identyfing feature are: rounded corners, sides emerging from rectangular bottom, running gussetless and zipped on top – resulting in triangular cross section.
The bag that is (imho) most heavily influenced by Birkin is Celine Luggage tote. I bet that designers tried to emulate Birkin at its chicest – open, worn nonchalantly, with straps hanging freely and gussets flaring. As seen here: http://www.businessinsider.com/birkin-hermes-michael-tonello-interview-waitlist-2011-9
Celine started the whole tribe of its imitators and the rest is history
I own many Hermes bags, including Birkins, Kellys, Bolides etc, but think some of these other bags are lovely and would buy them if I didn’t have the H bags. BTW, I really like the Hermes Trim the best as well as the Evelyn.
I am however sick of those ubiquitous studs that Valentino started on shoes and are now on everything including
clothing. They are so outdated. Now it seems so many designers are sticking those things on all there leather.
Reminds me of another pet peeve – the Cartier love bracelet that is knocked off and faked. Move on.
I’ve asked myself this often: ‘Am I the only person who finds the Birkin hideous’? I honestly have tried to find beauty in the Birkin, but instead I find it to be one of they homeliest and sloppiest looking bag out there.
Please do a similar list with bags under $1000. While I do really like a few of these, right now they are not in my budget.
The Versace bag is very cheap looking it doesn’t even look like leather. The Christian Dior bag is very nice.
The Hill & Friends looks like a cheap copy of the Ralph Lauren Ricky bag!! I think a lot of folks look at a square bag with a lock on it and say “Birkin wannabe”. I agree with those who’ve said there are only so many ways to make a bag and just because a bag has a similar shape, doesn’t mean it’s “trying” to be a Birkin. I have Birkin’s and I just tend to like that shape, I see it in many of the other brands I have, as well. Interesting post as always!!
out of all these Birkin-esque bags, I like the SDJ the most. simple and elegant
None of those bags scream Birkin to me.
so basically all hand carried square bags are Birkin wannabes? none of those even looks like a Birkin, well maybe some hints in the Bayswater, with the flap and lock, but what’s with the rest?
The most shameless Birkin ripoff is the Valentino rockstud and Versace palazzo
If you remove the lionhead on versace it just looks like a shadow of Birkin. And remove the studs on the Valentino and it looks like a poor cousin of Hermes Kelly mini bag lol