Which Hermès Bag to Buy First (And Why It Matters)
The most common question I’m asked? “Which Hermès bag should I buy first?”
Whether you're taking your first step into the world of Hermès or adding to an already well-loved collection, my answer always comes back to three essentials: budget, lifestyle, and personal preference.
This isn’t about what’s trending. It’s about what fits your life - and what holds long-term value.
How to Choose Your First (or Next) Hermès Bag
Before we get into styles, ask yourself three questions:
What’s your investment budget?
Are you starting with an entry-level Hermès piece or ready to acquire a forever icon?What does your lifestyle look like?
Are you corporate, constantly on the go, travelling often, or seeking everyday luxury?What do you love?
Think about colourways, leather textures, hardware, and structure. What feels like you?
Case Study: The Executive Collector
Kate is a lawyer in the corporate world. She carries documents daily, dresses in dark suits, and wants a bag that complements her career - one that signals success without needing explanation.
For her, I recommended a Birkin 30 in Gold Togo with gold hardware. Why?
The size fits everything she needs without overwhelming
Togo leather offers softness and structure for practical access
The Gold tone pairs beautifully with black tailoring while adding timeless warmth
She chose that exact combination. And within weeks, we sourced it for her - no boutique hurdles, no compromises.
Smaller Budgets, Beautiful Options
You don’t need to start with a Birkin to begin your Hermès journey. There are elegant, highly wearable entry points into the brand that still carry incredible styling and resale value:
Herbag 20 (now available in a charming mini size)
Mini Evelyne - an off-duty staple
Picotin 18 or 22 - casual, minimal, and always chic
Kelly To Go - wallet-on-chain elegance
Constance 18 or 24 - structured and instantly recognisable
These styles are always in demand and offer a more accessible entry point for new collectors.
Socialites & Statement Collectors
For my high-profile clients who collect as an extension of their identity and status, it’s all about uniqueness.
Think Kelly 20 Special Orders - think the K20 HSS, rare hardware combinations and extended straps for versatility.
In this circle, it’s not about price - it’s about owning the piece no one else can get. Sourcing these is some of my favourite work. The brief is simple: find the most unique Hermès bag available on the global market.
Stay-at-Home Clients, Still Power Players
For parents who want to invest in something meaningful and personal, I often recommend the Kelly 28 or Birkin 25.
It’s less about statement and more about symbolism. These clients aren’t just buying a bag - they’re reclaiming something for themselves.
Often, they lean into neutral tones like Etoupe or Craie - shades that work across their entire wardrobe and elevate every moment of their day.
Let’s Talk Investment Returns
An Hermès bag isn’t just a fashion purchase - it’s one of the most stable luxury investments you can make.
In recent years, Birkin and Kelly bags have appreciated by 14–20% annually on average, outperforming gold, stocks, and even real estate in some markets. Limited colourways, rare leathers (like alligator or ostrich), and small sizes are in particularly high demand.
Collectors who buy strategically - considering rarity, wearability, and condition - are seeing impressive resale values, with some clients reselling bags above retail just months after acquisition.
But financial return isn’t the only value to consider.
There’s also the emotional ROI - the confidence, joy, and sense of self that comes from owning a piece that feels uniquely yours. That, too, is worth investing in.
My First Purchase
If I could go back and choose my first Hermès bag all over again, I’d pick the exact bag I recommend to most clients: Birkin 30 in Gold Togo with gold hardware. It’s practical. Beautiful. Effortless.
But my actual first purchase? A Kelly 28 in Black Epsom with gold hardware. The day I unboxed it, I felt like a little girl again — completely in awe. It wasn’t a boutique offer. I sourced it myself, through my own private channels, and it reminded me why I built Indulge in Luxury.
Because no one should have to wait years for something that doesn’t feel quite right.
We now source Hermès bags in days - not months. Recently, we delivered four in under a month. One of them was an exotic.
Let’s Curate Your First (or Twentieth) Piece
Hermès is more than a fashion statement. It’s a personal investment - emotionally, financially, and stylistically.
When you work with Indulge in Luxury, you’re not playing the boutique game. You’re curating with purpose. And I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
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Luxury, curated for you.
Sahar
Founder, Indulge in Luxury
Ready to start your Hermès journey? Message me directly on WhatsApp. I’d love to help you find your perfect first piece.
📲 https://wa.me/96181272802
