Hermès is synonymous with luxury, elegance, and timeless style. Established in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, the brand has grown from a harness workshop in Paris to a global powerhouse known for its meticulous craftsmanship and exclusive products.
The most iconic offerings are handbags, particularly the Birkin and Kelly models, which have become symbols of status and sophistication.
The Hermès Birkin Bag
The Hermès Birkin bag is one of the world’s most renowned and sought-after luxury handbags. Named after the British actress and singer Jane Birkin, this bag was conceived in 1984 following a chance encounter between Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. Since then, the Birkin has become a symbol of exclusivity and opulence, often seen in the arms of celebrities and fashion icons.
Birkin 25 (B25)
Dimensions: 25 cm x 20 cm x 13 cm (9.8" x 7.8" x 5.1")
The smallest size in the Birkin range, the B25, is perfect for evening outings and those who prefer a compact yet luxurious accessory. It can hold essentials like a small wallet, phone, and keys despite its size. This size is favored for its chic appearance and is often seen as a stylish accessory rather than a functional bag.
Birkin 30 (B30)
Dimensions: 30 cm x 22 cm x 16 cm (11.8" x 8.6" x 6.2")
The B30 is one of the most popular sizes known for its versatility. It balances practicality and elegance, making it suitable for day and evening use. It can accommodate essentials like a wallet, phone, cosmetic pouch, and a small tablet.
Birkin 35 (B35)
Dimensions: 35 cm x 25 cm x 18 cm (13.7" x 9.8" x 7.1")
The original size was created for Jane Birkin, and the B35 is ideal for everyday use. Its spacious interior can hold larger items such as a laptop, documents, and other daily necessities. This size is popular among professionals who need a stylish yet functional bag for work.
Birkin 40 (B40)
Dimensions: 40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm (15.7" x 11.8" x 7.8")
The largest standard Birkin size, the B40 is perfect for travel or those who need to carry a substantial amount of items. It can easily accommodate clothing, shoes, and other travel essentials, making it a practical choice for weekend getaways or as a carry-on bag.
Rare Sizes: Birkin 42, 45, and 50
Birkin 42: This size offers a slightly larger base width, providing more room while maintaining a sleek appearance. It is ideal for those needing a versatile bag for every day and additional items.
Birkin 45: An oversized option designed for travelers, the B45 can hold enough items for a short trip. Its impressive dimensions make it a bold statement piece.
Birkin 50: The epitome of size and grandeur in the Birkin collection, the B50 offers abundant storage capacity, making it perfect for weekend getaways. It is a rare and exclusive size that showcases ultimate luxury.
The Hermès Kelly Bag
The Hermès Kelly bag, much like its sister, the Birkin, is a timeless symbol of luxury and sophistication. Its origins date back to the 1930s when it was originally designed as a saddle holder. It gained iconic status after being favored by Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, who famously used it to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi, earning the name "Kelly bag."
Kelly 15 (Mini Kelly)
Dimensions: 15 cm x 11 cm x 5 cm (5.9" x 4.3" x 2")
The smallest in the Kelly range, the Mini Kelly is a true statement piece. It’s ideal for carrying essentials such as a small wallet, phone, and lipstick. This bag is perfect for formal events and occasions where minimalism meets luxury.
Kelly 20 (Mini Kelly II)
Dimensions: 20 cm x 16 cm x 10 cm (7.8" x 6.3" x 3.9")
Slightly larger than the Kelly 15, the Kelly 20 offers a bit more room while maintaining a compact size. It’s a favorite for evening outings and formal events, and it can hold essentials like a small wallet, phone, and a few cosmetics.
Kelly 25 (K25)
Dimensions: 25 cm x 19 cm x 9 cm (9.8" x 7.4" x 3.5")
A popular choice, the Kelly 25 balances style and practicality. It’s suitable for daily use and holds items such as a wallet, phone, keys, and a small makeup pouch. This size is perfect for those who want a small yet functional bag.
Kelly 28 (K28)
Dimensions: 28 cm x 22 cm x 10 cm (11" x 8.6" x 3.9")
The Kelly 28 offers more space while still being elegantly sized. It’s a versatile choice for day and evening use, comfortably carrying essentials and a bit more, such as a small notebook or tablet.
Kelly 32 (K32)
Dimensions: 32 cm x 23 cm x 10.5 cm (12.6" x 9" x 4.1")
Larger than the Kelly 28, the K32 is perfect for daily use and can easily accommodate a small tablet, wallet, phone, and other essentials. This size is ideal for those needing a practical bag for their daily activities.
Kelly 35 (K35)
Dimensions: 35 cm x 24 cm x 12 cm (13.7" x 9.4" x 4.7")
The Kelly 35 is a spacious option for those who carry more daily. It’s great for work and can hold documents, a small laptop, and other daily necessities. This size remains a popular choice for its balance of function and style.
Kelly 40 (K40)
Dimensions: 40 cm x 28 cm x 16 cm (15.7" x 11" x 6.3")
The largest standard size, the Kelly 40, is ideal for travel or those who need to carry a lot. It can easily fit clothes, shoes, and other travel essentials, making it a stylish yet practical companion.
Kelly 50 (K50)
Dimensions: 50 cm x 34 cm x 25 cm (19.6" x 13.3" x 9.8")
The K50 is extremely spacious and designed for significant travel needs. It can hold a substantial amount of clothing and accessories, making it the ultimate travel bag for those who demand luxury.
The Hermès Constance Bag
The Hermès Constance bag is iconic for its elegance and timeless design. Introduced in 1959 by designer Catherine Chaillet, it quickly became a favorite among fashion aficionados.
Its sleek lines and distinctive "H" clasp make it instantly recognizable, and it has maintained its status as a classic accessory over the decades. The Constance is a statement of style and a functional bag, available in various sizes to suit different needs.
Constance 14 (Micro Constance)
Dimensions: 14 cm x 11 cm x 3 cm (5.5" x 4.3" x 1.2")
The smallest size in the Constance range, the Micro Constance is perfect for carrying the bare essentials. It’s a chic accessory for evenings out or special occasions, holding items such as a small wallet, lipstick, and keys. Despite its small size, it maintains the elegant aesthetics of the larger Constance bags.
Constance 18 (Mini Constance)
Dimensions: 18 cm x 15 cm x 4 cm (7.1" x 5.9" x 1.6")
The Mini Constance is slightly larger, offering more room while compact. It’s ideal for those who need more space but still want a bag that’s easy to carry for day and evening use. It can hold a small wallet, phone, keys, and cosmetics.
Constance 24
Dimensions: 24 cm x 19 cm x 5 cm (9.4" x 7.5" x 2")
The Constance 24 is one of the most popular sizes due to its versatility. It provides ample space for daily essentials, making it suitable for everyday use. It can accommodate a larger wallet, phone, cosmetics, and a small notebook or tablet. This size strikes a perfect balance between practicality and elegance.
Constance 25
Dimensions: 25 cm x 20 cm x 6 cm (9.8" x 7.9" x 2.4")
Although very similar in dimensions to the Constance 24, the Constance 25 offers slightly more depth. This additional space can be useful for those who need to carry more without compromising the bag’s sleek profile. It's a great choice for both everyday use and special occasions.
Constance 29
Dimensions: 29 cm x 23 cm x 8 cm (11.4" x 9" x 3.1")
The largest size available, the Constance 29 is perfect for those who need a substantial amount of space. It can easily hold larger items such as a tablet, documents, and other necessities. This size is ideal for professional settings or as a travel companion, offering both luxury and practicality.
Other Popular Hermès Bags and Their Sizes
Hermès offers a variety of bags beyond the renowned Birkin and Kelly models. Each bag has its unique characteristics, making it a coveted item in the world of luxury fashion. Here, we'll explore the dimensions and uses of other popular Hermès bags, including the Evelyne, Lindy, Garden Party, and more.
Hermès Evelyne Bag
Evelyne 16 (TPM): 16 cm x 18 cm x 5 cm (6.3" x 7.1" x 2"). The smallest Evelyne, the TPM is perfect for carrying essentials such as a phone, small wallet, and keys. Its compact size and sporty design make it ideal for casual outings.
Evelyne 29 (PM): 29 cm x 30 cm x 8 cm (11.4" x 11.8" x 3.1"). A versatile size that can be used daily, the PM can hold more items, including a small notebook, wallet, and other daily necessities. It is favored for its practicality and style.
Evelyne 33 (GM): 33 cm x 31 cm x 8 cm (13" x 12.2" x 3.1"). The GM offers more space, making it suitable for those needing more items. It's great for both casual and semi-formal settings.
Evelyne 40 (TGM): 40 cm x 39 cm x 9 cm (15.7" x 15.4" x 3.5"). The largest Evelyne, the TGM is perfect for travel or work, providing ample space for larger items such as a laptop and documents.
Hermès Lindy Bag
Lindy Mini: 20 cm x 12 cm x 10 cm (7.9" x 4.7" x 3.9"). The Mini Lindy is compact and stylish, perfect for casual outings where minimal items are needed.
Lindy 26: 26 cm x 18 cm x 13 cm (10.2" x 7.1" x 5.1"). A versatile size that can be used daily, the Lindy 26 holds essentials like a wallet, phone, and small tablet.
Lindy 30: 30 cm x 19 cm x 15 cm (11.8" x 7.5" x 5.9"). The Lindy 30 offers more space while maintaining a sleek profile. It's suitable for those who need to carry a bit more daily.
Lindy 34: 34 cm x 21 cm x 16 cm (13.4" x 8.3" x 6.3"). Larger than the Lindy 30, this size is great for work or travel, accommodating documents and larger personal items.
Lindy 45: 45 cm x 26 cm x 23 cm (17.7" x 10.2" x 9"). The largest Lindy, the Lindy 45, is ideal for travel and offers substantial space for clothes and other essentials.
Hermès Garden Party Bag
Garden Party 30: 30 cm x 22 cm x 15 cm (11.8" x 8.6" x 5.9"). The smallest size, the Garden Party 30 is perfect for daily use, holding essentials like a wallet, phone, and a few cosmetics.
Garden Party 36: 36 cm x 26 cm x 17 cm (14.2" x 10.2" x 6.7"). The Garden Party 36 is a versatile size suitable for work and casual outings, offering more space for daily necessities.
Garden Party 39: 39 cm x 29 cm x 18 cm (15.4" x 11.4" x 7.1"). Larger than the Garden Party 36, this size is great for those who need to carry more items, such as a small laptop and documents.
Garden Party 49 Voyage: 49 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm (19.3" x 13.8" x 9.8"). The largest Garden Party, the Voyage is perfect for travel, offering ample space for clothes and other travel essentials.
How to Choose the Right Hermès Bag Size
Choosing the right Hermès bag size is essential to ensure it meets your lifestyle needs and complements your personal style. Given the variety of sizes and styles available, making an informed decision can enhance your luxury purchase's functionality and enjoyment. Here are key factors to consider when selecting the perfect Hermès bag size:
Purpose and Usage
Consider what you primarily need the bag for:
Everyday Use: A medium-sized bag like the Birkin 30 or Kelly 28 is practical for daily activities. These sizes offer enough space for essentials like a wallet, phone, keys, and a small makeup pouch without being too bulky.
Professional Settings: If you need a bag for work, larger sizes such as the Birkin 35 or Kelly 35 are ideal. They can accommodate documents, a tablet, a small laptop, and other office necessities.
Travel: For travel purposes, consider larger bags like the Birkin 40, Kelly 40, or Evelyne 40. These sizes provide ample space for clothing, shoes, and other travel essentials, making them perfect for weekend getaways or carry-on bags.
Personal Style and Aesthetics
Your personal style significantly influences your choice:
Minimalist and Chic: Smaller sizes, such as the Mini Kelly 20 or Micro Constance 14, are perfect if you prefer a minimalist look. These bags are stylish and compact, suitable for evenings out or special occasions.
Classic and Elegant: For a classic and elegant appearance, medium-sized bags like the Kelly 25 or Constance 24 offer a timeless look while providing sufficient space for daily essentials.
Bold and Statement-Making: Larger bags like the Birkin 40 or Garden Party 49 Voyage make a bold statement. These bags are functional and serve as a prominent accessory to elevate your outfit.
Practical Considerations
Evaluate the practical aspects of the bag:
Comfort and Carrying Style: Consider how you prefer to carry your bag. Smaller bags like the Mini Lindy or Evelyne 16 are lightweight and easy to carry for long periods. Larger bags might be heavier and more suitable for shorter durations or carrying more items.
Storage and Organization: Consider the internal layout and how well the bag organizes your items. Bags like the Lindy 30 offer multiple compartments and pockets, making it easier to keep things organized.
Physical Considerations
Ensure the bag size complements your body size. Smaller to medium-sized bags like the Kelly 25 or Constance 18 are more proportionate for petite individuals. Larger bags like the Birkin 35 or Kelly 40 might look more balancedfor taller or larger individuals.
Future Value and Investment
Some sizes and models have higher resale values. For instance, the Birkin 30 and Kelly 25 are highly sought after and retain their value well over time. Investing in these sizes can be beneficial if you resell the bag.
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