What about box leather for your Birkin BUT in brown box, there's a Kelly you own, I can't stop thinking about it, in a glossy brown colour, is it a 32 marron box? anyway, it is so lovely , how about that in a Birkin? Or maybe reconsider VL again in black or perhaps noisette, it would give you some shine, not as much as box but also some grain, not as much as togo. I think VL was the original leather used in Hermes luggage so it would be great for every day or travel. I know VL isn't your favourite (I knew nothing about it when I got my Kelly but I love it and I'm not a fan of epsom, the two are very different, VL is very organic and has some suppleness and movement in spite of its lack of slouch)