Beautiful Birkin, but do I keep her?

[thanks sixx]

Thank you everyone for your input!
And...I was kidding about using actual duct tape...

This is a tough one!

I can tell you love the bag, but you also feel it's too heavy for you. Personally, if a bag were too heavy for me, I'd end up not using it and putting it aside. Have you considered purchasing a Birkin 30 instead? It would make a huge difference!

Yes, I've been looking at 30s. There are not a lot of them out there at the moment that I'm interested in. But I'll keep hunting.

 

[eagle1002us]

Keep it and do some strength training for your arms, so the weight will feel less bothersome after some time I do understand your concerns though. I don't carry my 40 often enough due to the weight and sometimes having shoulder pain. But given that it is such a beauty I'd keep it.

I agree with the weight training. I have a 5 lb hand weight and lift it up like 20 times maybe 2-3x/week slightly above my head. I don't extend my arm all the way above my head b/c of potential tendonitis. Ask your doctor what to do.
I have a 35 in Epsom, it's very lightweight (it might be a 40, b/c of Covid I haven't opened the box for over a year. I never go anywhere). It's not slouchy. Would you feel better using a B that was not as special as your black one, but it was easier to use? If it's too heavy now it's only going to get heavier with time unless you strengthen your arms. Shoulder pain is not fun.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

Hello H friends,
I've recently purchased my first Hermes bag, a pre-loved Swift Birkin 35 in black with palladium HW.
She is a gorgeous bag! Hope my photo is attached.
I have many lovely vintage H scarves, I appreciate Hermes quality.
My go-to bags are Vuitton coated canvas and Longchamp Planetes, so I am not used to heavy bags.
And this Birkin is heavy, as those of you in-the-know.....know.

I purchased this bag. Returned it. Then repurchased it, because it just called out to me.

The silky feel of the leather, and the scent of the bag... which reminds me of my horse's tack... Is just heavenly.

I used it today, to try it out. I find it heavy, and the inside pocket slouches into the interior of the bag. If I keep it, I'm gonna Duck Tape that sucker.....

Need your help. I LOVE and collect beautiful bags (I am a Taurus, lover of beauty LOL). But I also enjoy USING my bags. I take good care of them, but don't baby them.

Do I keep this lovely Birkin, or let her go.....and move on.

View attachment 4887336

Its My dream Birkin combo -Keep it a bit longer see how it grows on you.
It really is a beauty and you're lucky to own her.
The fact you returned then repurchased must mean you quite rightly love her.
And PLEASE dont duct tape the inside pocket the thought of you doing so makes me want to weep!

 

[AnnaE]

Hello H friends,
I've recently purchased my first Hermes bag, a pre-loved Swift Birkin 35 in black with palladium HW.
She is a gorgeous bag! Hope my photo is attached.
I have many lovely vintage H scarves, I appreciate Hermes quality.
My go-to bags are Vuitton coated canvas and Longchamp Planetes, so I am not used to heavy bags.
And this Birkin is heavy, as those of you in-the-know.....know.

I purchased this bag. Returned it. Then repurchased it, because it just called out to me.

The silky feel of the leather, and the scent of the bag... which reminds me of my horse's tack... Is just heavenly.

I used it today, to try it out. I find it heavy, and the inside pocket slouches into the interior of the bag. If I keep it, I'm gonna Duck Tape that sucker.....

Need your help. I LOVE and collect beautiful bags (I am a Taurus, lover of beauty LOL). But I also enjoy USING my bags. I take good care of them, but don't baby them.

Do I keep this lovely Birkin, or let her go.....and move on.

View attachment 4887336

What about a bag with these specs, but in a smaller size? Or a Kelly? The shoulder strap makes a big difference to me...

 

[MissSteph]

I used to have the same buyer remorse when I first take my b35 togo out. Even with just the insert, two calvi and a scarf it was heavvvyyy. Now I have an insert, an ipad, a laptop, 2 calvi, magazine and paperwork and, though still heavy, it is fine. I think you can get used to it in due time. My left arm probably gets a much needed workout which is cool because her right side sister has been pulling all the work for years!

 

[nicole0612]

This probably goes without saying, but when I carry a B35 over my forearm it is so heavy (I tend to do this unthinking since this is how I carry other non-shoulder bags), but when I shift it to handheld it is much more manageable. B35 really is essential for me for work or for a day out, B30 does not hold enough to get me through a full day, especially now when we need to carry more. I hope it works for you!

 

[Saaski]

It's a beautiful bag, but that much leather is going to be heavy! But if you loved it so much you bought it TWICE, it might be worth it just to own and look at and love for a while.

 

[papertiger]

I love the look of the bag, Swift is one of my favourites. Yes the weight.

Please don't use tape in the bag.

Better send it it back if the bag makes you feel so unsettled, personally I'd keep it.

 

[Rockerchic]

Since you used her, I'm assuming you can't return but would have to sell if you decide not to keep her. In that case, use her for a solid month....if she is still too heavy, sell her and try to find a similar combo in a 30. I love gulliver!!! if you can't find gulliver, look for a swift.

edited to say I assumed this was an older bag in gulliver... if swift, it will certainly be easier to find a 30 in swift. Good luck!

 

[thanks sixx]

I agree with the weight training. I have a 5 lb hand weight and lift it up like 20 times maybe 2-3x/week slightly above my head. I don't extend my arm all the way above my head b/c of potential tendonitis. Ask your doctor what to do.
I have a 35 in Epsom, it's very lightweight (it might be a 40, b/c of Covid I haven't opened the box for over a year. I never go anywhere). It's not slouchy. Would you feel better using a B that was not as special as your black one, but it was easier to use? If it's too heavy now it's only going to get heavier with time unless you strengthen your arms. Shoulder pain is not fun.

Truth be told...I want a B that feels this special, that I can use all the time!!!! I want my cake, and eat it too.

 

[eagle1002us]

Truth be told...I want a B that feels this special, that I can use all the time!!!! I want my cake, and eat it too.

Well, here's a plan: buy a 5 lb hand weight, put it in the birkin and carry it with you so that when you get a spare moment, you can sneak in maybe a dozen lifts. You'll be toting around that Birkin like nobody's business in a month or so.

 

[thanks sixx]

OK. I'm going to keep her, give her a fair trial.
True story, for your entertainment......

Yesterday, went out on horseback to help my neighbor, a cattle farmer, find the predator that killed one of his calves. Most likely a coyote in these parts.
My horse (like my dang car, so often) is in the shop. He needs a shoe replaced.

I was riding a "borrowed" horse (AKA a friend's horse whom I've never ridden) and while he was good (that means he didn't try to throw me into a muddy ditch) he kept pulling, telling me he wanted to run faster.

I kept telling him to QUIT IT. Don't jack up my shoulder, boy. I've got a lovely new Birkin to try out.

 

[abg12]

Keep it. Swift is a beautiful leather

 

[QuelleFromage]

Swift is a pretty light leather so if you want a B35 you’re not going to get that much lighter. I concur with the weight lifting. If you can do 8-15 pound weights this bag will be nothing to you (and it’s nice to be strong!)
I’m a little concerned about the pocket as none of my Birkins have this pocket issue, I’ve never even noticed the pocket. Can you share a photo? I agree with others that I rarely use the pocket as I use a bag organizer.

The bag itself is sublime and a forever classic

 

[eagle1002us]

OK. I'm going to keep her, give her a fair trial.
True story, for your entertainment......

Yesterday, went out on horseback to help my neighbor, a cattle farmer, find the predator that killed one of his calves. Most likely a coyote in these parts.
My horse (like my dang car, so often) is in the shop. He needs a shoe replaced.

I was riding a "borrowed" horse (AKA a friend's horse whom I've never ridden) and while he was good (that means he didn't try to throw me into a muddy ditch) he kept pulling, telling me he wanted to run faster.

I kept telling him to QUIT IT. Don't jack up my shoulder, boy. I've got a lovely new Birkin to try out.

Moreover, tpfer Doc Ride posted a picture years ago of being on a horse with her Birkin attached. So, new horse better get his act together, he could have a loaded Birkin to tote. Do horses have shoulders? Probably would be a whole lot easier if New Horse carried you and your Birkin everywhere. Plus, that would be a very Hermes look. Giddy-up!!!!