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So you’ve seen the work of an iconic beauty that is a Hermes Birkin or Kelly purse and you’ve decided you have one. But where do you actually start?

There are a number of elements to consider, like the sort of leather you choose for your bag, the shape and size you need, craftsmanship stitching and style, and the Hermès boutique’s extensive waiting lists. Each of these considerations can influence your decision to buy a new or used Hermès bag.

In recent years, the market status for used Hermès bags has skyrocketed, and for good reason.

Because of the long lines sold at Hermès boutiques, many ladies are resorting to antique Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags. However, they choose secondhand Hermès bags for several reasons.

What is an Hermès Birkins bag and Why is it expensive?

Photo: editorialist.com

Hermès’s Birkin bag (or simply Birkin) is a line of tote bags.

The Birkin bag is named after the English actress and singer Jane Birkin. Due to its exorbitant price and long waiting lists, the bag immediately became a symbol of wealth and exclusivity when it was first introduced in the 1980s.

Birkins are among the most popular and rarest items among collectors.  The bag is sold from its purposefully high price, which has earned it the moniker “Veblen excellent.”

How Hermès Birkin bags are born?

The bag’s origins can be traced back to an actress named, Jane Birkin. The English actress was seated next to Jean Louis Dumas, the chief executive of Hermès, on a trip from Paris to London.

Jean Louis Dumas was noted for always having a wicker basket with her, which she used for anything from groceries to diapers. The lid of her famous basket slipped off when she tried to put it into the overhead compartment, spilling the contents all over the place. Jane lamented to her seatmate that she couldn’t find a weekend bag that she liked.

Dumas introduced himself as the head of Hermès, and the two spent the flight on the back of an aircraft sick bag sketching prospective handbag ideas. Jane was given the Birkin bag by Jean Louis Dumas a year later, a roomy yet stylish leather design suited for everyday usage.

How can Hermès Birkin be so rare?

Hermès sets a limit on how many Birkin bags are sold to a customer yearly. This commitment to maintaining the bag’s exclusivity has paid off, as the gap in demand and access has resulted in a thriving resale market.

The bag is being sold at an expensive value is due to its limited availability, which is another factor. The total number of Birkin bags produced by Hermès each year is a closely guarded secret, but it’s thought to be approximately 200,000. Birkin bags are also sold in high demand among premium resale buyers.

Here are the places where you can buy a Pre-Owned Hermès Birkin bag:

① Collector Square

Collector Square has over 700 Hermès resale bags, which are inspected and authenticated by their expert Jérôme Lalande after being meticulously picked for their impeccable condition and desirability. Jérôme Lalande is known for his knowledge of all Hermès and exquisite leather goods, across all brands. He has been a Hermès employee for over two decades.

Photo: collectorsquare.com

② Farfetch

Farfetch is a British-Portuguese online grandeur fashion retailer with over 700 stores and brands from across the world. José Neves, a Portuguese entrepreneur, started the company in 2007. It has offices in London, Porto, Guimares, Braga, Lisbon, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, So Paulo, and Dubai.

Photo: farfetch.com

③ Madison Avenue

President James Madison was the inspiration for the street’s name. Madison Avenue’s overall success has been linked to its affluence in the sale advertising sector over the years. Madison Avenue has been regarded as a shopping destination for the world’s elite. It is well-known for its elegant clothing and jewelry.

Photo: madisonavenuebid.org

④ Leprix

LePrix is the only marketplace where many luxury businesses can buy and sell authentic coveted products. LePrix Wholesale (B2B) is the world’s largest and most trusted online Wholesale network for businesses to connect with worldwide suppliers, curated by the world’s best luxury specialists.

Photo: leprix.com

⑤ L’ecrin Boutique

Maison L’ecrin Group manages L’ecrin Boutique Tokyo and L’ecrin Boutique Singapore at Palais Renaissance. Is a business that only deals with Hermès items. As a specialist company, they strive to earn and preserve the confidence and loyalty of each customer by utilizing extensive knowledge and extensive experience.

Photo: lecrin. sg

⑥ Guiltless

Guiltless is a high-end extravagant reseller of preloved and off-season designer purses, shoes, accessories, jewelry, watches, and lifestyle materials. The term implies that both buyers and sellers would have a guilt-free experience. Because secondhand buying is still frowned upon in Asia, the premium shopping experience allows customers to search guilt-free.

Photo: igafencu.com

⑦ What Goes Around Comes Around

The world-famous vintage retailer first opened its doors in Soho, New York, in 1993. It has since expanded its offerings to include the internet. The site debuted in 2016 with an online-only collection. WGACA has also partnered with physical stores around the world, such as Hong Kong’s Lane Crawford and Japan’s Barneys.

Photo: whatgoesaroundnyc.com

⑧ Bagista

Bagista, a luxury business founded in Chiswick in 2014 and relocated to Chelsea a few years ago, is one of London’s leading resellers of second-hand luxury handbag brands.

Bagista meticulously curates its inventory to provide an eclectic mix of one-of-a-kind, vintage, contemporary, and classic pieces for you to purchase, sell, or swap. Celine, Prada, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci are among the brands represented. Each item is carefully evaluated for fake items and rigorously inspected for quality and authenticity before being shown in-store on its online web page.

Photo: bagista.co.uk

⑨ Sellier Knightsbridge

The luxury consignment store and online platform for preloved luxury fashion bring together reputable re-sellers and a discerning clientele.

With famous followers like Millie Mackintosh and Nicola Hughes, Sellier has exclusive access to prized products like Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags. You can also promote items with Selliers.

Photo: sellierknightsbridge.com

With repeated lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic causing havoc, the founders decided to launch an online page platform to support their brick-and-mortar store during the closures, making it even easier for us to stick to our one-in-one-out new year’s wardrobe resolution – buy a new bag, sell an old one, and help make the fashion industry a little bit more sustainable.

⑩ Christie’s

Christie’s handbags and accessories auctions feature rare and unique pieces from the world’s most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton. Explore this season’s deals now to find that sought item that fits your style, from vintage to contemporary.

Photo: christies.com

Along with Christie’s regular live auctions in Hong Kong, London, New York, and Paris, Christie’s Private Sales offers select collector works for quick purchase all year.

Their international team of experts is available to provide free and discreet appraisals of individual works or collections, as well as to explore private selling opportunities.

Tips in buying a Hermès Birkin Bags

Now that you are ready to start shopping for your first Hermès handbag and have a clear idea of how you want to buy it, you decided to have pre-owned bags. However, you need to check for fake ones so that you will obtain a legit, high-quality handbag, and one that complements your clothing! Here are a few pointers to assist you in doing so.

👜Condition of Hermes Birkin bags

While looking for an Hermès bag, many ladies turn to the second-hand market for a better deal, and the condition is the most important factor to consider when looking at used Hermès bags.

👜Color of your Hermès birkin bag

Many first-time buyers will stick to colors that go with everything in their clothing, such as black, beige, gold, or blue. However, one of the characteristics that distinguish Hermès brands is the large selection of colors available, many of which are unique to Hermès.

A black Birkin may be practical for your clothing, but a bright pink or red purse will stick out more and be harder to find elsewhere. If you choose to upgrade in the future, it will also maintain its status for longer.

👜Leather/ Skin of chosen Hermès Birkin bags

When purchasing a Hermès bag, it is important to understand your leathers. Each leather has its own distinct properties with various straps that each necessitates varying levels of care.

Clemence and Togo are two ordinary types of leather that have been textured to protect them from scratches and general wear and tear. Exotic skins like crocodile, alligator, lizard, snake, and ostrich require a lot of upkeep, but they’re worth it.

FAQs

How much is a Hermès Birkin bag?

Depending on the size and leather, the value of buying a Birkin is always increasing. For example, the Togo B35 is the same value as last year at $12,100, while prices for signature models made of the same leather have climbed by over 5%.

In the United States, the unshakeable traditional Togo B30 sold at $10,900, while the smallest member of the family, the Togo B25, costs $9,850.

The official price of the Birkin bags initially sold at $9250 and goes up to $13,200 depending on the type of calfskin used.

How Much is A Hermès Kelly?

The renowned Kelly, named after the Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, is another legendary Hermès model.

This purse is not only a sign of status and elegance but also a sound investment.

Kelly bags have increased in value by over 1000 percent in 70 years, and the cost of rare models made of ostrich leather is now extremely expensive.

However, we’re searching for something more grounded, such as classic Togo leather. This year, Hermès increased the value of the Retourne Kelly 25 centimeter model by more than 11%, bringing the official total to $9,350.

Again, its worth is largely determined by the leather used; for example, the price of a Sellier Kelly 28cm made of Epsom leather has climbed by about 3% and currently costs $10,700.

How much is the Cheapest Hermès Bag?

There are several affordable Hermès purses if you aren’t looking for a Birkin or a Kelly, but want to get your first elegant Hermès bag. Of course, they’d be made of basic leather and canvas, but it’s a major step toward creating a one-of-a-kind high-end line to be worn.

Let us introduce you to a wonderful Hermès Zip Herbag if you’re not willing to spend a fortune on a premium item merely to put it on the shelf.

It appears to be a Kelly bag’s younger sister. The purse’s body is always constructed of canvas, which makes it lightweight and durable.

The bag’s top handles, straps, and flap are all made of leather. The purse can be used regularly without fear of harming the valuable material. Herbag was created for everyday usage, unlike Kelly and Birkin, which are more collector’s versions.

On the Hermès website, the official retail value is $2,600.

How Much Is The Most Expensive Hermès Bag: Hermès Himalaya Cost?

In 2016, Hermès smashed the global record for the most expensive bag ever produced. At Christie’s auction, Himalaya Birkin 30 was sold for a whopping $300,168. So, what made it so unique?

The exotic leather comes first. It is made of extremely rare white Niloticus Crocodile hide with delicate natural color gradation. The bag’s smoky grey sides fade into a pearly white center reminiscent of the Himalayas.

Second, the hardware is expensive. It has diamond parts and decorations, as well as 18k white gold hardware.

However, a year later, this record was broken by a Hermès Birkin of a similar design. When an unnamed customer paid nearly $380,000 for the Himalaya Birkin, it was once again declared the most expensive handbag in history.

What Is the Cheapest Hermès Item You Can Buy?

Hermès, although being a high-end company with a high reputation and even greater pricing, yet has a wide range of affordable things.

Hermès does not require you to be Kim Kardashian nor to have a flight to Paris to shop. Apart from the fine and glamorous features of Birkin bags, ostrich wallets, and diamond purses, the design brand also produces home materials including interior textiles, towels, kitchenware materials, and lipsticks.

A bar soap, sold at $24, is the cheapest item on the Hermès website.

That’s a great option if you’re starving for something with the name ‘Hermès’ and comes in the classic orange box!

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