What Are The Different Types Of Hermes Bags?

However it’s not just the Birkin Hermes is known for, here we'll take a look at some of the most popular types of Hermes bags and explain how to identify the key features that set them apart.

The Hermes Birkin bag is one of the most iconic and recognisable bags in the world. Named after the actress and singer Jane Birkin, the bag is known for its simple, rectangular shape, and its high-quality craftsmanship. Birkin bags come in a variety of sizes, including the Birkin 30, 35, and 40, and are available in a wide range of materials including leather, crocodile, alligator, ostrich, and more.

The Kelly bag is another iconic bag from Hermes, similar to the Birkin in design but with a slight different shape and having a single handle. The Kelly comes in eight different sizes, starting at 15 centimetres, and as with the Birkin has the iconic hardware. The Kelly is named after the actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly after she famously shielded her pregnancy from the paparazzi with the handbag.

The Constance is another popular style from Hermes, known for its simple and elegant design. The bag was first introduced in 1959 and features a distinctive H-shaped closure. The Constance was designed by Catherine Chaillet who considered the creation to be such a labour of love that she names it after her daughter, Constance. Leather Constance Bags are the most popular on the resale market and tend to sell for upwards of £10,000.

The Evelyne bag is a more casual and versatile option from Hermes. It features a perforated H logo and a long adjustable shoulder strap, making it a great option for an everyday use cross body bag. The bag was discontinued by Hermes in 2019, so has become rarer in the last couple of years, leading to average resale prices of £4,000.

The Garden Party bag is a more casual style that features a roomy interior and a long shoulder strap. It's perfect for carrying everyday essentials, and it's made of casual canvas material that can be dressed up or down. It’s one of the easiest to find Hermes bags and can often be found for around £2,000.

The Lindy bag is a stylish and functional option, and is often overlooked due to the unusual handle placement. It features a double-sided shoulder strap and a roomy interior, making it perfect for everyday use. The Mini versions tend to be the rarest and have the biggest resale price.

In terms of spotting the difference between the bags, the most obvious difference is the shape and design of the bags. Birkin and Kelly bags have a distinct shape and tote bag handle (although the Kelly only has one handle), while the Constance and Evelyne bags have the H-shaped closure and hardware. The Garden Party and Lindy bags have a more casual look and feature a shoulder strap, so are worn as shoulder bags.

When it comes to the resale market, the most sought-after Hermes bags are those that are made from exotic skins like crocodile and alligator, and those that feature unique colors or embellishments.

Special Edition bags are also highly sought-after, as they are available for a limited time only. However, the classic Birkin and Kelly styles in colors such as black, brown and beige are always a safe and popular choice for collectors and investors.

A Kelly bag averages £10,000 - £15,000 on the resale market, with limited editions and never used designs reselling for over £20,000. It’s thought that Grace Kelly paid under £1,000 for her infamous Kelly bag and that when the Kelly was prominent on Sex and The City the average price was £4,000 - so the value has only continued to increase.

The Birkin rose in value by 38%, according to the most recent report from investment bank Credit Suisse. They placed luxury bags as one of the least volatile investments in the current climate, referencing the Birkin and classic Chanel bags as two of the best.

It’s fair to say that Hermes bags can be a good investment, but let’s be honest they’re beautiful bags to use daily and enjoy too!